05/25/21
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated an already serious problem for
families, in particular low-income families: access to structured
summer programs.
According to new
research commissioned by the Afterschool Alliance and conducted
by Edge Research, participation in summer programs had been growing,
with 47% of families reporting at least one member of their family
participating in any type of summer program, up from 33% in 2013 and
25% in 2008. However, the pandemic interrupted that growth, and
participation fell to 34% (close to 2013’s levels), but with many
participating virtually. The report, America
After 3PM: Time for a Game-Changing Summer, was based on
responses from 29,595 households, with a total of 53,287 children.