Spring Break is often seen as a time to rest and recharge, but for many young people, it can also represent something else entirely: a gap in access to learning, support, and enrichment. Programs like Spring Breakout and Summer Shakedown remind us that when students have access to safe, enriching experiences, they thrive.
Recognizing this need, the Spartanburg Academic Movement’s Center for Youth Engagement and Partnership, in collaboration with the City of Spartanburg, partnered to create a new opportunity for local youth. What began as a simple conversation became a shared commitment to ensure that no week is left without purpose or possibility.
“Through an organic conversation between SAM and the City of Spartanburg,” says Bailey Babb, SAM’s Out of School Time Coordinator, “we realized that if the City has the space and SAM has the capacity to provide programming, we can come together to create something meaningful, something kids will enjoy and most importantly, a safe place for them to be while school is out.”
Now in its second year, Spring Breakout continues to grow, bringing together partners, resources, and experiences into something greater than any one organization could create alone. This year’s theme, Level Up!, invited teens to see their potential in a new way, and to take meaningful steps toward unlocking it.
Throughout the week, local middle and high school students engaged in hands on learning, leadership development and time to simply be kids. Whether that meant diving into financial literacy through a real-world simulation, experimenting with science concepts and exploring healthcare careers, or solving wellness focused challenges during an interactive scavenger hunt. As the week progressed, students began connecting what they were learning to their futures, exploring college and career pathways and discovering their own strengths.
The week culminated in a basketball tournament and talent showcase, where students not only participated, but truly shined by celebrating their growth, confidence, and connection with one another.
“It was a fun way to learn about wellness and healthy habits along with my friends,” shared Jordan, an 8th grader. Leigha, a 6th grader, added that her favorite part was “being with my friends in the gym and learning about career paths and what it takes to prepare for college.”
In addition to these enrichment experiences, students were provided with free lunch, daily prizes, and a safe, supportive environment where they could build relationships with peers and mentors.
What began as a response to an opportunity gap has quickly become something more, a growing partnership of support where young people feel seen, supported, and inspired to grow.
“This camp wouldn’t have been possible without our partnership with the City of Spartanburg Parks & Recreation,” says Savannah Ray, SAM’s Director of the Center for Youth Engagement and Partnership. “Their team brought long standing relationships with many of the young people who attended and strong connections to families who frequent their centers. By planning and executing this experience together, with incredible City staff, Bailey as our OST Coordinator, and in partnership with SAM’s Center for Postsecondary Success, we were able to meet youth where they are and create an opportunity that felt accessible, safe, and exciting.”
Programs like Spring Breakout don’t happen by accident. They are intentionally woven together through partnerships, shared vision, and the generosity of a community that believes every young person deserves access to opportunity, not just during the school year, but year-round.
Families across Spartanburg County still have access to a variety of high-quality summer programs through Connect Spartanburg’s Summer Shakedown initiative, offering everything from leadership development and entrepreneurship to STEAM learning, recreation and career exploration.
Even more importantly, summer scholarships are available for a limited time to help ensure cost is not a barrier for students and families. Through partnerships with community organizations and SAM, scholarships are helping middle and ihgh school students participate in meaningful summer experiences that build confidence, skills and connections.
Your support of Movement 2030 helps ensure that these opportunities continue to expand transforming weeks that could be marked by disconnection into moments of growth, discovery, and confidence.
We are especially grateful to The Forrester Center for their generosity in supporting Spring Breakout 2026 and helping make these meaningful experiences possible for our students.
Together, we are weaving a stronger future through Spartanburg County’s Movement 2030 plan one student, one experience, one opportunity at a time.
