45 Percent of Children Nationwide Lack Summer Learning Opportunities, Citing Cost As Biggest Barrier

WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, on Friday introduced the Summer for All Act, legislation to provide high-quality summer enrichment opportunities to kids and families who otherwise would not have access to these programs. The bill would establish two new grant programs to provide long-term, direct funding that would help community-based organizations provide free summer camp and other activities to underserved kids and support states in the planning and implementation of initiatives to address summer programming gaps in sustainable ways.

In 2021, Murphy secured a dedicated set-aside in the education funding in the American Rescue Plan for summer enrichment programs. With that funding, states across the country, including Connecticut, expanded camps for hundreds of thousands of kids and provided programs for families, like free admission to museums, for the past three summers. After this summer, that funding states have relied on will run out.

A new survey released by Gallup this week, which shows that an estimated 24 million children in the U.S. did not participate in any structured programming last summer, highlights the inequities in who can access summer learning. While most surveyed families with a household annual income of $100,000 or more report their child did participate in summer programs in 2023, only 38 percent of kids from families with less than $50,000 in annual income were able to attend summer camps or other summer enrichment activities. Gallup’s survey shows that cost is the greatest barrier for parents who want their child to engage in summer programming but had to forgo or limit their participation last summer, finding that 32 percent of all K-12 parents in the U.S. couldn’t send their child to a summer program because it was unaffordable.

“The summer months give kids a chance to reset and prepare for back-to-school, and a big part of that comes from camps and other summer programs where kids can spend time with their friends, have fun, and continue to learn. Unfortunately, a lot of kids don’t get those experiences because there aren’t enough slots or their family can’t afford it. Back in 2021, I led an effort to make sure the American Rescue Plan included funding to give more kids the opportunity for a fun summer after a really tough school year. Thanks to those federal dollars, Connecticut’s summer enrichment program has helped thousands of kids and families, but the money is running out. We shouldn’t abandon such a successful and important initiative, and that’s why I’m introducing this legislation to make summer funding a federal priority and ensure every kid has a fun summer – not just the kids whose families can afford it,” said Murphy.

The Summer for All Actwouldauthorize $4 billion over four years and $1 billion each fiscal year after to fund two new competitive grant programs managed by the Department of Health and Human Services to expand access to high-quality summer enrichment opportunities. The bill also authorizes the Secretary to reserve up to 5 percent of funds to conduct data collection and analysis to understand gaps in summer enrichment opportunities for youth and how to improve access to and the quality of summer programs overall.

• Summer Enrichment Expansion Grant: Helps community-based organizations expand the programs they offer in the summer, with a priority for programs that:
  • Provide programming and transportation free of charge to low-income participants
  • Expand access to underserved and rural communities
  • Partner with local schools to identify and enroll at-risk students, including those who were chronically absent the previous school year
  • Integrate healthy nutrition as part of their programming, as well as incorporate activities that support the physical and mental health of participants
  • Provide safe, healthy, and supportive environments, and help participants develop relationship-building skills as well as their social and emotional skills

• Summer Programming State Grant: Supports states in addressing gaps in summer programming in sustainable ways, along with providing innovative summer programming opportunities for kids and their families, with priority for states that:
  • Organize state-level teams, comprised of a diverse group of stakeholders, to determine the biggest gaps in summer enrichment programming within their state and develop a sustainable plan to leverage grant funding to address those gaps
  • Utilize funding for innovative programming that goes beyond providing expanded slots at established summer programs (i.e. making museums free for families throughout the summer)
  • Build partnerships between local schools, municipalities, and community-based organizations to maximize the impact of existing summer programs among at-risk students

This legislation is endorsed by After-School All-Stars (ASAS), American Alliance of Museums, American Camp Association, American Library Association, Breakthrough Collaborative, Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound School, Coalition for Service Learning, Connecticut Network for Children and Youth, Every Hour Counts, Girls Inc., Girlstart, Horizons National, Maryland Out of School Time Network, MENTOR, National Afterschool Association, National Parents Union, National Recreation and Parks Association, National Summer Learning Association (NSLA), National Youth Leadership Council, Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool Youth Development Network (PSAYDN), and Youth Service America.

“While it’s encouraging that 30 million youth participated in fun and engaging summer opportunities, we must strive for more,” said Aaron Dworkin, CEO of the National Summer Learning Association. “Our mission is to bridge the gap, ensuring all low-income young people have access to high-quality summer programs in community centers, parks, camps, schools, and beyond. Senator Chris Murphy’s Summer for All Act is a pivotal step forward, championing children by removing barriers and transforming summer into a season of enrichment for every child.”

“We’ve known for more than a hundred years that summer learning at camp is a transformative experience that fosters character and social-emotional skills development, resulting in a stronger sense of self,” said Tom Rosenberg, president and CEO of the American Camp Association. “Summer learning is crucial for setting our kids up to thrive in the classroom and beyond. Today, we must work together to ensure all children have access to summer learning experiences. The Summer for All Act will greatly expand our ability to provide more kids with summer learning, laying the foundation for capable and confident future generations.”

“Horizons National, which advances educational equity by building long-term partnerships with students, families, communities, and schools to create experiences outside of school that inspire the joy of learning, is honored to endorse Senator Murphy’s Summer for All Act. It is heartbreaking to see the waiting lists for our programs every year and the Gallup data makes it clear that millions of parents are struggling to afford summer learning programs for their children. This legislation is a vital step to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive and grow during the crucial summer months,” said Lorna Smith, CEO of Horizons National.

“Ensuring all children have access to high-quality summer enrichment opportunities is essential for closing the equity gap and providing vital support to families who need it most. This legislation will empower schools, municipalities, and community-based organizations to offer enriching summer experiences, fostering growth and development for underserved kids across the country,” said Gina Warner, CEO of the National Afterschool Association.

“One of the biggest sources of inequity in U. S. education outcomes is the ‘opportunity gap’ between children who can experience enriching, engaging experiences during the summer, and those that are isolated, bored and disengaged. The Summer for All Act will provide essential funding so that children can make friends, have fun, and continue learning all summer long in a safe and supportive setting. Thank you Senator Murphy for leading the way with this very important legislation,” said Michelle Doucette Cunningham, Executive Director of the Connecticut Network for Children and Youth.