Summer Camp + Programming

free OST Summer Achievers Camp

GPCA Summer Camp Programs provide breakfast, lunch, and snacks, in addition to academic and extracurricular activities to support the retention of students’ in-school knowledge while emphasizing team building among their peers. Our students attend weekly trips that are educational, and full of adventure. Sports, dance, karate, golf, arts and crafts are also an integral part of the curriculum and daily activities.

Cost: FREE!
Dates: June 24 - August 1, 2025 (Mon-Fri)
Child Arrival Time: 8:30am
Child Departure Time: 5:00pm

What to expect:
Activities include but are not limited to academic enrichment (STEAM, PBL, SEL, Literacy), sports and fitness, healthy living, special events and trips.

Summer Achievers Camp is available for kids from 1st to 8th grade.

More info coming soon!

Register for our FREE 2025 Summer Achievers Camp (1st-8th grade)

Download this form and have it filled out by your child's healthcare provider before the start of camp. Please submit it to the Site Director.

Download child Health Report Form

free OST Summer Programming for 9-12 graders

Career Exploration and High School Preparation Summer Enrichment Programing for Rising 9th Graders GPCA’s rising 9th graders enrichment program will provide opportunities for youth who are currently in the 8th grade during the 24-25 school academic year. Program youth will engage in interactive activities and lessons that focus on career exploration and high school preparation. Youth will be eligible to receive monetary incentive payments for the summer for meeting benchmarks and task completions.

Service-Learning Career Exploration Model  
This program is intended for youth who are currently in high school grades 9th through 12th grades during the FY 24-25 school year. GPCA’s high school level summer enrichment program provides young people with the opportunity to collectively address real-world issues and needs within the local, regional, national, or global community. Youth work in groups to explore the selected topic through research, reflection, and development of service-learning projects, as well as through direct service and/or advocacy. Youth will be eligible to receive monetary incentive payments for the summer for meeting benchmarks and task completions.

Career Exploration and Worksite Placement Model
This program is intended for youth who are currently in high school grades 10th through 12th during the FY 24-25 school year. During this model youth will engage in career exploration and preparation activities during the morning session and report to their assigned worksites in the afternoon. Youth will be eligible to receive monetary incentive payments for the summer for meeting benchmarks and task completions.

Register for our FREE 2025 Summer Program (High School)

Our OST programs do not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, and ethnic background. Youth of all backgrounds and abilities are encouraged to enroll. Enrollment is open to youth with special needs and/or disabilities where reasonable accommodation program modifications are required. The youth must be self-sufficient and able to function in a group setting. Parents should notify program supervisors of any known medical conditions prior to enrollment.

Cost: Free

Locations for k-8:

G.W. Childs OST
(Kirkbride Elementary School)
1501 South 7th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147Site Director: Erica Robinson
EricaRobinson@gpca-phila.org

D. Newlin Fell OST
900 W. Oregon Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19148
Site Director: Robin Son
RobinSon@gpca-phila.org

Sharswood OST
2300 South 2nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19148
Site Director: Tyshanae Beyah
TyshanaeBeyah@gpca-phila.org

Edward T. Steel OST
4301 Wayne Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19140
Site Director: Tiara Sloan
TiaraSloan@gpca-phila.org

Vare Washington OST
1198 S. 5th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
Site Director: Sharon Barron
SharonBarron@gpca-phila.org

Locations for High School:

Career and High School Exploration Summer Programing:
Furness High School
1900 South 3 rd Street Philadelphia, Pa 19148

Service Learning and Career Exploration Model Career
The U School
2000 North 7 th Street Philadelphia ,Pa 19122
--AND--
Mamie Nichols Center
529 S 22nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19146

Career Exploration and Worksite
Placement Model
Furness High School
1900 South 3rd Street Philadelphia, Pa 19148