City committee approves agreement to bring Tom Todd summer camps to four Akron sites

The Parks and Recreation Committee moved forward a proposed contract with Tom Todd Ideas Incorporated to deliver Creative Akron summer camps in 2026. Staff said the partnership will cover four camp sessions at four community sites — Firestone Park, Reservoir Park, Summit Lake and Patterson Park — serving middle‑school students ages 10 to 14 and up to 120 participants citywide.

Tom Todd partners described the program as a mix of arts, entrepreneurship, field trips and community engagement, and said two sessions will be four days each and two will be seven‑day sessions split over two weeks. Joel Daniel Harris, identified in committee as the executive director for Tom Todd, highlighted a student group that produced a 30‑minute anti‑gun‑violence documentary that will premiere in partnership with the Akron Urban League.

Council members questioned access and site selection, particularly for East Side neighborhoods; staff and Tom Todd representatives said the program casts a broad recruitment net with Akron Public Schools and Youth Success Summit and that the city currently does not provide transportation to the camps but will explore options. Members also confirmed an equitable distribution intent and that camps are free to families.

Committee members expressed support for continuing the partnership and for the program’s focus on career pathways and youth entrepreneurship. No contract dollar amount was presented in the committee discussion recorded in the transcript.