Background: |
The Role of Afterschool Programs: As rural children and families grapple with issues such as poverty, lower wages and educational attainment levels, food deserts and obesity, the need for additional supports in rural communities is undeniable. Afterschool and summer learning programs hold enormous potential to fill the gaps in rural communities while also helping these communities prosper. Afterschool and summer learning programs are providing new learning opportunities for children—helping them to discover newfound interests, explore a variety of topic areas, and learn about different cultures and communities beyond their own zip code. |