Summer Camps in Rome: Municipal, Parish GREST, and Available Subsidies
Registration opens in April, an ISEE means-test certificate is essential, and a vaccination record is required by law — everything you need to know to get your kids into a summer camp in Rome.
In a nutshell
Summer camps cover the weeks when schools are closed, from June through September. In Rome you can choose between municipal camps — run by the city's 15 Municipi (districts) with fees scaled to your ISEE (income-and-wealth indicator used to qualify for means-tested benefits) — and parish GREST camps — organised by parishes of the Diocese of Rome at very low cost and open to everyone regardless of religion. Private sports camps also exist, at higher prices.
At a glance
| Cost | Municipal: €0–300/week depending on ISEE. Parish GREST: €30–80/week. Private: €100–400/week |
| Timeline | Registration: April–May. Activities run: mid-June through September |
| Where in Rome | Your local Municipio (for municipal camps). The nearest parish (for GREST). Roma Capitale info line: 060606 |
| Documents needed | Registration form, parent's ID, child's Codice Fiscale (Italian tax ID), current ISEE certificate, vaccination record |
When to register — and why you shouldn't wait until June
The single most important rule: registration opens in April. By June, spots — especially the subsidised ones for lower ISEE brackets — are often fully booked.
The typical calendar looks like this:
- April: each Municipio publishes its notice (bando) for municipal camps. Many parishes also open registrations.
- Late May: registration closes at most venues.
- June: waiting lists and confirmations are issued.
- Mid-June – September: camps are in session.
Each Municipio runs its own process with its own deadlines. Always check your Municipio's website or call the Roma Capitale information line at 060606 — it operates 24 hours a day.
How municipal camps work
Roma Capitale's municipal camps accept children aged 3 to 14. Some Municipi also offer places for the 0–3 age group. Activities take place in municipal schools, sports centres, and city parks such as Villa Borghese or Villa Pamphili.
Typical hours are 8:00–17:00, with early drop-off from 7:30 and late pick-up until 17:30 (sometimes at extra cost).
Fees are scaled by ISEE bracket:
| ISEE bracket | Approximate weekly fee |
|---|---|
| Up to €6,000 | Free or €0–20 |
| €6,001–15,000 | €30–70 |
| €15,001–25,000 | €70–150 |
| €25,001–40,000 | €150–220 |
| Over €40,000 | €220–300 |
The exact rates change each year by resolution of the Giunta Capitolina (Rome's city cabinet). Always check your Municipio's current bando for up-to-date figures.
To apply to your Municipio you will need: the registration form (available online or in paper), your own identity document, the child's Codice Fiscale, a current ISEE certificate, the child's vaccination record, and — if the camp includes physical activity — a non-competitive fitness certificate (certificato di idoneità non agonistica), which your ASL (Azienda Sanitaria Locale — your local public-health authority) paediatrician issues free of charge.
The Dipartimento Servizi Educativi di Roma Capitale coordinates the Municipi. You can reach it at Via Capitan Bavastro 94, telephone 06 67103246.
Parish GREST camps
GREST — short for Gruppo Estivo (summer group) — is the summer camp organised by parishes of the Diocese of Rome. More than 300 parishes across the city run one, staffed by educators and young volunteer animators.
Activities include sport, creative workshops, day trips, and group games. There are brief moments of prayer or religious reflection, but they are never compulsory. The GREST is genuinely open to all children, regardless of religion or background.
Costs are very reasonable:
- One-off registration fee: €10–30
- Full week, full day (8:30–17:30): €30–80
- Morning only (8:30–12:30): €15–40
Many parishes offer discounts for families with several children or in financial difficulty. The local Caritas (the Catholic Church's charitable arm) can cover costs entirely for families living in poverty.
Registration opens in April and closes by end of May. Places are limited — the sooner you go, the better.
To find the nearest parish, consult the Vicariato di Roma or ask directly at your local parish office.
Documents typically required for GREST registration: the parish registration form, a parent's ID, the child's Codice Fiscale, the vaccination record, a general health certificate from your family doctor, a form for any allergies or dietary requirements, and emergency contact details.
Vaccination record: required by law
Both municipal and parish camps require a valid vaccination record under Legge 31 luglio 2017 n. 119. Your child must be up to date with the 10 mandatory vaccines: polio, diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B, whooping cough, Haemophilus influenzae b, measles, rubella, mumps, and chickenpox.
You request the certificate from the Vaccination Service at your local ASL:
- ASL Roma 1 — Borgo Santo Spirito 3
- ASL Roma 2 — Via Filippo Meda 35
- ASL Roma 3 — Via Casal Bernocchi 73
Alternatively, you can submit a parent's self-declaration, committing to hand in the official certificate by 10 July.
Subsidies to cut the cost
If your ISEE is low, several grants can reduce or eliminate what you pay.
Roma Capitale Summer Camp Bonus: when budgeted, Roma Capitale offers a contribution of up to €100 per week for families with an ISEE below €25,000, covering up to 4 weeks. It can be used for private or affiliated parish camps as well. Applications are submitted online through the Roma Capitale — Famiglia e Minori portal in April–May.
INPS Summer Camp Bonus: available under certain government decrees for both employed and self-employed workers (Partita IVA holders included). This is not a permanent benefit — check the INPS website each year for the current edition.
Lazio Region Bonus: the Region publishes annual grants for large families or those with specific vulnerabilities. Check Salute Lazio for the latest details.
To get your ISEE certificate in time, visit a CAF (free assistance offices for tax forms and benefits applications — such as ACLI, INCA-CGIL, INAS-CISL, ITAL-UIL) free of charge. Allow 5 to 15 working days for processing.
Mistakes to avoid
- Waiting until June to register. Subsidised spots for lower ISEE brackets fill up in April and May. Move as soon as the bando is published.
- Not getting your ISEE certificate in time. Without a valid certificate you pay the maximum rate. Go to a CAF at least 3–4 weeks before registration opens.
- Turning up without a vaccination record. The law has no exceptions: without proof of vaccination your child will not be admitted. Request the certificate from the ASL well in advance.
Special cases
Foreign families: all children who live in Rome are entitled to municipal summer camps — including children of non-EU parents holding a valid Permesso di soggiorno (residence permit) or asylum seekers. You will need a passport and permit for the parent, the child's Codice Fiscale, proof of residency registration (Anagrafe — civil-registry office at the Comune, handles residency), and the vaccination record (records from the country of origin are accepted with a translation).
Children with disabilities: they have priority in the waiting lists. The Comune and parishes guarantee a dedicated one-to-one support educator when needed. Bring the Legge 104/1992 disability certificate, the functional diagnosis or the child's school PEI (individual educational plan), and the report from the ASL Child Neuropsychiatrist.
Children with allergies or intolerances: declare this on the registration form. The camp will prepare a customised menu on the basis of your paediatrician's certificate.
Families in poverty: the social services office (Servizi Sociali) at your Municipio can top up the fee. Submit a request to the Segretariato Sociale of your Municipio. Parish Caritas offices also offer free GREST places for families in genuine need.
Official sources
- Roma Capitale — Family and Minors
- Roma Capitale — Education Services Department
- Roma Capitale — Social services
- Vicariato di Roma
- INPS — Nursery and summer camp bonus
- Lazio Region — Health and Family
Legal references: Legge 23 dicembre 1997 n. 451; Legge 31 luglio 2017 n. 119; DL 19 maggio 2020 n. 34 art. 105; Legge Regione Lazio 7 giugno 2019 n. 6; Deliberazione Giunta Capitolina annuale.