Charlotte Summer Camps for 2024 - Charlotte On The Cheap

kids playing tug of war — Photo: Depositphotos

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:

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 and at the Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte’s Center City campus.

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.

The Creative Mind of Dungeons and Dragons
Public Speaking
Grossology: The Human Body
LEGO Robotics
Build a Radio-Controlled Car
The Many Eras of Taylor Swift
Harry Potter Adventure
Digging for Dinos
Math in the Real World
Musical Theater
Finance 101
High School Science Olympiad
Graphic & Interior Design Workshop
Much more

Prices of the week-long camps vary, but most are $275 and up.

Registration opens January 23th, 2024 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 they start around $100/week.

Find lists of summer camps:

Check for updates on Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Center’s website for information on the camps. Registration starts on March 5, 2024, for programs at Regional Recreation Centers for residents; March 6, 2024, for programs at Recreation Centers, Nature Centers, TIRS, and Aquatics for Mecklenburg County residents; and March 7 for non-residents.

VisArt Video

VisArt Video, at 3104 Eastway Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina, offers several summer camps, including WOW: Week of Outstanding Writing; Cartoon Playhouse Camp; Crafting Resilience: A Creative Cooping Camp for Kids; So, You Wanna Be a Star; and Young Filmmakers Bootcamp. Learn about all of them at visartvideo.org/kids-summer-camps/.

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.

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden offers 10 different camp sessions with a variety of topics, for all ages. A few of the topics are Enchanted Garden Camp, Bookworm Camp, Paddling Camp with Catawba Riverkeeper, Nature Camp and more. Prices vary. More info.

Whitewater Center

The Whitewater Center has 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 $300 to $500 a week. Registration is open now. More info.

Arts Delivered in Matthews

At Arts Delivered Camps, from Town of Matthews, kids learn ceramics, pottery, painting and more. they’ll also play games and organize a Friday exhibit. Camps are 12:30 to 4 p.m. Camps are $215/week for Matthews residents and $225 for non-residents. Register starting February 1. Register by April 1st for a discount. 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, and CPCC’s Levine Campus in Matthews, and Queens University of Charlotte

Tuition for a week-long half-day program for kids 3-5 is $200. A full-day week-long camp is available for rising kindergarten students and older, and starts at $350 a week.

Registration starts on January 17, 2024, for CTC donors, January 19 for Season subscribers and current education families, and January 26 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.

Aerial CLT

Week-long aerial and circus camp for kids age 7-14 who want to learn circus and aerial arts. $350/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.

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 1, 2024.

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.