This year has been especially tough on our children. School has been online for most of the year and extracurricular activities have been cancelled. That is why, this summer, we are working to make sure our children have the summer that they deserve and have been longing for. A summer of joy and exploration, where they are learning new things, and making lifelong friends.

With just two weeks until Memorial Day weekend, Mayor Todd Gloria is making sure the summer of 2021 is the best one yet! Today, he unveiled his exciting “Summer for All of Us” initiative that provides a variety of engaging summer family programming at typically underserved locations.

 “As we move into recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s vitally important we engage and provide supports to our youth which is exactly what this initiative is designed to do,” Gloria said as he released details of his plan. “By providing young people access to engaging programming that connects them to opportunities that promote physical activity, learning and employment, we are setting them up for success in our city.”

As part of this new suite of opportunities for kids, we’re proud to be teaming up with our good friends at the San Diego Parks and Recreation department to get kids to “Come Play Outside” for an active, healthy summer. Our partnership enables us to bring scores of creative and engaging outdoor activities to children and young adults in neighborhoods throughout San Diego.

For the next three months, kids are encouraged to put down their electronic devices and enjoy fun outdoor activities. Whether it’s cooling off in an aquatics program, getting hands dirty at an awesome nature camp, watching the latest blockbuster movie on a blanket under the stars or all of the above, this will certainly be a summer to remember — for everyone!

As we all know, it takes a village to get things done. None of these amazing opportunities would be made possible without the support of Mayor Todd Gloria, Chair Nathan Fletcher, Supervisor of San Diego County’s Fourth District and the generosity of Price Philanthropies, Albertsons Foundation, Hervey Family Foundation, and the Walmart Foundation. It’s been a pleasure to work closely with the staff and offices of San Diego City Councilmembers who are also helping make this program possible.

So, let the countdown begin! We can’t wait to see our region’s future leaders have the time of their lives as they make memories, cherish new friendships and learn new skills through these life-long, character-building programs. Cheers to a “Summer for All of Us” as kids in communities everywhere “Come Play Outside” and have the time of their lives!