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7 Best Summer Camps In Columbus 2024

columbus summer camps

Columbus goes beyond just being the state of Ohio’s capital. There are plenty of tourist-worthy attractions and things to do for everyone in the Arch City.The city is also an excellent place for kids to enjoy their summer out in nature.

It’s a kid-friendly destination with its multiple playgrounds, city parks, and much more for youth to enjoy. It also houses some of the top summer camps in Ohio state, offering everything from sports clubs to theatre production programs. 

There are many amazing summer camps in Columbus, Ohio, for kids of different ages, including teenagers. These are some of the best ones you can enroll them in.

Best Summer Camps in Columbus

1. Franklin Conservatory Park 

Franklin Conservatory Park has been Ohio’s prime botanical garden since 1993, connecting residents with the beauty of nature. Kids can enjoy an immersive outdoor experience at the Conservatory through the summer camp program.

Park authorities split the campers by age grades to tailor each program to fit each child’s need. The youngest campers, 3-4, learn about dinosaurs, mythical garden animals, rainbows, plants, along with other fun topics. 

Kids between 5-6 get their hands dirty with hands-on science classes that ask campers to create their messiest and most creative experiments. They also learn about art and science while living out history’s greatest fairy tales on select days. 

The last group, ages 7-8, enjoy classes on subjects like space technology, magic, and paleontology. They get lessons on creating a garden and eating sustainably with garden-sourced food products.

2. Metro Parks Day Camp

Got kids interested in exploring the wild? Metro Parks weeklong day camps are the perfect place to immerse in the flora and fauna of Columbus. 

The organizers have different arrangements for various age groups to ensure the best experience for campers. This includes Animal Scientists, a 4-day camp for young ones 3-6 designed to increase their knowledge of animals. 

A similar program is Nature Detectives, which takes youngsters ages 6-8 on a nature-inspired adventure. They investigate their surroundings, observing critters, insects, and other small animals. 

Survive The Forest is a one-week affair that brings together to learn critical survival skills. Your child can learn how to build a campfire, identify edible plants, purify water, build a shelter, and survive in the wild.

There are other summer day camps apart from those above for older campers 8-12.

3. Columbus Children’s Theatre Summer Camp 

Columbus Children’s Theatre Summer Camp is one of Columbus, Ohio’s premier theatre and production training institutions. It offers full-day programs and half-day programs in the morning & afternoon. 

If your kid’s an aspiring theatre professional, this camp is where they should be after the school year ends. Instructors teach basic principles of acting and costuming and expose students to the art of stage management. Your child can have a future in theatre, whether it’s running a production or acting in one. 

This acclaimed theatre camp accepts requests from boys and girls ages 5 through 12. The summer camps consists of various dramatic productions dedicated to popular favorites, including Wizard of Oz, Beauty And The Beast, and Frozen. 

Campers can choose to enroll in dance, music, or drama classes. However, there’s a Triple Threat option for kids who wish to try out all three areas. 

4. Gym Skills Summer Camp 

Parents who want a more active summer for their children will love Gym Skills specialty summer camp. With a mission to promote healthy living for all youth, Gym Skills offers a range of exciting exercises and training to help them cultivate an active lifestyle. 

Children can attend ninja warrior training classes, gymnastics lessons, soccer classes, tumbling classes, and more. The low teacher-student ratio is designed to promote tailored instruction and aid quicker learning. 

The summer program is open to kids between ages 5 and 14. Each camp day runs between 9 AM and 4 PM. However, you can pay for extended care if you want to pick up your young ones later than the official closure time. 

5. YWCA Kids Place Summer Camp 

Kids Place Summer Camp is a great way to reduce your kid’s screen time and provide them with healthier forms of relaxation and recreation. The camp operates at select locations throughout Ohio and is one of the most affordable choices on this list. 

You don’t have to worry about your child spending summer lazing in front of a TV. They can participate in hands-on activities and build real-life connections with fellow campers. 

A routine day at their Columbus summer camps opens with songs, traditions, and announcements. The real fun begins much later when kids start participating in activities of their choice. 

The activities open to campers vary according to the weekly theme. For example, Beyond Blocks inspires kids to construct miniature skyscrapers, city blocks, and other objects.

Other weekly themes include Makers Market, where campers learn to create beautiful handcrafted objects and sell them. Active kids will love Games Galore, a weekly activity that includes eSports, Y-Ninja competitions, and yoga. 

6. Camp Wyandot 

Camp Wyandot offers overnight camping programs for kids entering grades 3-12. The sheer number of activities available at Camp Wyandot is enough reason to enroll them. 

The average day at this traditional camp usually involves kids rotating between several activities. Campers enjoy watersports, such as kayaking, canoeing, and catch-and-release fishing. Other opportunities for recreation include hiking, football, and archery. 

However, Camp Wyandot is more than another camp for kids to pass the time. Your youngster will learn the art of self-improvement, cultivate positive skills, make new friends, and gain survival and leadership skills. 

Camp Wyandot is an overnight camp so that you can leave your kids there for the summer. 

7. LOMO Camps

The Lutheran Outdoor Ministries offers two summer camp options (Camp Luther and Lutheran Memorial Camp) for families and kids in the Columbus area. 

Camp Luther and Lutheran Memorial Camp both have great features and are certainly worth a shot. Camp Luther benefits from an expansive natural landscape, allowing youth to explore and connect with nature. 

At 400 acres, the Lutheran Memorial Camp is bigger and offers plenty of opportunities for nature exploration. Campers can wander through nearby woodlands and hike through the numerous nature trails. 

Each camp is fully serviced and offers many comforts. That includes a full food service, restroom facilities, and swimming pools. Those who want to enjoy recreation can visit the low-ropes challenge course, climbing wall, ziplining area, and the hiking trail.