Camp · Traditional Day Camp · Ages 3–17
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▌ Traditional Day Camp · Ages 3–17

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Summer Camps

Philadelphia

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation offers free and low-cost summer day camps across the city, providing a variety of activities for children aged 6-12.

▌ Editor's read The Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Summer Camps website loads successfully and provides information on their summer day camp offerings. These camps are run by the City of Philadelphia's Parks & Recreation department, indicating a municipal-parks owner type. The program is described as a day camp for children aged 6-12, with options for free or low-cost participation. The website mentions that staff undergo background checks, stating 'All staff are background checked and trained.' While specific staff-to-camper ratios are not published, the program emphasizes accessibility and community engagement. Social media handles found include @philaparkandrec for Instagram and 'philaparkandrec' for Facebook. Google reviews for 'Philadelphia Parks & Recreation' generally reflect the broader department, with an average rating of 4.3 stars from over 1,000 reviews, often praising the availability of community resources. The camps are not accredited by the ACA.
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Parks-department programPublic, often subsidized
Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 3–17

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Summer Camps 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 traditional day camp 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: Traditional Day Camp
  • Ages: 3–17
  • Hours: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Address: 1515 Arch St, 10th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102
  • Phone: (215) 683-3600
  • Cost notes: Costs vary by camp. Fee waivers available based on eligibility.

Logistics

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

Frequently asked about Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Summer Camps

What ages does Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Summer Camps accept?
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Summer Camps is open to children ages 3–17. 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 Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Summer Camps cost?
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Summer Camps doesn't publish a flat per-week rate — pricing varies by session. Costs vary by camp. Fee waivers available based on eligibility. Contact the camp directly for the current schedule of fees.
What are Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Summer Camps's hours?
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation 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 Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Summer Camps?
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation 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 Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Summer Camps provide lunch?
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation 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 Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Summer Camps compare to other traditional day camp camps in Philadelphia?
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Summer Camps is one of 17 traditional day camp camps in Philadelphia 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.

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