(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) are reminding families to enter the DPR summer camp lottery before the deadline on Monday, February 16 at 11:59 pm. Families interested in enrolling their children in DPR Summer Camps are encouraged to submit their lottery application before the deadline for their chance to secure a spot at one of the District’s most popular summer programs.
Each summer, DPR summer camps provide thousands of District youth with safe, enriching, and engaging activities at more than 50 locations across all eight wards. Camps are available for youth ages 3–13 and offer a wide range of experiences, including sports, aquatics, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math), performing arts, culinary arts, therapeutic recreation, and more. There are also exciting new opportunities at non-DPR facilities for youth ages 11–13 through DPR’s “Around Town Camps,” with themes like performing arts and STEAM.
“From sports and swimming to science and the arts, we are incredibly proud of our DPR summer camp offerings, and we know that families love these camps too,” said Mayor Bowser. “We also know that planning for summer can be a challenge, so we want to make sure families are aware of the upcoming lottery deadline. Check out the available options, enter the lottery, and let’s make this the best summer yet.”
The DPR summer camp lottery is designed to ensure a fair and equitable process for all families. Applications may be submitted at any time before the lottery closes, and placement is determined through a random selection process. Submitting an application earlier does not increase the chances of selection, as all applications received during the open period are weighted equally.
“Summer Camp at DPR is about more than fun—it’s about community, confidence-building, and creating meaningful experiences for our youth,” said DPR Director Thennie Freeman. “Let us help your child make this summer their best one yet.”
Families can apply and find complete details about camp offerings, important dates, and next steps at DPRsummercamp.com.
Residents who have questions about the lottery process, reduced rates, or residency verification may contact DPR’s Customer Care Center at (202) 673-7647, Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, or by email at [email protected].
The Bowser Administration offers free and low-cost programming all year round through the Department of Parks and Recreation, ensuring that DC youth have safe and productive opportunities to learn, play, and grow. In Fiscal Year 2025 alone, DPR offered more than 1,700 programs for kids ages 3-17, serving more than 21,500 participants. DPR’s Roving Leaders Program hosted 61 special events for at-risk and hard-to-reach youth, engaging with more than 25,000 participants. And the District’s Late Night Hypes, Holiday Hypes, and Late Night Drips—teen and family-focused late-night events—served more than 14,000 participants. Additionally, DPR’s Rec for All Grants, which fund other organizations to do programing to reach youth that do not come to DPR recreation centers, funded 87 grants at almost $1.7 million, serving more than 3,500 youth.
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