Looking for a summer camp in Charlotte for your child? We get a lot of requests from parents for summer camps, so we’ve put together a list of resources for you to explore.
It’s important to know that registration for some of the camps happens early–as early as January–and spots can fill up quickly. So, research in advance so you know what you want to sign your child up for when the time comes.
We’re including information about some of the most popular summer camps, but it’s not a comprehensive list by any means! Scroll down for the Charlotte Parent’s Summer Camp Database. You’ll find many more camps there, including at schools and churches.
The church camps are usually the least expensive. Although we’re not including information on the many, many church camps and Vacation Bible Schools, just because of the sheer number of them, you should be able to find many of them in Charlotte Parent’s Database, and they are a great choice for the budget-conscious parent!
New to Charlotte on the Cheap? You might also be interested in:
- Signing up for Charlotte on the Cheap’s daily email
- Big list of indoor play areas
- Outdoor movies
- Upcoming free and cheap events for kids
- Free and cheap things to do this week
- Free museum days in the Charlotte area
UNC Charlotte Summer Camps
UNC Charlotte offers some really interesting camps for kids in grades 1 through 12. The camps are designed to keep kids’ brains engaged and to be a lot of fun. Camps take place both on the main campus of UNC Charlotte.
The camps are broken up by age:
- Cool School: Rising grades 1-4
- 49er Minors: Rising grades 5-8
- Niner Academy: Rising grades 9-12
These are just some of the camp topics and activities to choose from, although they’re not all available for all age groups.
- DIY Crafting and Design
- Camp Barbie
- Harry Potter Adventure
- LEGO Robotics
- Minecraft Movie Makers
- Science Behind CSI
- Upcycled Art
- Culinary Art
- Green Mythology Odyssey
- AI
- Adulting 101
- Finance 101
- Aerospace Engineering
- Many more!
Prices of the week-long camps vary, but most are $275 and up.
Registration opens January 28, 2025 at 8 a.m.
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Summer Camps
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department offers a wide selection of camp for kids of all ages, including camps that focus on nature, sports, the outdoors, and more.
They normally offer both half-day and full-day programs. The camps take place at recreation centers, parks and nature centers. Prices vary, but these camps tend to be on the less expensive side.
Registration starts on March 4, 2025. Register here.
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Immerse your child in the wonders of nature, science and adventure with these hands-on camp offerings from Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. Choose from Woodland Naturalists Camp, Habitat Hunters Camp, Paddling Camp, Garden Explorer Days, Enchanted Garden Camp, Wild Wonderful Water Camp, and Survival Camp. Ages 6-14. Prices range from $60 to $250.
Charlotte Cirque & Dance Center
Charlotte Cirque & Dance camps are recreational — no experience required. Activities include dance, acrobatics and aerial dance. Morning camps are $200 a week and focus on circus and dance displines. Afternoon sessions will focus on arts and crafts and story times for ages 6-8, and open practice for ages 9+. Afternoon sessions are $85 a week. Camps take place at 9315-E Monroe Road, Charlotte, NC.
Girl Scouts Summer Camp
Girl Scouts Hornets Nest offer overnight camps. The overnight camp is at the Dale Earnhardt Environmental Campus at Oak Springs in Statesville. It features archery, arts and crafts, canoeing, fishing, and much more. There are several weekly sessions, for girls from 2nd to 12th grade. Pricing varies. Girls don’t have to be Girl Scouts to attend. More info.
Whitewater Center
The Whitewater Center offers a variety of camps for kids ages 8-18. Some topics include kayaking, adventure camp, STEAM camp, survival camp, and more. The cost ranges from $395 to $500 a week. The center also offers a half day and full day camp for kids ages 4-7. Half-day camps are $200/week and full-day camps are $400/week. Registration is open now. More info.
Charlotte Christian School
“Expand Your Horizons” at Charlotte Christian’s Summer Camp. Camp offerings include STEM camps, sports camps, art camps, volunteering in the community, and many more. Campers will immerse themselves in learning, play, and exploration. There are a variety of camps available that are sure to spark your child’s interest. The diverse selection of camps will ignite curiosity and learning in a fun, safe environment. $190 to $400. More info.
Creation Acre
Creation Acre is hosting exciting and unique summer camps for ages 4-13. Some of their camps are Art Reimagined, “Elemental” Science, Food ARt & Storytelling, Young Detectives, Inventors Camp. The half-day camps take place weekly, Monday to Friday, from June 10 to August 16, 2024. $225/week. Registration is open now. More info.
Discovery Place Camps
Discovery Place summer camps are very popular and often fill up in minutes. Themes include outer space, the ocean’s ecosystems and animals, LEGO, chemistry, girls in STEM, dinosaurs, medical marvels and more. Full-day camps cost $400/week and half-day camps cost $210.
The camps take place at Discovery Place Science and Discovery Place Kids. Registration opens January 20, 2024, at 10 a.m. Discovery Place members can register starting January 23, at 10 a.m., and will get a discount.
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte offers summer camps for age 3 to 18. Camps take place at ImaginOn, with satellite locations at CPCC’s Levine Campus in Matthews, and Gaston Day School.
New this year is SummerStage, a 3-week production and performance experience for rising 7th to 12th grade.
Tuition for a week-long half-day program for kids 3-5 is $220. A full-day week-long camp is available for rising kindergarten students and older, and starts at $370 a week.
Registration starts on January 22, 2025, for CTC donors, January 24 for Season subscribers and current education families, and January 31 for the general public.
Central Piedmont Community College
CPCC’s summer camps offer experiences in art, cosmetology, culinary skills, engineering, forensics, law, and technology. They’re held on various CPCC campuses.
Price varies, and registration is open now.
Terrific Scientific
Terrific Scientific Summer Camps take place at Antioch Elementary School in Matthews and at British International School of Charlotte. The camps offer 40+ STEM experiences, from robotics, coding, and game design to paleontology, chemistry, special effects, and more. The camps are for grades K-7 and range in price from $220 a week (half-day) to $395 a week.
Central Fine Arts Academy
Central Fine Arts Academy is hosting a summer camp from June 23 to 27, 2025, at 9401 S Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC. Topics include sculpture, drawing, painting, drumming, ukulele, choir, chimes and yoga. The cost is $300, with supplies and snacks included. The camp is for ages 5-12 and is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration opens in February.
Aerial CLT
Week-long aerial and circus camp for kids age 8-14 who want to learn circus and aerial arts. $380/week. 801 N Tryon Street, Charlotte. Registration is open now.
Providence Equestrian Center
Week-long half-day equestrian camps for kids age 5 1/2 to 14, at $415/week. Each camp day provides a horse riding lesson and lessons in horsemanship. Camps also include crafts and scavenger hunts. 424 Waxhaw Indian Trail Rd. Waxhaw, NC. Registration is open now.
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Anne Springs Close Greenway, in Fort Mill, offers outdoor camps on their 2,100 acres of preserved land. Kids can hike, bike, fish, kayak and more. Registration has opened.
JazzArts Summer Music Camp
The 2025 JazzArts Summer Music Camp takes place at UNC Charlotte Main Campus’ Robinson Hall, 9027 Mary Alexander Road, Charlotte, North Carolina, from June 23 to 27, 2025. Tuition is $375, with financial aid available.
The JazzArts Summer Music Camp is an exciting one-week comprehensive music training program for students in grades 7-12 devoted to America’s original art form: jazz. Students will be immersed in an intensive jazz curriculum and have the opportunity to interact and play with other motivated young musicians from across the Charlotte region.
The JazzArts Summer Music Camp curriculum includes small combo performances, jazz improvisation, jazz history and listening, jazz theory (basic to advanced), master class instruction on bass, drums, guitar, piano, saxophone (all woodwinds), trombone and trumpet, and student jam sessions. All instruments are welcome, including vocals.
There will be a culminating community concert performance on Friday evening, the last day of camp.
Camp Cornelius
Summer camps with Cornelius Parks & Recreation Department. A wide variety of camps are available, featuring sports, arts and crafts, water fun and more. Ages 4-14. Cornelius residents can register starting March 3, 2025, and others can register March 10. More info.
YMCA Camps
The YMCA of Greater Charlotte offers over 500 varieties of traditional, sports and themed day camps across their 14 branches. Prices vary. Registration has opened.
Levine JCC Camp Mindy
Levine JCC offers traditional summer camps, performance camps, and sports camps on its 54-acre campus in South Charlotte. There are half day and full day options. Prices vary. Sessions range from 2 to 7 weeks. Member priority registration is now open. Community registration opens February 3, 2025.
Charlotte Prep
Charlotte Preparatory School, at 212 Boyce Road, Charlotte, NC, offers a number of summer camps, including Traditional Summer Camp, Lego/STEM, Theatre, MasterChef Jr. Field Trips, Nike Soccer Camps and A.I. Pioneers. Tuition starts at $450/week for a full-day program and $250 for a half-day program. Learn more here. Registration is open now. Register here.
The Lotus Project Summer Intensive
The Lotus Project’s summer performance camps are a blend of the traditional day camp experience and a more focused production camp for grades K-8. There’s a two-week program for $800 and a three-week program for $1,200. Both will culminate in performances. Scholarships are available. There’s also a intern program for rising 9th graders, at $200/week. The camps are held at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3115 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC, and the performances are held at Light of Christ United Methodist Church.
Charlotte Parent
Charlotte Parent has put together a list of summer camps. You can search by type of camp, geographic area or name of camp.
Charlotte on the Cheap is a member of 
Gail Williams says
I have a grandson with special needs who is 22. He LOVES music, drama, dance. He has participated in camps through Mecklenburg Park and Rec. Do you know of anything that works with special needs young adults in these areas he craves??? This would be for summer camp.
Gail Williams says
Question is written above.