Fortress Summer is the oldest running program at Fortress, originating in the late 1990s as a ministry of Fortress Church. Designed to keep kids safe, fed, and engaged during the summer months, Fortress Summer now boasts a robust spiritual and extracurricular curriculum that not only prevents the well-documented summer slide, but propels kids forward in their academic and social-emotional learning.

Operating for eight weeks each year, Fortress Summer serves approximately 100 kids from ages 0-11. (Students enrolled in the previous year’s after school and preschool programs are eligible to enroll.) The program is facilitated by Fortress staff and college interns, and it is energized by the addition of dozens of weekly volunteers from local and traveling church youth groups. In addition to working with our children, youth group teens participate in Southside 360, a program designed to develop an understanding of and empathy for families living in generational poverty.

Youth group teen volunteers are paired with our children and form meaningful bonds over the course of the week by interacting with them in structured classroom time, but also in free play. These relationships, encapsulated by photo and memory books that the groups construct over the summer, are at the heart of the summer program.

Infants and toddlers continue their year-round programming with their classroom teachers to maintain a consistent, safe environment which enables them to grow and thrive. Students ages 3 & up enjoy a break from their traditional school schedule, and participate in a variety of activities promoting reading, STEM, and creativity. Reading challenges, group projects, science experiments, computer programming, and multimedia art are staples of the summer curriculum. All students receive daily breakfast, lunch, and snack.

Bible stories and weekly themes relating biblical lessons to everyday life make the summer a highly enriching spiritual experience for our students. In summers past, we have learned how Joseph demonstrated love to his family, even when they turned their back on him; how the Old Testament prophets were obedient through persecution and oppression; how Moses led the Israelite slaves to freedom even when he was scared to stand up for the right thing; and much more.

Hands-down, the highlight of the Fortress Summer experience is weekly field trips, hosted by our visiting youth groups. Through field trips to local sites, our students travel to Prehistoric times at local museums — including Fort Worth Museum of Science and History and the Perot Museum, discover exotic creatures at the Fort Worth Zoo, reach new heights at jump parks like Pump It Up, and simply enjoy the company of their buddies and Fortress friends at the movies, Chuck E. Cheese, and local parks & gyms. For students ages 8 & older, the summer is punctuated by a trip to Camp of the Hills, a week-long sleepaway camp in the Texas Hill Country.

Like all of Fortress’s programs, Fortress Summer is offered free-of-charge to families who were enrolled in our school year programs. In lieu of tuition, parents and guardians complete 12 hours of parent engagement and participate in two annual conferences to remain eligible for reenrollment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I enroll my child?

Fortress Summer is available to children who were enrolled in the previous school year’s preschool or after school program. For information on how to enroll your child, click here.

When does the summer program run?

We typically begin the summer program one week after Fort Worth ISD ends it school year. This gives our students a week off to spend relaxing with their family, and allows us to prepare our building and staff for the program changes! We close for the week of July 4, and typically operate through the end of July or the first week of August. We close at least one week prior to the first day of school at Fort Worth ISD.

Can I bring my youth group to volunteer?

Yes! Youth groups are the life blood of our summer program. Click here for more information.

Can I volunteer without a group?

Yes! Volunteers can serve in a one-time or ongoing capacity during the summer. Specific volunteer opportunities can be found here, or you can contact us for more information.

Can I work at Fortress during the summer?

We are proud to offer paid internships for college-aged students pursuing education and careers in a variety of service-oriented fields. Check out our internships page for more information!

In addition to summer interns, Fortress staff work year-round to provide continuity of care to the children and families enrolled at Fortress.

Can my child attend Fortress Summer and also be in summer school?

Our program hours are typically very similar to Fort Worth ISD’s summer school hours. If your child attends summer school, they cannot also attend our summer program at the same time; however, you can defer their enrollment so they can attend after they have completed summer school (usually at the end of June). We strongly encourage you to enroll your child in summer school if it is recommended for them!