Community outreach is key to an equitable and impactful summer program. Attendees joined ULC on January 19, 2023 for a webinar focused on designing summer program outreach through an equity lens, including identifying and working with community partners and trusted messengers. ULC Director of Racial Equity and Community Impact Michelle Hamiel was joined by library leaders driving this work.

Understanding the developmental stage of middle schoolers is crucial to developing engaging summer programming. Attendees were provided tips and best practices for working with early adolescents, including a showcase of successful examples. Brodrick Clarke, Vice President of Programs and Systems Quality at the National Summer Learning Association, presented along with library leaders who are working creatively with middle schoolers.

When libraries plan effectively, working with youth on STEM can be simple and fun. Bryan Wunar, President and CEO of Discovery World, highlighted the critical importance of these subjects and share examples of STEM activities that do not require vast resources. Library leaders effectively integrating STEM into summer also shared their work.

Boot Camp #4 highlighted promising practices in, and the importance of, effectively evaluating library summer programs. Leslie Gabay-Swanston, Director of External Affairs at the National Summer Learning Association, and Dianne Palladino, Director of Evaluation at the National Recreation and Park Association, presented on measuring progress in summer programs.