Dandelion
Spring Camp
2026

Camp Overview

We believe young people need more time, space, resources, and support to explore their interests and passions and build meaningful connections. Dandelion Camps provide these kinds of experiences. Kids from local elementary schools as well as homeschools are invited!

Rooted in care for ourselves, each other, and our environment, we focus on community building, creativity, and curiosity. Each day, we invite young people in fun experiences, activities, and trips around our South Philly neighborhood. Join us!

Spring Camp

Monday, March 30, 2026 thru Friday, April 3, 2026

Who is camp for? Young people age 5-10 years old

When? March 30, 2026-April 3, 2026

Drop off: 9:00am

Pick Up: 3:00pm

Where? 1415 Sth 9th Street (corner of 9th and Reed) Philadelphia, PA 19147

Program overview:

We are thrilled to offer Philadelphia families an exciting week of Spring Camp that centers experiential learning and play! We will gather in our beautiful building space where young people will have the opportunity to participate in cooking offerings, crafts, games, science experiments, and sensory play. We will also explore the South Philadelphia neighborhood, with trips to nearby playgrounds, the Italian market, and more. At the Dandelion Project we have a deep respect for young people, which means that young people are empowered to make decisions about how they spend their time throughout the day!

Tuition:

Spring camp is offered at a per week rate. We ask that families who have more access to wealth offer higher tuition so our sliding scale can go even lower, making it accessible to more Philadelphia families.

Sliding Scale Tuition: $260.00/week-$400.00/week

CAMP Daily Rhythm:

9:00-9:15AM Student Drop Off

9:30AM Set the Day + Intentions

9:45-12:00PM Whole Group Offerings

12PM Call for Lunch (though kids can eat anytime they are hungry!)

12:30-2:30PM Self-Directed Activities

2:30-2:45PM Community Clean Up

2:45PM Afternoon Reflections + Gratitudes

3PM Parent Pick Up

Camp offerings:

We love creating meaningful and exciting experiences for young people in our care. For each camp, our facilitators will design a number facilitated and self-directed offerings, so young people have the opportunity to explore new things while also being empowered to lead and direct their experience while with us.

The below descriptions are meant to give families an idea of what kinds of offerings our camps will host. Our ideas and offerings are subject to change.

Whole Group Offerings:

Bead Baking: Young people will have access to different bread making ingredients and recipes and make a bread of their choosing. Young people can offer a piece of their bread for a later Bread Taste Test later in the day. In this offering, we can explore how people experience taste differently and not “yucking people’s yums.” Whenever we do a baking project that has leftovers, we take them to the Community Fridge located at Bok Building.

Soap Making: With the support of a facilitator, young people will participate in each step of making their own bar of soap using local ingredients and natural essential oils.

Cyanotypes: Using the light of the sun to capture an image through a special chemical reaction, young people can gather interesting materials to make their own prints.

Microscope Exploration: Young people will learn how to use a microscope to look at things up close and draw what they see. Young people can view prepared slides and find objects and materials they'd like to look at up close.

Community Games: Young people and facilitators will come together to participate in large, gross motor games such as dodgeball, capture the flag, obstacle course building, etc. In these games, we’ll intentionally prioritize skill building in the areas of communication, teamwork, and understanding consent/non-consent.

Recycled Material Sculpture Design and Building: Using supplies gathered from recycling bins, young people will design their own upcycled sculptures and use a variety of materials for adhesion. Young people may have the opportunity to paint and decorate their creations.

Neighborhood Walks + Visits to the Playground: We are centrally located to a number of playgrounds in South Philly, including Capitolo, Gold Star, and Columbus Square. We are also located near to a number of murals, Percy Art Street, and the Italian Market.

Self-Directed Activities:

Young people will have ongoing access to books, puzzles, sensory bin materials, dramatic play clothing and props, microscopes and magnifying glasses, paper and art supplies, maker space supplies, etc. Facilitators will support young people in connecting to supplies.

COVID POLICY

Our programs are currently mask optional. Upon enrollment, we will send you our updated COVID-19 policy that outlines our practices and the agreements we ask participants to commit to based on current conditions and information.