While Chester County is bundled up under freezing temperatures and snowy skies, families are already looking ahead to warmer days and kicked off their summer planning early during the 2026 Summer Adventures Camp and Activities Fair held on Jan. 22 at the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU).

Hosted by the CCIU and sponsored by CCRES Educational and Behavioral Health Services and the Children's Fund of Chester County, the 14th annual event welcomed nearly 50 local organizations offering a wide range of summer opportunities. From traditional summer camps to educational enrichment programs, arts and crafts experiences, and sports organizations, the fair offered something for children of all ages and interests.

“The Summer Adventures Camp and Activities Fair is all about access and connection,” said Jay Della Ragione, special events coordinator for the CCIU. “Bringing so many camps and programs into one place gives families the chance to explore possibilities they may not have considered otherwise. It’s rewarding to watch parents and children engage directly with local organizations that offer meaningful, fun, and educational experiences that can shape a child’s summer in positive ways.”

Open to the public and free to attend, the event empowered families to connect in person with camp representatives, ask questions, and gather information in a single, convenient setting. By bringing dozens of programs together under one roof, the fair helps families eliminate the need to navigate multiple websites and outreach efforts, making it easier to discuss options and plan for the months ahead.

“It’s much easier because I was able to visually see what each camp has to offer and interact with the people who are experts in it,” said parent attendee Brad Kutney. “It was much more personal and felt safer as a parent to speak to camp representatives in person.”

Other parents agreed, including first-time attendee Katy Lang, who emphasized, “It’s really important to talk to the camp representatives because you want to get a feel for who will actually be taking care of your child, rather than just looking at a website.”

Attendees also appreciated the hands-on and interactive experiences available throughout the evening. “I was excited to watch my daughter experience her first chemical reaction at the Science Explorer Camp table,” Kutney said. “It gives us a lot to think about, but it simplifies the process because we’ll be able to make a choice quicker and plan our summer earlier.”

During this year’s Summer Adventures Camp and Activities Fair, attendees enjoyed a reprieve from the cold of winter with upbeat music and a variety of interactive activities and promotional items offered by vendors, helping keep children engaged while parents gathered information. For camp providers, the event offered valuable opportunities to build relationships with families and fellow organizations.

“This is probably the number one place to be if you are a camp representative in this area,” said Damon Beatty, camp director at ACAC West Chester. “We have had more engagement this year than I think we’ve ever had. Parents are willing to stop and talk and really want to get information about the camps in attendance.”
The night concluded with fun giveaways, including vendor and attendee raffles for Amazon gift cards. To learn more about our annual Summer Adventures Camp and Activities Fair or for a list of participating vendors, visit www.cciu.org/summer-adventures.