Summer camps are a fantastic way for children to meet new friends, learn essential life skills, participate in fun camp themes and feel like they belong to something bigger.
The trouble is finding the best or right type of camp for the summer with all the summer camps in Connecticut. At these summer camps, you’re child can enjoy a season full of fun traditional camp activities and learning experiences.
We included summer programs for different age groups, varying session dates and different camp locations, so you can find the Connecticut summer camp that suits your child the most.
Best Summer Camps In Connecticut
1. Camp Cody
Camp Cody is an overnight summer camp located in Freedom, New Hampshire, only three and a half hours away from Hartford, Connecticut. It’s located right on Ossipee Lake and is surrounded by beautiful forest areas with gorgeous landscapes all around.
They have top-notch facilities and sports fields like soccer fields and baseball fields. They also have basketball courts and tennis courts. With so many camp facilities, campers can participate in all types of activities like canoeing, archery, woodworking, horseback riding, scuba diving, and much more! The summer camps are perfect for kids ages 7-17.
They are separated by different age groups and activities offered just for them. Whether you have a young child or a teenager, you can find the right program at Camp Cody. Their camp philosophy is to maintain a welcoming and safe environment where kids can achieve personal development while having fun.
2. National Computer Camps
Kids ages 6-18 can attend one of the many types of STEM camps provided by National Computer Camps. There are various options to choose from, ranging from game design, coding, Minecraft modding, 3D Printing, and more. With virtual, residential and day camp options, you can choose the one most convenient for your family situation.
Students can do everything from creating their own video game, designing a website, modifying Minecraft to their liking, and much more. To keep kids engaged and entertained, they also take breaks and partake in fun outdoor games each day.
Beginner to advanced level campers are welcome, with curriculums based around each skill level. Participants work with the latest technologies and software to ensure everything their learning is up to date and valuable in the future. They also prepare high school students for the AP computer science test.
The week-long camps start near the end of June until early August. Kids can enroll in multiple week-long sessions without repeating any of their previous classes so that they can make the most out of their summer. The child to instructor ratio is 5 to 1, allowing them to accommodate the needs of all the participants.
Scholarships are available to kids. Just visit their website to learn more about their mission, curriculum and parent testimonials.
3. Chinqueka
Chinqueka operates under an excellent motto — “where girls can be girls.” It emphasizes individual care and attention to each child by educated, approachable, certified staff members. The idea is to empower, promote kindness in, grow, and encourage sisterhood in the girls who attend.
If your little (or not so little) one is looking for a place to be herself, this may well be it. It receives girls ages 6 to 16 throughout the entire summer. The vibe is informal, and the staff’s primary focus is to maintain a respectful and safe environment. Chinqueka accepts up to 150 campers each time and offers over 30 camp activities. Some notable pursuits are horseback riding, yoga, go-karts, waterskiing, kayaking, and a lot more.
Camp Chinqueka is located in Washington, Connecticut and offers 2, 3, 6 and 8-week long sessions. With camp facilities that offer plenty of fun in-land and water activities, girls can enjoy a super fun summer making lifelong memories.
4. Camp Playland of New Canaan
Camp Playland is a day camp that promotes the atmosphere of an overnight camp. It is set in a staggering 18 acres of forest and grassland to provide a truly magical experience. The camp accepts boys and girls ages 3 to 14 and even includes transport so your kids can arrive and depart safely. Regardless of the time of year, children can enjoy over 40 activities, including golf, kayaking, paddleboarding, tennis, basketball, cooking, theater, ninja warrior, and fishing.
It is a family-owned business, and they’re super hands-on. You can expect a genuinely fun-filled adventure for your camper. They even offer a developmental program that allows children to learn and grow at their own pace — something you often don’t find at school!
The day camp is located in Stamford, Connecticut and provides parents with early drop off and late pickup options. There are full day and half day camps for convenience.
5. Awosting
Camp Awosting operates on this core phrase — “boys learn by doing.” They have been running one of the best overnight summer camps in Connecticut for over 100 years now, spreading joy, love, and growth to every child who visits. The camp has 16 cabins along Bantam Lake, where boys ages 6-15 live with their age group. A couple of counselors are always present to ensure everything runs smoothly and to intervene if necessary.
Each staff member at Camp Awosting promotes brotherhood, independence, experience, and confidence in each camper by allowing them to take part in several activities. The summer program include pursuits like motocross, wakeboarding, laser tag, archery, zip-lining, and ceramics, to name just a few. They also offer team sports like football and soccer.
Children can also participate in the leadership development program, where essential life skills are taught and promoted.
6. Camp Claire
Camp Claire is an old-style summer camp that sits over the stunning Hamburg Cove located in Lyme, Connecticut. It has managed to retain its outstanding reputation for over 100 years.
For ages 8 to 14, they offer campers a chance to stay for two weeks in July. For ages 6 to 14, they offer children an opportunity to attend a camp session for a couple of weekdays (returning home after each one).
For the older ones aged 15 to 16, the camp offers a four-week program. This is solely for those who wish to become counselors during the following summer. This camp offers an overwhelming choice of opportunities and activities that your children are bound to remember for a lifetime.
7. Channel 3 Kids Camp
Channel 3 Kids Camp provides traditional camping experiences to children of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. With over 100 years of positive reputation, there is no debating that C3KC is one of the top Connecticut camps.
The camp location spans 150 acres across the shores of the Skungamaug River. They have a whopping 25 buildings for sleeping, dining, arts, and even swimming. They offer several different programs for kids of certain ages and interests.
The summer overnight camps are for coed campers ages 8 to 13. Camp activities include swimming, nature exploration in the numerous hiking trails, athletics, archery, dancing, painting, crafts, digital art, performing arts, and much more. The summer day camp is also for boys and girls ages 8 to 13 and has similar activities as the residential camp.
There are also school vacation camps for younger campers and include crafts, cooking, group projects, outdoor exploration, camp games and much more.
8. Empow Studios
Empow Studio has locations in cities like Stamford and West Hartford. They offer STEM summer camps and after-school programs for students ages 7-15.
Your child can learn about Roblox game design and coding, Minecraft engineering, 3D Printing, Scratch coding, robotics, and even video creation. The small group classes and experienced instructors can make learning fun for your kids.
Their fun way of teaching can also keep students hooked and motivated for a future education in STEM. Most of their classes last around a week and are hosted at different schools in the area. Its project-based way of learning can help students build their teamwork skills and make new friends.
There are breaks in between lessons each day, including a fun outdoor activity after lunch to keep your kids energized. They also have a counselor-in-training program and holiday camps between school breaks.
Here are other camp guides for neighboring states: Rhode Island, New York, and Massachusetts