Connect, Learn, Explore: Boston's Commitment to Youth

As a coastal city, families deserve access to opportunities to learn how to swim and safely enjoy the water.  Every child will have access to swimming lessons through the city’s Swim Safe Boston program, which is offered through the YMCA of Greater Boston, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston and  Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF). We aim to serve 6,000 children in 2025.

Enjoy our City provided pool or find a swim lesson in partnership with the YMCA. Register for free swim lessons today! 

Find Swim Programming 

Music, dance, theater, and art are critical for self expression. We will provide access to instruments, artists and other resources to help our young people learn and grow.

The City of Boston is expanding arts programing, city programs can be found at BCYF and Boston Public Schools during the school year. Parks and Recreations arts and crafts workshops hosted by a local artist in various parks throughout the City of Boston during the Summer. Our goal is to have 3,100 children participate in arts programs in 2025.

Find Arts Programming 

Sports can teach kids physical skills, teamwork, and persistence. BCYF, BPS, and our partners in youth sports will help make sure that every kid can choose and participate in quality sports programs. For the year of 2025, we aim to have 2,500 children participate in sports, through all four seasons. 

Parks and Recreation and BCYF are offering free athletic programs, clinics, and camps in neighborhood parks across the City. Last Summer, the Office of Early Childhood partnered with 3 community partners to offer free soccer programing for children 3-6. 

Find Sport Programming 

Biking helps kids explore their neighborhood, have fun, and grow. The City, in partnership with community partners, will provide the resources and support so every Boston kid has the opportunity to learn to ride a bike. Additionally, we are creating more safe places for kids to learn and practice riding bikes, learn more about Bike Town. 

Since Spring of 2023 we reintroduced the Youth Cycling Programing at BPS and offered biking programming at 7 locations across the city. For 2025, we have the goal to have 3,300 participants in on-bike programming to build skills and confidence.

 Find Biking Programming

Growing plants can help our littlest learners connect with nature. Community gardens, partners, and outdoor classrooms will provide all kids access to plants and plant care.

GrowBoston, Office of Food Justice, BPS, and BCYF will partner to assess which schools and community centers have gardens and invest in raised beds at an additional 10 sites. To date 84 BPS schools have hosted a garden. In 2025, GrowBoston plans to have 25 new or rebuilt gardens at schools, family childcare centers, libraries, and community centers. 

Find Grow Programming