NEWARK RESIDENTS: The following programs are available to current Newark residents; you do not have to be enrolled in an NPS school to participate: 

K-Ready Kindergarten Bootcamp

K-Ready Kindergarten Bootcamp is a full-day academic and Enrichment Program for students transitioning to kindergarten in Fall 2026. Students will receive intentional instruction focused on the following domains: Language Arts, Literacy, Math, Science, Approaches to Learning, Social Emotional and Health development. Further, students will explore a variety of topics through teacher-designed enrichment projects in a learn through play environment. Positions are for both morning academic classes and afternoon enrichment programs. 

Dates: July 6 - August 7, 2026

Hours: 8:30 AM - 2:55 PM

Breakfast & Lunch Served: Yes

English Plus - Elementary Summer School

English Plus is a program specifically designed to support our elementary students who are (ELP) English Language Proficiency Levels 1 & 2. This program provides students with the unique opportunity to participate in a program crafted to enhance students’ academic and language skills. The program is focused on developing students’ reading, writing, listening and speaking skills in English, while engaging in hands-on, technology embedded activities. Students will engage with teachers trained to support language development. Eligibility: Residents of Newark currently in Grades K-7 who are multilingual learners

Dates: July 6 - August 7, 2026

Hours: 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Breakfast & Lunch Served: Yes 

Summer Achieve

Summer Achieve accelerates academic learning in Mathematics and English Language Arts instruction from 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM for students currently in grades K-7. Summer Achieve has been developed by NBOE’s curriculum experts to improve critical math and literacy skills and ensure that participants are well prepared to start school in September. Eligibility: Residents of Newark currently in Grades K-7

Dates: July 6 - August 7, 2026

Hours: 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Breakfast & Lunch Served: Yes

Summer Visual & Performing Arts Academy

The Summer Visual & Performing Arts Academy is an arts-focused enrichment program for students in grades 3-6. Visual & Performing Arts Educators will guide students in a joyful and nurturing exploration of the artistic disciplines of Dance, Musical Theatre, and Visual Arts. This is an exciting opportunity for students currently participating in Visual and/or Performing Arts programs in their schools and students with high interest to learn something new, sharpen their skills, and boost performance levels over the summer. The 5-week Summer Visual & Performing Arts Academy takes place at Rafael Hernández School and includes field trip experiences. The program concludes with performances in both musical theatre, dance and an art exhibit. Eligibility: Residents of Newark currently in grades 3-6

Dates: July 6 - August 7, 2026

Hours: 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Breakfast & Lunch Served: Yes

APPLY BY MAY 15th

Find more info and apply at https://www.nps.k12.nj.us/summerprograms/studentapp/

NEWARK, EAST ORANGE & IRVINGTON

The East Orange YMCA has a variety of programs available for families at a low cost and with convenient payment options; please visit https://metroymcas.org/eoy-summer-camp for details. 

The Boys & Girls Club of Newark offers a variety of programming options out of their clubhouse located at 1 Avon Ave. 

The Newark Museum of Art will be running Camp NMOA, a six week program for students from ages 3-13. 

SUMMER PROGRAMMING FOR ESSEX COUNTY RESIDENTS

Freedom School at The Mark

Location: Glenfield Middle School, 25 Maple Ave, Montclair, NJ. 07042

Dates: June 29 - August 7; Holiday Break: July 3; Scholars must commit to the entire 6-week program

Hours: 8:10 am - 3:00 pm

Cost: There is no cost for Freedom School; Breakfast, Lunch and Snacks are provided free of charge.

Contact: 

• Email: info@themarkmtc.org

• Phone: (973) 744-2345

• Website: https://www.themarkmtc.org/freedom-school-at-the-mark

Description: The Freedom School @ The Mark is a summer program that runs for 6 weeks in partnership with the Children's Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom Schools. It offers a multicultural curriculum and activities to prevent summer learning loss, bridge achievement gaps, and create confident, well-read children ready to positively impact their families, communities, nation, and the world. The program is open to students entering grades K-8. It includes five key components: high-quality literacy enrichment, parental and family involvement, civic engagement and social action, leadership development across generations, and nutrition, physical, and mental health.

APPLY NOW! LIMITED CAPACITY, APPLY TODAY

Youth Urban Farm Club

Location: Various community garden and urban farm sites across Essex and Hudson Counties (exact meeting address provided after registration)

Dates: July 7 – August 15, 2026 (tentative; weekly sessions – participants select a site and schedule that fits)

Hours: 2–3 hours per week (total commitment of 10–18 hours over the summer, including occasional weekend workdays)

Cost: Free – all tools, seeds, plants, and harvested produce are provided at no cost

Contact: Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development, Essex County

• Email: essex4h@njaes.rutgers.edu

• Phone: (973) 228-3785

• Website: https://essex.njaes.rutgers.edu/4h/

• Sign-up Form: https://rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8kxfiAvBqIBf5hc

Description: The Youth Urban Farm Club is a free, hands-on summer program for Essex and Hudson County residents ages 12–18, run by Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H. Participants learn sustainable gardening, food justice, and leadership skills by working directly on urban farms and community gardens. No prior experience is needed. Over the summer, club members plant, tend, and harvest fresh vegetables and fruits while exploring topics like nutrition, entrepreneurship, and environmental stewardship. The program also emphasizes civic engagement, teamwork, and building a sense of pride in local food systems. All produce grown belongs to the youth and their families, and participants can earn community service hours. A minimum of 10 hours of participation is required; flexible scheduling across multiple sites makes it possible for teens to balance with other summer activities.

APPLY NOW! DEADLINE is 5/20

Outdoor Play Connection

Location: Eagle Rock Reservation, West Orange, NJ 07052 (specific meeting point provided upon registration)

Dates: Nature School Summer Camps run in one-week sessions: July 20-24, August 17-21, and August 24-28, 2026. An Outdoor Creators Summer Session also runs for 10 weeks from June 24 – August 26, 2026.

Hours: Nature School: Mon-Fri, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. Outdoor Creators: Wednesdays, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm.

Cost: This is a paid program. Nature School Camp is 350–390 per week. Scholarships are available to support enrollment.

Contact: 

• Email: Claudine@outdoorplayconnection.com 

• Phone: (973) 259-6202 

• Website: https://www.outdoorplayconnection.com/summer

Description: The Outdoor Play Connection offers 100% outdoor, all-weather summer enrichment programs at Eagle Rock Reservation for ages 2-12. Their Nature School Summer Camps (ages 4-10) use an emergent curriculum philosophy that emphasizes child-led exploration, daily nature art stations, open-ended play, and survival skills like tracking and orienteering. With a low 5:1 child-to-guide ratio, the program is designed to be inclusive and neuro-affirming. The Outdoor Creators session (ages 2+) allows parents to attend and build community alongside their children. Both programs are designed to enhance cognitive flexibility, problem-solving, and confidence through deep connection with nature.