Everyday families struggle to afford summer opportunities

Summer programs help young people explore the outdoors, make friends, try new things and rediscover old favorites. 

Parents want their children to attend safe, structured summer programs to keep them active and engaged. Yet millions of families are being left behind, primarily due to cost. 

According to a new study from the Afterschool Alliance, while parents of 24.6 million children want structured summer experiences — from camps and sports to internships — only 12 million children are actually enrolled. This means more than half are missing out.

What are parents looking for? 

They said safety and program staff are the most important factors in selecting a program for their child. When planning for the summer, parents prioritize activities that get children outdoors, active and off screens compared to the priorities they set for afterschool programs during the school year.

What gets in the way? 

Affordability is the biggest barrier. The high cost of quality summer programs prevents many families, especially middle and low-income families, from accessing them. Other barriers include issues with location or transportation, difficulty finding programs and lack of availability of summer programs in their community.

The implications of this opportunity gap are significant

Without access to structured programs, many youth face increased risks, including social isolation, excessive screen time and food insecurity without the safety net of school-based meals. They are also missing out on enriching activities that build confidence and academic readiness for the school year ahead.

There is overwhelming consensus across the political and geographic spectrum on the need to increase our investments in summer programs. Nearly nine in 10 parents favor increased public funding for summer learning. We also need to expand transportation and make information about available local programs more accessible. 

Access to quality summer programs is not a luxury, but a necessity for the wellbeing, development and readiness of the next generation.