Your line-up of Philadelphia summer programming is packed with exciting activities and cool opportunities!
When schools let out for the summer, young people still need safe, structured, supervised, engaging activities to fill their days.
Welcome to It’s A Summer Thing, your line-up of free or low-cost programs and activities are available to children, youth, teens, and families all summer long.
Here, you’ll find locations, enrollment information, and important timelines. Please check this blog post regularly, as we readily update residents on additional 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!
Register now for summer camps, free swim lessons, academic enrichment, and more.
School District of Philadelphia Summer Learning Programs
Over 200 programs are available across 130+ SDP building sites and approximately 21,000 spots.
Programs are community-centered, based on students’ needs, and ensure that all students and families have access to a fun, academically and socially enriching, and meaningful summer experience.
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 on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on availability at each program site. Summer programming begins June 22 — Register here.
Career Connected Learning
Youth ages 12 – 24 can discover their strengths and passions through paid, hands-on, work-based learning experiences. These opportunities will ultimately set young people up for career and economic success. The application process for C2L-PHL Summer 2025 opens in mid-April.
Visit this website regularly for updates.
Summer Achievers (Joint program with School District and City of Philadelphia)
Rising 1st through 8th graders can receive math and reading support, enrichment, meals, camp-like activities, and field trips at no cost to families. Registration opens on Monday, April 13th.
Programming runs from June 22 to July 31, between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Finding a program for your child is simple! Browse and sign up online here. If you need help with enrollment, please contact the program’s host site directly.
Enjoy the Water
More than 60 pools and 100+ spraygrounds will open 7 days a week. Free swim lessons are available.
Spraygrounds open Memorial Day weekend. Pools open mid-late June.
Parks & Recreation Summer Camps
Summer camps in every neighborhood, with themes such as performing arts, visual arts, esports, and rowing, for ages 6 to 12. Camps begin on July 7 and end on August 15. There is no camp on July 4 or July 5.
Find a camp at our locator here or visit your local rec center.
Playstreets
Each summer, hundreds of volunteers sign up to serve free meals and snacks to kids on their block.
Learn more about the Playstreets program here or call 215-685-2719.
Earn summer pay through Parks and Recreation
There are 400 spots open for lifeguards in the City. Free training and certification are available. Act now to lock in a $1,000 end-of-summer hiring bonus if you apply by April 15 or $500 before May 15. Lifeguards must be at least 16 years of age or older.
Learn more here or call 267-502-3900.
Summer Quest at the Free Library
Discover new programs and join the Quest. Win prizes, read, explore, and enjoy the adventure. Stop by your neighborhood library to find out about summer programming and to sign up for Summer Quest!
Be a Chemist! This GSK Science in the Summer program invites children to take the role of scientists and engineers as they investigate how chemistry creates the materials of everyday life. Each activity highlights a real-world career! For 2nd- to 6th-graders at selected libraries, from June 8 to August 14.
Visit your local library or learn more here.
Intensive Prevention Services
This community-based prevention program is for young people at risk of 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 program offers safe spaces for youth to be engaged in positive youth development. Six locations throughout the city. Ages 10 – 17. Open daily 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Out-of-School Time Arts and Culture Programming
Six weeks of full-day Arts & Culture Camps. Programming by OST Arts & Culture providers focused on creative or performing arts, taught by experts in these fields. Available to elementary and middle school students.
Programming and meals are free to families and run from July to August. Registration dates vary by camp. Visit the program locator here.
Out-of-School Time Summer Camp Programming
Six weeks of full-day enrichment (arts, athletics, STEM) in both School District and community-based sites available to elementary and middle school students. All School District-based programs will run 6 weeks, June 22 – July 31.
Providers at Community Based Organizations, parochial, and charter school sites are expected to run 6-week traditional summer programs starting as early as July 1 and ending by August 9.
Register directly through the OST provider. Registration opens on Monday, April 13. Find a program today!
Specialized Out-of-School-Time Programming
Two-week programs offering full-day enrichment at various locations around the city from school sites to community-based sites focused on creative or performing arts, STEM, or athletics taught by experts in these fields, are available to elementary, middle, and high school students.
Programming, field trips, and meals are free to families. Registration opens after April 13. Visit the program locator here.
Summer Meals
A partnership with Parks & Recreation, the School District of Philadelphia, Nutritional Development Services/The Archdiocese, Philadelphia Housing Authority, and others.
Hundreds of free summer meal sites throughout the city for youth. June 15 – August 21. For youth up to age 18.
To find a site go to our free food and meals finder here. Organizations and neighbors, including Playstreet Supervisors, can apply to host a Summer Meal Site. To learn more, click here.
Police Department/Police Athletic League (PAL)
PAL operates year-round, Monday through Friday, with extended summer hours from June through September for youth ages 6-18. Find more information here.
Philadelphia Police Explorers Cadet Program
Provides law enforcement training and experience through mentoring, classroom instruction, and hands-on training. Ages 14 to 20. Download applications here.
