Free evening and weekend activities for residents ages 16-24

Building Better Futures, City of Newport News Youth and Gang Violence Prevention Initiative, has partnered with several City departments and community youth serving organizations to launch Summer in the City. Summer in the City is designed to provide youth and young adults ages 16-24 positive activities to do during the evenings and on weekends in the months of July and August.

To plan for the activities, over 225 youth and young adults were surveyed to determine what their interests were and the activities they would be most interested in participating in. After reviewing the results of the survey and hosting listening sessions with the 16-24 year olds, the most interest was shown in the categories of arts and entertainment, athletics and fitness, and business and entrepreneurship. Young people will now have the opportunity to participate in open mic nights, karaoke events, fitness camps, nutritional classes, business planning sessions, engagement with local business owners, and more.

Summer in the City officially launches with a Kick-Off Event on Saturday, July 8, from 2 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Brittingham-Midtown Community Center. Families may attend the Kick-Off event and enjoy free food, games, fun, and learn more about the various activities happening in the City. The family-friendly event has a kids corner, play trailers provided by the Newport News Police Department, a DJ, and other games and activities for all ages.

Community organizations that serve residents ages 16-24 who would like to participate in the Kick-Off activity as a vendor are invited to complete a vendor application. Interested vendors may complete the Vendor application online or email buildbetterfutures@nnva.gov.