Families
Free Summer Camps & Programs
Using a $1.35 million grant from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the Springfield Empowerment Zone, in partnership with Boston After School and Beyond, provide summer enrichment programs to Springfield middle and high school students.
These programs help teach important 21st-century skills like teamwork, problem-solving, public speaking, and the ability to communicate ideas more clearly as well as help students gain new interests, build self-confidence, and become more engaged in school and learning during the school year.
Free Summer Camp & Program Finder (2024)
Search for free summer camps and programs using the list or map view below.
Program Name
Details
Location
Grade Level
Sessions
Day/Time
Boy Scouts of America
The Career Awareness Exploring program is a unique summer program that will offer sessions in the school that introduce many career paths to youth and offer them an experience they cannot find anywhere else. Each session will focus on a different career and each session will bring new and innovative samplings. Our 12 Career Exploring programs provide excellent hands-on experience for youth participating. The Sessions may include hands-on learning activities, professional speakers, and enrichment-based experiments. Direct a film, design a building, fly a drone, cooking, perform basic first aid – these are all examples of the hands-on experiences we work to deliver to youth and to inspire and inform them of the paths they have to choose. We invite youth in the program to participate in an add-on onsite camping program and continue to not only build on their Career Awareness Enrichment but also participate in the hands-on Scouting experience. Transportation will be provided for Kennedy students.
Iris Sosa
iris.sosa@scouting.org
(413) 594-9196
Interest(s): Science & Tech, Life Skills, Academics, Creative Arts, Disability
Kennedy Academy
1385 Berkshire Ave
Springfield, MA 01151
6-8
July 8th – August 9th
M, T, W, TH, F
6th: 8:30am to 10:00am
7th: 10:00am – 11:30am
8th: 11:30am – 1:00pm
College of Our Lady of the Elms
Students will have the chance to learn with the support of trained teachers that follow a structured-literacy approach. These programs have been backed by years of research to be the most effective way to teach reading.
Suzanne Rene
renes@elms.edu
(413) 265-2423
Interest(s): Literacy, Mentoring
Kiley Campus
180 Cooley St.
Springfield, MA 01128
6-8
July 8th – August 1st
M, T, W, TH
8:00am to 2:45pm
Follow My Steps
Experience dynamic workouts, master your nutrition, receive healthy groceries, set ambitious fitness goals, build bonds, and unlock a healthier you with the Step Up Fitness Summer Program! Ready to transform your summer? Join us for an unforgettable season of health and empowerment! (Please note that transportation to fitness programs aren’t provided, please submit youth allergies and dietary restrictions in advance)
Kashawn Sanders
kashawn.sanders@followmysteps.org
(413) 231-0309
Interest(s): Fitness, Health & Wellness, Teamwork, Mentoring, Running
Best Fitness
1739 Allen Street
Springfield, MA 01118
8-12
June 28th – August 11th
F,Sa,Su
Fri 12am – 4pm
Sat 10:30am – 2pm
Sun 2:30pm – 5:30pm
Gardening the Community
Gardening the Community (GTC) is excited for you to join our Urban Farm Posse. Together we’ll learn how to grow tomatoes, Aji Dulce, and lots of different greens. We will also learn how growing food helps us to take care of our minds, our bodies and our community! We will make sure that you and your families know about community food resources that can help to improve our health with yummy and healthy foods. We’ll also engage in fun games and activities like Supermarket Sweep to learn about nutrition and healthy eating, and end each week with a fun Friday cookout and family free shop at the GTC Farm Store! No growing or farming experience needed, we will teach you everything that you need to know! No transportation will be provided.
Liz O’Gilvie
liz@gardeningthecommunity.org
(413) 244-5859
Interest(s): Environmental, Leadership/Community Service, Gardening, Health & Wellness, Teamwork, Racial Equity
GTC Walnut Street Community Farm
200 Walnut St
Springfield, MA 01109
9-12
July 8th – August 16th
M, T, W, TH, F
9am to 2pm
Hope For Youth and Families Foundation
Come and join us for a transformative experience that nourishes your MIND, BODY & SOUL! Our program is designed to enhance students academically, physically, and mentally/emotionally, setting them up to pursue their goals and dreams – all while having a blast with local college athletes and leaders. Every week, students can choose activities such as basketball, volleyball, dance, and aerobics; engage in skill development sessions like cooking, robotics, and art to sharpen their minds; and end each day with an activity that uplifts their soul. Lunch will be provided through the city’s Summer Meals Program. Transportation will not be provided.
Chile Salazar
chile@hyff.org
(413) 285-8886
Interest(s): Pickleball, Health & Wellness, STEAM, Design
Duggan Academy
1015 Wilbraham Rd
Springfield, MA 01108
Forest Park Middle School
46 Oakland St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Springfield Realization Academy
46 Oakland St.
Springfield, MA 01108
6-8
July 8th – August 1st
M, T, W, TH
12:30pm – 2pm
Jewish Family Service (Soccer Without Borders)
The Soccer Without Borders Springfield summer program includes soccer play and instruction, team building, and cultural exchange. The program provides an opportunity for youth to connect socially with their peers in a safe space that supports their physical and mental health, and where youth can practice their English in a lower stakes environment than the classroom. Emergence Academy students will be able to take a bus at the end of the program day.
Evan Bixby
e.bixby@jfswm.org
(413) 658-5583
Interest(s): Soccer, Teamwork, Social Skills, ESL, Community
Emergence Academy
415 State St
Springfield, MA 01105
6-12
July 8th – August 15th
M, T, W, TH, F
9 am to 3 pm
Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services
Prepare your student for a fulfilling summer with our stipend-based, 7-week skills preparation program! Running Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 4 PM, this initiative offers students the opportunity to explore career interests and build essential workplace skills through engaging and hands-on activities, including CPR/ First aid certification. Participants will enjoy team building activities, civic engagement projects, evening recreational clubs and weekly trips, all designed to enhance their social, civic, and leadership capabilities. These activities not only prepare students for job and internship opportunities but also our available school year employment opportunities. Please note that limited transportation is available, so early sign-up is recommended.
Karon Forde
kforde@mlkjrfs.org
(413) 746-3655
Interest(s): Leadership/Community Service, Teamworking, Problem solving, Decision Making, Social Skills
MLK Community Center
3 Rutland St.
Springfield, MA 01109
6-10
June 25th – August 9th
M, T, W, TH, F
10:00am to 4pm
New North Citizens Council
Get ready for an impactful, intentional & incredible time at NNCC’s Summer in the City 5-week Leadership Academy! Together we will explore diverse opportunities to broaden each participant’s knowledge, skills & abilities through foundational principles on effective leadership. We will learn about a variety of career pathways, which will include college visits, diverse guest speakers and weekly recreational field trips that are leadership development focused. Don’t miss out on this life-changing opportunity that will surpass your expectations & equip you for long term success. Please note that unfortunately transportation will not be available to camp or after camp.
Moesha Vaught
mvaught@newnorthcc.org
(413) 233-8954
Interest(s): Leadership Development, Social Skills, Teamwork, Crafts, Sports
Chestnut Campus
355 Plainfield St.
Springfield, MA 01104
6–9
July 8th – August 9th
M, T, W, TH, F
8:30am to 3:30pm
Next Level Adventures
There is no better place to make new friends, learn new skills, challenge and amaze yourself, and experience the beauty of nature. For all kids looking for an incredible time outdoors, with a wide variety of adventure activities such as ropes courses, swimming, and fire-making, this is the camp for you. When applicable, transportation will be provided from Van Sickle Academy to the camp site, so students will need to get transportation to and from VSA.
Brad Miller
nextleveladventures@hotmail.com
(413) 530-1301
Interest(s): Animals, Environments, Nature, Aquatics, Canoeing
Van Sickle Academy
1170 Carew St
Springfield, MA 01104
6–8
June 24th – July 19th
T, W, TH
8:00am to 11:00am
SIGNING Basics
Kids LOVE to sign! The movements, the interesting way grammar is used on the face, or the making of new friends may be a few reasons that attract youth to sign language. But attracted they are! In the ASL Club, we designed fun learning activities to give young people their own space to learn Sign Language with their peers. Your young person will enjoy many sign language activities including fun facts about Deaf Culture. At the end of the program, students will receive a free sign-language gift and information on how learning sign language can be a profitable career! SO, you don’t want to miss this! Let the signing fun begin! Please be aware: A late bus will pick up and drop off students on the Kiley bus route. All other students need to be picked up and dropped off.
Theresa King
theresa@signingbasics.com
(413) 241-7992
Interest(s): American Sign Language, Social Skills, Drawing & Painting, Hearing Impaired, Role Playing
Kiley Campus
180 Cooley St.
Springfield, MA 01128
6–8
July 8th – August 1st
M, T, W, TH
11am to 1:30pm
Springfield Ballers
The Springfield Ballers that services youth by way of youth sports, mentoring, academic support, and a variety of additional services. We offer lacrosse, golf, yoga, track & field, soccer, basketball, flag football, volleyball, dancing, softball, art therapy, high school/college prep, life skills, and field trips. We promote Teamwork, and Sportsmanship with a goal to create a culture of respect among athletes in a safe and supportive environment. We work with certified teachers, community partners, local businesses and highly trained adults in order to enhance physical conditioning to improve overall fitness levels through targeted workouts, life skills, strength training, and conditioning exercises, while fostering mental wellness to build resilience, focus, and mental strength to overcome challenges all while improving communication skills and creating strong future leaders. Transportation is provided for students attending their respective schools.
Lorena Recca
springfieldballers@gmail.com
(413) 563-2145
Interest(s): Performing Arts, Lacrosse, Videography, Life Skills, Art Therapy
Chestnut Campus
355 Plainfield St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Kiley Campus
180 Cooley St
Springfield, MA 01128
Springfield Realization Academy
46 Oakland St
Springfield, MA 01108
6-8
Chestnut
July 8th – July 25th
Kiley
July 8th – August 1st
Springfield Realization Academy
July 1st – July 12th
Chestnut (M, T, W, Th)
9:00am – 2pm
Kiley Prep (M, T, W, Th)
10am – 1:30pm
Kiley Academy (M, T, W, Th)
11:30am – 1:30pm
Springfield Realization Academy (M, T, W, Th, F)
8am – 1pm
Strong Young Minds
Exciting Program Announcement for Parents!
Looking for an engaging and enriching program for your child? Look no further! Our program at Kiley Academy offers a fantastic opportunity for students to grow, learn, and have fun in a supportive environment.
Why Choose Our Program?
Exciting Activities: Leadership training, modeling, dance, sports, cooking, etiquette charm school, and more!
Essential Life Skills: Financial literacy, self-care, physical fitness, job readiness
Interactive Learning: Engaging, interactive activities designed to inspire and empower
Build Lasting Bonds: Make friends, connect with mentors, and grow together as a community
Ready for Success: Equip your child to face the next school year and life’s challenges with confidence. We can’t wait to welcome your child to our vibrant program where learning meets fun! Join us for an unforgettable summer of growth and discovery. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!
Feel free to reach out with any questions or to secure your child’s spot today. Let’s make this summer one to remember!
Teka Jones
tekajones15@gmail.com
(413) 330-0458
Interest(s): Performing arts, Leadership/Community Service, Child Development, Entrepreneurship, Sports
Kiley Campus
180 Cooley St
Springfield, MA 01128
6-12
July 8th – August 8th
M, T, W, TH
Program Hours: 8:30am – 1:30pm (Transportation available)
Extended Hours: Pick up at 2:30pm (No transportation)
Evening Program: 4:00pm-7:00pm at 980 Bay St, Springfield MA 01109
Transportation is only provided for Kiley, Kennedy, and Duggan students who would like to join our morning program.
The Center After School Program
Get ready for an exciting summer program. Together we’ll learn how to fish, play soccer, flag football, basketball etc… and also learn about how to become an entrepreneur. We’ll learn about cooking and life skills. We’ll also engage in fun learning hands on activities. Join us on this great adventure of a full summer fun. Transportation is provided for students that need it.
Alethea Stevenson
centerafterschool@yahoo.com
(413) 734-3106
Interest(s): Basketball, Leadership/Community Service, Fishing, Knitting & Sewing, Flag Football
The Center After School Program
33 Oak St STE 100
Springfield, MA 01109
6-9
July 8th – August 23rd
M, T, W, TH, F
7:30am to 4:30pm
