Throughout the year, Milwaukee Recreation provides the community with safe, fun, and affordable recreation and enrichment activities. Many programs are free or low-cost, and youth scholarships are available.
Additional programs are offered during the summer months, giving children and families even more opportunities to stay active, discover new pastimes, and create lifelong memories. Summer registration is now open. For details, visit mkerec.net.
Many of Milwaukee Recreation’s most popular programs will return for another exciting summer season.
Milwaukee Recreation Twilight Centers, a free drop-in program for youth, will be open June 7 – August 11. Twilight Centers are open in the evenings for youth to enjoy board games, esports, open gym time, enrichment activities, and more. High school locations (ages 12 – 18) include North Division HS, Obama HS, Washington HS, Hayes School, and Walker Campus. Middle school locations (ages 10 – 14) include Andrew Douglas MS and Bay View HS. Visit mkerec.net/twilight for specific hours and additional information.
Milwaukee Recreation’s free Summer Playgrounds will open on June 21 and feature enrichment activities, play opportunities, free meals, and much more. The sites will feature visits from the Wacky Wheels Skate Van, the Video Game Van and partnerships with Artists Working in Education (AWE), the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin, and the Milwaukee Public Library. Additionally, due to a grant from Bader Philanthropies, all playground field trips will be free for participants this summer.
Wading pools and splash pads will also be open to the public. All playground sites are supervised by playleaders and offer a safe place for youth to go during the day to enjoy fun and exciting activities. For details about the playground program visit mkerec.net/playgrounds.
In partnership with the American Red Cross, Milwaukee Recreation will again be offering $5 swim lessons at Milwaukee HS of the Arts, North Division HS, Vincent HS, Madison HS, and Washington HS. The lessons will be available for both youth and adults. Visit mkerec.net/aquatics to learn more.
For families in need of all day enrichment programming or wrap-around services after MPS Summer Academy, Milwaukee Recreation will open 60 Community Learning Centers (CLCs), Safe Places, and Child Care Camps throughout the city. Additionally, Milwaukee Recreation’s Club Rec program offers similar services for young people with disabilities.
For a complete overview of all summer programs, including an interactive map, visit mkerec.net. All locations will be closed Monday, July 4.
Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
