Helena Public Schools revives summer child care program for families

Working Helena families will once again have a school-based summer child care option as Helena Public Schools brings back Summer SACC for students entering first through sixth grade. The program serves more than 100 children each day and blends supervision with enrichment, giving children a full day of science, reading, arts and crafts, guest speakers, swimming and walking field trips around downtown Helena.

The district says Summer SACC is built for families who need dependable child care while school is out, but it is not a quiet, drop-in camp. Helena Public Schools describes it as a large program that can be loud and chaotic, with daily walking built into the schedule. Children walk to activities every day, and the trip to the pool is one mile each way, a detail that matters for parents deciding whether the setting fits their child’s comfort level and stamina.

For 2026, the program runs around weekly themes that give the summer a classroom-like structure without losing the feel of a camp. The first two full weeks are themed “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles” from June 15 to 19 and “Sports, Health, and Fitness” from June 22 to 26. A shortened week, “Myths, Legends, and Fantasies,” runs June 29 through July 1, and the program is closed July 2 and 3 for the holiday weekend.

Cost is another key piece for families balancing work schedules and household budgets. Helena Public Schools lists the first two full weeks at $325 per child, plus a $30 non-refundable activity fee. The shortened July week costs $195, plus the same activity fee. The district says there are no refunds, and any schedule changes must be submitted in writing by May 10 for June, June 10 for July and July 10 for August.

Registration goes through Jamie Merrill at jmerrill@helenaschools.org, and the district says emails are answered in the order received. That makes timing important for parents trying to secure summer coverage before child care gaps disrupt work shifts, commute schedules or other family obligations.

Summer SACC is part of a broader Helena Public Schools response to summer needs. The district also offers free summer meals for children ages 1 to 18 at sites including Memorial Park, Helena Public Library, Sharron Park, Warren Elementary, Rossiter Elementary, Capital High School, Helena Middle School, Central Elementary School, Bryant Elementary School and YMCA Camp Child. In Lewis and Clark County, where the Early Childhood Collaborative of the Greater Helena Area says it connects families to health, safety, care and education resources for children from prenatal through age 8, the return of SACC adds another piece to a thin local child care landscape. Montana’s licensed child care capacity met only 44% of estimated demand in 2023, underscoring why a school-run summer option can matter so much to working families.