SUMMER URBAN PROGRAM

History of SUP

Beginning in 1980, PBHA’s Summer Urban Program started with just one program: the Academy Homes Summer Youth Enrichment Program. This program started in 1980 with PBHA, and is still part of SUP today, however it is now known as the Roxbury Youth Initiative. The next camp to join SUP was the Intergenerational Outreach Summer, now known as Franklin IO. Then came CYEP, KSP, CHAD, BRYE, and finally MHSP!

A group of young girls sitting on grass in a park, posing for a photo. There are trees, a building, and people walking in the background.

Since 1980, PBHA has worked with these programs to cultivate an environment made for growth, peace, and community. Each of these programs is geared towards local communities and underfunded neighborhoods and has been since the beginning. Over this time, new traditions have been made, new friendships formed, and communities strengthened.

SUP circa 1989

Scroll to learn more about the state of SUP today

Two young boys standing on a classroom floor holding hands, one wearing sunglasses, with a blackboard and a large poster with writing behind them, classroom decorations including flowers with the name Julia.

Dedicated to providing a safe and fun summer experience for every child

PBHA’s Summer Urban Program offers a unique opportunity for families all around Cambridge and the Boston Area. SUP is comprised of ten separate summer day camps throughout Boston. Each of these camps provide students with an opportunity to continue learning after school is over with the goal of preventing summer learning loss and building the student’s community. At SUP, participants are guaranteed to end this summer with new friends, new passions, and new knowledge on the world.  

An Opportunity to Learn and Grow

Two smiling young girls with arms around each other at an outdoor event with people in the background.

At SUP, participants will be more than just campers, they will be leaders. Innovators. Artists. Engineers. And anything else they put their mind to! Through workshops, fieldtrips, camping trips, and so much more, we hope to give your family a safe and affordable option this summer.

Want to know more? Click through our SUP Impact Report

Ready to Get Involved?

Enroll your child in SUP today!

A teacher assisting a young student with glasses in a classroom, while another student is working at a desk in the background.

Commit to a summer of fun and learning by enrolling now for our Summer Urban Program (SUP)!

Enroll now!
Enroll now!

Apply to Work at SUP!

Three young adults standing close together outdoors at a park, smiling for the camera. They are wearing colorful T-shirts with writing and graphics, and the background shows other people, trees, and a canopy tent on a sunny day.

Help us reach our goal of preventing summer learning loss in all our campers by joining the team this summer!

Apply Now!
Apply Now!
Group of young children and a woman observing plants inside a greenhouse.
People swimming and playing in a lake with hills and trees in the background.
Group of children holding dioramas in classroom with teacher. Whiteboard in background, green walls, and classroom posters.
People enjoying and playing in a lake on a cloudy day, with lush green trees in the background.
Teacher helping three young children with arts and crafts activity in a classroom.
A classroom with children sitting at desks, some raising their hands, and notebooks and water bottles on the desks.
A young girl with braided hair sitting at a white table, using green and yellow modeling clay to spell out words. There are containers of playdough on the table and other children in the background.
A group of children and teenagers roasting marshmallows over an open fire in a wooded outdoor setting.
Group of diverse young people standing on stairs in front of a brick building, smiling and holding books or papers, celebrating a special occasion.
Colorful classroom crafts featuring decorated plastic cups with signs, googly eyes, pom-poms, and paper decorations, some with plant sprigs, on a school table.
A young girl making a peace sign with her hand, smiling at the camera, standing in front of a giraffe exhibit at a zoo. There is a sign behind her labeled "Masai Giraffe" with an illustration of a giraffe and information about the species.
A woman with red hair and glasses helping a young boy with a writing activity at a school desk.
A man with short black hair, wearing a pink shirt and a dark red jacket, posing indoors in front of a dark wall with a colorful abstract painting.

Hear from our Alumni!

Matt Parker
Executive Director, Union of Minority Neighborhoods in Jamaica Plain, MA, former SUP camper

“SUP changes everyone’s lives who’s involved.”

A man in a suit and tie standing in front of American and white flags indoors.

John King Jr.
Former U.S. Secretary of Education, PBHA President, and MHSP Program director
“PBHA profoundly shaped the course of my life and career”

Smiling woman with glasses and long dark hair, wearing a navy blue shirt with an orange logo, standing indoors.

Jing Qiu
Former PBHA Vice President and President. CYEP Alum
“I learned so much about myself, about others, and the world around me,”

Explore our Programs

  • Large group of children and a few adults posing for a photo indoors, with a mural of a cityscape and a United Way poster in the background.

    BRYE

    DORCHESTER

    Located in Dorchester, MA, BRYE has been serving Boston’s immigrant community for over 20 years. As the only non- Boston Public School program that is recognized as a substitute for summer school, BRYE can help your child move to the next grade level while also improving their English skills, integrating them into American culture, and learning more about their own cultural roots.

    Learn more!
  • A large group of children and adults on a stage in a school auditorium, posing for a group photo. Behind them is a banner that reads 'TOGETHER AT BALDWIN WE ARE' and 'Safe, Kind, Respectful, and Ready to Learn!'. There are American flags on both sides of the stage.

    Cambridge Youth Enrichment Program

    CAMBRIDGE

    The Cambridge Youth Enrichment Program (CYEP) has three separate sites across Cambridge that serves low-income families for seven weeks each summer. This program offers daily enrichment and fieldtrips for their campers, with the goal of preventing summer learning loss for all students.

    Learn More!
  • A group of children and a young woman in a classroom, with colorful diorama projects in front of them, and a whiteboard behind them.

    Chinatown Adventure

    CHINATOWN

    Chinatown Adventure (CHAD) is located in Boston’s Chinatown, and looks to combat summer learning loss through seven weeks of summer programing. This program offers daily enrichment, fieldtrips, and creative activities to keep your child’s mind moving all summer. CHAD puts emphasis on its commitment to teaching students cross-cultural awareness, and social consciousness.

    Learn More!
  • Group of smiling young people and adults posing together on stage, some making peace signs, in a celebratory setting.

    Franklin I-O

    DORCHESTER

    Operating specifically in the Franklin Field and Franklin Hill housing developments in Dorchester, Franklin I-O (FIO) strives to create a safe, non-violent, community that promotes creativity, cultural identity, and friendship. FIO works to empower its campers, and help build their self esteem each summer. Through enrichment, fieldtrips, and camping trips, FIO has impacted the lives of many families.  

    Learn More!
  • A large group of children and adults gathered outdoors for a celebration at the Festival Betances. The group is holding a colorful banner reading 'KEYNOTE 2025' and waving various flags, including Puerto Rican and US flags. Some people are sitting on the ground, while others are standing in front of a stage decorated for the event, with trees and a blue sky in the background.

    Keylatch

    SOUTH END + LOWER ROXBURY

    Located in Boston’s South End and Lower Roxbury, the Keylatch Summer Program (KSP) is an affordable summer youth program that has an academic focus on math and literacy. Over seven weeks, KSP engages their campers and works to prevent summer learning loss through a variety of fun activities such as camping trips, fieldtrips, and creative workshops.

    Learn More!
  • Colorful poster with the words "FIELD DAY 2023" written in large, multicolored letters, decorated with various handprints and signatures.

    Mission Hill Summer Program

    MISSION HILL

    Located in the Mission Hill neighborhood, Boston, MA, the Mission Hill Summer Program (MHSP) provides an affordable option for low-income families in the neighborhood during the summer months. This seven-week program strives to prevent summer learning loss through daily workshops and fieldtrips that keep your child engaged.

    Learn More!
  • Group of diverse women standing in a circle outdoors under a tree, holding strings, participating in a team-building activity on a grassy area.

    Recent Immigrant Summer Enrichment

    CAMBRIDGE

    Located at Harvard College, Cambridge, MA, the Recent Immigrant Summer Enrichment (RISE) Program is dedicated to serving high-school aged immigrants through ESL instruction and college preparation courses. RISE is an affordable option for immigrant teens looking to prep for SATs, receives ESL instruction, and meet other teens going through the same struggles as them!

    Learn More!
  • Children gathered in front of a colorful celebration banner that reads 'RYT 125', decorated with handprints, painted dots, and flowers, at a multicultural event or classroom.

    Roxbury Youth Initiative

    ROXBURY

    The Roxbury Youth Initiative (RYI) is a high quality, low-cost, summer youth program that work to help the needs of each specific child. This program work to keep each child engaged and learning all summer long. This seven-week program hopes to prevent summer learning loss through fieldtrips, creative workshops, and constant academic enrichment.

    Learn More!
  • A group of children and a young woman are outside, sitting or standing near a wall, engaged in arts and crafts activities. The wall has a blue door with the word 'Paris' written on it, and a hopscotch game is painted on the ground nearby.

    South Boston Outreach Summer

    SOUTH BOSTON

    Located in South Boston, the South Boston Outreach Summer (SBOS) gives students in the neighborhood an opportunity to connect with their community and stay engaged all summer. This program runs for seven weeks and works to prevent summer learning loss in their campers. In this program, students will participate in creative workshops and daily fieldtrips.

    ‍ ‍

    Learn more!
  • Group of diverse teenagers and young adults standing on the steps of a brick building, posing for a photo outside.

    Junior Leaders in Community

    ‍ ‍

    The Junior Leaders in Community (JlinC) program works with young people residing in Boston or Cambridge, providing them with quality education and leadership exercises. JlinC’s mission is to raise the net generation of leaders by giving young people the opportunity to take professional development workshops, get paid for their work, and meet other future leaders who share the same goals.

    ‍ ‍

    Learn More!