Summer: a time of fun, sun, and searching for summer programming for your children. Luckily, the City of Philadelphia offers plenty of free to low-cost summer camps and quality programming to enrich your child’s summer.
The Citywide Out-of-School-Time Initiative presents the best ways to find City summer camps and youth programming from Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, The Free Library, PAL, and WorkReady Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation offers over 130 low-cost summer camps ranging from rec-center-based programs to theme camps for sports, aquatics, arts, and outdoor adventure. The free Playstreets program brings the fun right to your block throughout the summer.
This year, the School District of Philadelphia’s 2018-2019 school year ends on June 4 – a full two weeks earlier than last year. To accommodate the change, Parks & Rec summer day camps will start on June 17 and run for eight weeks. Parks & Rec’s Theme and swim camps will open by July 1.
SUMMER DAY CAMPS
Runs: June 17 to August 9
Cost: Low cost (prices vary)
Parks and Rec summer day camps take place at neighborhood recreation centers and playgrounds. Programming varies, but includes field trips, physical activity and outdoor enrichment. All camps include lunch at no extra cost.
Summer day camps include:
Southwest
James Finnegan Playground summer day camp
Ages: 6 to 12
Runs: June 17 – August 9
Cost: $400/ camp season (8 weeks)
West Philly
West Mill Creek Playground summer day camp
Ages: 6 to 12
Runs: June 17 – August 9
Cost: $400/ camp season (8 weeks)
South Philly
Murphy Recreation Center summer day camp
Ages: 5 to 13
Runs: June 17 – August 9
Cost: $100 / week
North Philly
Amos Playground summer day camp
Ages: 5 to 12
Runs: July 1 – August 9
Cost: $175/ camp season (6 weeks)
Northwest
Daniel E. Rumph II Recreation Center summer day camp
Ages: 5 to 12
Runs: June 17 – August 16
Cost: $230 /season (7 weeks)
Kensington
Heitzman Recreation Center summer day camp
Ages: 6 to 12
Runs: June 17 – August 9
Cost: $550 / camp season (8 weeks)
Lower Northeast
American Legion summer day camp
Ages: 5 to 12
Runs: June 17 – August 9
Cost: $85 / week
Houseman Recreation Center sports camp
Ages: 5 to 13
Runs: June 17 – August 9
Cost: $800 / camp season (8 weeks)
Far Northeast
Torresdale Playground summer day camp
Ages: 6 to 12
Runs: June 17 – August 9
Cost: $85 / week
For registration information, visit: https://www.phila.gov/services/culture-recreation/activities-and-events/register-for-summer-camp/
THEME CAMPS
Runs: July 1 to August 9
Cost: Low cost
Parks & Rec offers a large lineup of theme camps ranging from nature, adventure and sports (including baseball, soccer, swim, cheer and gymnastics) to art and coding.
Check out the Parks & Rec finder to find all of the options available in your neighborhood for creative and adventurous fun.
Here are some highlights:
Summer Art Camp
Runs: July 1 to August 9, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Cost: $150 / three-week session, $50 / registration
$300 / six-week session, $50 / registration
Breakfast, lunch, and all supplies are included.
This outdoor camp is for children ages 7 to 17. Campers will learn from experienced artists in drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, and photography. The season ends with an art show. Campers are split into three age groups: juniors (ages 7 to 9), intermediates (ages 10 to 12), and seniors (ages 13 to 17). The three age groups will participate in art projects specific to their capabilities and experience.
Camps are held outdoors at three locations:
Wissinoming Park
Fisher Park
Parkside Evans Playground
Register for summer art camp here: https://www.philavisualarts.com/forms
Introduction to Performing Arts Camp
Runs: July 1 to August 9, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. with an extended care option.
Cost: $325.00 / camp season (6 weeks), optional after care is an additional $150 / camp season.
Children ages 6 to 10 will take classes in creative movement, drama, and vocal music. Campers will perform in a special presentation at the end of the six-week camp.
There are four locations for this camp:
Northwest Philadelphia – Waterview Recreation Center
Northeast Philadelphia – Holmesburg Recreation Center
West Philadelphia – Woodland Playground
South Philadelphia – Hawthorne Cultural Center
Register for Introduction to Performing Arts Camp here: http://performingartspdpr.org/introduction-performing-arts-camp-2019-application
Applications are due by May 28.
Young Performers Theater Camp
Runs: July 1 to August 9, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Cost: $200 / camp season (6 weeks), $150 / registration fee, optional bus service is an additional $150 / season
Children ages 9 to 18 will “major” in either musical theater or dance in this intensive performing-arts camp. At the end of the season, dance majors will perform in a choreographed performance and musical theater majors will perform in one of three productions: “The Lion King Jr” (ages 9 to 12), “Bring It On!” (ages 13 to 14), or “Legally Blonde” (ages 15 to 18). New campers will be required to audition prior to enrolling.
Camp locations include (dependent on age and major):
University of Pennsylvania, Annenberg Center (University City)
Platt Student Performing Arts House (University City)
Venice Island Performing Arts Center (Manayunk)
Register for Young Performers Theater Camp here: http://performingartspdpr.org/young-performers-theater-camp-2019-application
Be Outside – Teen Adventure Summer Day Camp
Runs: June 24 – August 1, Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Cost: $350 / Camp Season (7 weeks) Lunch and transportation not included.
Kids ages 12 to 14 can participate in this two-part outdoor-adventure summer day camp.
Part 1: Children will engage in outdoor activities – such as kayaking, rock-climbing, hiking, and zip lining – to build skills, determination and self-confidence.
Part 2: Focuses on career exploration, S.T.E.M., social responsibility, and physical activity – all with an outdoor theme.
The camp is based out of Chalfont Playground in Northeast Philadelphia.
To register for Be Outside – Teen Adventure Summer Day Camp, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ppr-be-outside-teen-adventure-camp-chalfont-playground-2019-registration-opens-3182019-tickets-55648725837
For more information about free and low-cost summer programs for youths, visit: https://www.phila.gov/2019-04-05-summer-is-coming-check-out-these-free-and-low-cost-programs-for-kids/.
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