LOWELL — Area youths and state and local leaders joined Gov. Maura Healey at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell Friday to launch the 12th year of the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Summer Nights program.
Summer Nights offers free recreational and educational activities and leadership opportunities for participants between the ages of 10 and 21 living in Massachusetts’ urban communities.
“This is a program that I am grateful for,” Healey said. “I want you kids to know we see you, we believe in you and every day we’re working hard to make opportunities available to you and your families.”
Since its inception in 2015, the program has expanded from just four community partners to 101 community organizations and nonprofits who offer programming at 154 locations serving young people in 41 communities across the commonwealth, including Boston, Attleboro, Bridgewater, Brockton, Cambridge, Chelsea, Easthampton, Fall River, Fitchburg, Haverhill, Holyoke, Hull, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Methuen, Milton, New Bedford, Norton, Pittsfield, Princeton, Quincy, Randolph, Salem, Somerville, South Hadley, Springfield, Stoughton, Taunton, West Springfield, Westfield and Worcester.
Last year, approximately 30,000 children and teens participated in Summer Nights, which runs 40 nights from July through August and features basketball, volleyball, dance, martial arts, fishing, kayaking, rowing, camping, swimming, theater, STEM activities, nature exploration, cooking, painting and more.
Participants can also take part in leadership development, health and wellness programming, academic tutoring, career and college readiness programs, media production and other educational opportunities.
Connecting with nature and enjoying recreational opportunities is the purpose of DCR, said Commissioner Nicole LaChapelle.
“Summer Nights brings that together,” she said. “Summer Nights opens doors to new experiences, new friendships and new possibilities.”
Lowell is one of the most densely populated communities in the state, and for many of the city’s youths, the Boys & Girls Club is their backyard, said board member Somong Rattanayong.
“It’s where they get to run, play, and just be outside,” she said prior to the governor’s remarks. “Governor Healey’s support through Summer Nights means every kid in this city has a safe place to spend the summer instead of being stuck inside with nowhere to go. That’s not a small thing in a city like ours. It’s what makes summer actually feel like summer for our children.”
Tim Garvin, president and CEO of the United Way of Central Massachusetts, drove in from Worcester to attend the Summer Nights launch.
“This is such an amazing program and investment,” he said before the program. “To me, this is exactly where I want my tax dollars to go.”
Twenty years ago, his organization started a six-agency collaborative called Youth Connect, specifically to focus from 5 to 10 p.m. for the 40 nights of summer. Early adopters were the YMCA, YWCA, Boys & Girls Clubs, Friendly House, the Worcester Youth Center and Girls Inc.
The agencies provided transportation to participants who could go to any one of the programs to experience new neighborhoods and develop new friendships. Today, they continue that enrichment under the DCR umbrella, which helps local groups with funding and support.
“We put probably $250,000 toward the 40 nights of summer for 500 kids,” Garvin said. “It’s the most cost-effective youth-development program that I’ve ever seen.”
State funding also helps local nonprofits like the YWCA of Lowell help youths explore the great outdoors. The Acre neighborhood organization has 15 kids in the program who receive hands-on Summer Nights mentoring and support.
“We run a digital photography program during Summer Nights,” Youth and Family Services Director Christine Napolitano said, after the governor’s remarks. “They spend one day in the classroom with a professional photographer learning the mechanics of a digital camera, before going out onto the field to capture Summer Nights in DCR parks throughout the city of Lowell.”
After the ceremony, which was attended by first lady Joanna Lydgate, Healey hit the Roberto Clemente courts for a spirited game of basketball with some “Club Love” Boys & Girls Club members.
“Have a great summer,” she said. “Have a safe summer. Look out for each other. Be kind to one another. Have a good time and keep working hard.”
Through partnerships with Boston Harbor Now, Sciantics and Mass Audubon, Summer Nights participants and their families can also access free ferry rides to the Boston Harbor Islands, Connecticut River cruises and canoeing lessons. For more information, visit bit.ly/44W0Y7j.
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