What ages does DHSP Summer Camps accept?

DHSP Summer Camps is open to children ages 5–13. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.

How much does DHSP Summer Camps cost?

DHSP Summer Camps doesn't publish a flat per-week rate — pricing varies by session. USD. See individual program listings for specific pricing. Contact the camp directly for the current schedule of fees.

What are DHSP Summer Camps's hours?

DHSP Summer Camps runs 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.

Who runs DHSP Summer Camps?

DHSP Summer Camps is operated by the local parks department. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.

Does DHSP Summer Camps provide lunch?

DHSP Summer Camps does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.

How does DHSP Summer Camps compare to other community/rec center camps in Cambridge?

DHSP Summer Camps is one of 13 community/rec center camps in Cambridge that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.

▌ Community/Rec Center · Ages 5–13

DHSP Summer Camps

Cambridge Parks and Recreation

Cambridge Department of Human Service Programs offers various summer camps for children and youth.

▌ Editor's read The provided URL, https://www.cambridgema.gov/Services/summercampsandprograms, loads successfully and serves as the central hub for the City of Cambridge Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) Summer Camps. These are day camps operated by the municipal government, offering a variety of programs including general recreation, specialty camps like performing arts and sports, and teen programs. The website clearly outlines program details, age ranges, locations, and registration information. While not ACA accredited, the site states that all DHSP staff and volunteers undergo CORI/SORI background checks, indicating a commitment to safety. Google reviews for 'Cambridge DHSP Summer Camps' are not directly available as a consolidated entity, but general reviews for Cambridge Parks and Recreation facilities often mention positive experiences with city-run programs. The website links to Instagram (@cambridge_dhsp) and Facebook (CambridgeDHSP) for social media engagement. The programs are designed to provide accessible summer activities for Cambridge residents.

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Parks-department programPublic, often subsidized

Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 5–13

DHSP Summer Camps fits middle-elementary campers — old enough for skill-building to land, young enough that friend-group dynamics and counselor warmth still matter more than program rigor. Parents at this age band tend to prioritize a balanced rhythm of structured activity and unstructured play, which is the actual differentiator inside any given community/rec center program.

Facts & Credentials

Program type: Day camp
ACA accredited: Not verified
Established: Not listed
Operator: Municipal parks department
Staff-to-camper ratio: Not listed

How we verify these →

Details

Category: Community/Rec Center
Ages: 5–13
Hours: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Address: 806 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139
Phone: 617-349-6200
Cost notes: USD. See individual program listings for specific pricing.

Logistics

Lunch provided: No
Transportation: No
Financial aid: No
Setting: mixed

Frequently asked about DHSP Summer Camps

What ages does DHSP Summer Camps accept?: DHSP Summer Camps is open to children ages 5–13. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
How much does DHSP Summer Camps cost?: DHSP Summer Camps doesn't publish a flat per-week rate — pricing varies by session. USD. See individual program listings for specific pricing. Contact the camp directly for the current schedule of fees.
What are DHSP Summer Camps's hours?: DHSP Summer Camps runs 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
Who runs DHSP Summer Camps?: DHSP Summer Camps is operated by the local parks department. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
Does DHSP Summer Camps provide lunch?: DHSP Summer Camps does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
How does DHSP Summer Camps compare to other community/rec center camps in Cambridge?: DHSP Summer Camps is one of 13 community/rec center camps in Cambridge that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.

Planning guides

Editorial checklists to use before you compare DHSP Summer Camps with other camps.

How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
Summer camp pricing in 2026 · Benchmark weekly cost before you commit a deposit.
Summer camp safety and accreditation · Review licensing, supervision, and accreditation signals.

Browse similar camps

Indexable directory cuts for families comparing DHSP Summer Camps against nearby options.

Camps near here

Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside DHSP Summer Camps.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community School Summer Camp · Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community School, 102 Putnam Ave., Cambridge, MA · Ages 5–13 · $300/week
Peabody Community School Summer Camp · Peabody Community School, 70 Rindge Ave., Cambridge, MA · Ages 5–13 · $300/week
iD Tech Academy at MIT · MIT Campus · Ages 13–18 · $1,548/week
iD Tech All Girls - 3D Printing with Blender at MIT Campus · Cambridge · Ages 10–12 · $949/week
iD Tech All Girls - BattleBots with VEX Robotics at MIT Campus · Cambridge · Ages 10–12 · $949/week
iD Tech All Girls - Python Coding & AI Agents at MIT Campus · Cambridge · Ages 13–17 · $1,798/week
iD Tech Camp - AI and Machine Learning at MIT Campus · Cambridge · Ages 13–17 · $949/week
iD Tech Camp - BattleBots with VEX Robotics at MIT Campus · Cambridge · Ages 10–12 · $949/week