Summer at CYC: Ready for what’s next
Summer creates a different kind of space for learning.
When a group of elementary students at the Garfield/Redding Summer Program was asked what they had enjoyed most about the summer, one student smiled and said, “I’ve had fun making friends with everyone.” Before she could finish, the rest of the group excitedly began pointing at one another, calling out names, and laughing as they listed every new friend they had made. By the end, they all agreed on one thing: everyone in the group had become friends.
Without the pace of the school year, young people have time to slow down, ask questions, and try things they might hesitate to do during the school year. Whether they’re reading with a tutor, joining a new activity, or introducing themselves to someone for the first time, summer gives students the freedom to learn without the pressure of getting everything right.
Across CYC summer programs, learning happens through an activity, on playgrounds, and during everyday conversations. As students become more comfortable with one another, they’re often more willing to participate, ask questions, and take on something unfamiliar. Those experiences help them build confidence they’ll carry into the school year.
For some students, that growth begins with something as simple as asking for help.
Ariella, Program Leader at the Dianne Feinstein Elementary Summer Program, reflected on a student who struggled to communicate their needs during the first weeks of summer. Rather than telling staff when they felt overwhelmed, the student would quietly walk away from the group.
“At first, they had a difficult time telling us what they needed,” Ariella shared. “But after a few weeks, they were coming to us, communicating how they were feeling, and asking for support. Watching that growth has been one of the most meaningful parts of the summer.”
Eddy, another Program Leader, remembered a student who spent the first days of the program quietly observing from the sidelines.
“They were nervous and rarely wanted to participate,” he recalled. “Now they’re joining activities, spending time with other students, and you can see how much more comfortable they feel. It’s been incredible to watch that change happen.”
Feeling comfortable also changes how students approach learning.
Summer learning at CYC is designed to feel different from the traditional classroom. Reading and math are woven into games, projects, and hands-on activities that encourage students to participate without worrying about getting every answer right. Instead of focusing on perfect outcomes, students are encouraged to stay curious and keep trying.
“The learning is still there,” Richard, Program Leader at Sunset Summer Program, explained. “It just doesn’t feel like traditional school. Students are playing games, working together, and having fun while they’re learning. That changes how they approach new challenges.”
That same approach shaped literacy support throughout the summer.
At George Moscone Elementary and Garfield/Redding Elementary, volunteers from Chapter One worked one-on-one with students in first through fourth grade, helping young readers strengthen their literacy skills through consistent encouragement and individualized practice. Supported by the Crankstart Foundation, students met regularly with the same reading tutor throughout the summer, allowing trust to grow alongside their confidence as readers.
These opportunities are also made possible through the continued partnership of the San Francisco Department of Children, Youth and Their Families (DCYF), whose investment helps ensure young people have access to enriching summer learning beyond the school year.
One fourth-grade student began the summer feeling nervous about reading aloud. After weeks of meeting with the same tutor, he became more comfortable reading during sessions and started talking about the books he wanted to read once school began.
“At first I was nervous to read out loud, but now I feel a lot more confident. I like reading because I know I can do it.”
For Ariella, moments like these are what summer is all about.
“When students know they’re supported, they’re willing to try things they weren’t ready for before,” she said. “You see them speaking up more, helping one another, and believing they can do something that felt hard just a few weeks earlier.”
Summer doesn’t replace the school year. It helps young people prepare for it.
Whether they spent the summer reading with a tutor, making new friends, or discovering they could ask for help when they needed it, students return to school with experiences they can build on. They know it’s okay to ask questions, try something unfamiliar, and keep learning when something feels challenging.
CYC is grateful to the San Francisco Department of Children, Youth and Their Families (DCYF), the Crankstart Foundation, and Chapter One for helping make these summer learning experiences possible. Their partnership ensures young people have opportunities to continue learning, build meaningful relationships, and enter the school year ready for what’s next.
This is the third story in our Summer at CYC series, exploring the experiences that help young people learn, grow, and prepare for what’s next throughout the season. Subscribe to our newsletter to follow along as we share more stories from across CYC’s summer programs.