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 here.    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.

Local nonprofit summer camp options

• AB Community Education Summer Day Program (select "Summer Day Program" on the left) - spots still available as of Jun 5

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

  • Students Entering Grades 1-6

  • Runs each week June 30 - August 8, 2025

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

  • $329 per week, plus a one-time $50 registration fee (first week $265)

  • Scholarships only through the Doli Atamian Campership program.  If you apply early (before March?) AB Comm Ed might have special scholarships available.

  • 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 - spots still available as of Jun 5

  • 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   spots still available as of Jun 5

  • At Acton's Public Safety Building & NARA Park

  • Ages 12-15

  • One week only: July 14 - July 18

  • 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 - except for a few weeks, spots are still available as of Jun 5

  • 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 - except for a few weeks, spots are still available as of Jun 5

  • 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 - spots still available as of Jun 3

  • Flerra Field, Boxborough

  • PK (age 4) - Grade 7.  Volunteer opportunities as of grade 7

  • 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 open 

  • 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 23 - August 15

  • 8:00AM - 4:00PM (late pickup till 5pm available for a fee) .  Half day 8am-12pm available for grades 2-7

  • K-1st grade : $245/week + $80 annual club membership;   grades 2-7 full day : $230/week + $80 annual club membership; grades 2-7 half day : $140 /week + $80 annual club membership

  • 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

• Summer at Danny's Place  - spots still available as of Jun 5

  • Danny's Place, 543 Mass Ave, Acton

  • Entering Grades 4 - 6;  grades 7-8.

  • July 21-25, 2025 and/or August 18-22, 2025

  • 9:00AM - 1:00PM or 9:00AM - 5:00PM

  • Half day : grade 4-6 $275/week, grade 7-8: $175/week.    Full day : grade 4-6 $475/week, grade 7-8: $300/week.

  • This summer, unlock the door to adventure with Summer at Danny's Place! Designed for rising 4th through 6th graders, our program is filled with activities to keep participants happy and engaged.

  • Sliding scale and full scholarship options available - code is on the website (scroll down).

• Youth Public Safety Academy of the Middlesex Sheriff's office - spots still available on the bus from Acton as of May 15

  • 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, 8am-2:45pm. 

    • (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.  Spots still available 

  • 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)

  • Incoming grades K-8th

  • K-4th grade : Jun 30-Aug 22, grade 5-8 (outing camp) Jun 23-Jul 18, grade 6-8 (CIT) Jul 21-Aug 1

  • 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.

• 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

  • drawing and fine art, ages 7-13

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

• Boxborough Gymnastics Center

  • gymnastics, age 5+

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

• Gymnastics Academy of Boston, 12 Keefe Road, Acton.  Only few spots left (registration started in December)

  • gymnastics, ages 3-18

  • 9am-3:30pm.  $500/week.  Jun 16-Aug 29 2025

  • Scholarship applications possible

• Penguin Coding School

  • coding, ages 6-12, CIT for ages 13+

  • 9am-3pm (8:30-5 possible).  $795/week.   Jun 23-Aug 22 2025

• Peter Pan Center.  gr 7-8 only week of Jul 15 left on Jun 5

  • social skills program, grades K-8

  • Tue/Wed/Thu : gr K-6 9am-12pm; $425/week.   gr 7-8: 1-4pm  $400/week.   Jun 24-Aug 21

• Stage Music Center

  • theater and music, ages 5-12

  • 9am-3pm.  $549/week.   Jun 23-Aug 22 2025

• TeamWorks

  • sports camps, traditional camp (incl theater), cub camp, CIT.  ages 4-16

  • some camps are half day, some are 9am-3:30pm with 8am-5pm or 6pm possible).  Prices vary per camp (eg $270 or $360/week).  Some offer daily price too.  Jun 9-Aug 29

  • scholarships available

• Theater with a Twist

  • theater, ages 7-12

  • 2 week camps.  9am-4pm (8am-6pm available for $).  $695 for 2 weeks.   Jun 30-Aug 8

Email cbuysse@abuw.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

• 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.  

• 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 for a summer camp,  a beach pass or driver's ed for eligible children age 3-18 living in Acton or Boxborough.  Applications due by June 30th. 

• Call the director of any camp you are interested into (both for profit as non-profit), they might have scholarships available.  The earlier you call (Dec-Feb), the more chance of getting a scholarship.  The information above might have info on how to apply or if no scholarships are available.