Many Idaho families are struggling to find affordable summer programs for their children, according to a study released last week by a national nonprofit that helps children access afterschool and summer programs. 

Parents of 145,022 Idaho children want summer programs, findings from the Afterschool Alliance show, but only about 31% were enrolled in one during summer 2024.

Cost is the biggest barrier, with 35% of families citing affordability as a factor preventing enrollment. 

Transportation issues were also a significant reason. Twenty-one percent of respondents said location or transportation challenges prevented their child’s participation.

Twenty percent of all respondents reported that summer programs were not available to them. 

The study defined summer programs as anything from sports, summer camps, classes, jobs or internships. Parents said they look for environments that foster confidence and social skills. 

“In Idaho and across the country, summer programs give children a safe place to go, provide alternatives to screen time, keep them physically active, reduce isolation, support learning and give working parents peace of mind that their children are safe,” Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant said in a May 19 news release. 

Despite the challenges families face accessing a summer program, parents whose children were enrolled reported high satisfaction, with 93% saying they were happy with their child’s experience.

Respondents widely support public funding for summer programs, despite their political affiliation. Here’s a breakdown of support among those who identified as Democrats, Republicans and independents: 

• Democrats: 92%
• Republicans: 83%
• Independents: 79%

Anna Almerico, director of the Idaho Out-of-School-Network, said the findings highlight challenges families face each summer.

“It shouldn’t be this difficult for families to access summer programs that will help their children engage, be active and learn over the summer,” Almerico said in the news release. “Every Idaho family deserves summer options they can afford.” 

National challenges reflected challenges in Idaho. The study found 24.6 million parents across the U.S. wanted a summer program for their child, but just 49% of those children are enrolled in one.