Looking for activities for a young person for the summer?
We know it can be hard to find time to look for all the options that might work for your family, so we’ve put together a list to help you get started.
Based on the needs we heard from local parents and caregivers, you can find info below on:
- Camps for kids and Counselor jobs or Counselor-in-Training options for youth
- Free or lower-cost activities for older children and youth
- Stipended/paid opportunities for youth and young adults that include training and support
- Supportive environments or activities for youth who need things to do over the summer and are not quite ready to work or be a counselor-in-training
The Hilltown Families Summer 2023 directory also has a list of camps and other activities. You can search by county or see all listings for the Western Massachusetts region.
Camps for Kids – Open All or Most of the Summer
Including Counselor and Counselor-in-Training Options for Youth
Camp Apex
Dates: Weeklong sessions from June 19 to August 18
Hours: Daily programming 9 am – 4 pm, with drop off allowed as early as 7AM and pickup as late as 6PM for no additional fee.
Where: Peckville Road, Shelburne (off of Route 2, under 10 minutes from downtown Greenfield)
Camper age range: 5 (after completing kindergarten) – 14
Opportunities for Youth: Counselor positions for youth 16 and up. Apply at www.your-y.org. CIT program for youth who have completed 8th grade.
Cost: YMCA Members: $230 per week | Non Members: $275 per week
Transportation to camp is not available this year.
Register here. Check out the camp brochure for more info here.
Families with DCF/Seven Hills Vouchers, learn more here about how to reserve your spot!
Other YMCA Camps in Franklin County
Gymnastic Camp at the Y on Main Street, Downtown Greenfield.
Sports Camp at Stoneleigh-Burnham School
Camp Lion Knoll
Dates: Weeklong sessions from June 19 to August 18
Hours: Approximately 8:30 – 4, see handbook for schedule details. Before and after care is available at camp. If you are interested in before or after care, email Nichole nhurlburt “at” girlsclubofgreenfield.org
Cost: $215 per week. To apply for Camp Financial Aid, go to the registration link below.
Where: 77 Oak Hill Rd, Greenfield
Camper age range: Campers must be at least 5 years old and have completed kindergarten.
Opportunities for youth: Counselor positions available.
Transportation is available. Bus schedule will be released later in spring.
Register and learn more here.
Camp Kee-wanee
Dates: Two three week sessions. Session 1 is July 3-21. Session 2 is July 24- August 11
Hours: 8:30 AM-3:00 PM
Where: 1 Health Camp Rd, Greenfield
Camper age range: After completing kindergarten through entering 8th grade.
Free lunch and breakfast everyday.
Transportation is available through two bus routes through Franklin County.
Cost: $650.00 for 3 weeks. Financial assistance available on a sliding scale.
Opportunities for youth: Counselor-in-training program for 14-15 year-olds and paid positions youth 16+
Register and learn more here.
Athol Area YMCA Summer Camps
The Athol Area YMCA has several summer camp options. They each have their own hours, rates, and programs – check out the links below for details.
Camp Selah is a day camp for children entering grades 1 through 6, open daily from 7:45AM – 5:45PM at Tully Pond. Opportunities for high school students to work as counselors. Learn more here.
Camp Wiyaka is the Athol Area YMCA’s overnight summer camp with sessions for children and youth ages 7-15! It is on the shore of Sandy Pond in New Hampshire, 20 minutes from Athol and Orange. Learn more here.
Summer at Y-ACES is for ARRSD students entering grades K – 4. Learn more here.
Summer at Y-ARMS is ARRSD students entering Grades 4-8. Learn more here.
Remember Recreation Departments! Several towns in the region with Park/Recreation Departments offer summer activities that are open to non-residents.
Greenfield Recreation Department Summer Camp
Dates: Weeklong sessions from June 19 to August 18
Hours: Regular Program: 9AM – 4PM. Early Care: 7:30AM – 9AM, Late Care: 4PM – 5:30PM.
Where: Green River Swimming and Recreation Area, Nash’s Mill Road, Greenfield
Camper age range: Grades K-2 and 3-6.
Transportation is not provided – parents/guardians drop off and pick up.
Cost: Regular Program: $175 Residents, $185 Non-Residents. Early Care: $25 per child per session. Late Care: $25 per child per session.
Opportunities for Youth: LEADERSHIP IN TRAINING PROGRAM for grades 7-10.
Register and learn more here.
Montague Parks & Recreation Department Summer Camp
Info coming soon! Visit their summer camp page for more info. Brochure will be available in late March.
Camper Age Range: Ages 5 – 12.
Registration Dates: Montague Resident registration begins, Monday, March 27. Non-residents may start to register on Tuesday, April 18.
The Northampton Parks and Recs Department offers summer camp options for children and youth ages 4-14, with Teen Expeditions for youth entering grades 7-10.
Arts Focused and Outdoor/Nature Camps and Programs – Weeklong to Several Weeks
Clay, Yoga & Art and Clay & Art Camps
A collaboration by The Art Garden, Shelburne Falls Yoga, and The Handle Factory Community Clay Studio
Theme, Dates, and Ages: Teen Clay & Art for ages 13 – 18 from July 5 – 7. Clay, Yoga & Art for ages 6-9 from July 10 – 14. Clay, Yoga & Art for ages 9-12 July 24 – 28. Clay & Art for ages 7-11 August 7 – 11.
Where: Shelburne Falls – see the link below for details.
Cost: Fees vary per week.
Learn more here and register by emailing Jane at csartgarden “at” gmail.com
Farm & Art Camp, a hands-on, nature-based summer youth program
A collaboration by The Art Garden, Wilder Brook Farm, and environmental educator Robin Huntley
When: July 31 – August 4, Monday – Friday, 9am – 3pm
Where: Wilder Brook Farm, a picturesque organic farm in East Charlemont
Camper Age Range: 7-14+ with opportunities for four paid teen mentors to co-facilitate the program.
Cost: Pay-what-you-can sliding scale is $100 – $350*. While spaces last, no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
Learn more here and register by emailing Jane at csartgarden “at” gmail.com
Hilltown Youth Theatre Summer Workshop
More 2023 Info Coming Soon! Rehearsals are in Charlemont and all programs are pay-what-you-can.
Dates: July 10 – August 7 with nightly performances August 3, 4, 5 & 6.
Ages: 10-18
This year’s show is Coraline, an outdoor, traveling, summer spectacle!
Generous scholarships and financial assistance are available.
Learn more and register here.
Hilltown Youth Recovery Intensive Weeklong Program
When: July 3 – 8
About: A performing arts experience for young people ages 12-19 overcoming trauma, addiction, anxiety, depression and other behavioral health challenges. Their programs are a space where youth dealing with mental health issues are valued as artists not patients.
Generous scholarships and financial assistance are available.
Learn more and register here.
Pioneer Valley Orchestra Week-long Summer Workshops for Children and Youth
When: Different focuses each week, from July 10 – August 4
Where: Artspace Community Arts Center, 15 Mill Street, Greenfield
About: Two options: morning intensive only (9am-12pm) or full day (9am-4pm), which adds an afternoon session with supervised free play and unstructured arts and music activities.
Ages: See workshops for details.
Cost: Depends on the program – sliding scales are available.
Learn more and register here. (Scroll down for summer youth workshops.)
Música Franklin Summer Programs
We’re big fans of Música Franklin and their free programs in Franklin County! They are currently working on their summer schedule. Check their website for updates!
Youth Job Training and Supported Job Placements
YouthWorks job readiness training and on site job placements. Learn and Earn!
When: Summer 2023 info coming soon! Check the YouthWorks page for updates.
Where: Varies, depending on placement
Pay and hours: $15.25- $16.50/Hour
Who can participate: youth ages 16-21 in Franklin, Hampshire and the North Quabbin regions.
About: YouthWorks is a state-funded youth employment program that helps teens and young adults get the skills and experience needed to find and keep jobs. Participants take part in paid short-term work placements during the summer at public, private and nonprofit worksites. Participants also receive training in core soft skills so they can practice skills and learn how to relate to supervisors and co-workers, and they learn how to take the next steps in their education and career pathways.
Learn more and apply here (starting in May).
Free, Supportive Youth Groups, Clubs, and Leadership Projects
The Kreative Korner Teen Group at Valuing Our Children
When: Weekly on Wednesdays, 3:45 to 4:45
Where: The Family Center, 217 Walnut St. in Athol.
Cost: FREE
About: Teens have the opportunity to socialize while playing board games, cards, and lawn games, as well as enjoying activities including arts and crafts, science experiments, and gardening.
Valuing Our Children has expanded the backyard to include a small basketball court, four square, hopscotch and a vegetable garden.
Parents can register their teens by calling Charlene at 978-249-8467.
HEROES Leadership Project
When: Info coming soon! Check their website for updates.
Where: Based in Greenfield
Cost: FREE
Who can participate: youth and young adults 14-24 yrs old in Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire Counties with lived experience in foster care, kinship care, or adoption.
About: Participants will build leadership and advocacy skills, participate in local community service, experience the outdoors through nature walks and camping trips, practice wellness through herbalism workshops, attend recreational activities, engage in expressive arts projects, have access to one-on-one educational support if needed, and build community with people of different ages. Older participants will have the opportunity to serve as peer mentors.
Learn more about the program here.
Summer Programming at The Brick House
When: More info coming soon!
Where: 24 3rd St, Turners Falls
Cost: FREE
Who can participate: Youth ages 12-19.
To learn more, check The Brick House Facebook page of their website. You can also email Megan or call 413-800-5705.
Community Action Youth & Workforce Development Programs
Youth Council, Youth/Young Adult Action Board (YAB), and Generation Q are active over the summer!
When and where: Depends on program
Cost/Pay: FREE or stipended depending on the program
Who can participate: Depends on the program – many are for youth and young adults ages 14-24, with some middle school age options. Fill out a general interest form to learn about eligibility for individual programs.
About: These can be great options for youth and young adults ages who can use some extra support or who want to gain leadership or job skills. Summer hours differ from during the school year for some of the programs – it’s worth being in touch to see what is available.
To learn more and register, visit their webpage and get set up to meet their Outreach and Enrollment Specialist.