With End of School Year, Summer's Official Arrival, City Shares Mayor’s 2026 Summer Youth Guide

NEW HAVEN, CT — Friday morning, with the school year coming to an end and summer officially beginning this week, New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker was joined by city officials and community leaders to announce and highlight dozens of free and low-cost summer activities, events, and programs available to New Haven’s children, youth, and families.

"Kids, you have no business sitting on the couch this summer. There is so much to do," Elicker said. "Often times I hear from people in the community, 'Oh, we used to have things for our kids to do. We don't have things for our kids to do.' That's just not true! We gotta just reach out and see what's out there! The summer guide is packed with activities."

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Dr. Gwendolyn B. Williams, Director of New Haven’s Youth and Recreation Department, noted that the city is "full of exciting offerings for all ages this summer."

That includes camp opportunities for ages 5 to 14, work opportunities for ages 14 to 21, and activities for families with children and youth of all ages.

"Whether it be Family Fun Days, Movies in the Park or the Summer Fun Bus, I hope our young people will take advantage of the positive, affirming activities for wholesome development. I am delighted that the city will be able to provide these opportunities, many of them free or low cost to New Haven residents. Here’s to a safe, fun summer!”

And New Haven Parks Director Max Webster noted that New Haven Parks offers "new and improved amenities across the city." That includes new splashpads and playgrounds, the renovated Alling Memorial Golf Course, extended park and facility hours, more public engagement events at Lighthouse Point Park, and free outdoor recreation events hosted by our park rangers.

"With over 100 parks and 2,000 acres of parkland in the city, most residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park, and we look forward to everyone enjoying our parks all summer long."

Dozens of free and low-cost recreational activities and programs offered by the Youth and Recreation Department and Parks Department, include:

• Family Fun Days on Wednesday afternoons between 2:30 and 5:30 pm beginning on July 8^th at Edgewood Park and then rotating to other city parks, offering free food, games, activities, bouncy houses, lives DJs and more;

• Movies in the Park on Fridays at sunset, beginning on July 10^th at Scantlebury Park and then rotating to other city parks;

• The Summer Fun Bus makes daily visits to different neighborhood locations across the city between the hours of 4 and 8 pm beginning on Monday, June 29^th, providing arts, crafts, games and other activities;

• Summer Camps run weekdays from June 29^th to August 7^th at five locations and offer a variety of daily activities and different themes for children ages 5 to 14 years old. The Parks Department is also offering its Outdoor Explorations Summer Camp at West Rock Nature Center for children ages 7 to 12 years old, where participants enjoy activities like canoeing, biking, fishing, archery and climbing, as well as environmental education from staff and visiting experts, with themes this summer of watersheds, geology and anthropology, wildlife, and sustainability.

• Track & Field Summer Development Program runs from July 6^th to 31^st at Bowen Field on Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 7:30 pm, where participants ages 7 -14 years old will learn to develop healthy exercise, nutritional, mental health and lifestyle habits.

• Splash Pads at 17 locations are programed for activation from sunrise to sunset;

• Open Swim sessions at Hillhouse High School, John Martinez School and Career Regional High School are available on weekdays from 4 to 7 pm and on weekends from 11 am - 3 pm between June 29^th to August 7^th;

• Lighthouse Point Park offers New Haven residents with free beach access, splashpad and playground areas (7 days a week, 7 am to sunset) as well as low-cost carousel rides (weekends and holidays, 12 to 4 pm)

• Alling Memorial Golf Course, the city’s only public golf course, is newly renovated and improved with expanded offerings for play as well as the Cove Bar & Grill.

• Special Park Department events and other free public programs, such as canoeing, a climbing wall, lighthouse and monument tours, and a community fishing day.

The full schedule and specific locations for all these items as well as others can be found in the Mayor’s 2026 Summer Youth Guide, YARD’s webpage (newhavenct.gov/youth) and social media pages (@newhavenyard), and the Parks Department webpage (newhavenct.gov/parks) and social media pages (@newhavenparks). In addition, if a child or parent requires a disability-related accommodation to participate in the City’s programs, it can be requested through the Youth and Recreation Department by calling 203-946-7582.

The New Haven Police Activity League also offers several summer activities and programs, including:

• PAL Summer Camp is a 4-week, full-day program that runs from July 6^th to July 31^st for children ages 8 to 11 years old. At the camp, kids enjoy athletic activities such as basketball and swimming, arts and crafts activities, enrichment activities, field trips, and special events like First Responders Day. (PAL Camp is currently fully enrolled.)

• PAL Roller and Street Hockey Summer Program will be available in July and August for youth ages 8 to 17. It is open to all skill levels and helps participants learn the game, stay active, build confidence, and make new friends in a positive community environment. Exact dates and times are TBD.

• PAL Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes are available for youth ages 8 to 17, currently one day per week. Jiu-Jitsu aims to provide participants with lifelong gifts of discipline, confidence and self-defense as well as helping them become strong, fit and safe.

Ronald Ferrante, Director of the New Haven PAL shared, "The New Haven Police Activity League (PAL) continues to be a beacon of hope and opportunity for the youth of our city, forging lasting bonds between law enforcement and the community through mentorship, education, and enrichment. By offering a diverse range of programs-from youth sports and leadership development to academic support and cultural experiences-New Haven PAL empowers young people to build confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of civic pride. At its heart, PAL is about more than just activities-it's about changing lives, breaking down barriers, and building a safer, stronger New Haven for generations to come.”

During the rest of the year, other PAL programs include girls basketball, co-ed whiffleball, co-ed football, co-ed ice hockey, Homework with a PAL, along with other seasonal activities.

Residents can learn more and register for New Haven PAL activities at newhavenpal.com or by calling 203-675-6776.

Academic and enrichment activities, programs

There are several academic and tutoring programs that are being offered in combination with outdoor learning and enrichment activities by New Haven Public Schools, the New Haven Free Public Library, and the New Haven Tutoring Initiative.

“For our children, learning happens all the time,” said Superintendent Madeline Negrón. “We are proud to offer fun and challenging summer programs that support their learning and growth and that meet the diverse needs of New Haven families.”

New Haven Public Schools will offer summer school for current kindergarten through 4^th graders from July 1 to July 24 on a staggered schedule between 8:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., depending on grade level and location. All students will engage in reading, writing, science and outdoor learning each day. For students entering 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th grade, NHPS offers an enrichening program for students to become engaged in science, technology, athletics, and other subjects during the summer. Information about both programs is available on NHPS’ website: nhps.net

The New Haven Tutoring Initiative is a citywide partnership led by the City of New Haven, New Haven Public Schools and more than 19 local nonprofit, community and educational organizations. Together, they are working to strengthen math and literacy skills for students across the Elm City. Launched in June 2023, NHTI has grown significantly and provided high-dosage afterschool and summer tutoring to over 7,500 students across 40 sites. The tutoring is designed to complement classroom instruction and support the academic success of New Haven Public School students. Families can sign-up their child for summer tutoring atUWGNH.org/tutoring.

In addition, building on the success from this past school year, New Haven Counts will be pairing academic tutoring with extracurricular sports enrichment by providing a summer soccer program and summer basketball program for participating upper elementary and middle school students during the month of July at the Clinton Ave School. Families can text “Summer Soccer” or “Summer Hoops” to 203-208-9249 to enroll their student athlete.

“Over the past three years, the New Haven Tutoring Initiative has grown into something much bigger than tutoring, it’s become a citywide system of support for our young people,” said Shelly Hicks, Vice President of Education for the United Way of Greater New Haven. “This year alone, we’ve reached nearly 2,900 students, and more than 7,500 overall, thanks to the strength of our partnerships. With New Haven Reads leading literacy and New Haven Counts leading math and enrichment, we’re seeing real impact in students’ learning and confidence. As we head into the summer, we’re excited to keep this momentum going—ensuring young people stay engaged, supported, and connected year-round. We invite families and community members to learn more or get involved at UWGNH.org/tutoring.”

The New Haven Free Public Library is also providing engaging summer learning activities and opportunities for all ages across its five citywide locations. Highlights include:

• Youth Summer Learning Challenge: This year’s summer learning programs for children and teens encourages youth to connect with nature. Across the city, NHFPL hosts exciting library programs and community events at all 5 library locations, all centered around this year's theme, "Plant a Seed, Read." Participants are encouraged to read 1,200 minutes (about 20 minutes a day) between May 30 and August 22, track their progress in a Summer Learning Booklet, and earn prizes along the way. Those who complete the challenge will be entered into a grand prize drawing for a private tour of the Common Ground Farm and a pizza-making party featuring ingredients grown on-site.

• READy for the Grade: Families with children entering grades K-3 in the Fall and reading below their grade level are invited to sign up for NHFPL’s intensive literacy program aimed at preventing the summer slide. 100% of last year's participants maintained their reading skills over the summer break, while 88% improved. It's totally free, and students bring home a backpack full of school supplies at completion of the program (along with the valuable literacy skills they've developed). Registration is currently open at the Wilson Branch, while Stetson and Fair Haven branches are at capacity.

• NHFPL Readmobile: Visit the Readmobile, NHFPL’s library on wheels meeting New Haveners in the communities where they live. The Readmobile offers books for all ages in English and Spanish. Borrow or return books, get a library card, sign up for summer reading, or just say “hi!”. This summer the Readmobile is rolling to 4 regular stops and other fun community events throughout the city. Catch the Readmobile on the road by viewing the online calendar at nhfpl.org/bookmobile

Other recurring and special programming at all branches can be found at NHFPL’s website (nhfpl.org) and social media pages (@NHFPL) on Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok.

"'Plant a Seed, Read' reminds us that every book, every story, and every learning experience has the power to blossom into something meaningful.” said City Librarian and Director Maria Bernhey. “The New Haven Free Public Library is proud to offer opportunities for residents of all ages to learn, create, and grow. Whether you're reading your way through our summer challenge, building important literacy skills with NHFPL's READy for the Grade program, visiting the Readmobile, or joining our exciting events at one of our five locations, we invite everyone to make the Library part of their summer journey."

Other programs and initiatives

Free summer meals for kids and teens under 18 are available throughout the summer at many New Haven Public Schools, Parks, and other community sites. Updated locations and schedules are posted at nhpscnp.org or can be found by calling 211.

Youth@Work summer employment opportunities begin July 6^th and go through July 31^st for New Haven Public School youth ages 14 to 21, providing young people with workplace exposure, mentoring and school and community-based enrichment activities. Learn more at newhavenct.gov/youth.

A variety of free or at-cost Summer Camp programs and opportunities led by New Haven area nonprofit organizations can be found in the Mayor’s 2026 Summer Youth Guide.

Many of these items are highlighted in the newly released Mayor’s 2026 Summer Youth Guide, available here.

"It's just packed with programs and activities," Elicker said.