SUMMER URBAN PROGRAM

Our Programs

The Phillips Brooks House Association’s Summer Urban Program (SUP) is a collection of 12 summer programs serving youth from Boston and Cambridge.

SUP Camps: 10 summer day camps provide both academic instruction and summer recreation to 700 children between the ages of 6 and 13. (Children who turn 6 by September 1, 2023 and have completed a year of full-day Kindergarten may apply). 

SUP Camps (by Community)

• Boston Refugee Youth Enrichment (English language learners, Dorchester)

• Cambridge Youth Enrichment Program (Cambridge affordable housing communities)

• Chinatown Adventure (Boston’s Chinatown) 

• Franklin IO (Franklin Field & Hill neighborhoods)

• Keylatch Summer Program (South End, Lower Roxbury)

• Mission Hill Summer Program (Mission Hill)

• Roxbury Youth Initiative (Roxbury)

• South Boston Outreach Summer (South Boston)

Junior Leaders in Community (JLINC): This program serves 15 rising 9th graders from Boston and Cambridge. The program provides opportunities for recreation, and academic instruction three days per week. Participants serve as junior-counselor-in-training 2 days per week. Teens earn a $450 stipend for participating. Priority is given to youth who participated in SUP Camps in previous summers.    

Recent Immigrant Summer Enrichment (RISE): This program serves students from Greater Boston area high schools who are English Language Learners. Participants must be between the ages of 14-19.

What to Expect: 

• All SUP programs run for 6 weeks (July 1st - August 8th) 

• Each camp is divided into classes of 10 campers. Classes are led by college-student "senior counselor" and a teen employee from the community, "junior counselor." 

• Programming includes: field trips, camping, swimming, field trips, project based learning & classroom activities* [health and safety guidelines permitting].

• Socio-emotional learning and restorative practices are the focus of all programs

Dates/Logistics:

• Dates: July 1st - August 8th

• Camp hours will be from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Each Friday the hours will be 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM for youth, to allow time for staff and curriculum development. RISE hours are 4:00 to 7:00 PM. 

• Most programs have a central pick up and drop off location, but BRYE, Franklin, RYI, NAYEP and South Boston have some “bus stop” shuttle service.* [Shuttle use may incur an extra fee].

• SUP Camps costs $125 for the first child and $100 for each additional sibling. If this fee presents a challenge to you please fill out a fee waiver request form (more info coming soon). 

Registration

• Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants will be notified of eligibility and acceptance upon review of completing Part I of the application.

• The application has 2 parts.

• Returning campers, income-eligible families, and children representing the communities/ neighborhoods that each camp serves are given priority for enrollment if they submit Part I of the application before May 15, 2023. 

• May 15 is the priority application deadline for all campers- if you do not complete Part I of the application before May 15, we cannot guarantee that your camper will be able to enroll in camp by the first day of program. 

• Part II of the application and all associated documents are due on June 1. 

  • Campers MAY NOT attend camp until all forms are submitted AND

  • Immunizations uploaded AND

  • Payment has been received or a scholarship awarded

• You must fill out one application for each participating child. If you have any questions at all, don’t hesitate to call us at (617) 249-3293 or email sup@pbha.org. We look forward to meeting and working with you.

SUP Camper Fees 2024

If your child/children has/have already been accepted by a PBHA Summer Urban Program (SUP) camp, you can pay camper fees on this page - $125 for the first child and $100 for each additional sibling. Families experiencing hardships can apply directly to their child's camp directors for information on payment plans, fee reductions, and fee waivers.

Families who prefer not to pay online can mail a check or money order to:

[Camp Name]
Phillips Brooks House Association (PBHA)
One Harvard Yard
Cambridge, MA 02138

Phillips Brooks House Association’s Summer Urban Program complies with M.G.L.c111, ss. 3 and 127A and is licensed by the Inspectional Services Department. 

All information is subject to change.