One of the country’s largest states, and home to a rich history of adventure and outdoor activities, it should come as no surprise that people worldwide send their children to summer camps in Texas.
At these camps, children receive a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience in the wonderful Texas landscapes.
These Texas summer camps feature incredible accommodations, fun-filled camp games, and fantastic food, often with culinary programs to teach campers how to prepare those meals.
Hill Country is often a popular location for camps, far away from the big city life and perfect for tent camping.
Best Summer Camps In Texas
1. Camp Olympia
Camp Olympia is one of the top summer camp options in East Texas, specifically Trinity. Campers between the ages of 6 and 16 can spend anywhere between one week and three weeks of their summer here. It’s a gorgeous sleepaway summer camp that sits on private land along Lake Livingston’s shores.
It’s well known for its myriad of activities and options that campers can pick and choose from. Boys and girls can do fun land activities like baseball, rock climbing, archery, gymnastics and more. Water activities consists of canoeing, sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding and much more.
With a goal to making sure campers have fun while helping them develop in a physical and emotional sense, this sleepaway camp is great choice for any camper. Camp Olympia also hosts special events throughout the year that include a family camp, mom/daugher weekend, father/son weekend and more. Most of the camp counselors at Camp Olympia consist of former campers that enjoyed their time there.
2. Camp Champions
Camp Champions is an overnight summer camp located in the Hill Country of Central Texas. It’s a coed camp that receives kids ages 5-17 years old each summer. You can enroll children in a variety of camp sessions ranging anywhere from 1 to 6 weeks for the 2023 season.
With extensive facilities and a prime location on Lake LBJ, the overnight camp offers tons of activities and games. Children can participate in water pursuits like sailing, kayaking, and water skiing. On-land activities include archery, baseball, wall climbing, and much more. These are just a few of the more than fifty activities available.
They offer different sessions and rates so that you can find the most suitable option. With a goal to help campers build self-confidence and led by experienced counselors that act as role models, it’s one of the best choices in the state.
Also, read our guide on best summer camps in Austin
3. Camp Huawni
Camp Huawni has received over 100-170 boys and girls each summer since 1965. These overnight camp nestled in East Texas cultivates an environment where new friendships are to be had and where campers can express themselves.
Their camp activities range from sports with basketball, archery, volleyball, and water activities like kayaking, water slides, ziplining into the water and swimming. Adventure is a high priority and campers can make use of their high ropes courses, giant swings, and go mountain biking. There are more than 20+ activities they can choose to do every day at Camp Huawni so no day is the same.
Choose from multiple sessions of 1 to 2 weeks for students in 1st through 11th grade. The camp starts by having. campers meet their counselors who will act as their role models for the rest of camp. They then have kids try out their exciting activities followed by more group games and events to help them feel welcome during their stay at Camp Huawni.
4. Tapia STEM Camps by Rice University
Discover the future at Tapia STEM Camps: Elevate your child’s passion for STEM at Rice University’s prestigious Tapia Camps!
Designed for rising 8th-12th graders, this award-winning program emphasizes communication skills, equity and hands-on STEM projects. Campers experience life at Rice University while delving into real-world STEM challenges, learning from top researchers and industry professionals.
Join us for an unforgettable week of exploration and growth. The camps are six days and five nights, and meals and accommodations are included with their stay at Rice University in Houston. Registration is now open! Go to their website to secure your child’s spot today.
5. Camp Lone Star
Camp Lone Star is located in La Grange, TX, and is surrounded by beautiful scenery for campers to explore. The camps are suitable for boys and girls ages 5-18, with overnight and day options.
Youth can expect camp activities like kayaking, fort building, ropes courses, canoeing, archery, swimming, and more. Kids and teens are bound to form friendships with other campers as they spend time learning and having fun. There is also a family camp that lasts a weekend.
They aim to help campers build a spiritual connection and grow closer to God. Through fun activities and lessons, Camp Lone Star can inspire personal growth in its participants and instill Christian values.
6. Camp Akiva
Camp Akiva is a Christian summer camp located in Rains County in East Texas. It provides the perfect environment for kids to have fun while also increasing their spirituality and informing a stronger bond with their Christian religion.
They have all types of caamp facilities, including a gym, sports field and challenge course that provide thrilling activities for children. Fun activities include things like hiking, sports, swimming, wall climbing, canoeing, and much more.
If you’re looking for a place to host a retreat for your group, then Camp Akiva is a great choice. Currently, their week-long Royal Family Kids’ Camp is for children ages 6-11, where they gain leadership skills and grow their confidence. It offers a 2:1 camp counselor to student ratio, so kids are always being watched over and supported.
7. Camp EDMO
Camp EDMO offers summer day camps in Austin, Texas, for pre-k to 8th-grade students. Kids can enjoy a summer learning interesting STEAM subjects while participating in fun activities with other children.
The camps are hosted at prominent locations, Concordia University, St Ignatius Martyr School, and Tillotson University. Campers can expect an exciting day full of fun games, singing, learning, and making new friends. Participants are separated by different grade levels, so each activity is suited for their age.
The summer camps typically run from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, with different themes focusing on various things like Roblox, cooking, animation, Minecraft coding, global art, and much more. You can choose the one that suits your child the best.
Camps are led by experienced camp directors and instructors passionate about teaching and helping youth gain valuable knowledge and life skills that help outside of camp.
8. University of Texas at San Antonio
The University of Texas at San Antonio offers a variety of specialty camps for residents in the San Antonio area. You can sign kids up for sports camps and stem camps.
The educational options in 2023 cover subjects like coding, robotics, engineering, math, and science. As a Division 1 school, their sports programs are great preparation for future college athletes, with offerings in soccer, basketball, football, volleyball, and tennis. These day camps are spread throughout the summer, and some may require applications.
They create the right environment for youth to learn new skills and improve existing ones. Most of the camps take place on the UTSA campus, giving children a brief sight into what college life is all about. The camps last anywhere from one to 3 weeks and are suitable for students ages 5-18.
Check out our San Antonio summer camps guide.
9. Camp Doublecreek
Camp Doublecreek is a premier day camp located in Austin, Texas. It’s suitable for boys and girls ages 4-14. It offers a welcoming and comforting camp environment where kids can be themselves.
The camp offers thrilling activities like horseback riding, swimming, archery, rock climbing, arts and craft, and much more. Kids won’t run out of things to play with fun facilities like a ninja warrior wall and ropes courses. The highly experienced camp counselors watch over the campers while encouraging them and ensuring their having a fun time.
There is free transportation to the camp with pick-up points all over Austin. At Camp Doublecreek, campers can make memories that can last a lifetime while also gaining important life skills.
10. Camp Lonehollow
As one of the largest camps, Camp Lonehollow is situated on more than 3000 acres of secluded, rural property in Hill Country.
Hundreds of children attend this camp every year but parents don’t need to worry about their children getting lost in the crowd with this high rate of attendance. The camp still maintains a good counselor to camper ratio.
The camp sessions last between a single week to four weeks at a time. The multiple four-week camp sessions can be stretched together for campers that want to spend the whole summer here.
Campers have an opportunity to meet new friends from around the country and the world. They can partake in more than 60+ fun activities, including rock climbing, water sports, equestrian, and zip lining. Overnight camps like this one are a great place to build the kind of memories that last a lifetime.
11. Heart O’ the Hills
Heart O’ the Hills Summer Camp is located out on Highway 39. Founded in 1953, the camp owners established this as one of the premier camps for girls in Hill Country. The camp provides girls a supportive environment where they can form new friendships, improve their self-confidence and self-reliance, among many other things.
Girls ages 6-16 get to pick from more than 50 different summer camp activities that include horseback riding, swimming, archery, culinary arts, wilderness survival, videography, and so much more. They can participate in these activities during their time at their overnight camps.
It’s the perfect setting to inspire campers and build new skills that will serve them well outside of camp.Heart O’ Hill’s is easily one of the top choices for girls. They offer a full summer session, and shorter sessions including a four week half a summer program and two week options.
For some further reading, check out our Houston summer camps page and our Louisiana summer camps guide.