This issue brief looks at evaluations of 34 academically focused summer programs in order to distill challenges and compile promising strategies for creating quality summer programs. While many summer programs face similar implementation challenges, each program has different components and needs, and not every strategy is feasible or even desirable for every program. Rather, the strategies presented in this brief are intended to offer "food for thought" about how best to develop and refine quality programming. Three major themes cut across the seven challenges and accompanying strategies identified in this brief. First, many evaluations identified the important role of linkages, relationships, and partnerships. A second theme that cuts across many strategies is youth engagement. A final theme common to most of these strategies is the importance of operating with intentionality. A list of related resources is also included. Appended is: Program Evaluations Included in This Review.