Ohio is a charming Midwestern state with a cosmopolitan appeal. You can find dazzling urban attractions, idyllic towns, and plenty of opportunities for shopping and recreation. Ohio is also a good place for kids in the summer. There are enough summer camps in the Buckeye State to keep boys and girls engaged in healthy activities throughout the entire school break.
Camp is an engaging, safe environment for kids to socialize, explore, and develop their decision-making and problem-solving skills from early childhood to teenage years. Getting up, on your feet, and being active from a young age establishes healthy habits going forward. Let’s have a look at some of the best summer camps in the wonderful state of Ohio.
Best Summer Camps In Ohio
1. Hiram House Camp
Hiram House Camp has been operating since 1896, making it one of the oldest camps in the United States. The camp seeks to provide an inclusive experience for all children. Here, they can build their life skills, develop positive self-esteem, and explore new paths.
The campsite is spread across 172 acres of land in the Chagrin Valley. Hiram Camp is worth checking out if you want the perfect outdoor experience for your child. Youth have opportunities for canoeing, water-skiing, kayaking, fishing, and other exciting outdoor/water activities.
The summer camp has carefully tailored its programs to provide campers with the best experience. Junior Day Camp welcomes boys and girls ages 6 to 12 while older children 6-12 go to Day Camp.
Parents who want an traditional experience for their kids can opt for their overnight summer camps. These programs offer cookouts, campfire nights and is open to children between 6 and 14.
2. Camp Carl
Camp Carl offers faith-based instruction for children and helps build their faith through group discussions and interactive lessons. The summer camp has half-day, full-day, and overnight camps for different age grades.
The day camp is for the youngest campers in grades 1-5, with an ideal 6:1 counselor-to-camper ratio. Day campers have a superb selection of camp activities to choose from, whether it’s creek walking, playing with inflatables, or riding horses.
The residential camps at Camp Carl have a wider array of options for prospective campers in grades 3 to 12. From waterskiing to equestrian, campers get a unique and memorable experience.
There is also a leadership camp open to 9th to 12th graders. It helps equip campers to become future leaders. Young adults receive lessons that emphasize the development of hard work, teamwork, dedication, and a sense of public service.
3. Camp Wyandot
Camp Wyandot connects youths ages 7 to 17 with the great outdoors and gives them a chance to experience nature, build lasting friendships, and improve emotional and physical wellbeing. Its convenient location offer a great place to teach kids about nature and allow them to have some fun outdoor adventures with the many natural landscapes surrounding the area.
Camp Wyandot is divided into an overnight program and a day program. The overnight camp runs throughout the summer and offers kayaking, trail walking, creek exploration, and more. The day camp is also great, with campers free to choose from crafts, nature hikes, archery practice, among others.
There are a total of 16 sessions operated for different age grades. While campers in grades 2nd to 12th are welcome in Camp Wyandot, entry into Camp Otonwe is limited to 1st and 6th.
4. Camp Wise
Located in Cleveland, OH, Camp Wise, offers a supportive environment where campers can foster skills that aid their personal development. Crucial life lessons, such as collaboration, creative expression, and responsibility, are cultivated through Jewish ideals. Those who attend gain a deeper understanding of Jewish heritage and traditions while also honing confidence, accountability, resilience, and self-esteem. The environment places particular importance on community, encouraging campers to work together to achieve their goals.
Camp Wise consists of the Wise Retreat Center, where activities take place, surrounded by private, semi-private, and bunk sleeping accommodations. Organized into villages, Camp Wise focuses on age-specific groups over gender so that age-appropriate needs are met. Three or four staff members reside in each cabin, making it a 1:4 staff-to-camper ratio.
Overnight housing, meeting rooms, and kosher food are offered. Traditional camp activities such as horseback riding, arts and crafts, media & performing arts, aquatic activities, a diverse range of sports like basketball, tennis and soccer, hiking and natural survival skills, and swimming are just some of the many things children can get involved in here.
5. Camp Christopher
Centered around the fundamentals of catholicism, Camp Christopher, based in Cleveland, vows to help each camper reach their full potential as a well-rounded, caring individual. This summer camp places particular importance on being inclusive and accepting, supporting those who are vulnerable, and establishing a solid sense of community for all with their new friends. Serving people from different backgrounds, valuable lessons are delivered in a pastoral setting.
Due to its natural surroundings, Camp Christopher teaches outdoor education viewing the outdoors as the ultimate classroom, where physical activities, social-driven play, and exploration can occur. Campers here can engage in waterfront activities on Lake Marion and take advantage of their stables, home to 12-15 horses for horseback riding. Also available are athletic pursuits, hiking along Northeast Ohio’s surrounding trails, ziplining, arts and crafts, archery, and more.
Parents can sign up kids ages 5-12 for day camps and ages 7-16 for the resident camps. There is also a family camp for everyone to join the fun together.
6. Camp Asbury
Camp Asbury boasts one of the most comprehensive summer camp programs in the Ohio area. The camp has a different offering for distinct groups, meaning campers can take part in activities suitable for their age.
Camp Asbury campers are divided into co-ed groups, composed of eight total campers. These small groups provide the perfect opportunity for children to enjoy one-on-one supervision and foster more significant interaction.
Your child can participate in campfires, cookouts, watersports, and explore other varied interests. In addition, they’ll attend Bible study sessions, faith-based discussions, and other spiritually uplifting activities.
7. Brightside Academy Summer Camp
Brightside is an acclaimed educational services provider. The camp applies its proven methods to engage kids in academic subjects and help them develop the life skills they need to excel as adults.
Brightside Academy summer camp offers a supportive environment where your child can socialize, improve cognitive abilities, and enhance their physical and mental health. Through their self-discovery approach and nurturing environment, kids can also learn new skills that can serve them well in the future.
If you’re worried about your kids slacking or getting in trouble, enroll them in the Brightside Academy program. With a plethora of activities, sessions, and trips, the camp has all it takes to keep your ward engaged and busy all summer long.
8. Camp Wanake
Camp Wanake is a vibrant community of young believers who spend summer immersing in Biblical instruction. Your child will have trained counselors to guide their spiritual development and like-minded peers to share ideas with.
Camp Wanake is open throughout summer and runs multiple 5-day camp sessions. You can try out any of the shorter Discover and One Day Adventure camps to see if it’s the right fit for your child.
While Camp Wanake emphasizes spiritual development, it has provisions for recreation. Youth can build shelters, visit frog ponds, watch stars at night, and canoe in Arnold Lake.
For Ohio city specific camps, check out our list on the top camps in it’s capital city, Columbus.