Summer Camps and Programs (K-8)

Camps have a variety of activities ranging from math, science, and art to activities that promote physical activity, cultural exploration, and social emotional learning. Most camp sessions include a field trip to an attraction in the Cambridge or Boston area.

Swimming and Waterplay: Children and youth enrolled in DHSP Summer Camps and Programs swim at Cambridge pools staffed by Red Cross-certified lifeguards. Children in Kindergarten through 5th grade receive swimming instruction and learn about pool safety. Participants also enjoy waterplay at playgrounds close to camp locations.

Sample Schedules:

DHSP Summer Camps / Programs (Sample Schedule)

CYP Pre-Teen / Middle School Programs (Sample Schedule)

Please note that field trip days and locations may vary by program.

Camp Directors will provide more information, including a weekly schedule and items to bring from home, prior to the start of the summer session.

The Department of Human Service Programs provides snacks and a cold lunch to all children enrolled in DHSP Summer Camps and Programs. The cold lunch option is pork-free and nut-free.

Children are also welcome to bring their lunch from home. 

Camp and program directors will provide more information about lunch and snacks prior to the start of the summer session.

Yes. We encourage children with IEPs or 504 Plans to apply to the DHSP Summer Lottery. Having an IEP or 504 Plan does not impact their chances of receiving a lottery offer and/or placement.

The Department of Human Service Programs’ (DHSP) Inclusion Initiative works with parents, caregivers, and City staff to support children with disabilities enrolled in DHSP Out-of-School Time (OST) programs. The Inclusion Initiative ensures that children enrolled in our programs receive the support they need to successfully navigate program activities and social situations.

If you indicate that your child has an IEP or 504 Plan on their DHSP Summer Lottery application, our Inclusion Initiative team will conduct an assessment to determine if your child will require additional supports in order to successfully participate in a DHSP Summer Camp or Program.

If your child enrolls in a Community School Summer Camp, the King Open Extended Day Summer Program, or the CYP Pre-Teen Middle School Summer Programs, they must commit to the full session. Session 1 is a single week and all other sessions are 2-week commitments. All of these programs operate full-day, from 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Sessions cannot be split or combined. 

Camp Rainbow, which serves Cambridge residents with disabilities ages 6-22, offers weekly sessions with full-day (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.) and half-day (12:30 - 3 p.m.) options. Learn more at www.cambridgema.gov/CampRainbow. 

Siblings receive the same lottery number and are given preference to be placed together. However, sibling placement depends on seat availability at each site for each child’s age group and is not guaranteed.

Yes. A 50% discount will be applied for siblings on the same application. If siblings have different fees, the discount is applied to the lower fee.

No, DHSP does not provide transportation to children / youth enrolled in Community Schools Summer Camps, the King Open Extended Day Summer Camp, or CYP Pre-Teen / Middle School Summer Programs. Families are responsible for dropping off and pickup up their children.

Camp Rainbow, which serves Cambridge residents with disabilities ages 6-22, provides transportation for participants. For more information, visit www.cambridgema.gov/CampRainbow.

No, children must be current Kindergarteners to be eligible to apply to the DHSP Summer Lottery. 

You can explore summer options for younger children on Find It Cambridge.

The Cambridge Agenda for Children Out-of-School-Time maintains Summer Resource Guides for K-8th Graders.

FindIt Cambridge is another great resource for finding local summer camps and programs. You can also search for childcare, afterschool programs, housing resources, free events and more: www.finditcambridge.org.

Yes. If you have more than one child living in your household and eligible for the DHSP Summer Lottery, you will use the same application to apply for each of your children.  

In the online application, you will be asked how many children in your household are applying to the DHSP Summer Lottery. If you select more than one child, additional fields will appear where you will fill out specific information for each child. All fields must be filled out for each child for them to be eligible for the lottery. 

After submitting your application, each child’s eligibility and application will be reviewed by DHSP staff.  You will receive separate notifications and letters for each child that you include in your application. 

Please review your application for accuracy before submitting it. Changes cannot be made by the applicant once an application has been submitted. 

If you make a critical error on your application (for example: your child's name is misspelled, the wrong grade was entered, or the wrong program was selected as a choice), you can contact DHSP at askdhsp@cambridgema.gov or 617-349-6200 to update the application.

Any changes to your submitted application must be requested before the application deadline.  

Every year, there are more applicants than there are available seats.

Seat offers depend on how many applications DHSP receives for each grade level, location, and session; your child’s lottery number; and whether your child meets one or more priority / preference factors. 

Every year, there are more applicants to the DHSP Summer Lottery than we have seats available in our programs.

We anticipate that a second round of placement offers will be made after families who received a first-round placement offer decline their seats. You will be notified through email and your OpenGov account if an opening becomes available for your child.

If you would no longer like your child to be in the Waiting Pool, you can fill out the Opt Out of Waiting Pool Form to remove your child from it.