GAINESVILLE, Fla. (Feb. 20, 2026) – The City of Gainesville invites local youth and their families to attend Summer Blitz 2026, a free community event designed to connect students with summer camps, enrichment programs and job opportunities — all in one place.

Summer Blitz 2026 is free and open to the public. No registration is required.

When: 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Sat., March 7

Where: Martin Luther King Jr. Multipurpose Center, 1028 NE 14th St.

Sponsored by the City of Gainesville, in partnership with Alachua County Public Schools and the Children’s Trust of Alachua County, Summer Blitz 2026 is an opportunity for families to explore local offerings and register for summer programs on the spot. The more than 30 organizations expected to participate are offering a wide range of experiences. These include sports, the arts, STEM, leadership development, college access and career pathways, including Upward Bound, youth employment programs and the Public Safety Academy.

“Summer Blitz is about convenience and access,” said John Alexander, City of Gainesville Director of Government Affairs and Community Relations. “Families can meet representatives, ask questions and get signed up all in one place. The timing is ideal because registration is open and there are still many spots available in programs offered by the City of Gainesville and through other organizations across the community.”

Last year’s Summer Blitz featured nearly 40 programs and drew close to 500 participants, demonstrating strong community interest and the need for centralized access to information about youth opportunities. In addition to meeting program providers, attendees can enjoy free food, music and giveaways. Middle and high school students also can participate in a PlayStation Madden Football Tournament during the event.

“We as a city are proud that Summer Blitz helps young people try new experiences that build skills and confidence,” said Gainesville Interim City Manager Andrew Persons. “We want every family to know what’s available and to benefit from these excellent options that can keep students engaged and supported throughout the summer.”

Research cited by the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) shows that high-quality summer programs can help slow learning loss, support gains in reading and math skills and strengthen social and emotional competencies, especially for students who attend consistently, helping narrow opportunity gaps that widen during summer breaks.

Summer Blitz 2026 is organized by the Office of Government Affairs and Community Relations (GACR). For more information, contact GACR Director John Alexander at 352-393-8676 or alexanderjw@GainesvilleFL.gov.

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