Summer has a price tag: parents' perceptions of summer holidays and free programming reveal benefits that reach beyond children

Summer holiday programs offer a promising solution to prevent unhealthy changes in health behaviors often experienced by children during the extended break from school. However, not all families are able to access summer programs. This qualitative study explored parents’ experiences of the summer holiday period and their perceptions of receiving free summer programs to identify potential benefits, facilitators, and challenges to access. Parents ( N = 24: 100% female, 63% Black) of families randomized to receive free summer programming or experience “summer as usual” (control) were interviewed at the conclusion of summer 2024. Parents of “high-attenders” ( N = 8), “low-/non-attenders” ( N = 8) and controls ( N = 8) were recruited to participate in a semi-structured interview. Participants were asked about general summer experiences and benefits/challenges of the free summer program. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and coded. Thematic analysis was conducted with themes compared across attendance groups. Parents described variability in their summer holiday experiences compared with the school year, with themes relating to family functioning, daily routines, and children’s health behaviors. Families who described having greater work flexibility, financial resources, and social support more often reported psychosocial benefits, including reduced stress and increased family time, while families describing fewer of these resources more often reported greater stress managing childcare demands and activity costs. Control-group parents particularly described stress juggling family roles while trying to provide healthy and enjoyable summer experiences. Summer programs were perceived as providing structured, active, and socially engaging environments that supported children’s physical, social, and emotional wellbeing while meeting parents’ childcare needs. Cost was the most commonly reported barrier to program access in this study, though other barriers, such as program appeal and logistical fit, were also described. Free programs improved access and reduced financial distress for many families in this study but families’ values, needs, and practical constraints also shaped engagement decisions. How families experienced the shift from school to summer varied with the resources they described having available: parents with greater financial, social, and time resources often described their summer as restorative, while parents with fewer resources often mentioned stress and disrupted routines. Cost was the primary barrier to accessing summer programs for families in this study, but other important barriers exist, such as program appeal and logistical fit. Free summer programs provided children with greater daily structure and opportunities for physical activity and social engagement, while easing financial strain and psychosocial burden for parents. Therefore, free summer programs benefited families broadly, not just children. Future studies should explore sustainable funding and delivery models that promote equitable access and participation across a variety of different community contexts, as well as different types of summer camp programs. NCT05880901.