DHSP Celebrates Highlights from Summer 2024 Programming

This summer, thousands of Cambridge children, youth, and teens participated in summer camps, programs, and events offered by the Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP).

• 2,768 free books were given to Cambridge children through the Cambridge Book Bike program, a collaboration between the Center for Families, the Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative, and the Cambridge Public Library.  
• 994 teens gained valuable, paid work experience across 140 job sites through the Mayor's Summer Youth Employment Program (MSYEP). Site highlights included:
  • Cambridge Youth Programs’ (CYP) teen internships: Boys II Men, Blooming into Womanhood, and Sankofa Sons. All three CYP teen internships focused on self discovery, leadership development, and community building. Learn more about CYP's summer highlights.
  • STEAM Careers Exploration Program brought teens behind-the-scenes to learn about STEAM careers at nearly a dozen local technology, engineering and science companies. 
  • The Cambridge Police Department Youth Academy exposed teens to careers in law enforcement, including a visit to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit. 
  • SHADE, a temporary public art structure designed by teens and a local committee, was created to provide dedicated outdoor space and promote climate resiliency as part of the City’s Shade is Social Justice program.  
  • Water Safety Instruction, based at Gold Star Pool, prepared teens to become lifeguard-certified. 
• 973 children attended Community Schools Summer Camps. Children in Kindergarten – 5th grade enjoyed crafts, drum circles, outdoor games, swimming lessons, and more. 
• 803 children took swimming lessons at Gold Star Pool through local summer camps.
• 600+ people attended the Center for Families’ Family Fun Day. The annual event brings Cambridge families with young children together for a day of fun focused on literacy and community. 
• 480 young people played in one of Cambridge Recreation’s Summer Leagues: 6 Summer Basketball Leagues and the new Youth Street Hockey League. 
• 393 youth participated in Cambridge Youth Programs’ Pre-Teen / Middle School Summer Programs at Youth Centers.  
• 150 teens participated in Teen Night Live. Hosted by CYP, Teen Night Live invited Cambridge residents ages 14-19 to join workshops, dance lessons, gardening, trivia, cooking classes and more on weekday evenings at Youth Centers.  
• 100 families participated in weekly playgroups hosted by the Center for Families. The playgroups were open to families with children ages 3 months – 4 years and were held at locations across Cambridge. 
• 24 participants attended Camp Rainbow, a summer camp offered by Recreation that serves young people with disabilities ages 6-22.  

We also hosted a variety of free events for families, including Screen on the Green Family Movie Nights, Danehy Park Summer Concert Series, Arts in the Park, and the Cambridge Dads’ annual “Dads and Kids Barbeque,” which provides an opportunities for Cambridge dads to connect with one another, spend time with their children, and access free kids’ bikes and books. Cambridge Dads is a collaboration between the Center for Families and the Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative. 

Thank you to our dedicated staff and all of the community members who joined us this summer!