“What keeps me in education:” Salem-Keizer’s Unified Summer Programs teach inclusion, build friendships

July 24, 2026 - 01:24

For students in Salem-Keizer Public Schools, summer means more than just a break from class. It means playing on the same team, painting at the same table, and learning from each other. The district's Unified Summer Programs bring together students with and without disabilities to participate in sports, arts, and other activities. The goal is simple: build a community where everyone belongs.

One parent described watching her son, who has a disability, high-five a new friend after a soccer drill. That moment, she said, is why she keeps coming back. "What keeps me in education is seeing these connections," a program coordinator explained. "It is not about charity. It is about friendship."

The program pairs students as teammates and partners. They work side by side on art projects, play adaptive games, and share lunch. For many participants, it is the first time they have been included in a typical summer camp setting. Teachers say the benefits go both ways. Students without disabilities learn patience and empathy. Students with disabilities gain confidence and social skills.

The district has run unified sports during the school year for several years, but the summer expansion allows for more unstructured time. That is when real friendships form. One high school volunteer said he originally signed up for community service hours but kept coming because he liked hanging out with his new friends. "We just laugh a lot," he said.

Administrators hope the program will continue to grow. They see it as a model for how schools can foster inclusion beyond the classroom. For now, the sounds of laughter and cheering on the playground are proof enough that the idea is working.