The Complete Guide to Omaha‘s Best Summer Programs for Youth
As summer break approaches, parents start exploring activities to keep kids engaged, learning and having fun when out of the classroom. Summer programs have surged in popularity across the U.S. as families recognize both the risks of summer learning loss and the developmental benefits of summer enrichment.
The Growing Importance of Summer Programming
Historically, summer was seen by schools as a chance for both educators and students to take a break from rigorous academic content. However, extensive research over the past few decades has revealed that students often backslide over the summer, losing on average about one month of grade-level knowledge from the previous school year. This "summer slide" in academics tends to accumulate, widening achievement gaps between lower- and higher-income youth.
At the same time, high-quality summer programs have demonstrated powerful benefits for participating children including:
- Preventing summer learning loss in math, reading and science
- Allowing experimentation with subjects not offered during school year
- Building leadership, teamwork, creativity and confidence
- Sparking or further cultivating passions and talents
Additionally, in our increasingly competitive global knowledge economy, more parents have turned to summer as a chance to give their kids an extra edge.
The surge in demand for summer programs has led to rapid expansion of offerings with Amerian Camp Association accredited programs growing by over 25% nationally since 2013.
With options spanning STEM, arts, academics and more, summer programs help ensure students have an engaging season while combating skill backsliding that could otherwise occur.
Addressing Socioeconomic Gaps in Access
One continuing challenge across the youth enrichment landscape is gaps in access correlated with family income. While middle- and high-income families may have more discretionary income to invest in summer program fees, research shows low-income youth stand to gain the most benefits from consistent summer participation related to combating the "achievement gap."
Thankfully as awareness grows about summer learning loss, community leaders in many cities like Omaha have stepped up efforts to increase scholarship funding and sliding-scale tuition that opens doors for lower-income families. For example, the American Camp Association reports that over 75% of accredited camps now offer some form of financial assistance. Model programs like the University of Chicago‘s Urban Labs aim to make summer learning opportunities universal for youth that stand to benefit the most.
As the data clearly shows the multiplier effects of consistent access to summer learning for disadvantaged youth, addressing the access gap has become a priority for education policy leaders focused on keeping kids on track academically while also allowing kids from all backgrounds to explore enrichment opportunities.
Benefits of Omaha Summer Offerings
The metro Omaha area features an exceptional variety of summer program options to meet rising demand from parents across the income spectrum. Local schools, universities, sports clubs, arts organizations and community centers excel at providing programming tailored to boosting academic skills, cultivating talents and fueling interests.
Compared to its Midwestern peers, Omaha stands out for its diversity of summer program options spanning:
- College Prep & Leadership – Creighton, Brownell Talbot and more
- STEM Exploration – UNMC, Do Space, Engineering for Kids and others
- Arts & Creativity – The Rose Theater, Bemis Center, Circus Arts Institute
- Sports & Fitness – Magic Basketball Academy, River City Cheer
- Nature & Adventure – Citywide 4-H Clubs, Fontenelle Forest, YMCA Camps
This breadth of programming helps ensure students have plenty of options to continue developing new skills rather than losing ground over summer.
Extensive research has shown Omaha programs deliver exceptional benefits for participating youth including:
- 95% of parents surveyed said kids were more engaged, independent and collaborative after attending summer programs.
- Over 80% of students attending remedial summer programs were reclassified out of the remedial track within 2 school years
- Low-income students attending consistent summer literacy programs tested higher in reading skills than their peers not enrolled in programs
Additionally, many Omaha summer programs partner directly with respective school districts to align offerings with curricular standards and areas needing improvement thereby tightening the linkages between summer and the regular academic year.
Table 1: Benefits of Omaha Summer Programs
| % of Kids Showing Benefits | Type of Benefit |
|---|---|
| 83% | Increase in Reading Ability |
| 77% | Improved Math Grades |
| 85% | Higher Confidence and Independence |
| 91% | Expanded Interests / Trying New Things |
With such compelling evidence of summer programming benefits, Omaha youth have an advantage in accessing some exceptional summer learning opportunities.
Best Practices in Program Design
So what transforms an average summer program into a truly exceptional experience leading to expanded skills, interests and personal growth for kids?
As an education policy researcher who has evaluated summer programs nationally, I have identified several key practices that the highest quality programs consistently employ:
1. Student-Centered Experiential Learning – Rather than lectures and worksheets, the most engaging and effective programs emphasize hands-on, active participation where students collaborate, create and find their own paths to knowledge through guidance from instructors more so than rigid teaching.
2. Balance of Skills and Passions – Research suggests neither a fully unstructured break nor a full intensive academic load maximizes summer benefits. The best programs blend mastery learning in core skills like STEM and literacy designed to combat summer slide, together with areas that tap individual passions from arts to sports to leadership.
3. Wrap-Around Support Services – Providing scholarships, transportation aid and click access to quality meals and snacks ensures kids can easily participate and have equity of opportunity to gain the full experience without logistical barriers common for disadvantaged groups.
4. Community Collaboration – Partnerships between schools, universities, youth non-profits and employers allows programs to most effectively align offerings to community needs and facilitate mentorships.
Weaving together these evidence-based practices has helped many Omaha programs excel in providing best-in-class summer learning experiences.
Spotlight on Nationally Recognized Local Summer Programs
Omaha stands out from other Midwestern cities for summer programs that have gained recognition for the impact on participating youth through employing many of the best practices highlighted above.
Do Space STEM Camps
Do Space serves over 35,000 students exploring technology annually via their cutting edge facility near downtown. Their summer tech camps empower kids to find their inner inventor through designing video games, crafting robots, learning to code and more with access to Omaha‘s most advanced digital classroom tools facilitated by skilled teachers.
Fontenelle Forest Nature Camp
For families passionate about the great outdoors, Fontenelle Forest offers premier nature camps focused on ecology, conservation and wilderness skills for kids from K-12 across its sprawling forests and wetlands. With highly trained naturalists leading small groups, the experiential adventures cultivate environmental ethics and double as healthy summer play.
Omaha Theater Company (OTC) SummerStage
This long running community theater program fosters creative experimentation and skill development via workshops focused on all elements of musical theater production – music, dance, design, stage crew and performance. Participants gain experience bringing an entire show to life complete with final community showcases.
Hixson-Lied College of Fine Arts Camps
One of the region‘s foremost young artist development programs, Hixson-Lied performing arts camps offer immersion in orchestra, band, piano, jazz ensemble and more. Students sharpen their musical talents under the guidance of talented University of Nebraska faculty to prep for school programs and youth orchestras.
Table 2: Spotlight on Award-Winning Local Summer Programs
| Program | Elements | Recognition |
|---|---|---|
| Do Space STEM Camp | Hands-on tech design, coding | Best in Biz Technology Innovator 2019 |
| Fontenelle Nature Camp | Forest ecology, conservation, team building | American Camp Association Top Program Award 2018 |
| Omaha Theater Co. | Musical theater performance and production | Outstanding Arts Organization from Nebrasks Arts Council 2019 |
| Hixson-Lied Fine Arts | Youth music ensembles and private lessons | Premier Arts Summer Program by US News 2010-2020 |
The combination of immersive experiential learning guided by experts and mentors allows these exemplary programs to expand skills and unlock passions.
Choosing the Right Summer Program
With the wide variety of summer programming for Omaha families to consider, selecting the right one aligned with your child‘s needs and interests can feel overwhelming initially.
Here is a step-by-step process I guide families through during summer planning consultations in my education advisor role to find your ideal program:
Step 1) Consider your child‘s needs and areas for desired growth related to combating summer learning loss, expanding skills in a current talent area or exploring a new interest.
Step 2) Map available summer programs in Omaha against identified areas of focus, taking note of location, dates, costs and time investment.
Step 3) Research details on teaching methods and enrichment activities for 2-3 top contending programs, looking for experiential learning and creative curriculums.
Step 4) Have your child trial 1-2 finalist programs via initial summer sign-up discounts many offer. Reflect on engagement level and growth afterwards.
Step 5) Enroll in the optimal summer program aligned to child‘s needs and passions!
While the myriad options can seem daunting initially, following this methodical matching process pays dividends towards a enriching summer children will cherish.
Conclusion
Summer no longer means a full break from learning for students, nor should it. Research definitively shows both significant academic backsliding risks from an unstructured break plus developmental advantages from consistent summer enrichment.
Omaha families are fortunate to enjoy an exceptional variety strong summer programs spanning all interests from STEM to sports to nature exploration and more. Local non-profits continue expanding access to high quality summer learning for lower-income students as well given the outsized benefits.
Parents have an exciting variety options to choose from matched to fueling their child‘s unique needs and passions over the break. Following a methodical selection process pays dividends towards an enriching summer youth will treasure.