SUMMER CAMP 2026
July 6th to August 14th
Summer Camp 2026 application opened Wednesday, April 1st
Registration closes Friday, May 15th. Families will be notified of their application status the week of May 18th
Email afterschool@harlemgrown.org with any questions.
Through gardening, cooking, science, creative electives, and field trips, campers will explore how people, plants, animals, food, water, and neighborhoods are all connected. Harlem Grown’s Summer Camp is a six-week free program designed to engage and inspire children to explore the outdoors, learn to garden, and create delicious recipes to lead healthier lives.
summer camp 2026 details
This summer, Harlem Grown campers will become NYC Eco-Detectives, solving real-world mysteries across our city’s connected ecosystem. Each week, campers in rising Grades 1–6 will investigate a new case by collecting clues, gathering evidence, asking questions, and testing ideas. Through gardening, cooking, science, creative electives, and field trips, campers will explore how people, plants, animals, food, water, and neighborhoods are all connected.
As Eco-Detectives, campers will work together to better understand the world around them and imagine ways to care for it. Along the way, they will build teamwork, confidence, leadership, and community stewardship skills while learning that they can play an active role in making their neighborhoods healthier, greener, and more just.
The goal of NYC Eco-Detectives is to empower campers to explore New York City, especially Harlem and surrounding neighborhoods, as a connected ecosystem and to see themselves as capable investigators, collaborators, and community stewards.
Through field trips, hands-on experiments, urban farming, cooking, and creative learning experiences, campers will build knowledge, confidence, and practical skills as they investigate real environmental challenges and design solutions rooted in community care.
Frequently asked questions:
What is Harlem Grown's summer camp like?
Our summer camp is FREE to all participants! Camp runs for 6 weeks, from July 6 through August 14. Campers are placed in groups with similar-aged peers and spend time on our farms participating in hands-on activities. Campers are supervised throughout the day who are experienced in working with children. Camp will run from 8:30-4:00 Mon-Thur and 8:30-3:15 on Fridays.
Who is eligible to attend camp?
Children must meet the following requirements to attend camp:
- They must be starting at least 1st grade and no older than 6th grade in September 2026
- They must commit to attending all 6 weeks of summer camp
- They must live above 96th Street in Manhattan or the Bronx
- They must meet all other eligibility requirements in section 5 of our application
- They must agree to abide by all of our COVID precautions, which are listed on our camp application
How can I apply for my child's spot in summer camp?
Applications for Summer 2026 are now open! The application will close at 5pm on Friday, May 15th.
If I complete an application, will my child automatically be enrolled in camp?
No, campers will be selected via a lottery, with preference given to those who have participated in our programs before. Completing an application does not guarantee a spot in camp.
If my child is selected to attend summer camp, what else do I need to do?
In order to attend camp, parents will need to have their child's physician complete the Child and Adolescent Health form required by NYC DOHMH. Parents will also need to attend a mandatory camp orientation before the start of camp. Orientations will be held across several dates.
What if I have a child who is older than 6th grade in September 2026?
Harlem Grown Summer Camp is designed for youth entering 1st through 6th grade in September 2026. While we do not currently offer a summer camp program for older kids, but youth ages 16+ may be eligible to apply for summer opportunities through our SYEP partner, Phipps Neighborhoods. Phipps may also offer summer camp options for middle school students.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please reach out to afterschool@harlemgrown.org.