A New Chapter for EDMO: Embracing Change for Greater Equity

February 1, 2023

At EDMO, we're always striving to make a positive impact on children's lives through our out-of-school learning programs. In our continuous pursuit of equity and meaningful experiences for all kids, we're embarking on a new chapter that will reshape our organization for the better.

Big Change = Big Impact

As of January 2023, we're making some significant changes to our model. We'll be closing all online programming and public in-person camps, transitioning instead to partnering exclusively with schools and districts. While this might seem like a major shift, we believe it's a necessary step towards creating a more equitable and accessible learning environment for kids everywhere.

You Can Be a Force for Equity

This change doesn't have to mean goodbye! If you'd like to see EDMO after-school or summer programming at your child's school, reach out to local school officials and encourage them to visit edmo.org/partnerships to learn more. We'll be releasing a list of our summer 2023 partners in mid-March, and we hope to see your child in one of our programs soon. You can also support our mission by donating to our cause. We sincerely thank you for your support as we embark on this new chapter of EDMO.

Our Journey to Creating More Equity

When we founded EDMO 18 years ago, our goal was to ensure that all kids had access to high-quality out-of-school learning opportunities. Over the past three years, we've taken time to reflect on how our programs, culture, and impact align with our mission of providing equitable access to out-of-school learning experiences for kids. We've implemented paradigm shifts like our honor system pricing, aimed at dismantling systemic inequities and oppressive structures that keep families from experiencing the magic of camp.

In 2022, California announced historic funding for the Expanding Learning Opportunity Programs (ELO-P); a $4 billion investment in summer and after-school learning programs. ELO-P mandates that public school districts and charter schools provide their most vulnerable students with enriching, 9-hour per day programs for 180 school days and 30 "intersession" days during school breaks or summer. Programs can be offered to all students, but they must provide access to high-priority students first. Thanks to this funding and other donations, almost 80% of campers attended EDMO completely free last summer. The state of California has become a huge catalyst for equity in the out-of-school time space, making our choice to shift our focus clear and necessary.

Moving forward, we're shifting from a transactional relationship with schools to a transformational one. Instead of renting facilities from schools, we're co-designing equity-centered programs together. In this new model, we'll only partner with schools and districts that want to ensure after-school and summer programs expand beyond childcare to focus on meaningful learning, emotional development, closing the achievement gap, and providing high-quality programs for ALL children.

At EDMO, we're excited about this new chapter and the potential for even greater impact on the lives of children. We hope you'll join us on this journey towards a more equitable and inclusive world for all learners. Together, let's go and let's grow!

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