Summertime. For many, it’s a season of carefree memories colliding with stressful, expensive realities, as busy parents try to figure out how to keep the kids busy, safe and entertained. Linda Baker looks at the challenges, especially for low- and moderate-income families.

During the school year many children are provided with breakfast and lunch through federal and state programs, but when summer comes around many of these children lose the valuable nutrition they need. The Federal Foods program offers a list of qualifications and a contact person to find a program in your area to help feed your children. They also explain how you can start a program to feed children and get funding from the federal government for it.

The National Association for the Education of Young Children has put
together a list of ideas of summer activities for caregivers and children to do together. Most of these activities are free and incorporate fun and learning.

For many of us, summer calls to mind picnics, hikes, days on the water and nights chasing fireflies under the stars. The Sierra Club's Youth in Wilderness Project helps connect urban and low-income youth to the great outdoors, first-hand. Learn more about Sierra Club efforts to give all kids access to nature.