Preparing for a Safe and Productive Summer
Free Summer Meals for CPS Students
All Chicago children between 1 and 18 years old are eligible to receive free meals at LunchStop sites or at any school where summer programs take place. ID is not required but children must be present and meals must be consumed onsite. For questions about summer meals, call (800) 359-2163 or visit WeGotYouIllinois.org. See a map of lunch sites here.
Chicago Public Schools Safe Haven Program
Again this summer, CPS is partnering with faith-based and nonprofit organizations to host the Safe Haven program. Students will be provided breakfast and lunch daily, and will have access to enrichment activities, field trips, and other recreational opportunities. Sites will be open from June 16 to August 8, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Click here for a list of Safe Haven locations. For questions, please contact faithbased@cps.edu.
Healthy CPS Summer Hotline
Healthy students are better learners. Healthy CPS provides schools with guidance and resources to support the health and wellbeing of all students and to create a sustainable culture of health and wellness. To access health resources over the summer, visit the Healthy CPS webpage here or call the hotline at (773) 553-5437.
Summer Mental Health Support for CPS High Schoolers
During the school year, CPS partnered with Hazel Health to provide free, virtual therapy sessions for all CPS high school students. They’re excited to announce that summer therapy sessions are available to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors, as well as current 12th-graders who have already registered for the program. Rising freshmen will gain access to therapy through Hazel Health in August of 2025. Sign up online.
Register for Chicago Park District Day Camp
The Chicago Park District is looking forward to providing Chicago’s youth with a fun-filled summer through our Day Camp program. Every summer our staff and campers look forward to reconnecting by engaging in fun, safe, and inclusive activities. The 6-weeks of summer fun will include sports, arts, fitness, and outdoor activities with the following ideas woven throughout the camp experience. Learn more and register online.
Summer at CPL for Kids and Teens
Sign up online or drop by your local library to get involved in summer programming and challenges for 2025! Access the kids’ Summer at CPL hub here. Find programming information for teens here.
My CHI. My Future. Summer Kickbacks
My CHI. My Future. The Summer Kickback Series is back in 2025! Join My CHI. for dozens of fun and exciting events across Chicago this summer beginning in June. Download the My CHI. My Future. app or visit their website to find opportunities in your neighborhood.
Late Night Sports on Holiday Weekends
The Mayor’s Office of Community Safety has launched a summer sports series made to create safe and welcoming public spaces for Chicago residents during holiday weekends. These events kicked off on Memorial Day weekend and will continue on Father's Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day weekends. Programs run from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at select locations citywide. Visit the chicago.gov website to stay up to date on future events and registration.
Resident Free Days at Chicago Museums
Many local museums have free days for Chicago residents! Can’t make it on any of these days? Reserve the 48th ward museum pass to visit one of these spots on a day of your choice!
Adler Planetarium: Wednesdays from 4 - 10pm. Reserve a ticket here.
Art Institute of Chicago: Thursdays from 5 - 8 pm (June 1 - September 25, 2025). Illinois residents under 14 are always free with an adult.
Field Museum: Wednesdays. Reserve a ticket here.
Shedd Aquarium: June 3, 10, 17, and 24 from 5-9pm. Reserve a ticket here.
