The Summer of Youth 2023 represents a unique opportunity for summer learning programs across Nebraska to create enriching, impactful, and lasting experiences for our youth. Beyond School Bells and the Nebraska Department of Education 21st CCLC utilized a statewide student brainstorming process to identify youth interests and using this input created a set of criteria directly based on what we have heard Nebraska youth say they value: Sports and Movement, Experiential Learning, and Life Skills.  All 2023 grants will be required to incorporate youth-voice for programming choices and plans. 

There are three summer grant categories available for the Summer of Youth 2023 grant: (1) Movement and Outdoor Learning, (2) Life Skills and Career Pathways and (3) Experiential Learning via Local Partnerships.  Please review the Grant Overview document for more information. 

Also, take time read the Nebraska Youth Interest Summary Report of what opportunities that Nebraska youth are interested in for their afterschool and summer programs.  This past winter, BSB asked Nebraska youth in ELO programs across the state to identify the types of learning opportunities and experiences they enjoy and would like to see more of in their ELO program. Rather than use a standard questionnaire, we created an interactive tool to elicit the interests of young people about their ideas of the types of opportunities they would like to experience more of in their afterschool and summer programs. We are excited by the findings and the opportunity that it provides us to support programs that reflect youth interests--please take time to review this document to best incorporate student voice and interests when developing your grant/proposed summer activities.

Grant applications are due on March 31, 2023.