Iowa Afterschool Alliance

The state’s Seamless Summer Option program provides free meals to children and teens 18 and younger during summer break.

You can find a full list of those on the USDA’s Summer Meal Finder: https://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/sitefinder

With some schools already on summer break, programs are helping make sure Iowa kids don’t go hungry. https://www.kcrg.com/2026/05/28/iowa-begins-its-summer-meal-programs/

Strong relationships start with honest conversations, but those conversations are not always easy.

Chrysalis is proud to help share an upcoming opportunity from Eyes Open Iowa designed to help teens and supportive adults strengthen communication, build trust, and navigate important topics together.

The Linking Families and Teens (LiFT) workshop is a one-day interactive experience for youth ages 13–19 and a trusted adult. Participants will engage in guided activities and conversations focused on communication, values, relationships, and sexual health in a supportive environment.

Saturday, May 30 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
West Des Moines
Lunch and snacks provided
Each participant receives a $50 Visa gift card

If your family could benefit from additional tools for open, healthy communication, we encourage you to learn more and register. https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/24dxujt/lp/1b783886-fa6b-43ce-99af-336dc9207e9d

Iowa Department of Natural Resources Managing fish and wildlife programs, ensuring the health of Iowa’s forests and prairies, and providing recreational opportunities in Iowa’s state parks.

Our 2026 keynote speaker doesn't just talk about engaging youth. She does it with magic. Literally.

Meet Mikayla Oz, an award-winning magician and one of the most in-demand family entertainers in the Midwest! Recognized as the International Rising Star of Magic, she has appeared on the Travel Channel, performed alongside top viral influencers, and even fooled the minds behind Penn & Teller’s TV special.

Mikayla is also the creator of The Magician School, a national afterschool program that teaches students the art of magic, performance, and creative thinking. Her work bridges education and entertainment in a way that’s inspiring, accessible, and seriously fun.

Register your team before June 12th to catch the early-bird rate of $85: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/xnnhtuy

2026 Virtual Conference — Every Hour Counts

Afterschool Alliance's newest America After 3pm report is out - "The Summer Struggle for Everyday Families: Affording the Opportunities Parents Want for Youth"

It's here! Our brand-new report "The Summer Struggle for Everyday Families: Affording the Opportunities Parents Want for Youth" is now available! ☀️

families want a summer full of opportunity for their kids — full of fun and engaging activities, opportunities to connect with other kids, and time to be active, outdoors, and off screens. Yet too many young people are missing out on the summer programs that can provide just that.

This report, based on data from the America After 3PM survey, paints a clear picture of what summertime really looks like for kids and families across America. Dive into the full report and explore the data at aa3pm.co! 🏊

New on Mizzen: soccer meets STEM in a ready-to-run learning experience!

⚽ New on Mizzen: soccer meets STEM in a ready-to-run learning experience!

Built for grades 3–8 and designed for real-world settings like afterschool, summer camp, and community programs, the new MLS STEM Goals learning collection from our partners at Learn Fresh helps youth explore math, teamwork, and strategy through active gameplay and real-world data.

It’s fun, engaging, and relevant. And the best part? It’s 100% free thanks to generous partners and donors committed to access and equity.

Visit Mizzen to access the entire collection and turn every program session into a winning play. https://bit.ly/4wgI2g7

Looking for new books for your young readers? ☀️📚

The Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) Summer Camp offers booklists and simple activities to help keep little ones engaged through the slower summer months.

Bookmark it: They'll be adding new lists through July. 💛

https://www.rif.org/literacy-central/collections/early-childhood-summer-collection