Philly kids and teens have a slew of summer programs to look forward to this year, announced by Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and city officials. Dubbed "It’s A Summer Thing!", this initiative rolls out a variety of seasonal activities aimed at keeping the city’s youth engaged and out of trouble during their break from the classroom. From pools to summer camps, playstreets to paid work opportunities, the city is making a push to cater to families looking for productive and entertaining options for their youngsters.
Mayor Parker voiced her enthusiasm for the plan, saying, "I’m excited that the City of Philadelphia is rolling out a plan to keep youth safe and engaged over the summer." She emphasized the importance of summer as a chance for young Philadelphians to take part in organized, safe and supervised activities. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson stressed the preventive angle to public safety, recalling an adage from his aunt that "an idle mind is the Devil’s workshop," in a statement obtained by the City of Philadelphia's official announcement.
A one-stop online hub is set for the offerings, where residents can find info on program registration, timelines, locations, and requirements at phila.gov/itsasummerthing. Vanessa Garrett Harley, Chief Deputy Managing Director for Children and Families, promised a "fun, safe, and enriching summer for our young people and families", ensuring a variety of free or low-cost activities will be accessible to youth in every part of the city.
This season's fresh additions include the Career Connected Learning program, offering work-based learning to 8,000 youngsters with a stipend, and the Summer Achievers program, which is a partnership with the School District of Philadelphia and the Office of Children and Families. This program brings a blend of enrichment, meals, camp-like activities, and field trips, all at no cost to families. Kevin J. Bethel, Commissioner for the Philadelphia Police Department, underscored the department's commitment to a safe summer, saying,“The Philadelphia Police Department recognizes the importance of providing our youth with safe and positive environments where they can learn, play, and grow. As the agency responsible for public safety, we are fully committed to ensuring a safe and enjoyable summer for all residents and visitors of our great city.” according to the announcement.
With more than 100 summer camps, free swim lessons, and expanded police athletic league centers, the PPR Commissioner, Susan Slawson touted, “It truly is a summer thing at Parks and Rec. This is our season of fun, and I am excited about all the high-quality, affordable programming that we’re bringing to Philly’s children and families.” Residents can dial 215-709-5366 for the hotline or visit the website for the latest updates on the summer programs.
