40+ Under-the-Radar Things For Kids (of All Ages) To Do This Summer

Jun. 26, 2020

Traditional camps may exist closed (though Parks & Rec camps are opening July 6th, with modifications), but there'due south still fourth dimension to get kids of all ages involved in meaningful summer activities. We talked to leaders in Philly's youth programming and nonprofit worlds to find a mix of activities for every age, and every interest—including several that do good, too.

PS: Have yous heard of a great activeness that's not featured here? Send it our way—nosotros'll continually update this list.

FOR THE KID WHO LOVES…

ART

All ages

ArtWell, the nonprofit that provides underserved youth and communities in Philadelphia with empowering, multidisciplinary arts programs, is introducing a new summer program: Called JumpstART, its mission is "to create an outlet for joy, wellness, connectedness, and creation amidst the racial tension and injustice in our earth and the pandemic," explains ArtWell'southward founder and executive managing director, Susan Teegen. The series volition include regular online performances, children'due south workshops, a social activity projection, and Instagram spotlights on Black Philadelphia Artists and community arts organizations. All proceeds will get to support ArtWell's mission. For dates, details, and to register, become here.

Ages 5 and up

Main Line Art Center is offer virtual camp for the entire summer, Monday through Fri from 9 to x:xxx am, with all supplies included; fees are $125 for members and $141 for non-members.

Pre-Teen and teen Studios are currently virtual but will motion to onsite camp beginning July 13th. For now, virtual pre-teen and teen studios run Monday to Friday, from 10 AM to ane:00 PM; supplies are included, and fees are $240 for members and $266 for non-members. Onsite studios will include morning and afternoon sessions in a variety of mediums including ceramics, painting, drawing, comics, digital photo and more. This year's camp theme: Exploring New Worlds (something we all can relate to these days…). The vibe is social, encouraging and fun. Go here for details.

PLUS:

The Handwork Studio in Narberth is selling these at-domicile creativity kits.

Museums similar The Barnes and PAFA are offer gratuitous online family programming.

Clan for Public art has these complimentary activities like coloring prompts, mazes, connect the dots, and more.

COOKING

Ages 3-12 (Developed programs too!)

Kitchen Wizards has suspended its in-person programming, just it's offer tons of virtual classes and camps (for kids and adults). "Children develop confidence working in the kitchen, learn a life skill, and share the 'fruits of their labor' with the family," says KW possessor and president Kathy Wolper. "Taking pride in what they've created helps their self-esteem, too." Private classes offset at $10; for more info, head here.

DANCING

Ages 10-18

Dancing Classrooms Philly is working with its affiliate in NYC to offer new online dance opportunities. Its Summer Intensives are open for returning and new students anywhere in the U.S. and provide a diverse lineup of 1-week dance intensives for children ages 10 to 18, at all skill levels. Taking identify July 13th to 17th and July 20th to 24th, students can cull from ane-hour courses in a range of styles, from lindy hop to salsa to tango. The weekly rate is $125, and families can build a schedule with multiple classes per solar day, with sibling discounts and package rates available. For full course descriptions, times, and to register please go here. For more information, including requests for financial assistance, email [email protected]

FUNDRAISING

All ages

Alex's Lemonade Stand up Foundation, the Bala Cynwyd-based initiative that has raised hundreds of millions of dollars to support pediatric cancer enquiry, encourages supporters to host socially-distant lemonade stands to raise money for the cause—they'll host their almanac Lemonade Days, a week-long, national effort rallying people to host stands nationwide, from August 1st to 9th. And in improver to Lemonade Days, they're hosting their virtual Meg Mile fundraiser in September, which encourages supporters to collectively walk, run or cycle one 1000000 miles for childhood cancer. Plus, they have a new gaming program that encourages gamers to fundraise online.

LEGO

Ages 7-12

Snapology, the Philly play spaces that fuel fun with LEGO, G'Nex, and all kinds of tech, is continuing to offer online classes besides as a few in-person camps. Info about both lives hither and here. Online classes are $10 each with discounts for signing up for a five-day package, and in-person camps are $300 per week, per camper.

LITERACY FOR BLACK AND Dark-brown STUDENTS

Online plan for ascension 1st-tertiary graders; volunteer opportunities for all ages

The Center for Blackness Educator Development volition exist hosting its Freedom Schools Literacy Academy online this year, for rising start, second, and 3rd grade Black and Brown students. The African-centered program, which boasts a faculty of master Black educators and gifted Black educatee-teachers, volition run for iv weeks, from July 13th to August seventh, from 8:30am to 10:30am—enrollment is costless, but space is express (and the deadline is Monday, June 29th). Participants volition cultivate even greater pride in being a Blackness and Brown kid, potentially spring two phonics levels, abound a habitation library, and experience calming mindfulness, read-alouds, motion breaks, Harambee "Pull-Together" Circles, and much more. Annals hither, and find out about volunteer and donor opportunities here.

MUSIC

Open up to all students in grades three and up who attend Philly schools

Rock to the Future is offering gratis online programming Monday through Thursday, from workshops on remixes and sampling, to beginner guitar, music theory, keyboards, vocals, and more. Go here for the complete schedule and info.

READING

All ages

The Free Library is presenting its Summer of Wonder. From June 1st until August 31st, kids, teens, and adults tin sign up online to collect points and earn badges for Summer of Wonder activities and time spent reading. In that location will also be Virtual Programming for fun craft and maker activities, storytimes and volume clubs, gaming and STEM programs. And, for easy-to-exercise, literacy-rich activity ideas, bank check out their Reading Champs Guide and weekly weblog posts with activity ideas, videos, and online program highlights from neighborhood libraries.

Grades 1 – iv

United Manner of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey (UWGPSNJ) is piloting a free virtual summer reading plan to help students stay on track with reading goals ahead of school re-openings this fall: The Vello Summer Reading Program volition run from June 22nd through August 27th and pair children with trained virtual reading mentors. Together, students and volunteers will read east-books using encrypted Zoom screen sharing and sound twice per week. The deadline to register your kid is Monday, July 13th. For more data and to register, visit hither .

PLUS:

Join the Free Library'southward Field Teen Center for its virtual reading lounge and 'zine-making hither.

Check out the calendars of virtual events for schoolhouse historic period children and toddlers, too.

RUNNING

Ages eight-xi

Girls on the Run (GOTR), the nonprofit that empowers girls and helps them build confidence through running, has created Power Up, a new at-habitation activity kit and running curriculum. Designed to fuel a daughter's mind, body and spirit, the 16 lessons emphasize the important connexion between physical and emotional wellness. Each activity helps girls learn important skills such as how to cope when things get difficult, demonstrate care for self and others, and practice positivity. For $49, participants volition receive a Power Upwardly Activity Book, a GRL PWR t-shirt, physical activity guide, completion certificate, plus a few other surprises, delivered directly to your door. Click here to buy—kits are express in supply and only available until August 1st. (Please complete this interest form if you are in need of financial assistance.)

SCIENCE & TECH

Ages: seven-eleven

For more than 20 years, Science Explorers has provided kids with hands-on programming that helps them autumn in love with science. And this summer, they're offering interactive virtual STEAM camps and super-stimulating DIY, at-home STEAM kits. For the former, kids will spend between 2 and iii hours each solar day, Monday through Fri starting the calendar week of July 6th, enjoying alive teaching and peer collaboration (AM and PM sessions are available). For the latter, kids will receive five or ten STEAM lessons with corresponding pre-recorded, instructor-led demos that they can bear at their own footstep (or yours). Visit here for more info, and use code "STEM" for $15 off.

Ages: 7-xix

iD Tech'south Virtual Tech Camps provide a home-based selection for students who love tech, with structured, weeklong sessions with two hours of live instruction per day plus two hours of self-paced project development. Curriculum options include Python, Java, Minecraft, Roblox, AI, Unreal Engine, Adobe, 3D modeling, and more. There are v students max allowed per teacher, which provides a blend of personalized learning and team interaction. Online private lessons, where students can learn one-on-one through project-based grade bundles or custom tutoring lessons, are also available. Virtual Tech Camps are $399 with code TOGETHER, and private lessons are $seventy, with discounted rates available. Visit here for info on camps and here for details on lessons.

PLUS:

Accept a virtual tour of the eye, test scientific discipline experiments, check out the International Space Station, and more than, with Franklin Establish'southward at-habitation resources here.

SCOUTING

Ages 8-xv

Girls Scouts of Eastern PA is offer [email protected], five week-long sessions with different themes, led by Girl Scouts staff with activities delivered both online and at your door. Fees first at $50 per week, and financial help is available. Complete info is hither.

Incoming first graders on up

Boy Scouts of America is also offering virtual camps, which will enable participants to interact with fellow Scouts from beyond the land while learning new skills. Full info is here.

SKATEBOARDING

Campers must exist at to the lowest degree nine and have previous experience with Skate the Foundry

Skate the Foundry is hosting military camp outdoors at Paine's Park this summer, with half-day (9-12) and full-day (9-3) options. Prices get-go at $180 per camper per week. Become full details here.

SPIRITUALITY

Middle schoolhouse students

Interfaith Philadelphia will run a virtual version of their Interfaith Youth Neighborhood Mosaic Summertime programme for middle schoolhouse-aged youth during the calendar week of August 17th. The program aims to celebrate each student's individual'south identity and cultural multifariousness of Philadelphia. Students will receive a kit with activities, art supplies, and culturally diverse snacks. Each morning students volition meet for xc minutes over Zoom and appoint in guided art and dialogue activities, connect with fellow students, and experience local religious and cultural communities virtually. The program is costless and they'll have 40 spaces open up with twenty reserved for youth who alive in Southward Philadelphia. Annals here.

THEATER ARTS

Ages K-12

Yeah! And…Collaborative Arts in Germantown is hosting its summer programming online from July sixth to August 14th. Kids in grades K to 4 can participate in "Yes! And…Anywhere Screen Share," in which they'll assemble each morning time over Zoom to play games, meet characters, learn new skills, and imagine together. In the afternoon, they'll relish recorded classes in subjects like music, motility, and visual art. (This program is existence offered on a pay-what-you lot-desire footing.)

Students in grades v through viii can join "Theatre Army camp 2d: This Time, It's Virtual." In these two-week sessions, middle schoolers will learn new skills, play games, create stories and characters, and celebrate their creativity with some of Yep! And's favorite creative person teachers. As e'er, camperships (financial supports) are bachelor.

And students in grades ix through 12 can bring together "Shadow Company." Typically, the teen company creates and rehearses a performance to perform live during the Fringe Festival. This year, their phase volition be online: Virtual Shadow Programming volition include several scheduled Zoom discussions, group activities, and workshops, with personal piece of work assigned in between. Teens will then rehearse and perform via Zoom and Social Media. Learn more nigh all our programs and annals here.

PLUS:

All ages

In that location's nevertheless time to join virtual performing arts programs (like comedy, musical theater, and acting) at MacGuffin Theatre and Film Co . and The Arden.

VOLUNTEERING

Teens

Both Youth Volunteer Corp of Greater Philadelphia and The City of Philadelphia have resources to connect your kid with service opportunities. Download YVC's gratuitous app for a consummate list of current opportunities, and bank check here for the Urban center'south updated database.

VOTING

High school students

Vote That Jawn is standing its work with interns from Philadelphia high schools and colleges to amplify youth voice and support youth vote. Volunteers are needed to spread the word on social media, show up at socially-distanced alive registration events, and help with online campaigns from the urgent to the whimsical. Electronic mail [electronic mail protected] with details about the work you'd like to do to help get as many get-go-fourth dimension voters to the polls as possible this Nov!

WRITING

Online workshops for ages 2-17, and volunteer opportunities for ages fourteen-xviii

Mighty Writers is offering summertime writing activities online all summertime for students of all ages; for a complete list, see hither. They're also looking for teen volunteers: At the moment, student volunteers are taking on of import piece of work, like packing and sorting items (meals, diapers, formula) and assisting in handing them out to families. They're also doing outreach to connect with their communities to spread the word nigh Mighty Writers' programs. For more info on volunteering, email [email protected] with the bailiwick line "teen volunteer."

…AND MORE!

The Nest's new online subscription service offers virtual field trips, yoga, fine art, science, and more.

Army camp Kinda and Outschool are national programs offer online summertime programming for every interest nether the sun, from style design to baseball cards to zoology and more. And check out Lavner Camps and ESF's online programming.

Many of independent schools are offering online summertime programing, Check out

Germantown Academy, Friends' Primal Summertime Programs, The Philadelphia School, St. Peters School, Friends Select, Germantown Friends, every bit well equally summer program opportunities from the School District of Philadelphia.

Boosted reporting by Sophie Borgenicht and Elena Musher Eisenstadt.

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Source: https://thephiladelphiacitizen.org/40-fun-things-for-kids-this-summer/

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