School ends May 27, 2027. City summer camp registration opens in spring, the Gaines Park pool runs April to November, and five city parks have splash pads.
Last checked Oct. 10, 2026. Facts come from the City of West Palm Beach Parks and Recreation pages, the School District of Palm Beach County, the Palm Beach Zoo, the Cox Science Center and Aquarium and Manatee Lagoon. This page is updated each year. Summer 2027 camp dates are added as each program posts them; the dates below marked 2026 are last year’s.
The last day of school is Thursday, May 27, 2027, the week before Memorial Day. City camps, the zoo and the science center run summer programs, the city pool at Gaines Park was open from April in 2026, and five city parks have splash pads. Camp spots fill fast: every one of the zoo’s 2026 summer camp weeks filled.
Who to call
- City camps: Parks and Recreation, 561-804-4900
- City pool and swim lessons: Warren Hawkins Aquatic Center, 561-804-4961
- Zoo Camp: Palm Beach Zoo, 561-547-9453
- Science camps: Cox Science Center and Aquarium, 561-832-1988
Camps
| Camp | Ages | What we know | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of West Palm Beach camps | Kindergarten to eighth grade on its break camps | Registration online at parks.wpb.org or by mail; proof of city residency required | City community centers |
| Zoo Camp | 5 to 14, by week | 2026 weeks: June 8-12 and June 15-19 (ages 11-14), July 6-10 and July 13-17 (ages 5-14); 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; all full | Palm Beach Zoo, 1301 Summit Blvd. |
| Cox Science Center camps | 5 to 12; some tech camps 7 to 13 | Weekly science and tech themes, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., before and after care available | 4801 Dreher Trail North |
City camps. Parks and Recreation runs its summer day camp and school-break camps at community centers such as South Olive and Pleasant City, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on its break camps. On the city’s last posted summer schedule, residents registered first, in March, and non-residents and walk-ins in April, first come, first served. Watch parks.wpb.org in early 2027 or call 561-804-4900.
The city pool
The Warren Hawkins Aquatic Center in Gaines Park, 1501 N. Australian Ave., has an eight-lane, 25-meter pool, two deep-water slides, a wading pool and a splash pad, and is fully accessible, according to the city’s aquatics page.
- 2026 season: April 1 to Nov. 26.
- Open and lap swim in 2026: Mondays and Wednesdays, 3:30 to 7 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The city says hours may change with demand.
- Swim lessons: eight-day Learn to Swim sessions for ages 6 months to adult; register through the city’s WebTrac site.
- Free or reduced-cost lessons: the city partners with the Palm Beach County Drowning Prevention Coalition, 561-616-7068, which provides vouchers to eligible children.
The 2027 pool season has not been posted.
Splash pads
From the city’s parks listing (see our parks and trails guide):
| Splash pad | Address |
|---|---|
| Bill Moss Hillcrest Paseo | 3401 Parker Ave. |
| Blum Park | 2301 Spruce Ave. |
| Coleman Park and Community Center | 1116 21st St. |
| Warren Hawkins Aquatic Center, Gaines Park | 1501 N. Australian Ave. |
| Centennial Fountain, Nancy M. Graham Centennial Square | 150 N. Clematis St. |
Free summer days out
- Manatee Lagoon, 6000 N. Flagler Drive: free admission and parking, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed Mondays from April to mid-November. In 2026 it held a free family day, Mia’s Summer Shell-A-Bration, on Saturday, July 25, with a pop-up science exhibit, scavenger hunt and face painting. Events.
- Grassy Waters Preserve: free trails and the Cypress Boardwalk. See parks and trails.
- Fourth of July: see Fourth of July fireworks.
More on our kids’ activities guide and free things to do.
What this means for you
- Mark early spring for city camp registration; residents go first.
- The zoo’s camp filled completely in 2026: sign up as soon as 2027 weeks open.
- The city pool’s 2026 open swim was only three days a week; check hours before you go.
Related: Memorial Day, Father’s Day and spring break.
Frequently asked questions
When does school get out in Palm Beach County in 2027?
Thursday, May 27, 2027, is the last day for students on the School District of Palm Beach County’s 2026-27 calendar.
When does the West Palm Beach city pool open?
The Warren Hawkins Aquatic Center at Gaines Park, 1501 N. Australian Ave., was open April 1 through Nov. 26 in 2026. The 2027 season has not been posted; call 561-804-4961.
Where are the splash pads in West Palm Beach?
The city lists splash pads at Bill Moss Hillcrest Paseo, 3401 Parker Ave.; Blum Park, 2301 Spruce Ave.; Coleman Park, 1116 21st St.; the Warren Hawkins Aquatic Center in Gaines Park; and the downtown Centennial Fountain at 150 N. Clematis St.
When does West Palm Beach summer camp registration open?
On the city’s last posted schedule, residents could register in March and non-residents and walk-ins in April, online at parks.wpb.org or by mail. Spots go first come, first served; check for 2027 dates in early spring.
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