Kids got nothing to do this summer? Atlanta has you covered
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Children enjoy the swimming pool at the Dunbar Recreation Center in Atlanta. Photo: Joshua Spruiel/Mayor's Office of Communications
School's out in Atlanta, but that doesn't mean your kids have to sit indoors scrolling on their phones or tablets for the next two months.
Why it matters: Keeping children and teens engaged during the summer means they will be less likely to fall in with the wrong crowd and get into trouble.
The latest: Atlanta officials gathered Wednesday at Dunbar Recreation Center to highlight the activities kids can get into over the summer break.
What they're saying: Mayor Andre Dickens said during the press conference that the city's overall goal is to make Atlanta the best place to raise children.
- The city in 2023 launched the Year of the Youth initiative, which was a campaign focused on getting children, teens and young adults involved in programs and connecting them to mentorships and other resources.
- Thousands of teens and young adults have also been hired for jobs with local businesses through the city's Summer Youth Employment Program.
- Crime is also down in Atlanta, "and a big part of that is just giving our young people something to do, giving them some guidance, giving them mentorship, and giving them a job for those that want it," Dickens said.
- "And now every year is the year of the youth because we're going to meet that goal," he said.
Zoom in: Atlanta Parks and Recreation Commissioner Justin Cutler said his agency is "making sure that young people across our city have more opportunities than ever to learn, play, grow and connect through our summer program."
- The 2025 summer activities catalog is now online, providing a directory for recreation centers, dog parks, golf courses and places where you can swim.
- Parents can still register their children for Camp Best Friends, which runs June 9 through July 25. It is $35 a week per child and is open to children ages 5 to 12, Cutler said.
- The department is working to offer free summer meals at dozens of locations around the city, Cutler said.
The big picture: A key component in keeping kids and teens out of trouble is understanding the root causes of violence, said Marcus Walker, director of the Mayor's Office of Violence Reduction.
- The office partners with schools, local organizations and families to provide mentorships and life coaching to at-risk students.
- Walker also said they're working with community members who have a strong rapport with youths and can help mediate and deescalate conflicts.
Kevin Scott Jr., a sophomore at Morehouse College, is returning for his second year as an intern in the office.
- Scott told Axios he uses his opportunity to help resolve conflicts and connect young people with mentorship programs.
- "A lot of mentors and a lot of great people invested in me, for which I'm grateful," he said.