United Way’s Fun in the Sun Program Opens Enrollment for Summer

Comprehensive free enrichment summer program supports hundreds of Santa Barbara children

Enrollment is now open for United Way of Santa Barbara County’s Fun in the Sun — a free six-week summer learning program that provides academic and reading practice, hands-on STEAM activities, field trips and other enrichment activities for more than 400 current 2^nd-5^th graders.

This year’s program will continue at all six sites in Santa Barbara County, including Franklin Elementary, McKinley Elementary, Hollister Elementary and Aliso Elementary in South County. Santa Ynez Elementary and Mary Buren Elementary will serve students in North County. 

Fun in the Sun is a national award-winning summer learning program involving 80 service delivery partners, over 38 funding partners, and more than 600 volunteers. Originally designed to address summer learning loss, Fun in the Sun has expanded its academic curriculum and services to position itself as a comprehensive space to support students and their families throughout the summer. Students who participate in the program qualify for the federal free/reduced lunch program and are referred to the program from local districts and educators. 

The 2023 program will continue to provide its full spectrum of services, including literacy and academics; community support and engagement; STEAM activities and fields trips; and emotional wellness and enrichment activities. The program runs Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and provides snacks, breakfast and lunch for all students.

The largest site will operate at Mary Buren Elementary School in Guadalupe. That’s where 104 elementary-aged students and up to 16 Leaders-In-Training will participate in Fun in the Sun, doubling last year’s enrollment.  District representatives and educators within Guadalupe Union School District have noted that the Fun in the Sun program in this region is currently filling an important need for summer programming for North County students. United Way looks forward to expanding this partnership to better support Guadalupe Union students in meeting academic milestones and benchmarks. 

This year, United Way will expand its STEAM curriculum through a new partnership with NASA. Participants will have the opportunity to participate in the GLOBE Goes to Camp program, which helps students explore nature while fostering environmental stewardship and scientific literacy. Program staff will lead participants through scientific investigations curated by NASA scientists.

Kids will also receive hands-on experience through field trips, including a visit to a local pier where students will receive instruction and fishing practice with a local professional fisher. 

Results from recent program years show a 100% success rate in achieving the Fun in the Sun’s primary outcome of maintaining or displaying gains in student reading comprehension, phonics, and/or vocabulary skills.

Middle and high school students are invited to participate in the program through the Leaders-in-Training (LIT) program. These students receive leadership and mentorship experience, career exploration and college preparation opportunities, and can receive up to 230 community service hours for their time spent in the program. 

“During the summer, with Fun in the Sun, students are able to access academics and never have that summer slope,” said Casie Kilgore, principal at Franklin Elementary School. “They also get an amazing experience that our students would never have the opportunity to see and interact with in our own community. Fun in the Sun carries us through every summer. It’s helped our kids progress academically, social, and emotionally, and prepared them for a secondary system to make college success not just a dream, but an obtainable reality.” 

United Way is now hiring for the 2023 summer season. Current opportunities include Fun in the Sun site coordinators, program leaders and site aides. More info and application information located at www.unitedwaysb.org/employment-opportunities.

LOCATIONS & DATES

Mary Van Buren Elementary: June 12-July 21, 2023

Santa Ynez Elementary: June 19-July 28, 2023

Hollister Elementary: June 19-July 28, 2023

Aliso Elementary: June 19-July 28, 2023

Franklin Elementary: June 20-July 28, 2023

McKinley Elementary: June 20-July 28, 2023

For more information, visit https://www.unitedwaysb.org/fun-sun.For questions or assistance with Fun in the Sun enrollment, please contact United Way at 805-965-8594 or ygonzalez@unitedwaysb.org. For questions or assistance with CIT enrollment, please contact United Way at 805-965-8591 ext. 106 or

nvasquez@unitedwaysb.org

About United Way of Santa Barbara County — Since 1923, United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) has been a key leader in local efforts to empower children, families, and communities through its own unique collaborative programs and initiatives, partnership convening efforts, volunteer development, and funding. UWSBC’s mission is to enrich the lives of children and families and build resilient communities by leading local programs and partnerships that improve school readiness and academic achievement, financial empowerment, and crisis response and recovery. To learn more, please visit unitedwaysb.org.