Summer Camps
The City of Jacksonville offers a wide array of affordable summer camp programs for youth ages 4-15.

Camp programs funded by The Jacksonville Journey and the Jacksonville Children's Commission:

• Provide camp for eight weeks, Monday-Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with extended day available
• Are low-cost
• Are open to children kindergarten through 15 years of age
• Can serve 6,100 Jacksonville children across the city
• Promote continued learning during the summer with the 3 E's curriculum, which stress:
  • Literacy enrichment
  • Math and science enrichment
  • Career exposure/ workforce development enrichment
  • Cultural enrichment
  • Service learning/ youth leadership enrichment
• Employee staff that have completed background screening
• Are monitored for safety and quality by trained professionals

Click here for information on Jacksonville Children's Commission Summer Camps

Click here to learn more about the Mayor's anti-crime initiative, The Jacksonville Journey.

JaxParks Summer Camps:

• Provide four, two-week sessions, Monday-Friday with most sessions running from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and available extended day
• Are open to children ages 5 to 15 years of age
• Are affordable
• Feature a wide-array of opportunities including nature, arts and crafts, swimming, surfing, athletics, lifeguard training and much more
• Employee staff that have completed background screening
• Are monitored for safety and quality by trained professionals
• Allow for easy online registration

Click here for information on JaxParks Summer Camps

Summer Lunch

Each year, the Jacksonville Children's Commission and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) partner to provide nutritious snacks and lunches to more than 12,000 Duval County children each day at no cost to parents through the Summer Lunch Program.

Any Duval County child under the age of 18 can receive a FREE lunch by visiting one of the summer lunch sites across the city. A "Free Lunch Served Here" banner is posted at each site with the meal times indicated. Children do not need to be enrolled at the site (for example, if it is a club or program) to receive a lunch or snack -- they just need to show up during meal times.

Click here to learn more about the Summer Lunch Program

Summer Youth Employment

Approximately 1,200 students ages 14-24 have been offered employment this summer in the Mayor's Summer Jobs Program and the WorkSource Summer Success Program. These programs were made possible through funding from the mayor's anti-crime initiative, The Jacksonville Journey, and the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (a.k.a. the Economic Stimulus Package) respectively. To date, offers have been made to fill all available positions.

However, the city is working in tandem with WorkSource, a partner for summer youth employment since 2006, to continue to provide opportunities that focus on arming young people with workplace skills and a strong foundation for career building. In addition, the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce will promote the summer employment opportunitiesto the business community.

Like in the past years, WorkSource will serve as a one-stop-shop for businesses and Duval County students. In addition, participating private-sector businesses may qualify for the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit.

The Mayor and Chamber have encouraged private businesses that can afford to hire, to utilize this pool of student applicants. Staff will work to match skills requested by an employer to a qualified student.

A free training DVD will be provided to hiring businesses to help ensure the program is successful for all participants.

Click here to apply for a student position or to inquire about hiring students for your business.

Or call Patrice Abner at (904) 798-9229 x 2218 or Colleen Dwyer at (904) 630-3537 for more information.

Employment is not guaranteed in any of the programs. Students will be required to apply and interview like in any other job application process.

Jacksonville Public Library Summer Programs

This year's summer reading programs at JPL will be sure to get the creative juices flowing for teens and children. Activities include music, art, poetry and more. Summer reading at the library will encourage kids to continue to read during the summer months.

The summer is fast approaching and the end of school is in sight for students. The library is offering programs to keep kids minds active and entertained.

Programs for children include art, culture and animal education along with story telling and music. Special programs and guests include Ron Anglin, professional juggler, visits from the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, and Anna Moo, award-winning songwriter, recording artist and entertainer.

Teens can also learn to juggle, watch the Battle of the Bands and participate in a reading marathon with a $50 cash prize.

New this year is the adult summer reading program with exhibits of art books and collage, art and poetry workshops!

For more information on summer reading programs at your nearest library location, visit jaxpubliclibrary.org or call 630-BOOK (2665).

JaxParks Intramural Sports League

Free intramural sports league for youth ages 13 – 17 provides an opportunity for youth to play in three sports throughout the year, compete against other teams, participate in life enrichment activities and end-of-season tournaments. Registration is required.

• Click here to learn more about JaxParks Intramural Sports League

JaxParks Learn-to-Swim

• Provide four, two-week sessions, Monday-Thursday with Friday as a make-up day when needed; session times vary based on location and age category
• Learn-to-Swim programs include Aqua Babies, Aqua Tots, Youth Learn-to-Swim and Adult Learn-to-Swim and accommodate ages 6 months and older
• Are affordable;
• Emphasize water safety information
• Employee only Red Cross-certified and background-screened staff;
• Are monitored for safety and quality by trained staff;
• Downloadable registration forms are available online
• Click here to learn more about JaxParks Learn-to-Swim Programs