It’s time to “roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer,” as the old song goes. So far, if these past couple of weeks are any indication, crazy may be the watchword, and things are not shaping up to be lazy.

With rising temperatures come kids out of school and jumping into their summer routines, the skies filling with threatening clouds, policy debates heating up across the state and the country, and everyone looking to sit back just a little to relax and reenergize. At SPPG we will start June with a chance to gather for a little fun and camaraderie with our staff and their families for our annual summer fun activity which always involves food and cool drinks. This year the highlight will be toddler games as we will welcome the growing set of little ones to the party.

But during our normal days, there is a scarcity of time to sit back and watch summer pass. In fact, we are very much in tune with the needs of children and youth as school dismisses for the summer. The Iowa Afterschool Alliance, which is managed and staffed by SPPG, is acutely aware of the challenges for families in accessing quality, affordable out-of-school time activities for their kids. The challenge is particularly great for middle and high school students for a variety of reasons. With the appropriation again this year of $1 million for Iowa’s afterschool programs to be awarded on a competitive basis, the state continues to support these critical needs.

Cultural arts are important to us year round, but summer gives a chance to try out new interests, like a class or performance at The Playhouse. SPPG is wrapping up community outreach and information gathering activities for the Des Moines Playhouse. From this process, The Playhouse will be equipped to undertake some strategic thinking about how to frame the future offerings of one of the nation’s most prominent community theatres.

And what of those summer clouds that gather? Take a moment to thank and support those in your community who work year round to safeguard your homes, medical services, businesses, and public entities. They are called upon in times of tragedy and trouble, as has occurred in Iowa these past days and weeks. The value of our emergency management professionals and the first responders working in communities is never more evident than we are seeing in the response and recovery from the recent incidents.

Hazy days are on their way – when we’ll start to hear the corn grow. Lazy? Hardly. But you can put your own spin on the crazy part and sit back and enjoy whatever part of Iowa summers gives you pleasure.