2024 Columbus Summer Camps (Interactive Guide)

The Wilds is the Columbus Zoo's 9,000 acre open range habitat for species from around the world, right here in Ohio. Overnight campers stay in Mongolian-style yurts and enjoy days filled with a mix of outdoor fun and learning alongside naturalists and scientists. A variety of camp themes are offered for different age groups, and activities can include horseback riding, canoeing, archery, and ziplining.

Camp Akita offers a Christian faith-based summer camp opportunity where kids have fun. The traditional Summer Camp involves fun and games, reflection, and community. Akita Backcountry, offered for middle schoolers and high schoolers, is an outdoor education experience where campers stay on a remote corner of the property and immerse themselves in nature.

The Works offers a variety of camps focused on hands-on learning in engineering, science, and art.

Camp Wyandot is located on over 100 acres in the Hocking Hills, encompassing cliffs, caverns, creeks, a lake, forests, and meadows. Overnight campers stay in rustic cabin accommodations, and participate in a wide variety of activities including archery, hiking, aquatics, canoeing, fishing, field games, arts and crafts, and many other camp traditions. The focus is on making new friends, appreciating simplicity, and enjoying and exploring nature.

Hidden Hollow is a traditional summer camp where kids make new friends and enjoy the outdoors. Campers can participate in numerous activities including archery, arts and crafts, wood shop, drama, canoeing, horseback riding, nature hikes, sports, swimming, campfires, and a Friday night dance.

Bookmark Farms is a horseback riding academy on 33 acres of rolling farmland. Their annual Horse Lover's Day Camp gives kids the opportunity to get up close and personal with the animals and get familiar with the barn life as they ride, feed, and groom the horses and ponies.

Classroom Antics offers a variety of STEM summer camp subjects. Summer Tech Camps cover different aspects of science from physics to engineering, automation and programming. Kids are sure to enjoy learning while nurturing their creativity.

Themed summer camps are held at Highbanks and other area Metro Parks. Kids participate in activities like fishing, group games, crafts, and hiking. GRANDcamp offers a fun, half day camp that campers can attend with their grandparents!

Kelly R:  YMCA of Central Ohio offers a variety of popular weeklong summer camps. Selections include Curtain Up, Wild at Art, and Superhero Training Camp.

Katie G.:  New Albany Ballet Company offers dance training to students of all skill levels and abilities. Summer camps are being offered in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop and cheer. Girls and boys can enjoy different weekly themes such as Frozen, Beauty and the Beast, Encanto, American Girl and more.

Star Performance Academy strives to provide a well-rounded theater education to kids, which is why they focus on acting, singing, and dancing. Summer programs are themed, including Hogwarts Olympics, First Steps on Broadway, and many popular musicals for children and youth.

Kelly R:  Boys and girls can take part in this Etiquette University summer camp, where they'll develop confidence, leadership, and manners - skills with a valuable application in the real world. Kids will work on making a great first impression, conversation skills, interviewing, and other leadership and communication skills.

Week-long summer art camps at Purple Dog Art Studio include art supplies, instruction, and a light snack. Projects are the same for each session, so it's best to sign up for only one.

Camp Invention is a nonprofit camp that teaches STEM concepts through fun, hands-on learning. Kids are presented with a series of challenges that build problem solving, teamwork, creative thinking, and entrepreneurship skills. Curriculum and activities are inspired by National Inventors Hall of Fame inductees.

Gym Skills is a gymnastics and fitness facility offering classes for children to stay active and healthy. Kids can build endurance, flexibility, coordination and balance through fun summer camps.