Spring Forward

10/09/2026

Spring Forward is wrapping up another outstanding week of Fall Intersession programming with 115 Rock Island-Milan School District 41 scholars who spent part of their break with us exploring new interests, discovering hidden talents, building confidence, and reaching new heights (sometimes quite literally off the diving board!!).

Across our programs, students sharpened their Soccer and Swimming skills through our partnership with Rock Island Parks and Recreation, put their creativity and curiosity to work by exploring, testing and experimenting with new ideas in "Mix It, Mold It, Make It, Take It" (alongside our partners Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois) and learned valuable cooking techniques during "Little Chefs, Big Flavors."

One of the highlights was a visit to Your Pie, where students got a taste, both figuratively and literally, of what it's like to work in a restaurant while learning about cooking and food preparation.

What makes Fall Intersession so special is the opportunity to continue learning through hands-on experiences that are engaging, enriching, and fun. Whether they were trying a new recipe, creating something from scratch, scoring a goal, or conquering a diving board for the first time, scholars were challenged to step outside their comfort zones and discover new strengths.

None of this would be possible without our incredible partnership with Rock Island-Milan School District, whose commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for scholars allows programs like these to thrive, ensuring children have access to safe, enriching experiences even when school is not in session.

Thank you to our staff, partners, families, and the Rock Island-Milan School District for helping make another Fall Intersession a tremendous success!!!

09/09/2026

Lifting Learners. Opening Doors. Strengthening Our Community. Check out our 2026 Impact Report video!

09/03/2026

Spring Forward Community,

Today, we pause to recognize a partnership that has helped shape the future of thousands of children across the Quad Cities.

For the past 15 years, the Doris & Victor Day Foundation has been a steadfast champion of Spring Forward's mission, providing a level of support, trust, and partnership that has been truly transformational.

With their most recent investment, the Foundation's total support of Spring Forward has now exceeded $1.5 million. While that number is remarkable, its true significance lies in what it has made possible. It represents fourteen years of belief in children, families, and the power of high-quality out-of-school time programming.

Because of the Day Foundation's commitment, Spring Forward has grown from a single-site initiative into a regional leader serving 1,118 students annually. More than 700 of those students call Rock Island home, where we continue working to remove barriers and create safe, enriching, and culturally responsive learning opportunities.

Their support has also helped fuel a Nationally recognized Summer Program model that served more than 725 students across eight sites this past year, reaching children from 23 schools and gaining buy-in from four school districts. Along the way, we have built a network of 71 community partners, creating a ripple effect of opportunity that extends far beyond any one organization.

The Foundation’s continued confidence in our mission has inspired us to continually raise the bar for programs to provide greater impact on the children and families we serve.

Simply put, both Spring Forward and this community would not be where it is today without the Doris and Victor Day Foundation. They have done far more than fund programs. They have invested in potential, opened doors to opportunity, and helped create brighter futures for thousands of young people throughout our community.

To the Board, staff, and supporters of the Doris and Victor Day Foundation: thank you for your extraordinary partnership, your visionary leadership, and your unwavering belief in our students.

With profound gratitude,
Robert McIntyre
Executive Director
Spring Forward

https://www.springforwardqca.org/spotlight/an-open-letter-of-gratitude-to-the-doris-and-victor-day-foundation-a-15-year-legacy-of-impact

08/13/2026

This summer, 725 students from four school districts and 23 elementary schools joined Spring Forward’s Summer Enrichment Program across eight program sites for an unforgettable season of discovery themed Exploring Our Environment: Connect, Respect, Protect. Supported by 68 community partners and powered by 120 dedicated summer staff, the program brought hands-on learning to life across the Quad Cities.

Students attending regularly spent more than 42 additional hours with certified teachers strengthening academic skills to avoid the “summer slide” and over 50 hours in enrichment through field trips and community partner outreach.

To engage with this year’s theme, participants returned to the awe-inspiring Maquoketa Caves, caught their first fish at Riverside Park Pond alongside the Illinois DNR and University of Illinois Extension Henry, Mercer, Rock Island, Stark, paddled through adventures with Scott County, Iowa Conservation at Scott County Park, explored the Mississippi River with Living Lands and Waters floating classroom and studied ecology at Nahant Marsh Education Center.

New partnerships included Clinton County Conservation (Rock Creek Marina), Muscatine County Conservation Board (Muscatine Environmental Center), and both U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Rock Island County Conservation who welcomed students to Illiniwek Forest Preserve for immersive outdoor learning. These new collaborations ensured programming remained fresh and offered students access to more opportunities to experience firsts like fishing, canoeing, and kayaking.

Another enhanced and impactful component for Summer 2026 was the increase in social-emotional learning opportunities for both students and staff. While Spring Forward has long recognized the value of summer learning and new experiences, the growing need to support students’ emotional well-being has become central to our mission. Thanks to funding from the 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, Spring Forward expanded both staff training and social-emotional learning opportunities for students, fostering a culture of greater care and connection during the Summer program.

Summer 2026 was a resounding success where students flourished, embraced new experiences, and built confidence along with a deeper respect for the world around them. Through the spirit of connection, our students, staff, and partners extended learning well beyond the classroom and shared experiences that strengthened their foundation for a brighter future ahead!

Summer 2026 was a resounding success where students flourished, embraced new experiences, and built confidence along with a deeper respect for the world around them. Through the spirit of connection, our students, staff, and partners extended learning well beyond the classroom and shared experiences

08/07/2026

❗️NOW HIRING ❗️ We are looking for a Development Director & Development and Program Manager. Read the complete job descriptions on our website and apply today!

https://www.springforwardqca.org/current-openings

08/05/2026

DON'T MISS IT! Tomorrow night Rock Island Parks and Recreation is bringing our community together for "Back to School Game Night" to support Spring Forward programs that help kids learn, grow, and thrive all year long.

All you need to join in the fun is a few school supplies or make a small monetary gift. Plus, NEW! Raffle prizes available too, with raffle ticket sales benefiting Spring Forward.

Your support helps Spring Forward get students ready for a great year, and your presence makes the event even better. Come hang out and be part of something that lifts up Rock Island families!

Thank you Rock Island Parks and Recreation for supporting Spring Forward!

07/29/2026

Rock Island Parks and Recreation is bringing our community together for "Back to School Game Night" to support Spring Forward programs that help kids learn, grow, and thrive all year long.

All you need to join in the fun is a few school supplies or make a small monetary gift. Your support helps Spring Forward get students ready for a great year, and your presence makes the event even better. Come hang out and be part of something that lifts up Rock Island families!

07/10/2026

For some, today was a cloudy, quiet, nothing‑special Friday.
For Spring Forward, July 10, 2026 will go down as one of the most unforgettable, wildly adventurous Field Trip Fridays in our 27‑year history.

In all, 11 different Field Trips were pulled off, with many centering around our Summer theme of Exploring Our Environment: Connect, Respect, Protect."

We explored caves, canoed in lakes and Mississippi backwaters, caught our first fish (again!!), rode boats on the Mississippi River, encountered wildlife and studied ponds, prairies and grasslands.

None of this is possible without our incredible partners at Nahant Marsh Education Center, Figge Art Museum, Wildcat Den State Park, Rock Creek Marina (Clinton County Conservation), Maquoketa Caves (Jackson County Conservation), Scott County, Iowa Conservation, Quad City Botanical Center, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, University of Illinois Extension Henry, Mercer, Rock Island, Stark,, Bettendorf Family Museum, Muscatine Conservation Center.....and MOST OF ALL OUR AMAZING STAFF.

Hard to believe we pulled off such a memorable day for the more than 500 students still going strong as we close out Summer 2026.

For those who need to see it to believe it, here you go!!........

National Summer Learning Association

07/03/2026

A big shoutout to WQAD News 8 and reporter Marshawn Gunn for covering the “fun (not) in the sun” this week. Check out the story in the link below.

Spring Forward QCA is helping elementary students stay active, engaged and cool during a week of high temperatures in the Quad Cities.

07/02/2026

It was a bittersweet week for Spring Forward as our summer programs pivoted away from the heat at the John Deere Classic, a tradition we look forward to invading every July. Keeping students and staff safe always comes first, and while we missed the excitement, our teams know how to stay flexible and still make the week special.

We packed the days with joy in many ways: our friends at Canines visited Hamilton Elementary Students to help kiddos unwind, students from Lincoln‑Irving Elementary enjoyed a shaded (and cooler) ride around town thanks to the QC Channel Cat, and the University of Illinois Extension Henry, Mercer, Rock Island, Stark helped campers sharpen their cooking skills. We also spent time hanging out with Ballet Quad Cities, relaxing and letting our patriotic creativity shine with Fourth‑of‑July‑inspired art projects.

Spring Forward is taking a long weekend break before camp resumes next week. Wishing everyone a happy, safe, and cooler Fourth of July. See you back on Monday for the second half of the fun and learning!!