This is the executive summary for the report "Spiking Demand, Growing Barriers: The Trends Shaping Afterschool and Summer Learning in Rural Communities," which aims to provide a current picture of the afterschool and summer program experience for children and families in rural America, using data from the most recent America After 3PM study. Building off findings from the previous 2009 and 2014 America After 3PM studies, the report investigates whether the afterschool and summer landscape in rural communities has changed over time, compares and contrasts rural parents' perceptions of afterschool programs now and then, and discusses what lessons can be drawn from the findings to help increase access to afterschool and summer programs in rural communities. This summary provides an overview of key findings and recommendations. [For the full report, see ED617419.]