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The Academy of Natural Sciences and Penn Museum have unexpectedly nixed their longtime summer camp programs.

Why it matters: The programs were a one-of-a-kind Philly experience for a generation of kids — offering fun, reliable spaces to play and learn among world-class museum collections while school was out. 

The big picture: Parents scrambling to find camps and programs for their children during the upcoming summer months now have two fewer options. 

Driving the news: Penn Museum suspended its Anthropology Camp for the foreseeable future due to a hiring freeze at the University of Pennsylvania, which owns the institution.

The West Philly museum is unable to cover the staffing needed to run the eight-week camp due to the hiring freeze, per a spokesperson for the museum.

Since the camp started in 1998, roughly 12,000 students have taken part in the program.

Meanwhile, Drexel University's Academy of Natural Sciences said in a released statement it won't host its Science Camp because it's unable to offer "consistent Monday-Friday resources that a high-quality camp experience requires."

A spokesperson for the natural sciences museum declined to comment further about the cancellation.

The camp along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway has been operating for at least 20 years.

Flashback: The parent universities of both museums have faced financial challenges over the past year. 

In October 2025, the Drexel museum eliminated weekday hours due to low attendance and loss of federal funding. It's now only open on weekends.

And the University of Pennsylvania put in place its hiring freeze along with other financial cutbacks early last year amid uncertainty over federal funding cuts from the Trump administration. 

What they're saying: Ryan Barrett, a 43-Philly native who attended the natural science museum's camp for several years, said its cancellation was a huge loss for the city and kids.

She recalled making friends at the camp and enjoying sleepovers in the museum near the dioramas.

"It was this weird, visceral sadness that hit me when I heard the camp wasn't operating this summer," she said. 

What we're watching: A spokesperson for Drexel's natural science museum says the institution's leaders will determine its 2027 summer programing later this year.

hiring freeze and other financial cutbacks

Two Philadelphia museums cancel popular summer camps

The programs were a one-of-a-kind Philly experience.

Brick and stone building of The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia with blue banners about an exhibit, a South African flag on a lamp post, and a crosswalk in front.

Photo courtesy of Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University

Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University

The Academy of Natural Sciences and Penn Museum have unexpectedly nixed their longtime summer camp programs.Why it matters: The programs were a one-of-a-kind Philly experience for a generation of kids — offering fun, reliable spaces to play and learn among world-class museum collections while school was out.

Culture

Things to Do

A new Pride Visitor Center opens this week in Center City.

Why it matters: It's among the first dedicated LGBTQ+ hubs in the country.

State of play: The center, at 12th and Locust Streets in the Gayborhood, will offer a raft of resources for visitors, including a rundown of the top queer-friendly experiences in Philly and the state.

Gov. Josh Shapiro and other elected leaders will cut the ribbon on the new space today at 1pm. 

It opens to the public on Thursday at noon.

Worth noting: The hub is a collab from the Philadelphia Visitors Center, Visit Philadelphia, Visit PA and Philadelphia Gay News. 

The big picture: The center arrives during America's 250th birthday celebrations and big-ticket sporting events in the city and region this year.

🙋 1 fun thing: Volunteer at the Pride Center by signing up online. 

📍 The Philly Pride Visitor Center is open to the public Thursdays-Mondays from noon-6pm. 

Philadelphia to open new LGBTQ+ hub in Center City

It's among the first dedicated LGBTQ+ hubs in the country.

Illustration of multiple location icons with the  LGBTQ+ flag on a map 

A new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pride Visitor Center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.phlvisitorcenter.com/things-to-do/philly-pride-visitor-center" data-vars-content-id="2d7e6112-e57d-4502-9d7e-14984f2f79b9" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia to open new LGBTQ+ hub in Center City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.phlvisitorcenter.com/things-to-do/philly-pride-visitor-center" target="_blank">Pride Visitor Center</a> opens this week in Center City.Why it matters: It&#x27;s among the first dedicated LGBTQ+ hubs in the country.

Philly is slowly digging out from Snowmaggedon 2.0, but city officials say they're better prepared this time to handle the challenges that come with the dayslong cleanup.

Why it matters: As Philly's "safer, cleaner, greener" mayor, Cherelle Parker has set delivering core city services as the standard she's judged by in her first term in office. 

Right now, the report card reads: incomplete, but improving.

The big picture: Pennsylvania officials declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm and implored residents to delay unnecessary travel and take the storm seriously.

Catch up quick: The Parker administration's response to last month's storm was widely panned, including by some neighborhood groups that were left reeling by the lack of city services.

But that storm was a tune-up for this latest blizzard, which has pounded the region with more than a foot of snow, canceling classes, snarling public transportation, delaying flights and confining people to their homes.

Driving the news: About 65% of Philly's more than 2,500 miles of roads have been plowed, salted or had snow removed, Carlton Williams, the city's director of clean and green initiatives, said at a Monday news conference.

"The message for [residents] today is patience," Williams said, as city officials stressed Philly remains under a snow emergency. "We're coming. We have not forgotten about you."

By the numbers: Philly's snow tab — at least $59 million to-date — will climb in the coming days as city officials deal with the aftermath of the latest storm, which caused thousands of temporary power outages across the Philly region.

More than 600 flights were canceled at Philadelphia International Airport, Parker said.

Plus: More than 250 people experiencing homelessness sought shelter overnight at Philly's warming centers, and the city has responded to 47 fallen trees — and counting.

Zoom in: Parker says the administration's "One Philly Response" is now fully operational. The playbook includes:

More than 800 pieces of equipment and 1,000 workers who have been working since 1pm Sunday to get ahead of the storm.

Crews of snow blowers clearing bike lanes and ramps for people with physical disabilities.

25,000 tons of salt on reserve, much of which is being scattered across the city.

👍 2 cool things: Philly is also deploying three industrial snow melters, capable of melting more than 180 tons of snow per hour.

Residents can also now track whether their streets have been plowed.

⚠️ 1 big lesson from the last storm: Philly's government isn't nimble enough to immediately clamp down on viral misinformation.

Parker says a false claim quickly spread online during the last storm that the city was giving away free salt to residents, sending her panicking, "because they're telling us our barge is stuck and they're saying we're giving out free salt."

What else: The Parker administration is getting an assist from Mother Nature this time.

The snowpack is expected to melt faster than what fell last month, Nick Guzzo, meteorologist for the NWS in Mount Holly, tells Axios.

Temperatures are forecast to moderate: Highs will reach above freezing Tuesday, and into the 40s Wednesday and Thursday.

Plus: Rain later in the week will accelerate the melting process.

What they're saying: John Scott, president of the Fishtown Neighbors Association, tells Axios he's seen improvement in how the city has handled the latest storm.

City workers more quickly cleared some Fishtown streets that were identified as trouble spots during last month's storm.

"If you ask me, I think they were out of practice," Scott said. "It has been years since we had a big storm."

The Parker administration has done a good job communicating what it's doing to help residents dig out, St. Joseph's University professor emeritus of history and political commentator Randall Miller tells Axios. 

Delivering core services — not just citing statistics — will shape how the response is judged.

"People's perception will be what's happening on their street, on their bus stop," he says. "If you play the numbers game, and none of these things show up in your neighborhood, you're going to be very teed off."

What we're watching: Whether schools and city offices will remain closed Tuesday.

The Parker administration will provide another update at 6pm Monday.

Snowmaggedon 2.0 puts Philly's storm response to the test

The latest storm dropped more than a foot of snow on the region, canceling classes, flights and snarling public transportation.

Left to right: A snow-covered car in one of Philly's neighborhoods; a man walking through Center City street. 

Philly is slowly digging out from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Snowmaggedon 2.0" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/02/23/winter-storm-blizzard-conditions-philadelphia-metro" data-vars-content-id="503991d2-3643-49fb-a20e-ecfd3af084ae" data-vars-headline="Snowmaggedon 2.0 puts Philly&#x27;s storm response to the test" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/02/23/winter-storm-blizzard-conditions-philadelphia-metro" target="_self">Snowmaggedon 2.0</a>, but city officials say they&#x27;re better prepared this time to handle the challenges that come with the dayslong cleanup.Why it matters: As Philly&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;safer, cleaner, greener&quot; mayor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/07/02/cherelle-parker-lobbying-trump-philly" data-vars-content-id="503991d2-3643-49fb-a20e-ecfd3af084ae" data-vars-headline="Snowmaggedon 2.0 puts Philly&#x27;s storm response to the test" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/07/02/cherelle-parker-lobbying-trump-philly" target="_self">&quot;safer, cleaner, greener&quot; mayor</a>, Cherelle Parker has set delivering core city services as the standard she&#x27;s judged by in her first term in office. <ul><li>Right now, the report card reads: incomplete, but improving.</li></ul>

News

Renowned local artist Isaiah Zagar, whose prodigious output spans countries and is immortalized in the Philadelphia Museum of Art, died yesterday at 86. 

Why it matters: Zagar's wildly colorful and freewheeling mosaic murals are forever part of Philly's DNA.

Driving the news: Zagar died from complications related to congestive heart failure and Parkinson's disease, per a statement. 

Zoom in: Zagar was the brainchild and founder of Philadelphia's Magic Gardens in South Philly, an immersive wonderland of mixed-media art made up of handmade tiles, bicycle wheels, mirrors and bottles.  

By the numbers: His mosaic murals cover more than 50,000 square feet of public walls and spaces around Philly. 

Plus: More than 200 publics works can be found throughout the Western Hemisphere, including Hawaii, Mexico and Chile. 

What else: Zagar's museum and Magic Gardens Studios, which has been owned by a nonprofit for years, will continue operating.

What's next: Details of Zagar's public memorial are TBD. 

Isaiah Zagar, Philadelphia's mosaic trailblazer, dies

Zagar's wildly colorful and freewheeling mosaic murals are forever part of Philly's DNA.

A bearded man in a white shirt and shorts stands smiling in front of a colorful mosaic wall depicting abstract shapes, hands, and a face using various tiles and patterns.

Isaiah Zagar stands beside one of his many artworks around Philly. Photo courtesy of Philadelphia's Magic Gardens

Renowned local artist Isaiah Zagar, whose prodigious output spans countries and is immortalized in the Philadelphia Museum of Art, died yesterday at 86. Why it matters: Zagar&#x27;s wildly colorful and freewheeling mosaic murals are forever part of Philly&#x27;s DNA.

The second blockbuster storm of the winter is poised to bring blizzard conditions and potentially record-breaking snowfall to the Philadelphia region. 

Why it matters: "Here we go again" is the sentiment of many Philadelphians as Mayor Cherelle Parker's administration tries to avoid a repeat of last month's storm response, which crippled city services and transportation for days.

State of play: Snowfall totals are forecast to reach 10-18 inches across the metro and wind gusts could top out at 45 mph, Zack Cooper, meteorologist at the NWS's Mount Holly outpost, tells Axios. 

The heaviest snowfall should tapper off around noon on Monday, but expect light snowfall and gusts winds to stick around into the early evening.   

A blizzard warning is in effect through 6pm on Monday. 

Plus: Philly is under a snow emergency, with city offices and courts closed on Monday. 

Threat level: Travel conditions are expected to be very difficult to impossible as snowfall rates could exceed 2 inches per hour.

Travel restrictions are in effect on some state highways. 

What they're saying: "The combination of heavy snow, blowing snow and gusty winds could result in trouble for crews to quickly clear the roads and power outages," Cooper says.

He added: "Overall, it's a serious event."

🗑️ What else: Trash and recycling pickup in Philly is canceled for Monday and Tuesday.

Collections will run two days behind schedule for the rest of the week but are subject to change.

🏫 The Philly school district has moved classes virtual for at least Monday. 

🚇 SEPTA service will run  as long as it's safe to operate, per a news release. 

The mayor faced blowback from residents frustrated with the administration's cleanup and response to last month's massive snowstorm. 

By the numbers: Philly has already spent an estimated $59 million on storm-related costs this winter, per the administration.

That included operating warming centers for 25 straight days and scattering more than 15,000 tons of salt after last month's storm. 

Zoom out: Gov. Josh Shapiro has declared a state of emergency through Monday, urging residents to take the storm "seriously."

What we're watching: Whether Parker's administration can deliver core services, like snow removal and trash pickup, soon after the storm ends. 

Philadelphia region braces for Snowmaggedon 2.0

The second blockbuster storm of the winter could bring blizzard conditions and potentially record-breaking snowfall.

Illustration of a snow globe with the Philadelphia skyline inside it.

The second blockbuster storm of the winter is poised to bring blizzard conditions and potentially record-breaking snowfall to the Philadelphia region. Why it matters: &quot;Here we go again&quot; is the sentiment of many Philadelphians as Mayor Cherelle Parker&#x27;s administration tries to avoid a repeat of last month&#x27;s storm response, which crippled city services and transportation for days.

Mike D'Onofrio

Featured stories

Two Philadelphia museums cancel popular summer camps

Philadelphia to open new LGBTQ+ hub in Center City

Snowmaggedon 2.0 puts Philly's storm response to the test

Philadelphia region braces for Snowmaggedon 2.0

Isaiah Zagar, Philadelphia's mosaic trailblazer, dies