2026 Summer Camp

For rising Kindergarteners - 5th graders and teens

At NLArts we create boldly, express freely, and play imaginatively with visual arts, performance, pop culture, and creative play.

A typical day at NLArts is equal parts studio art making, outdoor recreation, and creative play. Campers start each day together as a community, then break into age groups for activities. Conveniently located in the heart of Northern Liberties, we take full advantage of the green spaces, recreational parks, and public art on a daily basis! Our incredible staff, visiting artists, and off site trips around the city connect unique themes with daily experiences that make for an incredible week. Camp wouldn’t be complete without a celebration! Each Friday, campers host a family and friends open house to exhibit their creations, share stories, and bridge family connections.

Mark your calendars - Summer Camp registration open on February 16th


Sessions & Themes

Click each purple heading to view dates and session details. There is no camp during the weeks of June 29th and July 20th.

  • June 15th - June 19th | Session One

    Discover how toys tell stories, reflect culture, and spark imagination. Campers will design, build, write about, and play with original toys while exploring their history and purpose.creativity to unite around positive change.

  • June 22nd - June 26th | Session Two

    Travel the globe through art! Campers will explore cultures, climates, environments, and traditions from around the world, creating art inspired by the people and places that make our planet diverse.

  • July 6th - July 10th | Session Three

    Celebrate the creative heartbeat of Philadelphia during a historic year. Campers will explore the people, neighborhoods, and movements that keep Philly’s art and culture alive - past, present, and future.


  • July 13th - July 17th | Session Four

    Dive into bold worlds of manga, comics, anime, and kawaii culture. Campers will create dynamic characters, illustrations, and stories inspired by graphic art and pop culture from around the globe.

  • July 27th - July 31st | Session Five

    Creativity meets entrepreneurship! Campers will explore what it takes to build a small business through art-making, money basics, and service-oriented thinking.

  • August 3rd - August 7th | Session Six

    Discover playful ways to show up, stand out, and connect. Campers will explore music, movement, and improvisation as tools for self-expression and creative confidence.


  • August 10th - Aug 14th | Session Seven

    Step behind the scenes of an original musical! Campers will help shape the story, design sets and costumes, assign roles, and prepare for the big show - on stage or behind the scenes.

  • August 17th - Aug 21st | Session Eight

    Lights up - it's showtime! Campers will rehearse, refine, and perform the original musical, with opportunities to act, create stage elements, design visuals, or explore cat-inspired art projects.

  • The After Hours Studio is an extended two hour experience for your camper to continue their creative journey! NLArts provides a snack and a space for your child to unwind and continue the fun after camp from 3:30pm to 5:30 pm.


Information & Fees

The Setting |

700 - 702 N 3rd St. Philadelphia, PA 19123 | Summer office hours from 8:00am - 5:30pm

We are proud to host another incredible summer camp at the NLNA Community Center and Courtyard. In addition, we are SO excited to have our own studio right next door! Please be advised that NLArts will not hold permits for summer use of the NL Recreation Center this year.


Groups by Grade |

All grade groups reflect your camper’s rising grade for Fall 2026. For FAQ’s, please review our Age Eligibility Policy.

Nuggets: Kindergarten

Pretzels: 1st - 2nd Grade

Hoagies: 3rd - 5th Grade

Jr. CiT’s (Counselors in Training): 6th- 8th Grade

New! EVENING Teen Summer Studio: 6th - 9th grade

New! PAID Jr. CiT Scholarships for two 9th - 10th graders

New! PAID Jr. Counselors: must be at least 17 years old with work permit


Registration Fees by Grade Group |

Nuggets, Pretzels, and Hoagies (K - 5th grade)

8:30am-3:30pm / without After Hours | $300 | $280 for additional siblings

8:30am-5:30pm / with weekly After Hours | $420 | $400 for additional siblings *After Hours will have daily registrations throughout the summer.

Teens (6th grade +)

Jr. CiT’s (camp leadership) 8:30am-3:30pm | $150

Teen Summer Studio: 3:00pm -5:30pm | $150

Find out more about all the teen programming at NLArts this summer (link soon)

  • 50% refund for canceled camps until March 15th, 2026.

    After March 15th, no refunds will be given.

    All refunds are paid by check.

    Under no circumstances will full refunds for canceled camp sessions be given.

  • NLArts Summer Art Camp is designed for children who meet specific developmental and safety benchmarks.

    • Campers must be rising Kindergarteners or

    • At least 4.5 years old by the first day of camp AND have a sibling enrolled who is a rising 1st grader or older or

    • At least 4.5 years old by the first day of school AND have a sibling enrolled who is a rising 2nd grader or older

    Campers who do not meet these requirements are not eligible to enroll. This policy helps ensure a safe, positive, and developmentally appropriate experience for all children and staff.

    Registrations that do not meet the age requirements will be canceled and refunded, minus a $25 processing fee.

  • Friday Open House:

    Every Friday of camp we host an open house from 3:30pm - 4:00pm. All families and friends are encouraged to join! There are often short performances, video viewings, or visual art displays to take home. Some times there is left over pizza!

    Friday Community Lunch:

    Each Friday we order in! We kindly ask that families who wish to participate provide $5 in cash the week of.

    Field Trips:

    Campers will often walk or use public transportation to experience local art & community. For trips outside the city, we provide private bus transportation, though these outings are limited.

    Camp T-Shirt:

    1 handmade t-shirt per camper is included in the registration cost. It’s great to wear for trips, as an art smock, or a cover up after water play.

    All shirts are washed with warm water prior, but lingering dye is likely. Thoroughly wash t-shirts separate from light laundry items to avoid bleeding color.

  • Please label all loose belongings with your camper's name.

    • Lunch box or handled bag will a healthy and filling lunch

    • Additional snacks to stay fueled throughout the day

    • A water bottle with ice

    • On Pizza Fridays, campers do not need a packed lunch. However they should still have plenty of water and snacks for the day.

    • Wear clothes that are okay to get a little messy

    • Shoes that cover toes and heels (no flip-flops!)

    • Apply bug spray and sun block each day

    • Any medications should be labeled in a zip lock bag and arranged with the camp director

    • Youngest friends should have a backup change of clothes for any emergencies

    • All valuables, like an ipad or Switch should not come to camp. Toys, such as a special stuffy, should stay at home without prior communication with camp leaders.

  • Upon registering for camp, please follow the link in the confirmation email to complete the Student Information Sheet.

    Release waivers and signed behavior contracts are required before the start of camp. Use the links below to submit your signatures:

    Release and Waiver of Liability

    Permission/Consent Waiver

    Camper Code of Conduct

  • 🌼 My kiddo is signed up for camp, what happens next?

    After registering online, you will receive a link to complete the Camper Information Form.
    This is a VERY important first step!

    Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media to stay up-to-date and get the first look at camp activities and trips.

    All registered guardians will receive a Welcome Packet the weekend before each session with everything you need to know for the week ahead -plus a few friendly reminders. Most questions are answered on our website, but we’re always happy to help if something comes up.

    🌼 How can my family take advantage of the sibling discount?

    The first kiddo is full price, then additional siblings receive $20 off their registration. Sibling discounts can apply across all age groups. (For example, a Nugget and a Jr. CiT. ) Sibling discounts can not be used across weeks. (For example, Fiona is signed up for just session one and Fred is signed up for just session two.)

    Make sure to chose the Sibling Discount option when adding registrations to your cart, as we can’t provide a refund (but we can give credits for future use).

    🌼 What other documents are required for camp aside from the camper info form?

    We’re excited to introduce a new platform for digital signatures! The following forms are required before the camper’s first day of camp:

    🌼 What if i signed waivers earlier this year for a program?‍ ‍

    No worries! Your documents will be honored and recorded. We need them just once per year.

    🌼 My camper is coming for multiple sessions. Do I need to submit signatures each time?

    Nope! Just once per summer.

    🌼 Our family schedule has changed. Can my camper switch weeks?

    It is unlikely we can accommodate any schedule changes. Email us - the sooner the better - and we will do our best! IMO, wait until you know for sure before registering for camp.

    🌼 My camper has a doctor’s appointment during camp. What should I do?

    Please let us know as early as possible if your camper needs to leave early. Monday mornings during drop off is a great time to check in. When camp is in texting is our preferred form of urgent communication!

    🌼 What if my camper needs to bring medication to camp?

    All medications must be sent in a clearly labeled container with the camper’s full name. Campers should be familiar with how to take their medication, and any special instructions should be included in writing. For severe allergies or specific medical needs, please include printed directions, your child’s primary care provider contact info, or other important documentation.

    Please hand off medications directly to a staff member at drop-off on the first day of camp. And please remember to take all medications back with you at the end of their time with us.

    🌼 I emailed info@nlarts.org and got an away message, why?

    All hands are on deck! Our office hours are limited so we can focus on creating an amazing camp experience. Emails are frequently checked and urgent needs will be addressed as quickly as possible.

    🌼 What is the best way to reach someone in an emergency?

    The camp directors personal cell phone number will be included in each session’s Welcome Email for urgent needs during camp hours.

    You can also call or text the NLArts main number, which is managed through Google Voice. If calling, please leave a voicemail or send a text so we can respond as quickly as possible.

    🌼 What is the Friday Open House?

    Every Friday of camp we host an open house from 3:30pm - 4:00pm. All families and friends are encouraged to join! There are often short performances, video viewings, or visual art displays to take home. Sometimes there is left over pizza!

    🌼 How can I give towards Friday Pizza Parties?

    Each Friday we order lunch from our pals at Rustica, We kindly ask for $5 in cash the week of camp for those who wish to participate. Camp leaders will give reminders!

    On Pizza Fridays, campers do not need a packed lunch. However they should still have plenty of water and snacks for the day.

    🌼 What should we bring to camp?

    All personal belongings should be clearly labeled.

    • Lunch box or bag with a healthy and filling lunch

    • Enough snacks for your camper to stay fueled throughout the day

    • A water bottle with ice

    • Clothes that are cool and okay to get a little messy

    • Shoes that cover toes and heels (no flip-flops!)

    • Apply bug spray and sun block each day

    • Any medications should be enclosed, labeled, and handed off to a camp director

    • Youngest friends should have a backup change of clothes each day for any emergencies

    🌼 What should we NOT bring to camp?

    • We are 100% a peanut free camp!!!

    • All valuables, like an iPad, Switch, etc. should not come to camp

    • Toys, such as a special stuffy or Pokemon cards, should stay at home unless prior communications between guardians and camp leaders

    • Any objects that could be considered dangerous or harmful to fellow campers

    🌼 Does the camp go swimming?

    NLArts does not bring campers to the pool, but we do cool off with water! Any moments of scheduled water play will be highlighted in the Welcome Email to prepare guardians. However, the sprinkler next door is often on. It’s never a bad idea to have extra garments packed!

    🌼 When should my kiddo wear their camp t-shirt ?

    We ask that campers wear their camp shirts when we go on out-bound trips. The Welcome Email outlines this information. Camp leaders will give reminders!

    🌼 I’m not sure if we need aftercare. Can we sign up later?

    After Hours Studio sign ups will remain open throughout the summer to allow for flexible registration, but please let us know as early in the week as you can! After Hours Studio starts with a snack and moment to unwind. Based on the vibe of the group, we do a combo of crafts & games, play at the park, listen to music and watch creative shows/or videos.