Summer Info

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Meals for Kids

Summer Activities

• The libraries have daily free activities for children and adults, open to anybody (you don't need to live in the town) - see activities calendar for Acton and for Boxborough.    The Acton library is reachable via the free CAT bus (kids age 12+ can ride alone with parent approval letter)  (stops only at 8:45am, 10:45am and 3:25pm), and the Boxborough library is reachable by the $1/ride MART bus  (stops every hour from 10:19 till 6:19pm and 6:50pm)(kids age 10+ can ride alone). You can go from CAT to MART bus at Roche Brothers or the South Acton railway station.

• The Discovery Museum is open daily 9am-4:30pm ($1 admission for EBT card holders!) and free every Friday 4:30-8pm in summer!   Reachable by the MART bus  (stops every hour from 9am to 4pm and on Fridays till 6pm). You can go from CAT bus (free) to MART bus at Roche Brothers or the South Acton railway station.

• For families with children : Find the First Connections list of free / low cost activities over summer in our area  - info to come in June.    This is an amazing list of things to do in the area!!

• Nara Park Summer Concerts : more info here.

• Find more info on events and activities here.

Summer Camps for Kids 

Ideally start looking for summer camps in Dec-Feb for the next summer to ensure a spot and if you need scholarships.

Local nonprofit /town summer camp options

• AB Community Education Summer Day Program  (registration opens Tue Jan 27 2026 at 7pm)

  • At RJ Grey Junior High,  Acton (+ other locations around main school campus)

  • Students Entering Grades 1-6 in AB schools

  • Runs each week June 29 - August 7 2026

  • Mon-Fri 8:45am-3:45pm with extended hours (from 7:30am, until 6:00pm) available for a fee

  • $345 per week (first week $279)

  • Limited financial scholarship for 1 week of camp available - apply Feb 3 or soon after!   Scholarships also through the Doli Atamian Campership program.  

  • Daily activities include camp meetings, Music & Drama, Cooperative Games, Arts & Crafts and a variety of special programs and offerings throughout the summer. Children will swim daily in the A-B High School pool.

• AB Community Education Summer Escapades (below is 2025 info)

  • grades K-8: mostly At the Parker Damon Building,  Acton (Merriam/McCarthy Towne building).  Others vary.

  • Students Entering Grades K-8, teen programs till grade 12

  • Grades K-8: Mostly 9am-12pm or 12:45-3:45pm with 12-12:45pm available for a fee.  Others vary.

  • Grades K-8: Mostly $219 per week.  Others vary

  • Scholarships only through the Doli Atamian Campership program.  

  • Choose the topic of the camp you're interested into, many options.

  • Find a good overview of all camps by week & age here.

• Acton Police Academy   (below is 2025 info, registration typically only starts in May or so)

  • At Acton's Public Safety Building & NARA Park

  • Ages 12-15

  • One week only: July 14 - July 18 2025

  • 9:00AM - 2:00PM

  • FREE.  Sign-up here.  This camp often fills up.  Keep an eye on Acton Police's Facebook site 

  • A program for students interested in learning how officers perform their duties. Topics include: crime scene investigation, traffic safety, police vehicles, K-9 unit, and more! 

• Acton Recreation: Camp Hill Top  (below is 2025 info)

  • At Acton Recreation Center, 50 Audubon Drive in South Acton

  • Entering Pre-K (ages 4+) - Grade 3  /  LIT ("Leader in Training) for ages 12-13 (grade 7-8) , CIT ("Counselor In Training") option for ages 14-15 (grade 9-10)

  • Runs each week June 23 - August 22, 2025

  • Morning Session 9:00am--12:00pm and Afternoon Session 12:00--4:00pm.  Separate Pre-Care (7:30-9 am) and Post-Care (4-5:30pm)  options are available

  • $125/week (half-day session) for pre-K- grade 3.  CIT camp free, LIT $150/week.

  • We create a warm atmosphere for children to grow physically and socially while having fun!  A variety of age-appropriate activities is offered each week, including Arts & Crafts, Drama, Sports, Group Challenges, Nature, and more. 

  • Scholarships only through the Doli Atamian Campership program

• Acton Recreation: NARA Summer Camp  (below is 2025 info - does fill up for some weeks)

  • At NARA Park

  • Entering Pre-K (ages 4+)  - Grade 6   /  LIT ("Leader in Training) for ages 12-13 (grade 7-8) , CIT ("Counselor In Training") option for ages 14-15 (grade 9-10)

  • Runs each week June 23 - August 22, 2024

  • 8:00AM -4:00PM (plus half day options for ages 4-5), with extended hours (7:30AM - 5:30PM) for a fee

  • $320/week ($175 for half day for 4-5 year olds), CIT free, LIT $150/week

  • Arts & crafts, drama, sports, group challenges, nature studies, swimming and more. Field trips each week. 

  • Scholarships only through the Doli Atamian Campership program

• Boxborough Recreation  Flerra Summer Playground  (below is 2025 info, registration will probably start in April)

  • Flerra Field, Boxborough

  • PK (age 4) - Grade 7.  Volunteer opportunities as of grade 7 (sign up early!)

  • Each week in July (June 30 - Aug 1 2025)

  • 8:30AM - 12:00PM  -- Because camp is fully outside, camp will be cancelled on days with heavy rain or thunderstorms

  • $125/week.  Free for volunteers

  •  A half-day program where children gather at the Flerra Meadows field to play games on the field, play on the playground, and create arts and crafts under the tent. 

• Boys & Girls Club of Assabet Valley: Summer   (registration starts Feb 9 2026 at 10 am; early bird - 10% off - for the full 8 weeks starts Feb 2) 

  • Maynard (Maynard High School for entering K/grade 1; Boys & Girls Club, 212 Great Road, Maynard for grades 2-7)

  • Entering Kindergarten (age 5) till grade 7; CIT (Counselor in Training) grades 8-12

  • Each week June 22 - August 14 2026

  • 8:00AM - 4:00PM (late pickup till 5pm available for a fee) .  Half day 8am-1pm available for grades 2-7

  • K-1st grade : $245/week + $80 annual club membership (fills up quickly!);   grades 2-7 full day : $230/week + $80 annual club membership; grades 2-7 half day : $140 /week + $80 annual club membership; CIT Grades 8-12 full day : $100/week

  • K-1st grade : Children explore a variety of developmentally appropriate activities and to establish new friendships.   Grade 2-7 : This program is jam-packed with trips, swimming, arts & crafts, activities, games & more in a nurturing environment.  

  • Scholarships available - form on the website - apply before May 1

• Great Road Church - Summer Blast 2026 for Compassion Camp (2026 registration is open)

  • Great Road Church, 257 Great Road, Acton

  • Entering Grades preschool - 5th grade

  • Mon-Fri June 22-26 2026

  • half day 9am-12pm ($50/week) or full day 9am-3pm ($100/week) (grade 1-5 only)

  • Summer Blast is our church's version of Vacation Bible School, but the emphasis is on having a BLAST!

  • Scholarships available - email the program coordinator.

• Summer at Danny's Place  (registration opened mid January)

  • Danny's Place, 543 Mass Ave, Acton

  • Entering Grades K - 6

  • July 6-10, Jul 20-24, Aug 10-14, Aug 24-28 2026

  • 9:00AM - 3:00PM 

  • $275/week.

  • Summer at Danny's Place is an immersive, fun-filled adventure where kids can make memories, build friendships, and enjoy a variety of exciting activities every day.

  • Sliding scale and 50% off / full scholarship options available - code is on the website (scroll down) or email info@dannys-place.org .

• Youth Public Safety Academy of the Middlesex Sheriff's office  (info below is for 2025)

  • Middlesex Training Academy in Chelmsford, with transportation from/to the AB high school 

  • 8 to 12 year olds. (must be 8 years old by July 1) 

  • July 21 - July 25 2025, 8am-2:45pm.   (dates for 2026 are not yet available)

    • (other weeks July 7-Aug 8 are available too if you can drop off (8:30am) /pickup (2:15pm) in Chelmsford)

  • $100 per week  which includes breakfast, lunch, drinks and snacks, transportation.  Limited scholarships available - call 978-495-7410

  • Children are introduced to role models in public safety – namely sheriff's officers and local police, fire, and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, as well as to teach them valuable life and safety lessons.

• You can check the programs of the recreation department of neighboring towns too - Littleton, Concord, Stow, Westford.

Camps that accept (DTA) state summer camp vouchers

• Kids' League - 10 Church St, Westford.   (info below is for 2025) 

  • Ages 5-7 and ages 8-11

  • Customizable Scheduling: Weekly sessions with your choice of days, you only pay for the days you sign-up.

  • 8:00AM - 6:00PM 

  • $450 / week for 5 days ($120/week for 1 day, $210 for 2 days, $290 for 3 days, $375 for 4 days) +  one time $35 registration fee per family .  10% discount for siblings

  • Weekly themes, daily clubs (Sports, Arts & Crafts, Designing and Building, and Cooking), nature exploration, field trips and beach trips 

  • State Vouchers accepted.  Fill in the contact form on the website to request.

• BASEC summer camp in Maynard (Fowler school) or Sudbury (Saint Johns Lutheran Church).    Registration opens January 20.

  • Incoming grades K-8th

  • K-5th grade : Jun 22-Aug 21 ($365), grade 6-8 (outing camp) Jun 22-Jul 10 ($410), grade 6-8 (CIT) Jul 13-Jul 31 2026 ($175)

  • 8:30am-5:30pm

  • State vouchers accepted, info here.

Additional Camp Offerings in Acton and Boxborough

• The Macaroni Kid website created a local summer camp guide (including for-profits) here.

• Macaroni Kid Summer Camp & Kids Activities Fair Saturday, February 7  2026, 11 am to 1:30 pm, Orchard Church, 130 Littleton Rd, Westford MA

• The Boston Parents Paper lists local summer camps here.

• Spedchildmass lists camps for children with special needs and fairs here.

• Acton Art.   69 Great Road, Acton (info below is for 2025)

  • drawing and fine art, ages 7-13

  • AM or PM.   $105-$450/week.   Jun 23-Jul 28 2025

• Behn Basketball Camp AB high school. ( 2026 registration open)

  • basketball for girls only, age 8-16.

  • Jul 20-24 2026, 9am-3pm.  $395.   

• Boxborough Gymnastics Center 235 Summer Rd, Boxborough.   (info below is for 2025)

  • gymnastics, age 5+

  • 9am-1pm.  $350/week.  Jul 7-Jul 28

• Gymnastics Academy of Boston, 12 Keefe Road, Acton.  (registration for 2026 is open)

  • gymnastics camp, ages 3-18 ; Warriors camp ages 6-18

  • morning (9am-12pm), afternoon (12:30-3:30pm) or full day (9am-3:30pm), before/after possible.   Jun 9-Sep 4 2026

  • daily (ages 3-6):   $66 half-day, $127 full-day;   Weekly (ages 3-18 yrs).  $297 half-day, $525 full-day

  • Scholarship applications possible

• Penguin Coding School 411 Massachusetts Avenue, Acton (registration for 2026 is open)

  • coding, robotics, hands on science.   ages 6-12, CIT for ages 13+

  • 9am-3pm (8:30-5 possible).  $895/week (CIT $795/week).   Jun 22-Aug 28 2026

  • $250 discount if register before Dec 31 year before

• Peter Pan Center  657 Hill Road, Boxborough (registration for 2026 is open)

  • social skills program, grades K-6, JCIT program grades 7-12

  • Tue/Wed/Thu : 9am-12pm; $440/week.     Jul 7 - Aug 20 2026

• Stage Music Center   930 Main Street, Acton.   (registration for 2026 is open)

  • theater, music and art, ages 6-12

  • 9am-4pm.  $575/week.   Jun 22-Aug 28 2026

• TeamWorks   30 Great Road, Acton.   (registration for 2026 is open)

  • sports camps, traditional camp (incl theater), cub camp.  ages 4-14

  • some camps are half day 8 or 9 am-12pm, some are 8 or 8:30 or 9am-3:30 or 4pm with 8am-5pm or 6pm possible).  Prices vary per camp (eg $255 or $350/week).  Some offer daily price too (eg $85 or $110).  Jun 8-Aug 31 2026

  • scholarships available.  Some prices increase if registered after Apr 10

• Theater with a Twist  164 Newtown Road. Acton  (registration for 2026 is open)

  • theater, mustic, art & crafts

  • ages 6-12 : 2 week camps.  9am-4pm (extended hours for $).  $755 for 2 weeks.   Jun 29-Aug 7 2026

  • ages 12-15 : 2 week camps.  9am-1pm .  $485 for 2 weeks.   Jul 6 - Aug 21 2026

Email cbuysse@abccompass.org if we are missing any summer camps in Acton or Boxborough!

Physicals for Camps

Many summer camps require physical exam and immunization record before kids can attend (the same that the school needs too).  You typically get this during a yearly physical exam.   First contact your pediatrician to get a copy or if needed to schedule a yearly physical exam (free if no other things are discussed).      If you can't get an appointment, Emerson Health Urgent Care (Maynard, Littleton, Hudson) , Acton Urgent Care (they accept Masshealth)  ,  CVS  Minute Clinic and several Community Health Centers offer physicals.  See more info here.  Not all are free.

Help Paying for Summer Camps & Beach Passes

• If you get cash assistance from DTA, check with your case manager, you might be eligible for DTA state summer camp vouchers giving you free or 75% or 50% reduction summer camps!   Other families might be eligible too, check with your town community service coordinator.

• Doli Atamian Campership Program gives $300 grants per child for any summer camp (daycamp or overnight camp incl from boys or girls scouts or church mission camp) or summer lesson or summer activity (eg theater, singing, a golf lesson...),  a NARA beach pass, swimming lessons, AB summer school or driver education for eligible children age 3-18 living in Acton or Boxborough.  Applications can be done from December till Jun/July. 

• The following camps provide scholarships : Great Road Church Summer Blast, Summer @ Danny's Place, AB Community Ed Summer Day Program (apply as soon as it opens in February),  Boys and Girls Club Maynard and Youth Public Safety Academy.  The Acton Police Academy is free.     For any other camp, contact the director of any camp you are interested into (both for profit as non-profit) to check if they have scholarships available.  The earlier you email/call (Dec-Feb), the more chance of getting a scholarship.  

• Check with your town's Community Service Coordinator (see contact details here) about resources for paying for childcare. Depending on availability and eligibility, they may be able to connect you with grants or scholarships or help apply for summer camp vouchers.