Cambridge families, it's that time of year again – the Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) has thrown open the gates for applications to its 2026 summer lottery. Those eager to secure a spot for their children in DHSP's variety of summer camps and programs should mark their calendars; the deadline for applications is March 9.
An announcement posted on the City of Cambridge website details that Cambridge residents or city employees with children currently in Kindergarten through 8th grade are eligible to enter the lottery. The programs promise both safety and fun, offering engagement through the sultry summer months when school halls have fallen quiet and the urgency of learning under fluorescent lights gives way to more impromptu forms of education under the sun.
DHSP's offerings include the Community Schools Summer Camps, the King Open Extended Day Summer Program, and the Cambridge Youth Programs (CYP) Pre-Teen / Middle School Summer Programs. A single application can include multiple sessions, but the note is clear – applicants cannot split or combine sessions. These sessions range in duration from a single week to several, sprinkled across the summer from late June to mid-August.
The structure is as follows: Session 1 runs from June 29 to July 2, Session 2 from July 6 to 17, Session 3 from July 20 to 31, and Session 4 from August 3 to 14. Sessions will keep young minds and bodies active from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. For families worrying about costs, tuition scales with family size and income, detailed in the 2026 tuition chart. An added perk for the community, CYP Pre-Teen / Middle School Programs are cost-free for 13-year-olds.
As for the camps themselves, they're spread out at various community schools and youth centers. The younger kids, those in Kindergarten to 4th grade, have options that range from the Amigos Community School on Upton St. to the Peabody Community School on Rindge Ave. The pre-teens and middle schoolers will find their summer havens at places like the Frisoli Summer Program or the Sports Leadership Academy, each designed to provide rich, engaging experiences tailored to their age group.
Interested parties can find more information and apply via the official City of Cambridge website.
