Youth Access Program

The Youth Access to Opportunities Grant (YAOG), funded by Philadelphia City Council and championed by Councilmember Dr. Anthony Phillips, is designed to help Philadelphia families connect their children to meaningful experiences. Through a partnership with Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia (CSFP), eligible families can apply for scholarship support to offset the cost of participating in summer camp programs.

Students at ST ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Summer Programming

Scholarship Opportunity

CSFP was selected to administer the Youth Access to Opportunity Grant. This scholarship provides Philadelphia families with children in grades K-12 with a grant of $200 towards summer programming at participating programs. 

Program Details

Scholarships will be awarded on a rolling basis. Eligible families will be notified via email within five business days and then required to complete a registration and pay a non-refundable $25 registration fee for each student.

$200 per child

Scholarships are available for up to 3 children per household.

Used toward tuition

Funds must be applied towards tuition at a participating camp.

Grades K-12

Funding is available for rising Kindergarteners through rising seniors.

Eligibility Requirements

Families must meet all of the following requirements:

Live in Philadelphia County (proof of residence is required)

Have a household income between $50,000 – $150,000

Provide proof of income

Provide proof of guardianship for each child

Youth Access Program - Summer Scholarship Application

Applications are now closed.

Eligible families have been notified of their selection and next steps. Please check your emails for notifications from Youth Access.

Have a safe summer!

Lottery application process chart. Lottery selection, then registration, then award letter

Camp Partners

Camp Partner Details

CSFP partners with organizations across the City that provide summer camp programming. Click on each image below to be redirected to the partners’ websites to explore programs. 

Greene Street Friends School
Greene Street Summer Friends is a play‐based early childhood camp for ages 3 – 5 that emphasizes inquiry, social‐emotional learning, and joyful exploration in small, nurturing groups on the Greene Street Friends School campus. With a core day from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the program provides developmentally appropriate activities led by dedicated counselors, and is designed for children who are fully toilet‐independent.
Philadelphia Youth Basketball logo
Philadelphia Youth Basketball offers year‐round, basketball‐centered programs where young people from kindergarten through high school build skills on the court while also receiving mentorship, academic support, leadership development, and wellness programming. Rooted in their “Kinder‐to‐Career” pathway, PYB provides a safe, structured, and inspiring environment that helps youth grow as athletes, students, and confident community leaders.
Philadelphia School of Circus Arts logo
The Philadelphia School of Circus Arts offers a fun, high‐energy week‐long summer camp where kids ages 4 –17 explore trapeze, aerial arts, juggling, clowning, wire walking, tumbling, and more under the guidance of professional circus performers. Each full‐day camp (9am–3pm) provides hands‐on learning, joyful skill‐building, and ends with a mini‐performance, with optional before‐ and after‐care available for families.
Taller Puertorriqueño logo
Camp Taller is a six‐week arts and culture summer program (July 6–August 7) where children ages 6–14 explore creativity through hands‐on classes in visual arts, music, STEAM, cultural education, and fun field trips. The camp offers low‐cost or free tuition for eligible families, provides Puerto Rican‐style meals, and includes optional after‐care to support working parents.
The Greater Philadelphia YMCA offers a variety of traditional and specialty camps where children build confidence, make friends, and explore interests through activities like art, music, sports, nature, and swimming. They also provide Dragonfly Forest Day Camp, a full‐day program specially designed to support campers with diverse needs and abilities through structured, empowering summer experiences.
Summerside Camps
Summerside Camps at SCH Academy offer 10 weeks of creative, outdoor, and specialty programming for children in Pre‐K through 8th grade, with everything from STEM and arts to sports and wilderness adventures on a 62‐acre campus bordering the Wissahickon Valley Park. With before‐ and after‐care options, weekly themes, special events, and even new transportation for Center City and Northwest Philly families, Summerside gives campers a fun, nature‐rich summer full of exploration, confidence‐building, and lasting friendships.
Legacy Tennis Logo
LEGACY’s Community Tennis Summer Camp offers a fun and affordable 7‐week summer experience where kids ages 6 –16 learn tennis, build leadership skills, and engage in reading, writing, and art activities inspired by tennis and civil rights icons. With full‐day and half‐day options across 14 city sites, campers enjoy skill‐building, teamwork, and positive youth development in a supportive outdoor environment.
Work to Ride logo
Work to Ride is a long‐term equestrian program in West Fairmount Park that offers Philadelphia youth ages 7–18 the chance to learn horsemanship, riding, and life skills through hands‐on barn work, mentorship, and academic support. Rooted in discipline, responsibility, and community, the program provides a safe, supportive environment where participants grow socially, emotionally, and academically while engaging in equine sports.
Camp Adonai
Camp Adonai is a state‐licensed summer program for ages 5 –13 that blends athletics, Bible study, STEM workshops, dance, field trips, and daily meals into a full, enriching day from 8 AM to 6 PM. Across six weeks, campers learn, play, and grow in a supportive environment, ending the summer with a special presentation for families.
Just danz company
Just Wanna Danz is a Philadelphia‐based youth dance school offering creative, skill‐building classes in tap, African, jazz, ballet, and hip‐hop for children ages 2 and up. With a supportive, family‐oriented atmosphere and seasonal recitals, the program helps young dancers build confidence, discipline, and joy through movement and performance.
Chocolate ballerina company logo
Chocolate Ballerina Company is a contemporary communitybased dance organization, that supports the hidden talents in youth and adult artists of color in the Philadelphia region. We infuse classic ballet technique with urban pop culture music, to illustrate the cross between cultural differences and our unique similarities.
Allans Lane Art Center logo
Allens Lane Art Center’s Summer Art Camp offers children ages 5 –12 full days of creative exploration in painting, ceramics, theater, film, and more, all led by experienced teaching artists. Each week features a new theme and ends with a Friday showcase, giving campers a fun and supportive space to learn, play, and proudly share their artwork.
Our summer camp invites young artists in grades K-12 to dive into a new medium each week—from painting and sculpture to printmaking and natural art. Led by working West Philly artists, each session is packed with hands-on exploration, creative play, culminating in a final project that kids will be thrilled with.
The Philadelphia School Camps
Camp TPS offers a vibrant summer experience where hands-on exploration, creativity, and curiosity guide every day. Rooted in The Philadelphia School’s progressive approach, campers ages 4–14 discover new interests and build confidence through city adventures, outdoor learning, and a wide range of enrichment programs. Whether diving into art, biking through Philadelphia, tackling new sports, or exploring the natural world, every child finds space to grow, play, and thrive.
Our mission is to provide the finest camp experience for people of all ages- an experience that will be remembered for a lifetime. We are committed to quality and excellence in everything we do. We provide carefully designed programs and activities, a dedicated, experienced and well-trained staff, along with a caring, safe environment with premier facilities. Through education, sports, and fun, we offer opportunities for campers and team members to believe in themselves and to achieve their full potential.
Code Ninjas offers a wide variety of incredibly fun hands-on learning experiences for children ages 5-14. Our Summer Camps cover engaging topics from gaming customization to electronics and robotics to graphic design, providing our campers with enriched content for coding or STEM. Our Summer Camps run for half-days (mornings or afternoons) and full-days.
Explore Nature at Camp Schuylkill: Philadelphia’s Summer Camp for Outdoor Adventures. Camp Schuylkill is a unique summer camp experience for kids ages 4-13 in Philadelphia. Located at the Schuylkill Center’s 365 acres of natural beauty in Roxborough, Camp Schuylkill offers immersive outdoor exploration, environmental education, and fun hands-on activities.Our expert educators guide campers through forests, streams, and ponds, encouraging discovery and building a lifelong connection with nature. Conveniently located near Chestnut Hill and Manayunk, Camp Schuylkill is the perfect place for summer outdoor adventure. Families who are interested in registering for Camp Schuylkill should send a copy of their award letter to our Registrar, Beatrice Kelly, at beatrice@schuylkillcenter.org

Frequently Asked Questions

Applications are submitted via our website through May 22nd, 2026. 

If a family meets the eligibility requirements and a complete application is received, registration instructions will be sent via email.

All applicants must:

  • Reside in Philadelphia (proof of address required)
  • Have children entering Kindergarten through 12th grade in Fall 2026
  • Meet the YAOG household income requirements of $50,000–$150,000 (proof of income required)
  • Provide proof of guardianship for all children listed on the application

Families may submit one application per household for up to three (3) children.

The system identifies duplicate entries. Any duplicate applications will be deleted to ensure only one application per family is received.

Yes! Families can view an updated list of participating camp partners on our website.

Yes! We would encourage you to apply and then take your award letter to the participating camp partner to discuss your options.

CSFP will review your application within 5 (five) business days.

  • Eligible families will be notified by email.
  • Families must submit a $25 registration fee per student by the stated deadline to secure the scholarship.
  • Families not selected will be notified by late Spring.

If awarded a scholarship, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to:

  • Research camp options
  • Apply directly to the camp
  • Complete enrollment with the camp provider

Camp program availability is based on a first-come, first-served basis.

Families will not receive funds directly. The scholarship will be applied to the total cost of tuition at your chosen camp provider. CSFP will reimburse participating camp partners for $225 directly in August 2026. The reimbursement will include the $25 registration fee paid to secure the scholarship. Each camp provider determines how the scholarship is applied toward tuition.

Families can apply for up to three (3) scholarships for children in their household for children entering grades K through 12th.

CSFP has partnered with 10 + camp providers. The scholarship can only be used at these camps. Please review our website for a list of our participating camp partners.

Eligible families will be invited to register and pay a $25 registration fee per child. After the registration is complete, you will receive your award letter with your child’s name on it. You must use your award at a camp partner site by the expiration date provided in the letter.

The camp scholarship can only be used towards 2026 camp programs and cannot be transferred or held for a future year.

Additional Questions?

Email a member of our team. Response time is typically 24-48 hours.