DHSP Summer Camps and Programs Lottery
By
Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP)
The Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) offers a variety of safe and fun summer programming for Cambridge children and youth currently in Kindergarten through 8th grade.
Sign-up Information
- Ages: 5 to 14.
- Grades Kindergarten through 8th grade.
- Cambridge residents only.
- Children currently in Kindergarten - 8th grade are eligible to apply.
- Applicants must be Cambridge residents or City of Cambridge employees.
- This program is free for 13-year-olds.
Application required
- Registration dates
Monday, February 2 – Monday, March 9
- Parents / caregivers who apply by the March 9 application deadline will be notified the week of March 30 of their child's placement in a camp/program or in the waiting pool.
- Applications submitted after the deadline will automatically be added to the Waiting Pool.
Cost
- Summer tuition is determined based on household size and income (view tuition chart)
- A non-refundable tuition deposit is due in June.
-
Tuition is free for 13-year-olds enrolled in Cambridge Youth Programs summer programs
- Sliding scale based on income
- Free for some residents
Location
The program location changes over time.
- In-person only.
Summer Locations for current Kindergarten - 4th graders:
- Amigos Community School (15 Upton St.)
- Cambridgeport Community School (at King Open School, 850 Cambridge St.)
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community School (102 Putnam Ave.)
- Fletcher Maynard Academy Community School (at Cambridgeport School, 89 Elm St.)
- Graham and Parks Community School (44 Linnaean St.)
- Haggerty Community School (110 Cushing St.)
- King Open Extended Day Summer Program (850 Cambridge St.)
- Morse Community School (40 Granite St.)
- Peabody Community School (70 Rindge Ave.)
Summer Locations for current 3rd - 8th graders:
- Frisoli Summer Program, Frisoli Youth Center (61 Willow St.)
- Gately Summer Program, Gately Youth Center (70R Rindge Ave.)
- Russell Summer Program, Russell Youth Center (680 Huron Ave.)
- Sports Leadership Academy, Moore Youth Center (12 Gilmore St.)
Dates and Times
This program runs during the summer.
Every weekday from 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM. All programs are divided into the following four sessions:
Applicants can apply to the following sessions:
Session 1 (1 week): June 29 - July 2 (closed July 3)
Session 2 (2 weeks): July 6 - 17
Session 3 (2 weeks): July 20 - July 31
Session 4 (2 weeks): August 3 - 14
Please note: applicants cannot split or combine sessions.
Additional information
Apply to the following camps and programs through the DHSP Summer Lottery!
- Community Schools Summer Camps
- King Open Extended Day Summer Program
- Cambridge Youth Programs (CYP) Pre-Teen and Middle School Summer Programs.
You can view sample schedules of DHSP Summer Camps / Programs (K-5) and CYP Pre-Teen / Middle School Programs (3-8). All summer camps and programs include weekly swimming opportunities at local pools.
In-Person Application Help:
Applicants can get help completing their application at the Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) on Monday, February 2, Monday, February 9, Monday, February 23, and Monday, March 2 at 51 Inman St. 3rd Floor, between 5 - 7:30 p.m. Walk-ins welcome. Call to schedule in-person support at a different time.
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Last updated January 30, 2026.
See all programs from Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP)