It’s time to get serious about summer, and we are here to help with our 2020 Dayton area guide to summer camps!
Water, art, sports, nature, and more…
You can’t go wrong with any of these options. We don’t remember camp being this amazing when we were kids!
COVID-19 Update: Many camps are now offering remote options, but we’re all hoping in-person camps will be possible this summer!
YMCA of Greater Dayton
Give your kids the BEST. SUMMER. EVER!
We love the YMCA of Greater Dayton as an option for summer camps because of the flexibility offered. You can enroll your kiddo(s) for a week or the entire summer (#workingmomwin!).
Day Camp provides an exciting setting for your children to explore the outdoors. Quality staff will guide them through a summer of discovery as they explore the world around them. Weekly themes allow campers to learn more about the world’s ecosystems through art, sporting, nature and character development activities.
Campers work together in many activities which lead to the development of teamwork skills, leadership skills, and lifelong friendships. In addition, campers gain an understanding of the YMCA’s character development values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility.
“Located in the Little Miami River Valley. Camp Kern is the perfect introduction to residential camp and has been a tradition of many families in both the Cincinnati and Dayton area for over 100 years!”
The Day Camps offered through the YMCA of Greater Dayton are certified through the American Camping Association.
YMCA Day Camp is for children ages 5-12. (Campers must have completed Kindergarten and ages vary by location)
Residential Camp Experience Available at Camp Kern from June 14th – August 15th. Read more about one local mom’s experience HERE.
Day camp locations vary.
Camp Kern
(Residential Camp)
5291 State Route 350
Oregonia, OH 45054
The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery Presents "Camp in a Box"!
We are excited to introduce Camp in a Box! This all new camp includes a daily challenge, experiment, or an item to make, and the option of live instruction with the opportunity to explore and learn with fellow campers in their virtual classrooms. Participate in field trips, behind-the-scenes experiences, and much more! Your box is put together by their education team, filled with all the things needed for camp, and delivered to your door or available for pick-up at the Museum! Choose from several exciting themes:
- Mad Scientist (ages 6-7)
- Wizard STEM (ages 6-7)
- Backyard Astronomer (ages 8-12)
- Boonshoft Time Machine (ages 8-12)
- Chemistry Camp (ages 8-12)
- Emerging Engineers (ages 8-12)
- Outdoor Explorer (ages 8-12)
Each Camp in a Box has two options to choose from:
Basic – This kit features all the materials and written directions your child will need to complete a variety of exciting STEM-based activities for one week.
Digital – This includes the basic kit, PLUS daily log-in times to have live interactions with their STEM educators, while engaging with other campers.
For more information, please visit their website.
$10 Discount for Members OR with 2+ Kits (discounts cannot be combined).
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
2600 DeWeese Parkway
Dayton, OH 45414
937-275-7431
Classroom Antics Summer STEAM Camps
It’s the ultimate STEAM camp experience!
Classroom Antics camps spark creativity by allowing kids to use their imagination and create. Kids are introduced to fun challenges and have opportunities to gain new insight into STEAM subjects, instilling confidence within each camper as they learn. The camps cover a wide area of interests like LEGO robotics, stop-motion animation, computer programming, video game design, Minecraft coding, science, engineering, and video production. Classroom Antics prides themselves on evolving kids from technology consumers to technology creators.
“He thought he would just be ‘learning’, not actually building robots and programming video games! He was mentally stimulated, excited about going, and sad when they ended!” – Amy, parent
Open to campers age 7-13 years old.
12-student classes for individualized attention.
1:1 student to equipment ratio for maximized learning.
Use code DAYMOM10 to receive $10 off each camp.
Multiple convenient locations see website for details.
800-595-3776
Pre-College Programs at Wright State University
Hands-on science, math, computers, languages, culture, history, literature, writing, leadership, and more! Join Pre-College Programs at Wright State University for a wide variety of summer enrichment opportunities designed to encourage your child’s creativity and enthusiasm for learning!
“It was a nice mix of educational and outside play. It kept my talented child interested which can be hard to do. Before and after care is a job saver for working parents like us. Smooth drop off and pick up system. We liked that there were different subjects each week with choices.” – Parent 2018
Day camps available for students entering K-9th grade
2020 Online Courses have been modified. They are three hour courses with 5-10 minute breaks each hour. When you register, please make sure to review what time the course will begin as we are offering both AM (9:00 AM start) and PM (12:30 PM ) start times.
Academic year programs available as well.
Wright State University
3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy.
Dayton, OH, 45435
937-775-3135
[email protected]
Summer Camp Resources
First comes camp registration and then comes packing camp lunches!
We hope to ease some of that burden by providing you some ideas. Each idea meets a different need and will provide you with some different ideas of lunches to pack.
Overnight camp feels like a rite of passage.
After hearing rave reviews about the YMCA Camp Kern experience, I decided to take a risk and let go of control (because, yes, that is what it felt like to me) for one week out of the summer and see what would happen.
