As summer approaches, the Randall’s Island Park Alliance (RIPA) is preparing to welcome over 1,000 children from Harlem and the South Bronx to its 24th annual free summer.
With signups open until the end of June, now is the time for families to secure a spot for their kids ages 6-12 in this one-of-a-kind summer experience.
Located just across the East River, Randall’s Island Park is a 330-acre outdoor wonderland with sports fields, waterfront activities, an urban farm, and beautiful natural landscapes. And for two months this summer, it will transform into a summer camp playground offering activities from sunrise to sunset.
A Jam-Packed Schedule of Fun
The summer camp runs from 10 am to 3 pm daily from July 8 to August 8th, 2024, in July and August, with a schedule divided into four one-hour sessions and breaks for lunch and transitions. Campers can attend for just the morning or afternoon sessions, or make a full day of it.
No two days are alike at RIPA summer camp, with a diverse lineup of sports, arts, nature, and cultural programming. One day, kids might start with a soccer clinic before moving to a hands-on urban farming lesson before moving to a hands-on urban farming lesson at the Edible Academy.
After lunch, they could try their hand at ecology through the Waterfront Stewardship program and end the day with an arts and crafts project using natural materials from the park’s landscapes.
Other potential activities include fishing, tours of the FDNY training center, outdoor movie nights, dance and music performances, and nature hikes through the wildflower meadows and restored marshlands. There are also opportunities to learn about the park’s incredible history and ecology.
Making Summer Camp Accessible
To ensure the summer camp is accessible to all families, RIPA partners with local community-based organizations in Harlem and the South Bronx that provide free or low-cost youth programming year-round.
Partners include SCAN-Harbor, Children’s Aid Society, HELP USA/Haven, DREAM Charter School, Harlem Grown, Community League of the Heights, Garcia Gung Fu, YM&YWHA of Washington Heights Inwood, Graham Windham, and more.
With limited availability, interested parents should act fast to reserve a spot for their child in this truly unique summer experience.
A Summer of Memories
More than just fun and games, a summer at Randall’s Island Park can be a formative experience for New York City kids. Campers forge new friendships, discover hidden talents, gain confidence, and make memories that will last a lifetime.
So don’t let your kids spend another summer indoors streaming shows or playing video games. Give them the gift of an enriching, one-of-a-kind summer camp experience at the beautiful Randall’s Island Park.
Registration is open now for free for the summer of a lifetime! Families must sign up through a CBO program, and can contact education@randallsisland.org for a list of participating organizations.
Photo credit: Randall’s Island Park Alliance.
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