
Our ultimate guide to Columbus summer camps has parent-to-parent recommendations for the best local camps around town!
Discover the summer camps Columbus kids love most, read parent reviews, and zoom in on our map to see the best summer camps near you. Your kids will love learning new skills, making memories, and exploring their interests at these local favorites.
What are your favorite Columbus summer camps for kids? Submit your reviews below so we can consider them for the list!
Find more favorites on our lists of nature, sports, art, dance, academic, STEM, theater, special needs and overnight camps.
The Wilds - WildeCamp
Kelly R.: 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
Kelly R.: 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 - Summer Camps
4, 5 & 7-day sessions
Half day
$100-$175/session, member discount available
Age 3-11
Kelly R.: The Works offers a variety of camps focused on hands-on learning in engineering, science, and art. Themes include Let's Get Buggy, Ahhh...Real Science, Robotics, and more.
Camp Wyandot
3, 7 & 10-day sessions
Overnight camp
$265 - $660/session
Grade 3-12
Kelly R.: 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 Camp
Kelly R.: 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 - Horse Lover's Day Camp
Hannah Scott: 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 - Summer Camps
Brigitte Nohra Miller: 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.
YMCA Day Camp
1-week sessions
Full day
$250/session, Member discount available
Grade 1-6
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.
New Albany Ballet Company Summer Camps
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.
The Etiquette Institute of Ohio - Camp CEO
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.
Star Performance Academy Summer Camps
Hannah Scott: 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, Introduction to Broadway, The Aristocats Kids, and Musical Theatre Camp, A Year With Frog and Toad.
Purple Dog Art - Summer Camps
Katie G.: Purple Dog Art lets kids imagine, explore and create in a studio setting. Camp includes art supplies, instruction, and a light snack.
Camp Invention
Kelly R.: 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 Summer Camps
Katie G.: 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.
Glass Rooster Cannery - Summer Camp
Nancy L.: The Glass Rooster Cannery invites kids to enjoy the farm-to-table experience. Campers will pick their lunch out of the garden each day and create fresh, kid-friendly meals for lunch. In between, they will learn about growing food, nature, ecology and more in a week of farm to fork food and crafts with your child in mind. They offer four-day, four-hour camps for kids. Lunch is provided.
Young Chefs Academy - Culinary Camp
Kelly R.: Young Chefs Academy runs a series of half-day culinary camps for young chefs. Campers can enjoy all new recipes, techniques and subject matter every week!
Hoover Sailing Club - Summer Sailing Camp
Kelly R.: Hoover Sailing Club Youth and Primary summer camps offer beginner, intermediate, adventure, racing, pirateer, advanced, and Opti racing classes. In addition to learning how to sail, kids gain skills in water safety, teamwork, and communication. High School Sailing Clinics run on select weeks.
Robot Academy - Lego Robotics Camps
Brigitte Nohra Miller: Robot Academy's Lego Robot Summer Camps are hands-on, action-packed technology experiences. Campers will design, build and program working LEGO robots and invent contraptions using 3D Modeling/Printing. Campers will increase their familiarity with engineering and computer knowledge while practicing problem-solving skills.
Buckeye Gymnastics Totally Kids Summer Day Camp
Katie G.: Kids can flip into a good time at Buckeye Gymnastics Totally Kids summer camps. These themed, small group camps offer gymnastics instruction, crafts, games and snacks. Campers can play on the trampoline, giant foam pit, climb on the cargo net or splash around on water day. Camps offered at both the Westerville and Powell locations.
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens - Summer Camps
Hannah Scott: Camps at the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens are a fantastic way for kids to marvel in the wonders of science and nature without heading deep into the woods! Camps are themed and divided by age so your child is sure to find something they'll love. They get to spend time in the Children's Garden -- complete with a stream, wetland area, canopy walk, nature art studio and more!
Academy of Irish Dance Co. Intro to Irish Dance Camp
Katie G.: At the Academy of Irish Dance Co., children will learn the basics of Irish dancing while playing games and having fun. All campers will participate in a performance at the end of camp. They will also have a bouncy house and arts and crafts demonstration on the last day of camp.
Hands-On Art Barn - Summer Camps
Single and 4-day long sessions
Half day or 1.5 hours
$150-$160/4-day session, $25/single-day clay camp
Grade 1-9
Katie G.: Hands-On Art Barn lets kids create art in a one of a kind art studio. Kids who want to have fun and enjoy hands-on art can choose from a wide range of summer camps. The studio offers art camps, pottery wheel camps and clay building camps giving your child lots of ways to get creative.
Inspiring U - Summer Camps
Katie G.: Inspiring U is a studio offering many different kinds of creative classes for kids of all ages. They offer a Sewing Camp and an Arts and Crafts Camp. The sewing camp is for kids who have some experience with sewing. They will work on hand and machine sewing. In the arts and crafts camp, they will work with watercolors, pastels, acrylics, pencil drawing, and markers. Crafting projects include use of clay, wood, cardstock, pipe cleaners, and lots of other fun crafting items.
Lincoln Theatre - Patternz Summer Camp
Katie G.: Kids can explore the performing arts through the Patternz Summer Camp at the historic Lincoln Theater. Campers will learn dance, theater, music and visual arts as they participate in workshops each day. There will be a performance for family and friends at the end of the week to show all that campers have learned.
CATCO - Theatre Arts Camp
Kelly R.: Kids explore their creative side and perform in a mini-show in just one week. Each week features a different theme to perform.
Thurber House Summer Writing Camp
Kelly R.: Thurber House holds week-long summer writing camps for kids, helping them to find their creativity and passion for writing. The focus is on fun and imagination, not soley on spelling or grammar. Through their writing, kids will experience great adventures, solve mysteries, write songs and interesting poetry.
Columbus Museum of Art - Summer Art Workshops
Kelly R.: One of Columbus's best museums, the Columbus Museum of Art, holds summer art workshops for kids. Camps involve imaginative play, exploring different art mediums, and gallery games.
Columbus College of Art & Design - Creative Summer Workshops
Katie G.: Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD) is a private art and design college serving students for over 100 years. Creative Summer Workshops at CCAD are hands-on courses for younger students interested in art to develop their skills in a creative environment. In these art classes for kids, students will learn about colors, paper making, printmaking, digital art, animation, drawing, painting and more.
Columbus Children's Theater - Summer Camps
Kelly R.: Columbus Children's Theater holds summer camps that are designed to inspire young performers and teach acting skills while building communication skills, self esteem, and teamwork. Themes include The World of Harry Potter, Bluey & Bingo, Let It Go, Moana and Maui, and more!
JA BizTown Summer Camp
Hannah Scott: Junior Achievement is a national organization on a mission to empower youth with the economic skills to succeed in business. The Biztown Summer Camp is a week-long experience in which campers get a taste of life in the workforce and as a business owner. Classroom-teaching and interactive activities are combined to teach entrepreneurship, marketing, personal finance, job preparation, and more.
Grange Insurance Audubon Center - Audubon Adventure Camps
2-5 day sessions
Full & half day options
$105-$300
Pre-K - 5th grade
Katie G.: Kids will explore the Grange Insurance Audubon Center and Scioto Audubon Metro Park in the Audubon Adventure Camps program. Campers will participate in nature hikes and scavenger hunts, explore different habitats, and enjoy songs and crafts. Some sessions offer an optional add-on cookout/overnight/breakfast.
The Ohio State University - Camp Recky
Kelly R.: At Camp Recky, they strive to foster a life in motion while creating the extraordinary camper experience through various sport and recreation activities. Turn off your electronic devices and un-plug at Camp Recky this summer. Camp Recky uses the facilities, fields and resources of The Ohio State University to provide its campers with a true Buckeye experience to remember.
The Little Gym of Polaris Summer Day Camp
Katie G.: The Little Gym of Polaris offers summer day camp for kids of all ages. This is a great option for parents looking to expose their kids to camp, but not wanting to commit to an entire week. Some of their fun themes include The Search for Rainbow Castle, Secret Agent: Gyms Bond, Harry's School of Magic, and Pajama Party.
Sandlot Sports Camp
Kelly R.: Mornings at Sandlot Camp are spent with activities like kickball, capture the flag, dodgeball, a talent show, and human Guess Who. Afternoons involve a field trip to the pool or another active location. Kids are on teams and earn points throughout the week for winning competitions, demonstrating good character, and more. Teams earn medals at the end of the week based on their success. For an extra $45, campers age 8+ can do a 90-minute Aqua Gym Intro to Scuba class.
BalletMet Summer Camps
Katie G.: Kids can using their imagination and explore art, music and dance through BalletMet summer camps, held at the McConnell Arts Center of Worthington.
Profencing - Summer Camps
4- & 5-day sessions
Half day or 2 hour evening camps
$185-$265
Age 8-16
Katie G.: There are several summer camp options at Profencing, including camps in fencing, chess and robotics as well as an intro to fencing mini camp that meets in the evening. Campers will enjoy instruction, drills and games to brighten their mental and physical skills all while having fun.
Camp Chiller Day Camp
Hannah Scott: Beat the heat with a summer day camp at OhioHealth Chiller Ice Rinks! Camps include at least 2.5 hours of skating (which includes instruction at all levels, depending on each camper's experience), plus additional activities and projects to round out the day.
The Ohio Craft Museum - Summer Art Camp
1-week sessions
Full & half day
$210/full day, $120/half day
Grade 1-12
Katie G.: Visitors to The Ohio Craft Museum can view exhibits of contemporary and fine arts crafts. The museum offers summer camps and workshops for kids of all ages. A different theme will be highlighted each week. Camp sessions are half day camps, but you can create a full-day experience by registering for a morning and an afternoon session.
Picassos - Art Camp
Kelly R.: Picassos Art Studio offers camps where kids enjoy time creating art through a variety of mediums and techniques.
Upper Arlington - Safety Town
Kelly R.: Kids learn about how to act in an emergency, fire prevention, school bus safety, poison/substance avoidance, animal safety, personal safety, and water safety. Pedestrian and traffic safety skills are taught while riding tricycles around a miniature village complete with streets, sidewalks, buildings, stop signs and a working traffic signal.
Olentangy Indian Caverns - Summer Camp
Kelly R.: Olentangy Indian Caverns offers a variety of summer camp sessions that promote fun and learning. Camp themes include Land Before Time, Rockin' Geology Camp, Barnyard Palooza, and Art in Nature. All campers are able to visit the caverns and interact with the animals.
Powell Dance Academy Summer Camps
Katie G.: Powell Dance Academy is a family-friendly studio offering classes in ballet, tap, hip hop and jazz. Summer camps at PDA will feature fun themes such as American Doll Dance Party, Island Princess, Superhero, Descendants and more. Girls and boys can enjoy arts and crafts, games, stories and of course dance.
Code Ninjas
Hannah Scott: Code Ninjas teach kids to code through a game-based curriculum that emphasizes teamwork, logic, math, and problem-solving. It's fun and practical! Coding camps include Become a YouTuber, Adventures in Game Design, and Intro to Roblox Development.
J. Tiger Martial Arts Taekwondo Summer Camp
Katie G.: J. Tiger Martial Arts Taekwondo offers taekwondo classes for kids, adults and families. Kids will have a fun and exciting time at summer camp where they will practice Taekwondo training, visit the Zoo, swimming pool, parks & movies and enjoy arts & crafts. Extended care available after camp.
Math Plus Summer Camps
Kelly R.: Math Plus offers several camps that engage kids in hands-on math and technology learning through a variety of themes, including LEGO Engineering, Junior LEGO Robotics, 3D Modeling, Digital Designer, and more. Camp size is small, instructors are licensed teachers and industry professionals.
Stratford Ecological Center - Farm Camp
4- or 5-day sessions, multiple weeks of camp offered
Full-day sessions
$150-$330
Age 3-12
Kelly R.: Farm Camp at Stratford Ecological Center is an opportunity for kids to explore nature, get their hands dirty, and help out on a working farm. 9-12 Year Old Camp concludes with a night camping out under the stars.
Locker Soccer - Summer Camp
Kelly R.: Locker Soccer camps focus on having fun while developing soccer skills. Campers will participate in 3v3 games, coordination building skill drills, social skill building team activities, and, of course, fun games and water fights!
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium - Summer Camps
Multiple different sessions, most are weeklong sessions
Full & half day options
$130-$270/non-members
Age 3 years-7th grade
Kelly R.: The Columbus Zoo offers great camps for a variety of age groups, where kids have hands-on experiences and learn about animals and the environment with age-appropriate activities and animal encounters. They offer a unique 4-day camp in which you can choose which day of the week to attend, and then attend on that same day for 4 weeks in a row. They also offer traditional 4- and 5-day camps.
Columbus DanceArts Academy Summer Camps
Katie G.: Columbus DanceArts Academy has a summer camp for all dancers. With fun themes each week, such as Elsa & Friends, Popstar, Encanto, along with Hip Hop and Breakdancing, kids are sure to have fun at dance camp. Dancers will participate in an informal recital at the end of camp to show their friends and family all that they've learned.
Leatherlips Yacht Club - Sailing School
Kelly R.: Leatherlips Yacht Club offers week-long beginner/intermediate sailing camps over the summer. Students learn the basics of sailing and how to sail a variety of small sailboats.
Ohio Wildlife Center - Wildlife Day Camps
Multiple 3-day and weeklong sessions
Full & half day options
$150-$295
Age 3-16
Kelly R.: Ohio Wildlife Center offers a Wildlife Day Camp where kids learn about nature through hands-on adventures. Campers help collect information for research, go on learning hikes, explore the study pond, identify animal tracks, learn about conservation, and more.
Bo Jackson's Elite Sports Summer Camps
Katie G.: Bo Jackson’s Elite Sports offers fun summer camps. The All-Sports Camp exposes campers to a variety of sports and activities-kickball, touch football, arts & crafts, water balloon toss and more! The Sports Specific Camps focus on skill development in a non-competitive environment. Whether players want to get ahead of the competition or just want to learn more about a specific sport, camp will provide instruction in the fundamentals of baseball, softball, football, soccer and lacrosse.
SportsOhio - Summer Camps
Katie G.: Kids will learn the fundamentals of baseball, football, lacrosse, softball, basketball, golf, soccer and volleyball at SportsOhio summer camps. Make any half-day camp into a full day camp by combining a sports camp with their Summer Adventure Camp.
Integrity Athetics Summer Camps
Katie G.: Integrity Athletics is a fitness facility offering classes in gymnastics, tumbling, trampoline, martial arts and more for kids from beginner to elite. Themed summer camps are available for preschool and school-age children and will include gymnastics instruction, games, crafts and fun.
Marmon Valley Farm - Summer Camp
Overnight camp
$510-$860/session
Age 7-17
Hannah Scott: Marmon Valley Farm is a Christian facility that offers kids a variety of hands-on nature and animal experiences. Each of their camp options is programmed for a specific theme: Original Horse Camp, Atomic Horse Camp, Critter Camp (girls only), Horsin' Around Camp (girls only), Pure Country Camp (boys only), or Equestrian Camp. Activities include horseback riding, archery, a climbing wall, hay rides, and more.
YMCA Camp Willson
Kelly R.: Camp Willson's focus is on helping kids build friendships, character, and a sense of community through shared experiences. Kids enjoy numerous activities that may include row boating and swimming in lake Mac-O-Chee, outdoor sports, horseback riding, outdoor living skills, creative arts, and hiking. Choose from a variety of camp categories including traditional, ranch, teen, and specialty camps.
Primary photo: Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Upparent collects community-submitted recommendations and reviews, and any ideas that are shared reflect the opinions of individual contributors.