As summer approaches, many parents worry about the “summer slide” — the loss of academic progress and routines during school break. For families of children with ADHD, dyslexia, autism, anxiety, or other learning differences, maintaining structure and motivation over the summer can feel especially important.
The Shadow Project’s free Summer Goal Setting Program helps children stay engaged, build confidence, and practice positive routines through fun, flexible weekly goals designed for kids who learn differently.
Join the program from July 6 – August 14, 2026.
How does it work?
The program is designed for children ages 4–14 who may benefit from extra structure, motivation, and encouragement during the summer. It is especially supportive for kids with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, anxiety, emotional regulation challenges, or other learning differences.
Summer Goal Setting empowers parents to create a supportive, engaging summer for their child who learns differently. You will be equipped with tools and resources to help your child make progress in goal setting, attention, and emotional regulation skills.
The basic components include:
- Parents/caregivers receive one resource email each Sunday. Full of tools and resources, you’ll have support to help your child set and work toward weekly goals.
- Kids earn “Shadow Bucks,” a fun reward system that encourages progress and reflection. Submit a reflection form each week for more Shadow Bucks!
- At the end of the session, kids get to spend Shadow Bucks on fun items from our online “Shadow Store” filled with books, art supplies, LEGOs and more!
- All materials and support are also available in Spanish.
“It’s a chance for you to partner with your child and to set goals that you both agree with…. There’s all kinds of learning opportunities along the way with this program!” – Parent
And it’s all free of charge to you, thanks to the many supporters of The Shadow Project!
What’s New This Year?
This year we’ve made the program even more flexible and parent-friendly.
All resource information now comes in a single email to kick off every week and directions are easier to follow. Each week focuses on a specific skill that can stand alone or build on previous weeks. Families can move at their own pace, revisit skills, or skip a week as needed. The program works with your family’s summer, not against it.
Dates: July 6 – August 14, 2026
Families are also invited to join an optional Welcome Webinar on July 1 or July 2. This will be an opportunity to ask questions and a great way to get started with confidence. A recording will be available for those who can’t attend live.
Still want to know more? Find out what past summer program parents have to say on our program page.
How to Register
Registration is now open for Summer Goal Setting 2026. Sign up before June 30 to receive the full six-week experience and access to the live welcome webinars.
The Shadow Project
Founded by a parent of a child who struggled with reading, The Shadow Project is a Portland nonprofit that makes school more accessible and engaging for children with disabilities, so they can achieve their full potential. Our Summer Goal Setting Program brings that proven, school-based approach directly to families through fun, flexible routines and weekly goal setting.
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