Summer for All Act
Newly introduced federal legislation, the Summer for All Act, sponsored by US Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), aims to help provide high-quality summer enrichment opportunities to all kids and families and especially those who could not afford or access these programs otherwise.
For millions of kids, summer is marked by camps and other enrichment activities that help them reset mentally, socially, and emotionally and prepare for success at school in the fall. But too many kids and their families get left behind as many high-quality summer programs either do not have enough slots or are cost prohibitive. These kids not only miss out on the experiences their peers have, but after spending months with little support or resources, they are often worse off by the time it’s back-to-school. Summers are a formative time in a child’s development, and federal support is urgently needed to help ensure every kid has a fun and fulfilling summer – not just the ones who can afford it.
A nationally representative poll by Gallup in partnership with the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) and the American Camp Association (ACA) found that 30 million youth are engaged in summer opportunities. This represents 55% of K-12 youth in schools. NSLA and ACA call for a national effort to maintain and increase this baseline, but critical barriers such as cost remain for many families.
The Summer for All Act, recently introduced by Senator Murphy (D-CT), would provide long-term, direct funding to help kids and families access high-quality summer programs and activities. Specifically, the Summer for All Act would authorize $4 billion over four years and $1 billion each fiscal year thereafter to fund two new competitive grant programs to expand access to summer enrichment programs, and authorize an additional reservation of funds to conduct data collection and analysis on the impact of these programs and how to improve summer programming nationwide.
Summer for All Fact Sheet
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Gallup Poll Reveals 30 Million Youth Participated in Summer Opportunities in 2023; Parents anticipate similar participation for 2024
A new nationally representative poll of parents across US conducted by Gallup in partnership with the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) and the American Camp Association (ACA) found that in 2023, 30 million youth were engaged in organized summer opportunities. This represents 55% of K-12 youth in schools were engaged in opportunities including: day camps, overnight camps, summer school, community-based enrichment programs, internships and jobs.
Only 10 million out of 25 million (38%) low-income students accessed programs, compared with 50% of middle-income and 67% of upper-income children.
NSLA and ACA call for a national effort to maintain and increase this baseline, but critical barriers such as cost remain for many families.
Read the Gallup article here.
More information about the Gallup Poll:
About NSLA
The National Summer Learning Association works to ensure all of America’s students, regardless of background, income, or zip code, can access and benefit from a high-quality summer learning experience every year.
As the national leader on summer learning and its role in education reform, NSLA tracks and responds to policy issues that affect summer learning at the federal, state, and local levels. Working hand-in-hand with coalition partners, policymakers, and local advocates, NSLA provides expertise, tools and resources on a number of policy issues that include 21st Century Community Learning Centers, summer meals, community service and service learning, STEM education, and funding opportunities for summer programs.
NSLA’s policy priorities focus on maximizing available resources through partnerships and improved efficiencies, sustainability of summer initiatives, and improved use of data to target summer opportunities to the youth most in need. Stay connected to NSLA and sign-up for our newsletter here!
