Free, Virtual Summertime "Camp Sparkler" For Connecticut Families with Young Children Launches This Week
/Sparkler Learning has teamed up with the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), United Way of Connecticut’s 211 Child Development and Hartford Public Library to announce the start of Camp Sparkler, a free, eight-week, virtual summer camp for families with children ages five and under.
Starting Monday, July 7, families will find a weekly lineup of activities and songs throughout the summer in their Sparkler mobile app, designed to promote social and emotional learning all summer long. Each week of Camp, the host of Sparkler’s Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast, Todd Loyd, will introduce a new theme related to the heart — from “We Belong” to “Calming Down.” Families will find original songs/music videos and play prompts related to the theme.
“We are excited to offer this free, virtual summer learning opportunity to children and families,” said Dana Stewart, Director of Education at Sparkler Learning.
Families can access Camp Sparkler via Sparkler’s free mobile app, which is available for iOS and Android, smartphones and tablets and accessible in English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, French and Arabic. Families will receive digital badges and certificates for participation. The in-person launch of the virtual program will take place at a story time hosted by Hartford Public Library at Bushnell Park.
“Welcome to opening day of Camp Sparkler 2025,” said OEC Commissioner Beth Bye. “Sparkler is an innovative tool to spark early learning and curiosity among young children and their families, and this summer is going to be a tremendous time of growth and learning for young children across our state.”
“Sparkler gives parents, grandparents and all caregivers in Connecticut an easy way to better understand and celebrate a young child's development and tap into resources, if needed, in one place,” explained Lisa Tepper Bates, President and CEO of the United Way of Connecticut. “United Way of Connecticut/211 Child Development is pleased to partner with Sparkler to serve as a resource to parents for information and answers about their child's healthy development. Parents can connect with us via Sparkler, or directly by calling 2-1-1.”
“Our families are excited to play, read and learn throughout the summer,” commented Nichole Hawkins, Hartford Public Library’s Early Literacy Program Coordinator, who will host the launch event.
Camp Sparkler runs for eight weeks. Throughout the summer, families will explore important topics related to children’s social and emotional development:
Week 1: July 7-13 — We Belong
Week 2: July 14-20 — Let’s Work Together!
Week 3: July 21-27 — Calming Down
Week 4: July 28-Aug 3 — Feeling Grateful
Week 5: Aug 4-10 — Let’s Imagine!
Week 6: Aug 11-17 — Helping Others
Week 7: Aug 18-24 — We Feel
Week 8: Aug 25-31 — Hopes and Dreams
In order to participate, families need to download the free Sparkler app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and register with a local Connecticut program code or the access code CT. Any Connecticut family with a child five and under will be automatically enrolled and able to participate as much as they want. Families can start anytime throughout the summer.
Camp Sparkler will help families grow children’s skills through hands-on, play-based learning. The play activities will help families support their children’s developing hearts, minds, bodies and words. Activities will help families work on social and emotional skills like self-regulation; early math and literacy skills; problem solving and memory and fine and gross motor skills.
Families who sign up for Camp Sparkler are welcome to access all of Sparkler, including free developmental screening using the Ages & Stages Questionnaires® on the Sparkler app. Families who have questions or concerns about their children’s development can use the app to connect with their programs and/or with care coordinators at 211 Child Development who can answer questions and connect them with the necessary information or local resources.
For additional information; about Camp Sparkler: https://playsparkler.org/campsparkler2025/; about the CT Office of Early Childhood: https://www.ctoec.org/; about 211 Child Development: https://cdi.211ct.org/
