When a family’s struggling to fund essentials, summer programs, such as camp or classes, are a luxury. To fill the gap, free educational resources and programs around the Puget Sound region can help kids learn a new skill, keep up on academics and stop summer slide in its tracks. Here are some resources.
Summer meals: You can’t learn, or play, if you aren’t getting enough to eat. Many Seattle-area cities distribute nutritious lunches on weekdays at local parks. Seattle’s free lunch program (find sites at seattle.gov/parks/find/camps#freeprogramsandmeals) is often paired with reading, crafts or nature programs. Tacoma has a similar summer playground program at six park sites (weekdays, June 24-Aug. 30); and King County has a summer sack-lunch program at two parks in and around White Center; teens can also find snacks and activities at a drop-in program held year-round…