Even though school is out for summer, there are plenty of opportunities for kids to learn, and thanks to a citywide effort, they can do so at historic and exciting locations throughout Philadelphia.
The Barnes Foundation has partnered with six other cultural organizations across the city to create Early Learner Summer Pods, a series of free summer enrichment activities for children ages five and under living in underserved communities.
Made possible with support from the William Penn Foundation, Early Learner Summer Pods take place over six weeks between July and August, and are expected to engage nearly 1,000 early learners and their caregivers through play, art, science, nature, and stories.
“The myriad programs offered in neighborhoods across the city, thanks to our extraordinary network of cultural partners, support early learners’ social, emotional, language, and literacy development and counter summer learning loss,” said James Claiborne, Deputy Director for Community Engagement at the Barnes, in a statement. “We are proud to lead this citywide effort to deliver fun, educational activities that support the growth and enrichment of children in our communities that need it the most.”
Participating cultural agencies and institutions include the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, the Barnes, the Clay Studio, Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, Fleisher Art Memorial, Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse, and WHYY.
According to Barnes Foundation officials, the Early Learner Summer Pods are designed to promote discovery through outdoor activities, art making, science-related workshops, literacy activities, storytime sessions, and more. Collectively, Early Learner Summer Pods will serve residents in South, West, Southwest, and North Central Philadelphia neighborhoods, activating community and literacy centers, cultural institutions, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Centers, public parks and playgrounds, and schools. Free learning and art kits will also be distributed to participating children.
“We’re glad to see many of our city’s arts, culture, and science institutions play such an important role in early learning this summer,” says Jennifer Stavrakos, Director of the Children and Families Program at the William Penn Foundation. “These creative, inquiry-based, and content-rich experiences extend the Foundation’s efforts to support the healthy development and academic success of young Philadelphians.”
2024 Early Learner Summer Pods:
The Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel University
Discover, Play, Share: Summer Family Fun!
• Tuesday, Aug. 13, 5-7 p.m.
Community Dinners at Dornsife Center (3509 Spring Garden Street)
•Wednesdays, July 24–Aug. 14, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Sister Cities Park (210 N. 18th Street)
•Wednesdays, July 24 and Aug. 7, 2-4 p.m.
Congreso de Latinos Unidos (216 W. Somerset Street)
•Saturday, Aug. 10 and Sunday, Aug. 11, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Family Fun Day at the Academy of Natural Sciences (1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway)
Learning comes alive for children and families through STEAM, literacy, and play all summer. Families will receive take-home activities at all events, learn and play kits at ANS Family Day, and invitations for all future ANS Family Day events. Activities include storytimes, puppet play, STEAM experiments, music, and movement. All activities will be held outdoors. Visit ansp.org for more information.
The Barnes Foundation
Barnes Pods
• Tuesdays, July 23 and 30, 3-4:30 p.m.
Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia (Taggart School, 400 W. Porter Street)
The Barnes serves families and early learners through early childhood education programs that promote learning through play- and sensory-based experiences. This summer, the Barnes is partnering with the Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia at Taggart School to bring art to local communities. Contact community@barnesfoundation.org for more information.
The Clay Studio
Summer Clay Workshops
• Fridays, July 26 – Aug. 9, 9-11 a.m.
The CORE at Esperanza Health Center (3222 H Street)
• Saturdays, July 27–Aug. 10, 1-3 p.m.
Tree House Books (1430 W. Susquehanna Avenue)
Books capture imaginations at the Clay Studio’s summer workshop series. Children and families are inspired by clay, books, and movement in community spaces in North Philadelphia. Books and ceramics lessons focus on social and emotional learning, creativity, and play. Visit theclaystudio.org for more information.
Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center
SPLASH: Summer Family Program
• Wednesdays, July 24-31, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Mander Playground (2140 N. 33rd Street)
• Saturdays, July 27-Aug. 10, 10 a.m. – noon
Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center (640 Waterworks Drive)
The program offers Saturday morning family expeditions at Fairmount Water Works along the Schuylkill River and water-themed activities on Wednesdays at the Mander Playground spray ground. The fun continues with take-home books and activities. Rain or shine. Best for ages two and up; siblings of all ages welcome. Visit fairmountwaterworks.org for more information. Registration is recommended.
Fleisher Art Memorial
Art Making Storytime
• Saturdays, July 27 and Aug. 10, 10-11:30 a.m.
Fleisher Art Memorial (719 Catharine Street)
• Saturday, Aug. 3, 10-11:30 a.m.
Mifflin Square Park (500 Wolf Street) (Rain location: Fleisher Art Memorial)
Fleisher’s Art Making Storytime series offers art and literacy workshops that celebrate independence, imagination, and curiosity to young learners and their grown-ups. Interactive storytimes focus on specific themes in picture books and invite participants to swing, sway, move, and groove. Best for ages 3 to 5; siblings of all ages welcome. Visit fleisher.org for more information.
Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse
Everyday Literacy Summer Pods
• Visit smithplayground.org for more information on program dates and sites
Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse (3500 Reservoir Drive)
An interactive series of play-based activities with a focus on pre-literacy and pre-writing skills for early learners and their families in North Philadelphia. Families will explore literacy-related activities to promote a love of reading and receive a free book to build their home libraries. Transportation to and from each session will be provided along with dinner.
WHYY
Summer Literacy and Engagement Project
• Tuesdays, July 23-Aug. 12, 10:30 a.m.
WHYY (150 N. 6th Street)
• Wednesdays, July 24-Aug. 12, 10 a.m.
CommUnity Garden @ the Creek (761 N. 47th Street)
• Wednesdays, July 24-Aug. 12, 11 a.m.
Tustin Playground (5901 W. Columbia Avenue)
• Thursdays, July 25-Aug. 12, 10:30 a.m.
Tacony Creek Park (4528 I Street; I Street and Ramona Avenue Gateway)
WHYY’s original children’s program Albie’s Elevator comes to life through crafts, stories, music, and movement activities. Plus, take home resources for more learning and fun. All programming is held outside and subject to change due to inclement weather. Contact Anna Phillips (aphillips@whyy.org) or Katherine De Jesus Santana (kdejesussantana@whyy.org) for more information.
