Oklahoma Partnership for Expanded Learning

What do Oklahoma families want most from summer programs?

According to the America After 3PM Summer Dashboard, the top factors parents consider when choosing summer opportunities for their children are:

✔️ A safe environment
✔️ Knowledgeable and caring staff
✔️ Support for mental health and well-being
✔️ Opportunities to build confidence
✔️ Fun and educational activities that reduce screen time

These priorities highlight what families already know: high-quality summer programs do more than keep kids busy. They provide safe spaces where young people can learn, grow, connect, and thrive.

Explore more Oklahoma summer learning data and insights through the America After 3PM Summer Dashboard:
https://afterschoolalliance.org/AA3PM/data/oklahoma/summer

Looking for ways to strengthen your skills, discover new ideas, and connect with other youth-serving professionals?

OPEL's Professional Development Calendar is your go-to resource for training opportunities designed to support out-of-school time professionals across Oklahoma. From youth development and STEM to program quality, leadership, and more, you'll find learning opportunities to help you grow and better serve the young people in your program.

Invest in yourself. Strengthen your program. Expand your impact.

Explore upcoming trainings and events at:
https://www.opelok.org/professional-development

🌟 Partner Spotlight: 🌟

Every child deserves the opportunity to play, learn, and grow through sports and physical activity.

That's the mission behind Cleats for Kids, an organization dedicated to providing safe sports shoes and equipment to kids at no cost. By removing barriers to participation, Cleats for Kids helps young people build confidence, develop healthy habits, and gain valuable life skills that extend far beyond the field, court, or track.

Need shoes or sports equipment for students in your program?

Programs in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa areas can email [email protected] to request access to the application form for shoes and equipment.

Together, we can help ensure every child has the opportunity to participate, belong, and succeed.

🌟 Partner Spotlight: Oklahoma Cleats for Kids 🌟

Every child deserves the opportunity to play, learn, and grow through sports and physical activity.

That's the mission behind Cleats for Kids, an organization dedicated to providing safe sports shoes and equipment to kids at no cost. By removing barriers to participation, Cleats for Kids helps young people build confidence, develop healthy habits, and gain valuable life skills that extend far beyond the field, court, or track.

Need shoes or sports equipment for students in your program?

Programs in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa areas can email [email protected] to request access to the application form for shoes and equipment.

Together, we can help ensure every child has the opportunity to participate, belong, and succeed.

Learning doesn't stop when the school year ends.

Across Oklahoma, out-of-school time and summer programs are helping young people stay engaged through academic support, STEM learning, enrichment opportunities, career exploration, and safe, supportive environments.

This summer, OPEL encourages programs to invite Oklahoma legislators and members of Congress to visit their sites and experience the impact of these programs firsthand. Site visits are a powerful way to showcase the important role out-of-school time programs play in supporting students, families, and communities.

Interested in hosting a visit? Complete the form below, and OPEL can help coordinate the visit, provide invitation language, and share resources to support your program.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1eCo5fx1B8Rg5g2_Xh-9Mdl7gRqSjzWIeHw7Qz9vV89A/edit

Oklahoma families want summer learning opportunities for their children—but too many are being left out.

A new report from the Afterschool Alliance found that more than 311,000 Oklahoma children would benefit from structured summer programs, yet only 123,000 are enrolled. Cost remains the biggest barrier, with many families also facing challenges related to transportation and program availability.

The good news? Parents who have access to summer programs overwhelmingly see their value. In fact, 96% of Oklahoma parents with children enrolled in a summer program report being satisfied with the experience.

Summer programs help young people stay engaged, build new skills, explore interests, and connect with caring adults. Expanding access means more Oklahoma children can continue learning and thriving long after the school year ends.

Read the full article to learn more: https://journalrecord.com/2026/05/21/oklahoma-families-face-cost-barriers-summer-programs/

Looking for a fun way to bring STEM learning into your program? ⚽

MLS STEM Goals combine the excitement of soccer with hands-on learning in math, strategy, and social-emotional skills. Developed in partnership with Major League Soccer, this free resource includes a board game and curriculum that helps students explore concepts like statistics, data analysis, critical thinking, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

Across eight engaging lessons, youth build skills both on and off the field while learning through play.

Perfect for schools and out-of-school time programs looking to connect STEM learning to students' interests.

Learn more and access the resource: https://mizzen.org/collections/95c458fc-9b08-491c-8062-269ac6f6fdf2

Looking to strengthen your youth program this summer?

The Opp Project is offering FREE professional learning workshops for youth-serving professionals in Tulsa focused on positive youth development and practical strategies you can use right away.

Topics include:
• Planning & Reflection
• Structure & Clear Limits
• Cooperative Learning

Whether you’re onboarding new staff, planning summer programming, or looking for fresh ideas to better engage youth, these workshops are designed to help you build supportive, engaging learning environments.

Sessions will be held at the Sun Building in Downtown Tulsa.

Learn more and register: theopp.org/professionallearning

What if “risk-taking” isn’t something to avoid—but something young people need to grow?

New insights from the The Wallace Foundation show that adolescence is a critical time for exploration, learning, and connection. The brain is wired to try new things—and those experiences help shape identity, skills, and future success.

Here’s why it matters:
-Exploration builds confidence and skills
-Relationships with caring adults guide growth
-Afterschool programs create space for discovery

The takeaway: these experiences aren’t extra—they’re essential.

Read more: https://wallacefoundation.org/resource/article/what-does-brain-science-tell-us-about-adolescence

The people behind afterschool and youth programs are the heart of this work—and new national data is helping us better understand their experiences, challenges, and what they need to thrive.

The Power of Us Workforce Survey, offers a first-of-its-kind look into the youth fields workforce—and the findings are both encouraging and urgent.

Here’s what stands out:

Purpose drives this workforce
62% entered the field because of a strong sense of purpose. People are here because they care deeply about young people and their communities.

They’re eager to learn—but need support
84% have access to professional learning, but pathways into the field vary widely. There’s a clear need for more structured, on-the-job training and development.

They feel valued—but burnout is real
While 87% feel valued at work, nearly half (47%) report feeling burned out—highlighting the need for better support systems and healthier work environments.

Compensation remains a major challenge
88% of leaders earn less than school principals. Pay and benefits continue to be a barrier to retaining and recruiting strong talent.

This data reinforces what many in the field already know:
➡️ The passion is there
➡️ The commitment is there
➡️ But the systems and supports need to catch up

If we want strong, sustainable programs for young people, we have to invest in the people who make them possible.

Explore the full findings: https://wallacefoundation.org/report/power-us-youth-fields-workforce-findings-national-power-us-workforce-survey-findings