Summer 2026: Exploring Our Environment: Connect, Respect, Protect

Spring Forward’s Summer 2026 program has officially launched, and we couldn’t be more excited! This year, we are welcoming 725 students across eight program sites, representing 23 different elementary schools and four local community school districts: Rock Island-Milan, East Moline, Moline-Coal Valley, and Bettendorf.

Every great journey begins with a clear roadmap, and our Spring Forward Summer Programs are no exception. We kicked off a week of Staff Training on Monday, June 8, at the Figge Art Museum, bringing together 120 dedicated team members.

It was inspiring to see such a vibrant blend of certified teachers, paraprofessionals, college education students, and high schoolers from our "Grow Your Own Teacher" program all united and ready to make a difference this summer. The room was electric as our team reconnected with old friends, welcomed new faces, and dove into the inspiring plans we have in store for this summer.

The true magic began this past Monday when our students arrived, ready for a Summer they’ll always remember!

Summer learning and fun are already in full swing with our students diving into enriching experiences, from field trips with Living Lands & Waters to special visits from the QC Animal Welfare Center, the Putnam Museum, and many others. We are so grateful to our 65+ community partners who help make this program possible! We truly couldn’t do it without you!!

For anyone familiar with Spring Forward, you know we are just getting started! Follow us on Facebook to stay connected and keep up with all the fun, learning, and growth happening all summer long!