By Tiffany Williams –
BOSTON, MA — The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) today announced the kickoff of the 11th year of its popular Summer Nights Program, continuing its commitment to providing free, safe, and engaging recreational opportunities for young people across urban communities in the Commonwealth.
Running throughout July and August, the Summer Nights Program offers thousands of teens and young adults aged 13 to 21 a variety of fun and educational activities designed to foster community connection, personal growth, and a lifelong appreciation for nature.
“The Summer Nights Program is a great example of our continued commitment to ensuring that children and young adults have access to outdoor recreation in safe, inclusive, and supportive environments regardless of their financial ability,” said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “Through a diverse range of educational and recreational programs we aim to empower the next generation of environmental stewards and community leaders.”
Since launching in 2015 with just four community partners, the Summer Nights Program has expanded dramatically. This year, it will operate in 135 locations across the state, partnering with 102 organizations—including municipalities, community groups, and public safety agencies—and serve approximately 20,000 youth. The program’s $2.6 million budget supports programming, police details, equipment, marketing, and staffing.
Summer Nights programming spans a wide variety of activities, including basketball, volleyball, yoga, dance, martial arts, flag football, corn-hole, fishing, ping-pong, cardio boxing, swimming, camping, rowing, kayaking, cooking, painting, Zumba, dodgeball, tennis, and nature exploration. Additionally, participants can engage in leadership development, health and wellness workshops, poetry, academic tutoring, storytelling, animation, music and media production, and career and college readiness programs.
This year also sees an expansion in accessibility, with three providers offering adaptive and inclusive programs in theater arts, swimming, and kayaking. Participants and their families can also take advantage of free ferry passes to the Boston Harbor Islands, courtesy of Boston Harbor Now.
The Summer Nights Program will be active through late August in communities including Attleboro, Boston (across multiple neighborhoods), Bridgewater, Brockton, Cambridge, Chelsea, Chicopee, Easthampton, Everett, Fitchburg, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Methuen, Milton, New Bedford, Pittsfield, Quincy, Randolph, Salem, Springfield, Stoughton, Taunton, Westfield, and Worcester.
“The Summer Nights Program, funded by DCR, is vital for The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield to provide teen programming during the summer months,” said Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield CEO Bo Sullivan. “The opportunity to have basketball and volleyball programs this summer is keeping our teens engaged and active. We appreciate all the support from DCR.”