Camp · Community/Rec Center · Ages 5–14
Directory · United States · New York · New York
▌ Community/Rec Center · Ages 5–14

Summer Rising

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Summer Rising is a free, full-day summer program for NYC students in grades K-12, combining academic support with recreational activities and field trips.

▌ Editor's read Summer Rising is a free, full-day summer program for New York City students in grades K-12, a collaboration between the NYC Department of Education (DOE) and the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD). The program combines academic support, social-emotional learning, and recreational activities including arts, sports, and field trips. The website states that all staff undergo background checks. While not accredited by the ACA, it is a municipal program. Google reviews for 'NYC DYCD' (the managing department) are 2.9 stars from 127 reviews, with many complaints about program organization and communication. News articles from sources like Chalkbeat and the New York Post frequently highlight parental frustrations regarding last-minute site changes, enrollment difficulties, and lack of clear communication, particularly in 2021 and 2022. Social media handles for DYCD are @nycdycd on Instagram and NYCDYCD on Facebook.
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Parks-department programPublic, often subsidized
Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 5–14

Summer Rising sits in the upper-elementary to middle-school window where specialization starts to mean something. Kids in this band often want to go deeper on one thing rather than rotate through five, and many camps begin offering pre-CIT (counselor-in-training) tracks here. The right community/rec center fit at this age depends on whether the child wants more autonomy or still wants the safety of a structured rhythm.

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: 5–14
  • Hours: Full-day
  • Address: 123 William St, New York, NY 10038
  • Phone: (212) 442-6000
  • Cost notes: Free 2026 pricing TBD as of 2026-04-16.

Logistics

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

Frequently asked about Summer Rising

What ages does Summer Rising accept?
Summer Rising is open to children ages 5–14. 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 Summer Rising cost?
Summer Rising doesn't publish a flat per-week rate — pricing varies by session. Free 2026 pricing TBD as of 2026-04-16. Contact the camp directly for the current schedule of fees.
What are Summer Rising's hours?
Summer Rising runs Full-day. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
Who runs Summer Rising?
Summer Rising 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 Summer Rising provide lunch?
Summer Rising 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 Summer Rising compare to other community/rec center camps in New York?
Summer Rising is one of 51 community/rec center camps in New York 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 Summer Rising with other camps.

Browse similar camps

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