By Logan Arnold, Director of Curriculum
Summer might still feel far away, especially when schools and districts are focused on finishing the year strong.
For some students and families, summer is something they look forward to, with more free time, flexibility, and space to rest, play, and explore. For many others, summer brings anxiety and uncertainty. Questions about daily routines, childcare, access to meals, and whether students will stay connected to peers and supportive adults once the school year ends.
To explore what makes summer programs meaningful and supportive, we sat down with Logan Arnold, Elevo’s Director of Curriculum, to talk about why summer learning and enrichment matter and what districts should consider as they plan.
Why Summer Programs Matter Beyond the Classroom
You may have heard the phrase summer slide, referring to learning loss during long breaks from school. Recent research continues to show that structured summer programs benefit students beyond academics, including improvements in social and emotional competencies such as effort, attitude, social skills, and behavioral adjustment (Lynch et al., 2025).
Summer is also a time when routines disappear, face-to-face social connection decreases, and access to nutritious food and enrichment becomes less consistent for many families. Programs that provide structured days with supportive adults and peer interaction offer consistent engagement that supports growth across multiple areas (Eglitis et al., 2024).
There is also evidence that summer programs help support healthy behaviors that often decline during long breaks, including increased physical activity and balanced movement throughout the day (Love et al., 2024). While a good “couch rot” is appreciated and needed some days, summer is best spent outside, exploring, moving, and soaking up all the energy and fun the season has to offer.
For these reasons, summer programs are not just a nice to have. They are an essential support for students and families.
What to Look for in a Summer Program
A strong summer program does not try to replicate the school day, but it also does not remove structure altogether. Instead, it provides consistency, connection, and choice. Here are four key questions to ask as you plan for your summer program.
1. How Can Summer Programs Best Support Students?
As the school year wraps up, students’ needs often shift, requiring new kinds of support. Summer programs offer an opportunity to foster continued growth, academically, socially, and emotionally, while keeping students connected to peers and supportive adults. When programs are intentionally designed with these goals in mind, students stay engaged, build confidence, and strengthen social and emotional skills throughout the summer (Lynch et al., 2025). Research also suggests that summer experiences focused on well-being can reduce anxiety and help students transition more smoothly into the next school year (Eglitis et al., 2024).
2. Is There a Thoughtful Daily Routine and Schedule?
Routine matters for children and families alike. A summer program should strike a balance between movement, creative exploration, academic activities, social interaction, and downtime. Consistent schedules help students feel secure and supported while making summer logistics easier for families.
Evidence indicates that programs incorporating regular physical activity and limiting extended periods of inactivity lead to meaningful health benefits, including higher levels of moderate to vigorous activity and overall improved wellbeing (Love et al., 2024). Thoughtful routines that combine structure with flexibility also support engagement and help students maintain momentum from the school year (Lynch et al., 2025).
3. Are Students and Families Given a Voice?
Summer is the perfect opportunity to show students and families that their opinions matter. Asking students what they want—whether sports, project based learning, or open-ended STEAM challenges—ensures programs reflect real interests and strengths. Experiences that encourage collaboration, problem solving, creativity, and well-being help students grow academically and personally (Eglitis et al., 2024). Programs that include families in planning and feedback can also boost participation and strengthen connections between home and program.
4. Does It Really Feel Like Summer?
A strong summer program should feel distinct from the school year, giving students room to explore, play, and discover in ways that are enjoyable and engaging. Structure is still important—predictable routines and supportive adults help students feel safe—but the activities should ignite curiosity, creativity, and excitement.
Programs that truly capture the summer vibe offer hands-on learning, playful challenges, and teamwork with peers in a relaxed, low-pressure environment. Whether students are tackling a STEAM challenge, experimenting with art, building skills, or trying a new sport, these experiences promote confidence, social connection, and a sense of achievement.
When students look forward to attending each day, they are more likely to stay engaged, forge meaningful relationships, and carry momentum into the school year. Programs that encourage exploration, collaboration, and skill building help students stay motivated while strengthening connections with peers and supportive adults (Eglitis et al., 2024; Love et al., 2024). Make summer programming a vibe, where learning is woven seamlessly into the fun.
What Summer Looks Like at Elevo
World Cup Kickoff: Starting the Summer Season Strong
Elevo Summer always begins with a World Cup inspired kickoff week. Students build community, create shared agreements, design their own flags and teams, and take on sport and STEAM challenges that emphasize teamwork, strategy, and collaboration. Starting with community and rhythm helps students feel comfortable and confident and encourages them to dive into the weeks ahead.
From There, Summer Becomes an Exploration
Once the foundation is set, students move into themed weeks designed to spark curiosity, encourage collaboration, and celebrate self-expression in a welcoming and supportive environment. A few examples include:
- Mystery Detective – Students put on their detective hats to solve puzzles, follow hidden clues, and strengthen critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills. They also get to design their own scavenger hunts for friends, turning problem-solving into a playful challenge.
- Space Odyssey – Students embark on hands-on adventures that explore big scientific questions. Through engineering challenges and experiments with gravity, cause & effect, and objects in motion, they build teamwork, ignite innovation, and dive deep into the wonders of the universe.
- Elevo’s Got Talent – Students step into the spotlight to explore their passions and celebrate their strengths. From performance to creativity, they gain confidence while working toward a lively, in-program talent show that highlights everyone’s unique abilities.
While themes shift from week to week, the daily structure stays consistent, giving students the comfort of routine while keeping every experience exciting, engaging, and full of discovery.
Flexible Support for Districts
Elevo offers full-service summer programs and supplemental support for districts running their own programs or partnering with other vendors. The Elevo team collaborates closely with districts to ensure programs align with district goals and effectively meet student needs.
When the district’s credentialed teachers are leading academic instruction or attendance recovery, Elevo can provide enrichment, physical activity, and other wellbeing opportunities for students, helping ensure that every child has a meaningful, engaging, and well-rounded summer experience.
Last year, Elevo partnered with more than 42 districts across California to provide summer programming. Whether a district needs a complete summer program or additional support, the focus remains on providing students with consistent, connected, and engaging experiences throughout the summer.
Additional Summer Planning Resources
- Additional Summer Program Planning Resources The California Department of Education has a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page for summer programs. www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ex/summerfaqs.asp
- The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) offer a robust online resource hub through the 21st CCLC National Technical Assistance Center (NTAC). You can access needs assessments, goal-setting guides, observation tools, and more to support program planning and student growth. Explore the full collection of resources at https://21stcclcntac.org/
- The Partnership for Children & Youth has a Summer Resource Hub featuring videos, templates, and planning guides for school and district leaders. www.partnerforchildren.org/summerresources
- The California School Boards Association (CSBA) has compiled governance and policy resources on summer learning, including webinars, guides, and more. www.csba.org
- The National Summer Learning Association has a Knowledge Center filled with resources, including research, videos, workshop opportunities, and more. www.summerlearning.org
A Summer That Builds Momentum
A strong summer program offers more than something to do. It offers connection, consistency, and joy. When summer ends, students return to school with confidence, relationships, and momentum already in place.
If you are beginning to think about summer or exploring what is possible, Elevo partners with districts to provide programs that keep students engaged and supported from kickoff to the final week.
References
Eglitis, E., Simpson, C., Singh, B., Olds, T., Machell, A., Virgara, R., Richardson, M., Brannelly, K., Grant, A., & Gray, J. (2024). Effect of summer holiday programs on children’s mental health and well-being: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Children, 11(8), 887. https://doi.org/10.3390/children11080887
Love, R. L., Saunders, K., Nguyen, H., Patel, R., Thompson, A., Kim, J., Miller, S., Wang, L., Rodriguez, T., Chen, Y., Johnson, M., Smith, B., & Anderson, P. (2024). Health effects of children’s summer holiday programs: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 21, 119. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-024-01658-8
Lynch, K. S., Lanteri, L., An, L., Mancenido, Z., & Richardson, J. (2025). The effects of summer learning on social-emotional and behavioral outcomes: A meta-analysis. Social and Emotional Learning: Research, Practice and Policy, 5, 100101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sel.2025.100101