Climate change is now threatening a pillar of childhood: summer break
Extreme weather events, including wildfire smoke and record-breaking heat, are increasingly disrupting traditional summer activities for children in the U.S. Experts note that these climate-driven interruptions are becoming the new normal for families.
Why it matters
It illustrates the tangible, daily impact of climate change on childhood development and the stability of seasonal social structures.
On a beautiful summer day in July, seven-year-old Penelope is turning into a mermaid.
"I like playing mermaid," she says, with her feet dangling in the swimming pool at Beauvoir Summer Camp in Washington, D.C.
"Like, I'm a human, and then I turn into a mermaid and I use one of the pool noodles as a dolphin, and I play with my friends," she says.
It's Friday, which means free swim, and the kids are splashing around on blue kickboards and sinking miniature torpedo toys. In the kiddie pool, the littlest campers jump in and show off their twists and turns with screeches of delight.
Penelope and her best friend Sam, also 7, say pool time is their favorite activity at this camp. NPR is only using the kids' first names because they are minors.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in