City Reads Into Summer

Children and families can have fun this summer with programs like free Friday movie nights, library reading programs, and summer camps.

Officials previewed this summer’s programs at a press conference Thursday at Lighthouse Point Park.

“There’s no reason for kids to be sitting on the couch this summer,” Mayor Justin Elicker said. Elicker said that the goal of the fun summer events is to avoid the dreaded ​“summer slide,” citing free tutoring as a resource to help students keep their mind active during the summer. (Click here for the guide to summer programs.)

United Way Vice-President Shelly Hicks said that the New Haven Tutoring Initiative is available for students K‑8 and is offered for both math and literacy. More information about the free tutoring program can be found on United Way’s website.

“Level Up At Your Library” is the theme for the summer reading challenge for both adults and children where reading 20 minutes a day can earn prizes like a one-month membership to Elm City Games, a one-month membership to MakeHaven, or a guided private tour to Lost in New Haven. These prizes can be won by participating in the library’s Readopoly, where children or adults can land on spots to win raffle tickets to be entered in the drawing of these big prizes. Everyone also has the chance to win a free book.

Library Public Services Administrator Rory Martorana presented Mayor Elicker with a summer reading shirt, as she said it had become ​“tradition”.

The city’s Youth @ Work Program will kick off July 1, with over 800 children and young adults having employment opportunities this summer. 

Every Friday night this summer New Haven Youth & Rec will be hosting free movie nights in various locations, with films like ​“Moana” and ​“Inside Out 2” playing. More information about locations for these movies can be found in this 50-page summer guide from the mayor’s office and the city’s youth and rec department.

The New Haven Police Activity League is hosting a summer camp that ​“filled up in less than a day” with 115 kids, said Sgt. Ronald Ferrante. 

“It was supposed to be a surprise, but we’re taking them to Great Wolf Lodge, the brand new indoor waterpark,” he said. ​“We’re still doing slime, tie dye, everything you could think of.”