Despite its small size, Delaware is a great state for kids to spend the summer at one of its many amazing summer camps. Whether you want to have your camper focus on developing their Christian faith or learn more about a possible career in zookeeping, Delaware has many camps to select from.
From the north to the south of Delaware, there are choices between residential as well as day camps for all ages. Here are the best choices for summer camps in Delaware.
Best Delaware Summer Camps
1. Adventure Kids Summer Camp
With the slogan “Saving the Planet One Camper at a Time”, Adventure Kids Summer Camp works to instill respect for this earth and nature around into all of the campers. Day camp sessions are open to kids ages 6-12, from morning to evening.
Each week, campers get a schedule full of activities as well as field trips. The camp facilities include air-conditioned indoor spaces as well as outdoor areas for all types of activities, from sports to STEAM. There is an arts and crafts room for painting and other creative projects, a tech space where kids can play video games, a reading lounge full of books, and a load of other amazing areas to enjoy.
The camp takes kids on regular field trips, which might include swimming, a trip to the theater, or a day out at the Academy of Natural Science. These field trips change every week, but there is always something educational and fun going on. The camp is conveniently located just north of Wilmington.
2. Camp Arrowhead
Camp Arrowhead runs day camps and overnight camps throughout the summer for co-ed camper groups. The overnight sessions are open to all students in grades 2 through 11. The day camp is only open to students who are entering grades 3 or 4 in the upcoming school year.
The camp is hosted by the Episcopal Church in Delaware and is accredited by the American Camp Association. Camp Arrowhead sets out to encourage students to deepen their relationship with both God and the natural world through activities like arts & crafts, canoeing, Christian education,and hiking.
When students arrive at camp, they are assigned to a group that becomes their camp family during their stay. They eat, sleep, travel, and pray with that group throughout the time at camp.
Camp Arrowhead is found in Lewes, not far from Rehoboth Beach near Rehoboth Bay. You can sign up for 1 or 2-week sessions.
3. Caravel Day Camp
The Caravel Day Camp in Northern Delaware runs from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM each summer and parents can pay on a weekly basis.
Each of these week-long sessions, of which there are a total of nine, has a special theme. This might be something like “Gold Rush”, “Party in the USA”, or “Summer Bucket List”. Students are grouped together with others around the same age, so they stay in these teams throughout the week’s activities.
Each session is full of things to do including at least one, but sometimes more, field trips. These trips bring kids to do activities like bowling, miniature golf, or skating. Campers also have multiple swim days, which take place off the main camp premises. How frequently these take place depends on the age group.
Each day a lunch is ordered to be delivered from a local restaurant, but students can also pack their own lunch if they prefer.
4. Newark Art Alliance
Camp Imagine is a performing arts camp in Newark offered by the Newark Art Alliance. This summer day camp is run for children between the ages of 7 and 12, separated into small learning classes of up to 12 students.
The summer camp is focused on the arts but welcomes students with absolutely no experience as well as those who have more exposure to it and sets out to help all campers grow their creativity and imagination.
The camp starts morning and ends in the evening from Monday through Friday for two weeks in late July and early August. Before and after care is also offered to parents, and scholarships are available based on need.
Each day, students join professional artists to learn and practice different art forms. These art forms include painting and drawing as well as performing arts like song, dance, and theater. The Newart Art Alliance also offers classes all year round.
5. Delaware Nature Society
With a strong focus on developing students’ outdoor skills and experience, Delaware Nature Society offers activities like hiking, geocaching, canoeing, and gardening. With a base at the Ashland Nature Center, the summer camp provides the perfect setting for campers to develop their love of the outdoors, survival skills, as well as their exploration prowess.
The camps are tailored to provide the appropriate activities for each group. Kids 3 to 5-year-olds can join for half-day sessions with activities like nature walks and gardening. Five and six-year-olds can attend full or half-day camps, while ages 7-15-year-old can join for a full-day session.
Participants can expect weeks full of exciting activities like backpacking, nature photography, animal care, and loads more. The camp counselors and instructors all receive adequate training to ensure your kids get the best experience possible.
6. Delmarva Christian Service Camp
The Delmarva Christian Service Camp provides Christian education and teaches campers the word of God through Biblical study. Their Christian summer camps last six weeks and are open to boys and girls entering 1st through 12th grade.
Each week accommodates specific ages, except for the family week which is open to everyone, including parents. The program is hosted by church staff who watch over youth as they participate in daily activities like swimming, campfire activities, and Bible classes.
Delmarva Christian Service Camp sits on 30 acres of beautiful land in southern Delaware just on the edge of Trap Pond State Park. They’ve been serving the local community for 45+ years and counting.
7. The Tatnall School
On 110 acres in northern Delaware, the Tatnall School runs A Summer at Tatnall for ten weeks from June through August. There are a number of options for you to choose from for your child, including half and full days, as well as extended options with earlier morning drop-offs or later afternoon pick-ups.
There is also a junior camp for campers as young as three years old. There are weeks focused on specific sports for campers to immerse themselves in. These include swimming, archery, basketball, field hockey, and more.
While participating in sports camps and STEM activities, kids can learn about teamwork, practice their social skills, and make friends with other campers. Each week offers a different camp theme that matches their activities.
8. Camp Barnes
Close to Bethany Beach, Camp Barnes is a free summer camp for young kids between 10 and 13 in Delaware. Campers can have fun all summer with activities like swimming, archery, arts and crafts, basketball, and plenty more.
There are also a number of educational demonstrations put on for the campers by local officials. Camp Barnes also hosts special events throughout the year, like the Summer Special Olympics.
All they do is work towards the ultimate goal of supporting campers in developing their leadership skills. The overnight camp sessions last a week and come at absolutely no cost to the camper.
The weeks are split between girls and boys and alternate from week to week. The summer camp runs from June through August each year.
9. Brandywine Zoo
The Brandywine Zoo in Wilmington offers summer programs for kids from the age of 4 to 17. Each week is for a specific group, and the activities offered vary from age group. All campers get time for animal interactions and camp games and learn about wildlife conservation, zoo life, and animals in general.
The youngest group, with four and five-year-old campers, learns about the five senses and how humans and animals use them to explore the world around us.
On the other hand, the oldest group of campers spends the week focusing on the possibility of becoming a zoo keeper and what that might look like for them. They can handle certain designated zoo animals and assist in caring for and feeding them under careful supervision.
Parents just need to worry about sending their kids with lunch. If you’re a Brandywine Zoo member, you receive a discount on all camp weeks.
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