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Youth Summer Programs Provide Critical Services for Kids and Communities

July 6, 2026  |  adolescence, afterschool programs, extracurricular programming, out of school time, summer learning loss, summer programming, youth development, youth outcomes, youth programming
two teens rollers kate on a greenway

The start of summer saw many cities struggling to manage large, unofficial gatherings of teenagers often called “teen takeovers.” Several adults and teens were injured over Memorial Day weekend in Chicago in connection with teen takeovers, and many more were arrested as police cracked down on the gatherings. While the teen takeovers in Chicago made national headlines, cities across the U.S. have encountered similar issues over summer. These large, unsanctioned gatherings of young people are of concern because they can be hard to control and keep safe. They are, however, the product of totally normal teenage instincts. Adolescents want to be out of the house, connecting with friends, and having fun in their communities, especially when they have more free time during summer break.

a group of teens ride bikes in a skate park

Cities, and even different local offices within cities, have responded in a range of ways. Some have opted for curfews for minors and stricter policing of young people in public. Others have focused on parent education campaigns, urging guardians to be more aware of where and how their teenagers are spending their time. One approach that shows promise is investing in community-based youth programming. The arrival of summer often means that young people have access to less resources, lose structures of adult mentorship, and don’t have safe spaces to spend time with their friends. In the absence of programming designed to meet their needs, adolescents fill these voids on their own, not always in healthy or productive ways.

kids line up on a swimming pool wall

When we offer young people engaging and meaningful summer experiences, we can shift time and resources away from policing families and toward helping kids grow and thrive. Programs that engage kids during out-of-school time are shown to have a range of positive impacts, both immediate and long-term. Kids who participate in afterschool and summer programs do better in school, have less disciplinary interventions, engage in more positive relationships with peers and adults, participate less in risky behaviors during adolescence, and have higher levels of educational attainment. These outcomes are enhanced when kids start engaging with out-of-school programming while they’re still in elementary school.

young people paddle a raft on a river

Many researchers and practitioners point to relationships as a key factor in these outcomes. Programs during out-of-school time serve important functions in supporting learning goals and meeting families’ basic needs for childcare and food, but the core of what good youth programs offer is a caring environment. Kids need a range of relationships to thrive, including relationships with caregivers, educators, friends, and role models. Afterschool and summer programs add to this network of care and support for kids and provide safe spaces for them to try new things and learn about themselves.

Unfortunately, many kids and families don’t have access to these kinds of environments whether because of income, geography, or identity. Given how much impact we know they can have, it is essential that we help get more kids engaged with meaningful youth programming even when they’re not in school. At NRF, we’re committed to supporting community-based programs across the country doing this important work. We want all kids to have opportunities to have fun, spend time with friends, explore their interests, and connect with nature during the summer, and all year round.