Engaging the Community in Quality Summer Programs

On-Site Training Module

During this training, participants will gain a deeper understanding of elements of high-quality summer programs by identifying resources to help strengthen their summer program offerings, engaging in collaborative reflection and planning, and developing clear goals for the summer program.

In this training participants will:

  • Practice sharing the importance of why summer matters.
  • Develop a vision for a successful quality summer program to guide planning.
  • Identify resources within the community to help strengthen summer programs.

Content Overview:

One Minute Message

Participants will practice communicating the importance of quality summer programs to various stakeholders to help spread the message of the positive impacts that programs have on children and youth.

Cover Story: Program of the Year

Participants will engage in a visioning exercise, imagining the end of the program and what kind of outcomes were achieved for program staff, children and youth, families, and the larger community.

Community Mapping

Participants will identify resources in the community surrounding the summer program to strengthen the offerings during the program. Participants will map out the resources to be used as a visual for planning, and prioritize resources with the most impact.

Training Length: 2 hours


eLearning Module

People need to know how important summer is to the children and youth in your program and across the state. Summer learning program staff is all torchbearers for quality summer opportunities. Staff and stakeholders at multiple levels of the program should be involved in planning for summer programs. Effective, sustainable summer programs form strong partnerships with the immediate and broader community to offer a wide variety of activities and opportunities.

In this module, participants will gain a deeper understanding of elements of high-quality summer programs by identifying resources to help strengthen their summer program offerings, engaging in collaborative reflection and planning, and developing clear goals for the summer program.

By the end of this module, participants will:

  • Practice sharing the importance of why summer matters
  • Develop a vision for a successful quality summer program to guide planning
  • Identify resources within the community to help strengthen summer programs