Boston's Best Educational Summer Activities For Kids
Boston is never lacking for things to do during summer vacation. While a lot of these opportunities are purely recreational, there is quite an offering of educational summer programs and activities for local kids. No matter a family's income or time constraints, there is something in Boston that will fit their needs. Part of this is thanks to initiatives by the city and some is thanks to the commitment to education shown by Boston-area universities and museums.
iD Tech Camp MIT
77 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02139
(408) 871-2227
www.idtech.com
MIT offers an iD Tech Camp every summer. Options for kids from ages seven to 17 include robotics, game design, movie making and 3D animation. Children from 13 to 18 can join the iD programming academy. While the camps are not affiliated with MIT and are run solely by iD Tech, the camps this company offers are in line with the reputation of the university and its offerings. In order to get a child into an iD Tech camp, go through iD Tech and choose the right one for the age and interest of the child. Camps run throughout the summer and have varying start dates.
Related: Boston's Best Outdoor Volunteer Opportunities For Families
Pine Village Spanish Immersion Summer Program
South End School
700 Harrison Ave.
Boston, MA 02118
(617) 294-5542
www.mybilingualpreschool.com
Pine Village is a Spanish immersion preschool with summer programs for toddlers and preschoolers. It is now offering Spanish immersion programs to children in 1st grade through 3rd grade starting in June and July as well. The camp not only includes interactions with native Spanish speakers, who are teachers at Pine Village, but also involves field trips around Boston to relevant locations. These camps are focused on different Latin and Spanish cultures.
Dexter Southfield Summer Camps
20 Newton St.
Brookline, MA 02445
(617) 522-5544
www.dextersouthfield.org
Dexter Southfield summer camps are offered by the Dexter and Southfield Schools in Brookline. These camps are co-educational, unlike the schools. Children from ages 3.5 to 15 are welcome. Several of the camps offered by Dexter Southfield are focused on athletics. However, there are also science, tech and enrichment camps for a more educational summer experience. There is some bus transportation available for kids enrolled in camp.
Arnold Arboretum
125 Arborway
Boston, MA 02130
(617) 524-1718
www.arboretum.harvard.edu
For an educational experience that does involve enrolling in camp, go to the Arnold Arboretum. This Harvard establishment's Discover Packs allow kids to wander the Arboretum on one of the adventures outlined in the backpack. It is typically best to do one per visit, unless a child is older, and they must be done well before 3 p.m., when all Discover Packs must be returned. There are often other educational activities, such as Wildlife Bingo, available for educational fun as well.
Boston Center For Youth And Families Programs
1483 Tremont St.
Roxbury Crossing, MA 02120
(617) 635-4920
www.cityofboston.gov
Boston Centers for Youth and Family offer the widest array of summer opportunities in the city. There are centers all over Boston that offer programs for kids of all ages. They range from educational to physical and are developed to be affordable, enriching and social. Some areas even have day programs for parents who need supervision for their children while they work. Hours and activities during these programs will differ according to location. Reference the BCYF Summer Guide for specific information on camps and locations.
Shelly Barclay is a professional freelance writer and amateur author. She writes on a variety of topics from food to mysteries. She loves to share the culture and rich history of her birthplace and home, Boston, with the rest of the world. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
