Open Playground will run from 6/30/2025-8/8/2025 (closed 7/4) from 8:30 am-2:30 pm. Open Playground participants may separately register for After Playground for extended care from 2:30-4 pm daily. Open Playground is located at South School at 171 Ash St in Stoughton. Our staff ratios are one staff to every five children ages 6 and under, and one staff for every ten children ages 7 and up. We are not able to provide any 1:1 staffing for programs. You can find some general information about the program below. Program policies and more detailed information can be found in the Playground Parent Handbook.
Open Playground:
We embrace and encourage the idea of free play in a supervised environment. Unlike most summer camps, Open Playground does not separate into age groups and follow a strictly regimented day-to-day schedule. Instead, our program operates in a large group setting and offers an extensive selection of activities to participate in, including but not limited to organized sports games and tournaments, arts and crafts instruction, special events, themed activities and on-site entertainers across the campus. Children get to exercise the freedom of choice in a supervised environment. The South School boasts a unique campus giving us access to basketball, a large shaded playground, picnic tables, a large field space and a baseball diamond. Our skilled staff is comprised of high-school, college, and post-grad counselors, many of whom are teachers or pursuing a degree in education. A mental health counselor from the Stoughton Youth Commission will be present weekly on site as well.
Snack and Lunch:
Each child should pack a snack, lunch, and refillable water bottle each day. Pre-Playground snacks and lunches must be nut free. Open Playground has no dedicated lunch time - kids have the freedom to choose, though most eat around 12:00 pm. And remember - it’s hot out there!! Please pack enough water and snacks to last the day
Field Trips:
Field trips are pay-as-you-go add-ons and are not required- there is a normal day at the South School for those who do not attend the field trips. Some field trips are age restricted. NEW- Field trip registration this year can be all done online! Look below and sign up for the field trip weeks you want.
Our policies aim to prioritize the safety and well-being of all participants and staff to the best of our abilities.
Cancellation Policy:
If you need to cancel your registration, the last day to do so is 6/27/2025. There are no refunds after this date. Any approved cancellations resulting in a refund will incur a 5% cancellation fee, unless the cancellation of the program is initiated by the Recreation Department. Programs will not be pro-rated for missed classes.
Early Bird Full-Session Cancellation/Refund Policy:
The Early Bird Full-Session Discount applies to the full six-week program. If you request a cancellation, please note we can only process a full refund - partial refunds for individual weeks are not available with the Early Bird Discount. If you wish to adjust your registration, you must cancel for a full refund and re-register for individual weeks at the standard rate, pending availability.
ALL DISCOUNTS ARE SHOWN AT THE VERY END OF CHECKOUT.
Please be sure your child has the correct age AND CURRENT grade listed on their account otherwise you will face challenges when registering. The system will automatically recognize that your child is aging up next year and will take into account their grade accordingly (for example, if you have a current kindergartener, the will recognize them as a first grader as of summer 2025 when registering for summer programs).
After-Playground- After Playground is an extended day option from 2:30-4PM, your child MUST be signed up for the corresponding week of Open Playground to be apart of the after-playground program. Participants will engage with staff in similar art and sports activities as in Open-Playground.
Please note: The last day to cancel a registration is 6/27/2025. Refunds or credits will not be issued after this date and programs will not be pro-rated for missed classes. Participants may be eligible for a refund or account credit on a case by case basis prior to the first day of a program. Any approved cancellations resulting in a refund will incur a 5% cancellation fee, unless the cancellation of the program is initiated by the Recreation Department. In the event that the minimum registration requirement is not met, the program will be canceled. In such instances, participants will receive a full refund, and notification of the cancellation will be sent via email. Participants are not fully registered for a program until payment is received in full and a completed waiver has been received. Pre-registration required. This is a drop-off program. Periodically, the Recreation Department photographs/videos program participants for promotional use. Unless the participant/guardian informs us of their desire not to be photographed in writing, the Recreation Department will use photographs/videos for their promotional purposes. Registration is first-come, first served. Please note that activities may include sensory-rich environments and experiences which can sometimes involve loud noise and messy, hands-on materials. Our programs are open to all participants. If your child has specific needs, we encourage you to reach out so we can discuss accommodations within our means
Be sure you did not opt-out of emails on your account otherwise you will not receive important messages regarding the program. If you need help to opt-back in, please give us a call 781-341-1300 x9244