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Goodbye, sweet summer camp: Here’s how Kensington area camps kept kids engaged and entertained this summer

Editor’s note: This introduction was written by Zari Tarazona.

Despite repeated heat waves and rising violence, community organizations and leaders mobilized to keep North Philly students safe and energized this summer.

We visited three Kensington area summer camps that provided youth with arts and crafts, sports, and other fun activities to help keep them entertained. 

Big shout-out to the following summer camps and their hosts, who invited us to capture them in action. 

Roberto Clemente Middle School

Campers line up for the water slide at the Congreso de Latinos Unidos summer camp at Roberto Clemente Middle School on August 12, 2022. (Photo by Albert Yee for Kensington Voice)

Congreso de Latinos Unidos hosted its free, six-week-long summer camp for K-8 students. This year, the camp was located at Roberto Clemente Middle School with students from Julia de Burgos Elementary School, Pan American Academy Charter School, Roberto Clemente Middle School, and students from Fairhill and other neighborhoods. 

Campers line up for the water slide at the Congreso de Latinos Unidos summer camp at Roberto Clemente Middle School on August 12, 2022. (Photo by Albert Yee for Kensington Voice)
Jose (left), 10, goes down the water slide at the Congreso de Latinos Unidos summer camp at Roberto Clemente Middle School on August 12, 2022. (Photo by Albert Yee for Kensington Voice)
Luna (right), 6, goes down the water slide at the Congreso de Latinos Unidos summer camp at Roberto Clemente Middle School on August 12, 2022. (Photo by Albert Yee for Kensington Voice)
Kailani (left), 8, and Mala (right), 7, do cartwheels and handstands at the Congreso de Latinos Unidos summer camp at Roberto Clemente Middle School on August 12, 2022. (Photo by Albert Yee for Kensington Voice)
Campers hang out at the Congreso de Latinos Unidos summer camp at Roberto Clemente Middle School on August 12, 2022. (Photo by Albert Yee for Kensington Voice)
Briana; Mehki, 4 (blue shirt); and Brycen, 5 (white shirt) get their caricatures made by artist Patrick Harrington. A Congreso summer camp at Roberto Clemente Middle School on August 12, 2022. (Photo by Albert Yee for Kensington Voice)

Sankofa Freedom Academy

Campers play basketball on the outdoor court at City Councilmember Isaiah Thomas’ 10th annual basketball camp at Sankofa Freedom Academy on August 4, 2022. (Photo by Albert Yee for Kensington Voice)

Philadelphia City Councilmember At-Large Isaiah Thomas hosted his 10th annual basketball camp at Sankofa Freedom Academy in East Kensington from Aug. 1-5. The camp had basketball training, guest speakers, lunches, and non-sport activities. The mission of the camp is to keep young people ages 5-16 safe and engaged during the weeks between the end of most city summer camps and the start of school. The three-week-long camp served a different area of the city each week. To read more about last year’s camp, click here. Between spring and summer 2023, interested parents should visit the Thomas & Woods Foundation website for camp registration.  

Campers run stair drills at City Councilmember Isaiah Thomas’ 10th annual basketball camp at Sankofa Freedom Academy on August 4, 2022. (Photo by Albert Yee for Kensington Voice)
Diamond, 17, lifts weights at City Councilmember Isaiah Thomas’ 10th annual basketball camp at Sankofa Freedom Academy on August 4, 2022. (Photo by Albert Yee for Kensington Voice)
Aalir, 11, does passing drills on the Vertimax machine with Coach Ross at City Councilmember Isaiah Thomas’ 10th annual basketball camp at Sankofa Freedom Academy on August 4, 2022. (Photo by Albert Yee for Kensington Voice)
Coach Kriss gets in on some drills at City Councilmember Isaiah Thomas’ 10th annual basketball camp at Sankofa Freedom Academy on August 4, 2022. (Photo by Albert Yee for Kensington Voice)
Tae, 13, shoots during a scrimmage at City Councilmember Isaiah Thomas’ 10th annual basketball camp at Sankofa Freedom Academy on August 4, 2022. (Photo by Albert Yee for Kensington Voice)
Zuri (right), 12, shoots a layup at City Councilmember Isaiah Thomas’ 10th annual basketball camp at Sankofa Freedom Academy on August 4, 2022. (Photo by Albert Yee for Kensington Voice)
Councilmember Isaiah Thomas leads a bounce pass drill with the young campers at his 10th annual basketball camp at Sankofa Freedom Academy on August 4, 2022. (Photo by Albert Yee for Kensington Voice)
Councilmember Isaiah Thomas leads a bounce pass drill with the young campers at his 10th annual basketball camp at Sankofa Freedom Academy on August 4, 2022. (Photo by Albert Yee for Kensington Voice)
Councilmember Isaiah Thomas talks to the campers about the importance of yoga at his 10th annual basketball camp at Sankofa Freedom Academy on August 4, 2022. (Photo by Albert Yee for Kensington Voice)
Dom Miller, the chief of staff for Councilmember Thomas, leads a yoga session at the 10th annual basketball camp at Sankofa Freedom Academy on August 4, 2022. (Photo by Albert Yee for Kensington Voice)
Niya, 16, does yoga at City Councilmember Isaiah Thomas’ 10th annual basketball camp at Sankofa Freedom Academy on August 4, 2022. (Photo by Albert Yee for Kensington Voice)
Campers play basketball on the outdoor court at City Councilmember Isaiah Thomas’ 10th annual basketball camp at Sankofa Freedom Academy on August 4, 2022. (Photo by Albert Yee for Kensington Voice)
Campers play basketball on the outdoor court at City Councilmember Isaiah Thomas’ 10th annual basketball camp at Sankofa Freedom Academy on August 4, 2022. (Photo by Albert Yee for Kensington Voice)

The Village That Heals Youth Summer Camp at NKCDC

Ms. Esterlina (right) help campers at The Village That Heals Youth Summer Camp on August 3, 2022. (Photo by Albert Yee for Kensington Voice)

In partnership with NKCDC, Brenda Mosley, the founder and executive director of By Faith, Health and Healing, organized the “The Village That Heals Youth Summer Camp” for youth ages 7 to 17. Other partners included Hashim Sharif, Kensington Soccer Club, Mural Arts, and Robert Mosley. The camp, which took place on the field near NKCDC, provided Kensington youth with arts and crafts, field trips, and lunches from June 21 to Aug. 18. Registration for next summer is open. Interested parents can send an email to byfaithenternal@gmail.com or call 215-397-0431.

Brenda Mosley, the executive director and founder of By Faith, Health and Healing, works with Jahleo (left) at The Village That Heals Youth Summer Camp on August 3, 2022. The camp was organized by By Faith, Health and Healing, and NKCDC. (Photo by Albert Yee for Kensington Voice)
Riley paints at The Village That Heals Youth Summer Camp on August 3, 2022. The camp was organized by By Faith, Health and Healing, and NKCDC. (Photo by Albert Yee for Kensington Voice)
Javion (left) and Harry (right) make some artwork at The Village That Heals Youth Summer Camp on August 3, 2022. The camp took place in NKCDC’s field in Kensington. (Photo by Albert Yee for Kensington Voice)
Campers and cousins Dylan (left) and DJ (right) work on a puzzle at The Village That Heals Youth Summer Camp on August 3, 2022. (Photo by Albert Yee for Kensington Voice)
Campers DJ (left), Dylan (middle) and Harry (right) laugh while working on a puzzle at The Village That Heals Youth Summer Camp on August 3, 2022. (Photo by Albert Yee for Kensington Voice)
Javion cartwheels in the NKCDC field at The Village That Heals Youth Summer Camp on August 3, 2022. The camp was organized by By Faith, Health and Healing and NKCDC. (Photo by Albert Yee for Kensington Voice)

Do you need extracurricular programming for your kids? Click here to find after-school or summer programs for children in Philadelphia.


Editor: Zari Tarazona Designer: Jillian Bauer-Reese