Mayor Bowser Highlights Free, Safe and Fun Summer Opportunities for DC Youth, Encourages Families to Stay Cool During Extreme Heat

Mayor Muriel Bowser announced a wide range of free summer programs for District youth, emphasizing the importance of summer learning and safety amid an ongoing Extreme Heat Alert. Families can register for activities such as STEM camps, library programming, and evening events through the Out of School Time DC (MOST-DC) portal. Thousands of free program slots are available, facilitated by a partnership between the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education and various local agencies. Deputy Mayor for Education Paul Kihn stated that the goal is to make opportunities easy to access and hard to miss. Programs include the DCPS Middle School Summer Learning, which targets rising sixth to ninth graders, and the Junior Lifeguard Academy for teens.

The initiative also offers community engagement through events like weekly veggie giveaways and fitness classes in parks. The city aims to ensure that every young person has access to enriching summer experiences. This coordinated effort reflects the District's commitment to youth development and community well-being.