Your one-stop-hub of information for a Philadelphia summer jam-packed with exciting activities and cool opportunities!
With our public partners, we’re working hard at the city’s Office of Children & Families to deliver a rich line-up of free and low-cost programs and locations that are safe and adult-supervised for children, teens and families.
Register now summer camps, free swim lessons, academic enrichment and more.
Here, you’ll find locations, enrollment information and important timelines. Please check this space regularly, as we continue to update residents on more programs and activities. From the toddler who appreciates a good sprayground to the maturing teenager who needs a summer job, we’ve got you covered with #ItsASummerThing. Enjoy!
Enjoy the Water!
More than 60 pools and 90 spraygrounds will open 7 days a week. Free swim lessons are available.
Spraygrounds open Memorial Day weekend. Pools open mid-late June. Find a site near you!
Summer Camps
Summer camps in every neighborhood, with themes like performing arts, visual arts, e-sports, and rowing. Find a camp at our locator here! Or visit your local rec center!
Playstreets
Each summer, hundreds of volunteers sign up to supervise small, one-way blocks closed to traffic and open for fun! Free meals and snacks are provided. Visit www.phila.gov/programs/playstreets or call 215-685-2719 to apply to supervise a Playstreet.
Earn summer pay!
Numerous work opportunities are available for your teen. Go here to learn about becoming a lifeguard. Free training is available. Act now to lock in a $1,000 end-of-summer hiring bonus! Also, WorkReady offers paid summer experiences five days/week. Ages 12 – 24, with limited opportunities for ages 20+. Visit https://workready.org or call 267-502-3900
At the library, it’s a Summer of Wonder, Week of Play and Science in the Summer
Read and learn during the summer with fun, free activities at libraries across the city. Win prizes! In person runs June 5 – Aug. 11; online runs June 5 – Aug. 31. Week of Play runs June 5 – June 10th, highlighting hands-on activities ad playful learning for all ages! Concludes with a celebration June 10th at Cecil B. Moore Library! For both of these events, drop into your library or go here! Or, Be a physicist!
This physics program is designed to increase confidence in doing science and pursuing STEM careers.
For 2nd – 6th graders. At select libraries June 10 – Aug 11. Drop into your library or go here!
Intensive Prevention Services
This community-based prevention program is for young people at risk for involvement with the juvenile justice system. It provides meaningful programming through fun activities, experiences, and community engagement, promoting healthy behavior while addressing behaviors that brought them to the program: For ages 10 – 19, at seven sites across the city. Enroll here
Community Evening Resource Centers
This partnership with DHS, City Council, and the Police Department offers safe spaces for youth at risk for behavior issues or who have come to the attention of Philadelphia police after a curfew violation. At four locations. Ages 10 – 19. Open daily 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Go to https://www.phila.gov/CERC
Summer Enrichment
School- and community-based sites host six-week camps that provide arts, athletics, STEM and more. June 26 – Aug. 4 and July 1 – Aug. 11. Visit the program locator here
Community Schools Literacy Project
Six weeks of full-day programming from 8:30 am – 4 pm takes place at Southwark and McClure Community Schools featuring a literacy block and learning aimed at preventing summer literacy loss. Check with a school-based provider you can find here.
Academic Partnership with School District
The District operates morning learning staffed by District-funded District teachers.
The city’s Out-of-School Time operates afternoon enrichment 12:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. Mon – Thur., and 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the same District schools for 6 weeks of elementary and middle school students. June 26 – Aug. 4. Registration open April 10 – 28.
Click here for enrollment information.
Free Food
Free nutritious meals for youth as part of Parks & Recreation summer camps and Playstreets and Office of Children and Families’ Out-of-School-Time programs. Hundreds of free summer meal sites throughout the city. June 14 – Aug. 15. For youth up to age 18. Go to our meals locator at www.phila.gov/food.
Police Department/PAL
PAL operates year-round Mon. – Fri., 1 p.m. – 9 p.m., with summer hours beginning June 19 – Sept. 1, when 15 centers will open 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., and 10 centers will have extended summer hours 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., Thurs., 1 p.m. – 9 p.m., Sat. Find more here
Philadelphia Police Explorers Cadet Program
Provides law enforcement training and experience through mentoring, classroom instruction, and hands-on training. Ages 14 – 20. Download applications at www.ppdexplorers.org
Philadelphia Youth Police Camp
For grades 3 – 8. June 19 – 23, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Applications open April 12 and can be downloaded from here
Don’t Fall Down in The Hood
DFDITH is a community-based prevention program for youth and young adults aged 13 to 21. The program provides interventional treatment to lessen harm and prevent future risk of violence. Learn more here.
School District of Philadelphia Summer Learning Programs
The comprehensive program offers options for School District of Philadelphia students – from enrichment-based learning to summer employment opportunities for high schoolers. All current School District of Philadelphia students entering grades K – 12 are eligible and encouraged to register. Summer program seats are limited and completing a registration form does not guarantee enrollment. Enrollment will be first-come, first-served, based on availability at each program location. Families and students will be notified about their enrollment status by June 1. Register here. Registration for most programs runs through April 28, but please check the Summer Programs website for program details and contact information.
