A new study says families in North Carolina and across the United States are struggling to afford quality summer programs for children.

The Afterschool Alliance gathered feedback from parents nationwide, including in North Carolina. More than half said they do not have access to a structured summer experience for their child, with cost cited as the top barrier.

Elizabeth Anderson, senior director of the North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs, said parents look for enrichment opportunities when school is out, including arts, active play and career-centered activities.

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“These are all the things that parents say they want for their kids in summer programs," she said, "and the good news is that summer programs can deliver on that if a kid has access to them.”

Cost and lack of access primarily affect low-income families, but Anderson said the issue is becoming more pressing for middle-class households, too. When parents are able to sign up their children, 98% of North Carolina parents said they are satisfied with available programs.

A key source of federal funding faces the possibility of steep cuts, prompting calls for state and local governments to provide more support.

Jodi Grant, executive director of the Afterschool Alliance, said working parents want peace of mind during the summer, knowing their children are safe and not isolated with activities such as all-day screen time.

“When you're around some caring, trained adults, that's where you have this sense of community and belonging,” she said. “And I would say in some of these programs, kids even refer to it as a second home.”

The study’s authors said that for every $100 earned during the summer, low-income families spend $10 on these programs, while high-income families spend less than $3.

Experts also noted that North Carolina is among nearly two dozen states without dedicated funding for infrastructure to help boost enrollment.