National Summer Learning Association

Spotlight on summer learning! Brodrick Clarke, NSLA's Vice President of Programs, is featured discussing the importance of preventing the "summer slide" the learning loss that can occur when students disengage from educational activities during the summer months.

“What happens is it’s a bit of atrophy. My mom used to tell me all the time, ‘Use it or lose it,’” Brodrick shared.

Research shows that many teachers spend the first several weeks of the new school year reteaching material students have forgotten over the summer. That's why keeping kids engaged through enriching summer learning opportunities is so important.

Watch the video here:

Students face ‘summer slide’ as school lets out Students around the county are out of school for the summer, but education officials warn that a lack of learning during the break can lead to the “summer slide.”

Don't miss Charting a Path Forward in Changing Times, the 2026 Every Hour Counts Virtual Conference to exchange ideas, share resources, and explore what’s working right now.

In a moment defined by rapid change, our collective strength matters more than ever. Young people are navigating economic insecurity, shifting policies, and an uncertain world — while organizations face funding pressures and political headwinds. This conference is about coming together to share what's working, build on each other's knowledge, and move forward as one field, with one voice. Join a national network of leaders working to expand opportunity for young people.

Learn more here:

2026 Virtual Conference — Every Hour Counts

📣 Calling All Early Education Leaders!

Join us for Practical Strategies for Engaging Families in Early Learning and Out-of-School Time Programs, presented by waterford.org

This fun and interactive session will explore creative, everyday ways families can support learning at home through routines, home experiences, and community connections. Together, we’ll share practical ideas to strengthen literacy, math, communication, and problem-solving skills while building meaningful family engagement.

Register here: https://bit.ly/3PRPTjL

See how eight urban districts are building equity‑centered leadership pathways to prepare principals who advance equity, strengthen school systems, and support student success. Practical strategies and promising practices from
The Wallace Foundation

Read it here: https://bit.ly/4uX3HJG

Promising Practices for the Design and Implementation of Equity-Centered Leader Pathways Moving From Abstract Commitments to Tangible Systems This report shares lessons and challenges from eight large urban districts that set out to build systems that successfully prepare and support equity-centered school principals.

Calling all youth development leaders! Be sure to join for two days of learning, connection, and real conversation at the Every Hour Counts Virtual Conference!

Hear how leaders are advancing impactful work in communities nationwide.

📅 June 10–11
https://bit.ly/4uWfho9

2026 Virtual Conference — Every Hour Counts

According to FRAC’s Hunger Doesn’t Take a Vacation: The Reach of Sumer Meals, participation in the Summer Meals Programs in July 2024 increased when compared to the previous year, but there is still significant room for growth to support child food security when school is out. The report shows how investments in summer programs at all levels can help more children get the meals and enrichment they need for a healthy summer. https://bit.ly/3Pqjdh0

Hunger Doesn't Take a Vacation: The Reach of Summer Meals 2026 - Food Research & Action Center According to FRAC’s Hunger Doesn’t Take a Vacation: The Reach of Sumer Meals, participation in the Summer Meals Programs in July 2024 increased when compared to the previous year, but there is still significant room for growth to support child food security when school is out.

Don't miss the Summer Youth Employment & Internships PLC webinar this Wednesday at 1:30 PM EST on Zoom!

This month’s session will feature Travis Logan, an Advisor in the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education at the U.S. Department of Education. He will be presenting on “From Classroom to Career: Pathways for Youth Success.”

Join us using the link below:
https://bit.ly/4tGpTXn

Can't make the webinar? Join the PLC here: https://bit.ly/3QQl6nv

Youth Workforce Development & Internships Pathways of Opportunity Require Partnership Summer is an opportune time for all youth to strengthen their academic and social-emotional skills to succeed in the school-year classroom. Yet, for older youth, summer is much more than that. It is also an exceptional time to develop key career skills and...

Thank you to the more than 1,500 program directors, educators, and youth development leaders who joined us for this year’s Summer Planning Bootcamp.

If you missed our Summer Planning Bootcamp or want to revisit any insights, our recap e-mail below features session recordings, important links, and the 2026 Bootcamp Resource Toolkit!


Bootcamp Resource Toollkit: https://bit.ly/4sWqwLk

Bootcamp Recap E-mail: https://conta.cc/4tU88n0

www.summerlearning.org

Mark your calendars!

National Summer Learning Week is your chance to spotlight the critical role summer programs play in supporting student success and closing the opportunity gap.

🗓️ July 6–10

Learn more: https://bit.ly/47noewP

National Summer Learning Week July 6-10, 2026 National Summer Learning Week NSLA’s National Summer Learning Week is a nationwide celebration that elevates the importance of summer learning in keeping kids engaged, safe, and healthy during the summer months. Held annually in July, this week shines a spotligh...

Summer learning is a critical opportunity to improve academic outcomes and provide students with exciting enrichment opportunities. How are districts sustaining the momentum they built around summer learning? In a new brief from NYU Metro, commissioned by The Wallace Foundation, 13 districts are:

✔️ Building internal capacity and commitment
✔️ Building demand and community support; as well as buy in from district decisionmakers
✔️ Building diverse community partnerships and networks
✔️ Diversifying their funding streams

Learn more about their strategies:

Sustaining Momentum on Summer Learning Building Capacity, Strengthening Partnerships & Buy-In, Securing Funding This research brief from the District Summer Learning Network Study offers strategies for sustaining progress on summer learning