Finding a Summer Program During the summer, it is very important to keep youth involved in learning opportunities and fun activities. Summer camps are a great way to have a productive and fun summer. Use this guide to find a summer program or camp that fits the needs of you and your family. What to Look For in a Summer Camp • Do their hours of operation fit with your family’s needs and schedule? • Is the location accessible? • What kind of activities interest your child? • What are your child’s friends doing this Summer? • Is the camp or program accredited or licensed? If so, by whom? If not, why not? • What training does camp staff receive on safety, supervision, counseling, problem solving, and other issues unique to working with young children? • What is the counselor/youth ratio? • Does the price include everything, or are there extra charges for transportation, food service, registration, field trips clothing, etc.? • Does the program have a sliding scale fee, take vouchers, offer a reduce price for second child, or have scholarship opportunities? • If transportation is provided, what are the specifics? • What does a typical day look like? What are their hours? • If before and after camp activities are offered, who is with the children and what will they be doing? • Are there competitive activities (such as team sports)? Is your child comfortable with the level of competition? • How will the camp meet my child’s special dietary or physical needs? • Is there an open house before camp starts so parents can tour the camp and meet the director? • Is there a waitlist if my child does not get a slot right a way? Adapted from the American Camp Association New England Where to Look Boston Centers for Youth & Families 617-635-4920 | www.cityofboston.gov/bcyf BCYF offers over 50 neighborhood-based summer day camps and a variety of recreational programs. BPS Summer Stuff www.BostonPublicSchools.org/summer.asp Summer Stuff is a publication of the Boston Public Schools that features hundreds of camps, programs and activities for children and teenagers. Be sure to check out Summer Stuff for middle and high school students and Summer Stuff Jr. for elementary school students. Camp Harbor View 617-994-4700 | www.bgcb.org Camp Harbor View is a summer day camp for Boston boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 14 located on Long Island in Boston Harbor. The camp operates in to sessions that are each four weeks long and run Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 6pm. The first session runs from July 2 to July 27 and the second session runs from July 30 to August 24. The camp experience includes athletics, arts, youth development and environmental education. The fee for each camper is only five dollars per session!! Admission is based on referrals from community organizations. A pre-application is necessary and can be accessed at: www.bgcb.org Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston www.bgcb.org The Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston are located all over the City of Boston. They offer many programs, camps and services for youth. YMCA of Great Boston Summer Camps and Fun Clubs www.ymcaboston.org YMCA locations are located all over Boston. They provide fun and affordable programs to youth of all ages. BOSTnet http://webguide.bostnet.org/ BOSTnet offers a guide where you can search for available youth programs. Check out what they have to offer for the summer. Boston Public Library www.bpl.org The Boston Public Library offers many exciting events and programs for the summer months. Check out new books, special exhibits, shows and reading contests. American Camp Association New England 1-866-534-2267 | www.acane-camps.org ACA New England connects kids to overnight camps and offers free personalized camp search guidance and resources. They also publish an annual guide to camps and a magazine for first time campers. KidsCamps.com www.KidsCamps.com This website has links to hundreds of camps in the Boston area and across the U.S.A. National Camp Association, Inc. 1-800-966-CAMP (2267) | www.summercamp.org This service provides referrals to overnight camps. Student Camp & Trip Advisors 1-800-542-1233 | www.campadvisors.com This free service helps families find overnight camps for all ages. They also have an extensive list of summer travel, adventure and community service programs for teens. Vouchers www.masslegalservices.org/docs/FO_2007_66.pdf You may be eligible for vouchers or sliding fees this summer! There are vouchers based on income, family size, teen headed households and much more. Find out if you're eligible and how to obtain them. Cambridge Camping Association www.cambridgecamping.org A partnership of accredited overnight camps that offers substantial scholarships to several camps in New England. CCA also has a state-wide contract with DSS to help refer and register children in their care in to several overnight camps at no cost to families. Morgan Memorial Goodwill Fresh Air Camps www.goodwillmass.org/programs_fresh.html A camp experience that will excite and inspire an appreciation for the learning process! Located on 500 acres of woodlands, fields, and ponds in South Athol, Massachusetts, the Fresh Air Camp offers a fun and enriching overnight camp experience during the summer months for boys and girls ages 8 to 16. Fresh Air Camp is accredited by the American Camp Association.