Not too late: Summer camp sessions still available for 2024 season
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The school year in central Ohio is winding down with just weeks to go before summer break begins but there is still time to find camp opportunities for kids.
City of Columbus Recreation and Parks summer camps
Week-long themed camps designed for children aged 6-12. Participants engage in various activities such as arts, crafts, sports, games, science experiments and nature exploration, as noted on the website.
Although these camps are very popular, a few openings are still available. Details here.
Classroom Antics Tech Camps
Classroom Antics helps guide children in the transformation from tech consumers to tech creators, according to its website. Classes use beloved products such as LEGO, Minecraft, Roblox, VEX, and Scratch.
Classroom Antics presents eight distinctive in-person enrichment programs for the summer camp season. Each STEAM program is carefully crafted for different age groups and scheduled at various times throughout the day.
Availability varies, some sessions are full depending on each location. Details here.
Columbus Academy Summer Experience
Columbus Academy describes its "Summer Experience" as a summer filled with limitless possibilities, ranging from track & field with Ohio State athletes to Broadway and everything in between. Parents can begin making plans now for a season packed with diverse opportunities.
• Several options are still available for middle school students, fewer for grades 3-5, and very limited spots remain for K-2 and pre-K kids.
• Throughout the summer, registration closes the Monday before the next camp week, so check often to find specific openings. Details here.
Columbus Children's Theatre full-day summer camps
Every week of the camp ensures students gain valuable onstage performance exposure and backstage production expertise in theatrical disciplines such as scenic design, costuming, and beyond, according to Columbus Children's Theatre.
Most weeks still have availability. Details here.
Columbus College of Art & Design’s Creative Summer Workshops
An ideal avenue for children, teenagers, and adults to unleash their creativity. CCAD notes that courses encompass art and design for young artists, botanical art, printmaking, fashion design, animation, 3D illustration, digital comics, painting, puppetry, game development, and a myriad of other creative pursuits.
Classes are held weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon for morning sessions, or 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. for afternoon sessions.
Space is still available depending on the class and the week, some sessions are full. Details here.
Enrollment deadlines:
| Week 1 | June 3-7 | May 20, 2024 |
| Week 2 | June 10–14 | May 27, 2024 |
| Week 3 | June 17–21 | June 3, 2024 |
| Week 4 | June 24–28 | June 10, 2024 |
| SESSION BREAK | July 1-5 | |
| Week 5 | July 8–12 | June 24, 2024 |
Franklin Park Conservatory summer camps
Apart from engaging in themed activities, campers will have the opportunity to discover the Conservatory and its numerous gardens, including The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden, according to Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.
Most weeks are full. However, there are cancellations. Sign up on the waitlist for the best chance of finding a spot. Details here.
IDEAS Summer Camps for Boys & Girls - Columbus School for Girls
Crafted to serve as a classic day camp for Pre-K to 2nd grade and as a cutting-edge program centered on art, science, and technology for grades 3-8, this camp offers a unique and comprehensive summer camp experience, according to the website.
Some classes are filling up, but many opportunities are still available. Details here.
Metro Parks Summer Camps
Tailored for children to embrace their individuality, join in nature exploration, and form new friendships each week. A committed and expert Camp Team ensures a secure environment for kids to embark on outdoor adventures, creating lasting memories and friendships that extend throughout a lifetime, Metro Parks notes in its camp description.
Metro Parks' summer camp webpage notes, "most camps are full at this time! There is limited availability at Scioto Grove Traditional Day Camp, Nature Adventure Camps, Grandcamp and Nature Adventure Camp." Details here.
Wellington Summer Program
The Wellington Summer Program offers children entering prekindergarten through grade 12 the chance to explore newfound talents, acquire essential skills, overcome challenges, and forge enduring friendships, according to its website.
Register to see openings — a waitlist option is available when enrollment levels are met. Details here.
YMCA Summer Day Camp
Summer day camps cater to school-age children, focusing on fostering relationships, creating a sense of belonging, achieving success in new endeavors, preventing summer learning loss, spending quality time outdoors, and fostering an understanding of the environment, the YMCA site states.
Tailored for youth entering 1st - 6th grade, these programs are facilitated by enthusiastic and caring staff, providing a blend of enjoyment, friendships, challenges, and positive experiences.
New for 2024: Day camp locations will offer field trip experiences throughout the summer.
YMCA has more than a dozen locations with day camp offerings. Check the list for registration instructions and to determine availability. Details here.