City Of Cambridge: Department Of Human Service Programs Spring/Summer Planning Update

Press release from the City of Cambridge:

March 30, 2021

Staff at the Department of Human Service Programs are working closely with the City Manager’s Office, Cambridge Public Health Department, and Cambridge Public Schools to safely offer fun and engaging spring and summer programming.

Following the success of Fall on the Fields, DHSP plans to offer a similar model, “Spring in the Sun,” beginning in late April. Spring in the Sun will be an opportunity for Cambridge youth in Junior Kindergarten through 8th grade to participate in a variety of free outdoor activities (including games, sports, and crafts) with their peers, facilitated by DHSP staff. Spring in the Sun will take place at several fields across Cambridge from 2:30-6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Activities will be organized by grade band (JK-K, 1-2, 3-5, and 6-8) to ensure that programming is as engaging for youth as possible.

Spring in the Sun activities will begin the week of April 26th. For contact tracing purposes, families must complete a brief registration process prior to their children participating. Online registration will open Monday, April 19th and families will also have the option of registering in-person at the fields. In order to adhere to the City’s COVID-19 safety guidelines, capacity at the fields will be limited and spots are not guaranteed.

Additionally, DHSP staff are engaged in early-stage planning for in-person youth programs this summer. DHSP is exploring options in partnership with Cambridge Public Schools to offer a model of combined school and DHSP programs, as well as some stand-alone full-day options. The Mayor's Summer Youth Employment Program (MSYEP) will offer virtual, in-person and hybrid summer work experiences in 2021 (visit the MSYEP webpage for more information). DHSP will also operate its annual Summer Food Program at a number of sites across the city. The Summer Food Program provides free breakfast and lunch every weekday to Cambridge youth ages 18 and under. Summer Food locations will be announced in early June 2021.
DHSP’s spring and summer programming is dependent upon the latest COVID-19 data in Cambridge and guidelines from the State and City on how to operate in-person youth programming as safely as possible.

This press release was produced by the City of Cambridge. The views expressed here are the author’s own.