We’re going back to school this September with another fantastic summer behind us! With up to 225 kids enrolled each week, there was hardly a dull moment as we finished out camp with a “Medieval, Mythical Magical” themed week, a trip to the Southwick Zoo, and our final “Color, Crazy, Chaos” extravaganza complete with mini golf, a foam party, and talent show performances to remember! And thanks to the support of our community, we were able to provide $52,657 in financial aid over the course of the summer.
Earlier in the summer we stepped into the spotlight with “Lights, Camera, Action,” jumped head-first into messy challenges with “Sticky, Gooey, Slimy,” puzzled and problem solved our way through “Out Play, Out Think, Out Last,” saddled up for the “Wild Wild West,” put our competitiveness to the test with “Play, Compete, Win,” and created delicious memories during “Mix, Measure, Make!”
Summer camp also saw us welcoming 18 “WBLs,” or “work-based learners.” The Work-Based Learning Program, is a work experience training program aimed to guide teens between the ages of 15-18 who have limited or zero experience in the work force. WBL’s gained experience and training on topics such as emotional safety, youth worker rights and behavioral expectations. Since starting our in-club work –based learner employee experience, learners also gained hands on experience working directly with our participants. On a day to day basis, learners helped staff members in youth activities introduction, and assisted with set up, clean-up and delivery of specialty programs, assembly organization and lunch session breaks. With this program, we hope to prepare these young professionals with as much information and experience as we can, to prepare them and set them up for a successful future.
Finishing out the summer, we had an absolute blast at the 2026 Backyard Blockbuster Bash, put on in partnership with West Springfield Park Recreation thanks to a grant from the DCR Summer Nights program! Nearly 200 guests joined us on Wednesday 8/19 to celebrate the end of summer with fantastic music, delicious food, fun games, and a movie to remember. It was a gorgeous evening that brought together youth of all ages and backgrounds for fun, friendship and community.
Check out the picture gallery below for some fun, silly, and heartwarming memories of Summer 2026 – and we’ll see you next year!
