Some Innovative Summer Programs Free For Kids In Philadelphia Area
By Pat Loeb
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The Philadelphia School District has seriously curtailed summer school but there are alternatives and some of the most innovative summer youth programs are free.
The city offers a host modestly-priced camps and activities at parks and rec centers but some private, non-profits wave all fees and provide unusual experiences.
The Red Cross, for example, will certify kids from 10 to 14 in CPR and first aid in four, week-long camps.
"It's part of our commitment to making sure that young people in and around Philadelphia get programming that will help them to be prepared in the event of disasters and other emergencies," says manager Mike Kiley-Zufelt.
He says there are still spaces available for sessions in the last three weeks of July. You can contact him at daniel.kiley-zufelt@redcross.org.
The Martin Luther King Association is offering College for Teens for students in grades 7 through 12. Executive director Joye Nottage says there are classes in science, math, french and international studies.
"It's really geared toward helping kids prepare for the new school year," she says, though she addss the program also focuses on principles on non-violence. "We teach the students these principles and then we allow them to see how they can apply them to today's society and their world."
Sessions will be held at two sites, each of which can accommodate 100 students.
Creative work is the focus of the Asian Arts Initiative's Summer Youth Arts Workshop, which runs-- again, free of charge-- from an opening pizza party July 5th to August 17th. A morning session will allow middle schoolers to experiment with creating video games and hip hop music. In the afternoon, from 2 to 5, a Youth Arts Lounge is geared to high school students. Lunch will be served for all students from 1 to 2.
Program co-ordinator Ellen Hwang says activities are organized around social justice issues: "Citizenship, identity, community and action in the community."
Hwang says even those who can't do the full program are invited to an open mic afternoon, where, she says, "All different youth from Philadelphia can come and perform and share their artistry with each other."
To register for the Summer Youth Arts Workshop or Summer Youth Lounge, parents can call John Park at 215-557-0455, ext. 228, or email john@asianartsinitiative.org.
