Juggling work, kids, and summer camps takes the skills of a Detective (What summer programs are good?), a Financial Analyst (Which camps can I afford?), and a coordinator from the Presidential Advance Team (How the heck do I get to the camp, anyway? And what supplies are needed?).

The fact that most parents work year-round, and school, well, isn't year-round, often leaves parents struggling to find safe, healthy, and affordable summer options for kids.

BUT THERE IS HOPE: Last year Senator Obama and Senator Mikulski co-sponsored the STEP UP Act, or the Summer Term Education Programs for Upward Performance Act of 2007, which authorizes resources to provide students with opportunities for summer learning. STEP UP was passed and authorized into law last summer as part of the larger America Competes Act. However, there is currently no funding for the program and summer learning advocates are urging Congress to provide $50 million in funds in the FY2009 federal budget right now.

*In order to get this bill funded, Senators Obama and Mikulski need your help building momentum in Congress.

- Tell your Congresspeople to fully fund the STEP UP Act now by clicking here: http://www.momsrising.org/STEP_UP

And, it's important that your Congress hears from you today because it's National Summer Learning Day and volunteers are visiting elected officials in Washington D.C. right now and we can support their efforts.

Summer learning is more important than many think--and it's not just about finding a fun way for kids to spend summer time while their parents are at work (though that's a good thing too!). Studies show that children lose academic ground if they don't exercise their academic muscles from mid-June to late August.

Children score lower on standardized tests at the end of summer than they do in the spring when schools close. According to extensive research compiled by the Center for Summer Learning, this "learning loss" is worst for low-income students, who often lag behind middle- and upper-income children to begin with.

Summer programs can boost academic achievement, motivate students to want to learn, and help them develop new skills and talents.

Yet too few children have access to quality summer programs and this is why we need to fully fund the STEP UP Act now.

Please forward this email to your friends and family so they can help too. The more voices involved, the faster it will be funded.

It's time to expand children's access to and resources for summer learning and afterschool programs in order to send young people back to school ready to learn, support working families, and to help keep kids safe and healthy when school is out.

Enjoy the sun! - Kristin, Joan, Katie, and the MomsRising Team

- - A big thank you to the Afterschool Alliance and the Center for Summer Learning for their help with this message and their amazing advocacy efforts on behalf of our nation's children.