Weekly Media Roundup: May 14, 2025

Kids to Learn Break Dancing, Rock Climbing in These Fresno Unified Summer Camps, KSEE-TV (California)

At 100 summer learning camps held at schools, the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, Fresno State and elsewhere in Fresno, California this summer, students will explore STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), repair car engines, learn to break dance, play musical instruments, climb rocks and more. Priority registration for the free Fresno Unified Expanded Learning Opportunities Summer Camps is given to students whose families are low income, students learning English and students who are foster youth. “We are offering an even larger number of Summer Camp opportunities this year, with an amazing variety of fun activities to match the interests of our students. Our Summer Camps are a fantastic way to keep students engaged over the summer,” Superintendent Misty Her told KSEE-TV.

Alisa E. Harris: State Funding is Reducing Violence and Supporting Youth — We Must Keep It Going, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (Pennsylvania)

Thanks to increased state funding from the Building Opportunity Out of School Time (BOOST) program, YMCAs across Pennsylvania have strengthened and expanded afterschool and summer programming for more than 15,000 students. In a recent guest column for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Pennsylvania State Alliance of YMCAs Vice President of Legislative Affairs Alisa Harris shares how expanded programming helps keep kids safe and inspires them to learn through engaging activities ranging from a STEM-infused gamer club to service learning and civics education. “We need the state support to keep up the work we’re currently doing and expand successful programming to support our kids and our families — and give every student a safe and nurturing environment which will allow them to succeed,” Harris writes.

A Safe, Musical Space: Despite Federal Funding Cuts, Miami Arts Nonprofit for Children Will Go On, WUWF (Florida)

At Miami Music Project’s afterschool program, first through 12th graders are taught how to play an orchestral instrument while also receiving homework assistance, life skills lessons and healthy snacks. Due to the Trump administrations proposed elimination of the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA), Miami Music Project may lose its NEA grant, a critical funding source supporting staff salaries. “I think cuts such as this one might have a ripple effect across the community,” Anna Klimala, president and CEO of the Miami Music Project, told WUWF. “In our case, arts provide not only a safe space for the children, but also crucial skill development... It’s a hands-on activity that teaches you a skillset that then in return makes you become a contributing member of society.” Approximately 750 students participate in the free afterschool program. Miami Music Project plans to reach out to other community partners and resources for financial support.

Filling a Need: New Child Care Program Coming to Winneconne, NBC 26 (Wisconsin)

In response to the community’s requests, Winneconne Elementary School is partnering with the Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh, Wisconsin to open its first afterschool program next fall at the school. “I think this is a great opportunity, and I think it will fill a need in the community,” Winneconne Elementary School Principal Lisa Hughes told NBC 26. “There’s not a lot of options out there, and Boys & Girls Club, it’s not a daycare, we’re not just there to watch kids. We instill values, we instill culture,” added Lindsay Clark, COO of the Oshkosh Boys & Girls Club.