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Summer Buzz

Go-to tips, tools, hacks, and facts sourced for youth development leaders committed to giving kids and families the BEST SUMMER EVER!

Latest Buzz

Two men and two women forming the letters YMCA with their arms

How to Help Teens Become More Globally Engaged

More Buzz

Boy smiling while looking to the side. A Y teacher and three kids are seen working on a project in the background.

Strategies to Address Social and Emotional Learning Barriers

Female Y staff in blue shirt sitting on the floor with two girls and one boy, reading.

Three Steps for Afterschool Marketing Success

Two girls and two boys in red shirts smiling and pointing at the ceiling

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Making Emergency Preparedness Fun for Children

Crowd cheering on bleachers with focus on a woman who is smiling and clapping.

How to Foster Community on Social Media

three boys sitting on a bench in a wooded area looking at a book.

Fun Fall Outdoor Activities

Teens taking standardized test

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Free Test Practice for College-Bound Teens

Coach with his back to the camera talking to two boys and one girl wearing red Y vests in a gym

The Best Ways to Honor Volunteer Coaches

Mom sitting on the couch looking at a tablet with her daughter

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Designing an Email Plan to Improve Retention

Family of five sitting on a couch and smiling

Camp Surveys: How to Keep Families Engaged

Three teen girls and three teen boys of multiple ethnic backgrounds taking a selfie together outside

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How to Help Teens Feel Loved and Supported

Boy looking inside an empty refridgerator

iStock.com/René Jansa

Five Signs a Child is Struggling with Summer Hunger

Girl and boy sitting at a table outside building containers out of colorful paper.

Three Simple STEM Activities for All Ages

Young man high-fiving a boy outside in front of a fence.

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My Why: From Summer Camp to Wedding Day

Kids playing soccer on a field with a boy in the foreground with his hands on his knees.

Help Prevent Kids From Quitting Sports

Girl looking at the screen of a tablet in a darkened bedroom.

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Summer Screen Time: How Much is Too Much?

Close up shot of a girl in a pool wearing goggles with a man and woman in the pool close behind her.

Three Steps to Get Public Officials to Invest in Your Summer Programs

Two teen girls and one teen boy holding books while walking outside and conversing.

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Download This Summer Reading List for Teens

Four girls sitting on the end of a dock on a lake seen from behind with their arms around each other.

Four Ways Outdoor Adventures Teach Leadership

Kids at a picnic table outside with a Y staff person serving them food.

Self-Care is Camp Care: Three Tips For Keeping up with Campers

How Kind is Your Camp?

Girl and boy in an outdoor relay race. The boy is holding a red handkerchief and running toward an orange cone.

Three Unique Sports to Try with Campers this Summer

Six teens of multiple races high fiving outside.

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Summer Beats: Five Tips to Prep Teens for Summer Jobs

Color-coded wheel representing various dimensions of diversity.

How to Create a Safe Space for LGBTQ Campers

Free STEM Activities for Campers Ages 3-8

A girl, two boys, and an adult male coach putting their hands together in a circle. All are wearing red and in a gym.

Raising Good Sports: Team Building Activities for Kids

Close up of jar filled with neon liquid with kids doing various activities at a table in the background

Three Simple Outdoor Art Activities

Girl in a pool looking at her swim instructor

How to Memorize Campers' Names, Fast

Three kids sitting on the edge of a pool and kicking water at the camera

Four Tips that will Save Kids' Lives this Summer

Female camp counselor in yellow Y shirt holding a book of STEM activities next to a boy and girl who are floating paper boats in a kiddie pool

Five Tips for Welcoming Campers with Diverse Abilities

Woman facing camera sitting on a chair. A man in the foreground has his back to the camera and is presumably talking to her.

Three Benefits of Growing Your Professional Network

Male Y staff sitting on the grass in a circle with four kids.

How High-Performing Camps Onboard Staff

Mom, dad, and daughter in front of the pool, smiling for camera.

Three Most Effective Ways to Communicate with Camp Families

kids with arms around each other

Quick Tips for Welcoming ALL Campers

Two girls and two boys sitting on the edge of the pool with their feet kicking in the water

Why are Black Youth at Highest Risk for Drowning?

Kids passing a plate of sandwiches to each other in a lively cafeteria.

Six Tips for Introducing New Foods

Boy examining a strawberry while sitting at a picnic table outdoors with other kids.

Overcoming the “Ew” Factor: How to Get Kids to Try Again with Food

Three preschool-aged kids drawing at a desk

Countdown to Kindergarten: Three Ways to Help Kids Prepare

Feet standing next to one another around rocks placed in the shape of a heart.

What Makes a "Rock Star" Staff Team?

Male Y coach talking to boy and girl in blue mesh vests on a field.

Four Outdoor Sports Inspiring Kids to Get Active

Boy reading a book at a desk with a map.

One Story Does Not Fit All

Kids running and jumping in a grassy field

Ten Ways to Promote Active Learning in Summer

Kid's hand with spooning a mix of zucchini and tomatoes in a bowl.

How DIY Meals Help Kids Make Healthy Choices

Girl holding an apple slice up in front of her mouth as a smile

How to Create the Best Summer Ever for Immigrant Youth

Four preschool-aged kids sitting on the floor against colorful pillows looking at books and laughing

Closing the Pre-K Gap: How to Help Families Prepare for Kindergarten

How Important is Learning to Swim?

Coach with his back to the camera talking to two boys and one girl wearing red Y vests in a gym

Five Ideas for Recruiting Volunteer Coaches

close up of young girl smiling while wearing flotation devices on her arms in a pool.

How to Keep Kids Safe in Summer Programs

Two boys and a girl in Y soccer uniforms sitting on a bench on the side of a soccer field with a male coach sitting behind them.

Simple Ways to Supercharge Your Sports Program

Parents with their arms around their young son as he takes a selfie

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Parents are Campers, Too

Teen girl with a boy on her back standing in front of a jungle gym

How to Keep Teens Busy and Safe in Summer

Female Y staffer helping young girl pour liquid into a container while conducting a science experiment.

Three Colorful Summer STEM Activities

Young boy sitting on a chair in a library holding a book and smiling at the camera.

How to Be a Book Detective

Male Y staff working with kids at a table in a classroom.

Three Things Afterschool Staff Should Let Go

Female Y staff with her back to the camera reading a book to a girl and boy who are sitting on a couch in a library.

Books to Teach Empathy & Kindness at Every Age

kids examining birch tree bark

Seven Ways Kids and Teens Can Become Citizen Scientists

Female camp staffers standing in front of a playground slide and smiling.

Don't Forget to Celebrate Your Summer Staff!

Kids eating at a picnic table outside. The girl in the foreground is eating and almond and smiling at the camera.

Five Ways a Meal Program Could Heal Your Community

Close-up of two kids using tools on a control panel.

Tips for Creating a Summer Camp Tinkering Space

Female Y staff reading to a boy and a girl who are laughing on a couch in a library.

Four Easy Ways to Prevent ‘Summer Slide’

Two boys in soccer jerseys drinking from water bottles with a coach sitting in the background

Drink Up: How Hydration Impacts Campers

Two girls working on a STEM project outside at a picnic table.

Why Girls Who Love STEM Are Having the Best Summer Ever

Male teacher sitting on classroom floor and giving high-fives to three students.

The Summer Secret to Back-to-School Success

Girl standing in a YMCA garden holding up a large cucumber.

Three Ways to Help Kids Fall in Love With Healthy Food

Male coach talking to father and daughter on a soccer field.

How to Get Kids Back in the Game

Boys playing soccer on a field.

Why Summer Camps Should let Kids Lead

graphic showing swaps for sugary items with healthier alternatives

Summer Camp Celebrations: Try this Instead

Teen girl reading a book while sitting in a chair at a library

Get Teens Reading Beyond Text Messages

A girl reading to three other kids who are laughing in a library.

True or False? No Need for Summer Learning Here!

Two boys and one girl sitting at a picnic table outside and eating.

How to Plan Smart Snacks Campers Will Love

Two boys working on a science experiment on a playground with an adult female.

Six Simple Outdoor STEM Activities

Female Y staff looking over schoolwork with boy.

Three Reasons to Add Certified Teachers to Your Summer Learning Program

Three teens standing with a male Y staff

How To Save College-Bound Teens From 'Summer Melt’

Girl running with a football on a field with a boy right behind her.

Five Surprise Ways Your Camp Is Already Doing STEM

Two men sitting across from each other at a desk going over papers

Three Interview Questions You Must Ask Camp Staff

Girl with paint all over her hands, which she is holding up in front of her face.

How Camp Counselors Use Art to Teach 21st Century Skills

"Books Make a Difference in Kids' Lives" infographic on disparity between lower income and middle to upper income students when it comes to availability of books.

Three Ways to Storytell through Data

Related Links

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