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Cincinnati summer camps where kids can play sports, act in theatre, learn to swim, become an artist or engineer, make new friends, and more!

Since the end of the school year is near, now is the time to start looking for Cincinnati summer camps for children. These summer day camps in the Queen City allow kids to make friends outside of school, gain more self-confidence, manage new situations involving teamwork, and develop a sense of independence through supervised camp activities. Learned skills from camp programs have been known to help children with their schoolwork and other social situations.

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The compiled list of Cincinnati summer programs below will educate, entertain, and exercise your child. It doesn’t matter if you are looking for a camp in the Eastside, Westside, Downtown, or up North. Camps are offered half or full days. Everyone can find an age-appropriate camp that fits their child’s needs, from preschool to high school-aged children. Most camps run from June through August. 

*Please verify all dates, costs, and hours with the camps. Always check for extended care, early drop-off, late pick-up options, financial assistance, and deadlines.

Seven Hills Academic Readiness Program, Jr. (SHARP, Jr.)

Location: 4500 Redbank Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45227 (Madisonville)
Eligibility: Any child within the age requirements
Ages: Rising 2 – 4 graders
Dates: July
Cost: $200/ per week
Scholarships: Yes
Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Summer campers will engage in fun and challenging learning activities across subject areas and explore The Seven Hills School arts programs, experiential learning, and athletics.
513-728-2454

Seven Hills Academic Readiness Program (SHARP)

Location: 4500 Redbank Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45227 (Madisonville)
Eligibility: Any child within the age requirements
Ages: Rising 5 – 9 graders
Dates: July to August
Cost: $175/ per week
Scholarships: Yes
Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Summer campers will engage in fun and challenging learning activities across subject areas and explore The Seven Hills School arts programs, experiential learning, and athletics.
513-728-2454


Summer Camps that accept vouchers

Summer Day Camp at the YMCA

Location: Multiple locations; please check the website for details
Eligibility: Any child within the age requirements
Ages: 5 to 12
Dates: May to August
Cost: $215+/ per week
Scholarships: Yes
Vouchers: Yes
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Summer campers will enjoy building confidence, discovering strengths, and learning new skills such as swimming, running, playing, and exploring nature in an encouraging environment. The YMCA offers many day camp activities that are perfect for a full-day or half-day session.
513-791-5000

Cincinnati Recreation Commission

Location: Multiple locations; please check the website for details
Eligibility: Any child within the age requirements with a membership
Ages: 5 to 12
Dates: June to August
Cost: $170+/ per week
Scholarships: Yes
Vouchers: Yes
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Camp activities include STEM projects, arts and crafts, outdoor play, sports, open swim time, and more! A CRC center membership is required for all camp participants. Check out the website for information about online registration.


Summer Camps for Ages 3+

Great Parks of Hamilton County Summer Camps

Location: Multiple locations, please check the website for details
Eligibility: Any child within the age requirements
Ages: 3-18
Dates: May to August
Cost: $165+/person
Scholarships: Yes
Hours: Vary
Summer campers can choose from science, nighttime adventures, horseback riding, and more! Register now for some fun adventure camps.
513-521-7275

Cincinnati Parks Explore Nature Summer Camps

Location: Multiple locations; please check the website for details
Eligibility: Any child within the age requirements
Ages: 3.5 to 15
Dates: June to August
Cost: $80/ per week
Scholarships: Yes
Hours: Vary
Summer campers will enjoy daily hikes, games, live animal encounters, experiments, and projects to remain active all day. Children will receive enrichment alongside nature activities.
513-321-6070

Summer Camps at CCAC

Location: 2728 Short Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45219 (Clifton)
Eligibility: Any child within the age requirements
Ages: 3 to 12
Dates: June to August
Cost: $225+/ per week
Scholarships: Yes
Hours: Vary
Summer campers will enjoy unleashing creativity with visual arts and music camps. Check out their brochure for the full list of arts camps for this summer.
513-497-2860

Mutual Dance Theatre Summer Camps

Location: 8222 Monon Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45216 (Hartwell)
Eligibility: Anyone within the age requirements
Ages: 3 to 10
Dates: June to August
Cost: $150
Scholarships: Yes
Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Campers will be able to pick between different themes, such as wizards and Wild West. These creative themes are perfect for day camps whether it’s a half-day or full-day session.
513-494-6526


Summer Camps for Ages 4+

Summer Camp at the J (Mayerson JCC)

Location: 8485 Ridge Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45236 (Amberly)
Eligibility: Anyone within the age requirements
Ages: 4 to 14
Dates: June to August
Cost: $375+/ per week
Scholarships: Yes
Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Summer campers will enjoy the simple pleasures of summer, from swimming lessons and archery to arts and crafts, camp values, and color wars. Check the brochure for more registration details.
513-761-7500

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Camp Wave Aquarium Summer Camp

Location: 1 Aquarium Way, Newport, KY 41071 (Newport)
Eligibility: Any child within the age requirements
Ages: 4 to 15
Dates: June to August
Cost: $250+/ per week
Scholarships: Yes
Hours: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Summer campers will enjoy meeting sharks, penguins, and stingrays up close while exploring aquatic wonders. Before and after care is available for campers at an additional price.
859-815-1422

Imago Earth Center Camps

Location: 700 Enright Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45205 (East Price Hill)
Eligibility: Any child within the age requirements
Ages: 4 to 15
Dates: June to August
Cost: $100+/ per week
Scholarships: Yes
Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Summer campers will enjoy the summer with fun-filled weeks of exploration, hikes, games, arts, and so much more. These adventure camps are perfect for young explorers.
513-921-5124


Summer Camps Ages 5+

YMCA Camp Kern Summer Camp

Location: 5291 OH-350, Oregonia, OH 45054 (Oregonia)
Eligibility: Any child within the age requirements
Ages: 6 to 17
Dates: June to August
Cost: $205+/ per week
Scholarships: Yes
Hours: Vary
Summer campers will enjoy swimming, nature, archery, rock climbing, waterfront, riflery, arts and crafts, drama, and more! Camp Kern is accredited by the American Camp Association and is great for campers of all ages.
513-932-3756

YMCA Camp Ernst Summer Camp

Location: 7615 Camp Ernst Rd, Burlington, KY 41005 (Burlington)
Eligibility: Any child within the age requirements
Ages: 6 to 15
Dates: June to August
Cost: $135+/ per week
Scholarships: Yes
Hours: Vary
Summer campers will enjoy the outdoors and make great friends at this fun summer camp. Participants in overnight sessions will get the best summer with incredible camp counselors.
859-586-6181

Gorman Heritage Farm Summer Camps

Location: 10052 Reading Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45241 (Blue Ash)
Eligibility: Anyone within the age requirements
Ages: 5-13
Dates: June to August
Costs: $220+/week
Scholarships: Yes
Hours: 9:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m.
Kids will be able to choose from exploring, learning about farm animals, gardening, and more. Make sure to complete the necessary health forms while registering.
513-563-6663

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Kids First Camp-A-Palooza Summer Camps

Location: 7900 E Kemper Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45249 (Sharonville)
Eligibility: Any child within the age requirements
Ages: 5 to 12
Dates: June to July
Cost: $237+/ per week
Scholarships: Yes
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Summer campers will enjoy swimming, gymnastics, dance, taekwondo, soccer, basketball, volleyball, cheer, yoga, trampoline, tumbling, and more. There are plenty of sports camps for campers to choose from.
513-489-7575

Kennedy Heights Arts Summer Camp

Location: 6546 Montgomery Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45213 (Kennedy Heights)
Eligibility: Any child within the age requirements
Ages: 5 to 13
Dates: June to August
Cost: $157+/ per week
Scholarships: Yes
Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Summer campers will enjoy exploring visual arts, dance, music, video/digital media, and theatre. Check out the volunteer opportunity for older kids to be camp counselors as well.
513-631-4278

iSpace STEM Summer Camp

Location: Ross Middle School (Ross) and ISpace (Evendale)
Eligibility: Any child within the age requirements
Ages: 5 to 18
Dates: June to August
Cost: $325+/ per week
Scholarships: Yes
Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Through cool projects and hands-on activities, summer campers will enjoy thinking and working like real engineers, scientists, designers, and developers. Make sure to check for information about camp cancellation while registering.
513-554-0425


Summer Camps for Ages 6+

Playhouse Theatre Summer Camps

Location: Multiple locations; please check the website for details
Eligibility: Any child within the age requirements
Ages: 6 to 17
Dates: June to August
Cost: $350+/ per week
Scholarships: Yes
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Summer campers will enjoy programming influenced by unique, book-based themes designed to build confidence and strengthen communication skills. Two-week camp sessions are also available.
513-345-2242

Queen City Clay Summer Camps

Location: 2760 Highland Ave, Norwood, OH 45212 (Norwood)
Eligibility: Anyone within the age requirements and with the necessary skill level for certain classes
Ages: 6-18
Dates: May to August
Cost: $165+
Scholarships: Yes
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Kids will be able to choose from beginner art camps to advanced pottery camps. Check your camper’s skill level during registration.
513-871-2529

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Tech Summer Camps

Location: Multiple locations; please check the website for details
Eligibility: Any child within the age requirements
Ages: 6 to 14
Dates: June to August
Cost: $259+/ per week
Scholarships: Yes
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Summer campers will enjoy learning game design, robotics, coding, and more. Please select your desired location on your registration form.
1-800-595-3776

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company Theatre Summer Camp

Location: 1195 Elm St, Cincinnati, OH 45202 (Downtown)
Eligibility: Any child within the age requirements
Ages: 6 to 18
Dates: June to July
Cost: $295+/ per week
Scholarships: Yes
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Summer campers will enjoy creating comedy and clowning, monsters, magic, chills, thrills, investigators, and spies. Themes vary per week and per session.
513-381-2273


Summer Camps for Ages 7+

Arts Connect Summer Camps

Location: 9158 Winton Rd building A, Cincinnati, OH 45231 (Finneytown)
Eligibility: Any child within the age requirements
Ages: 7-13
Dates: June to August
Cost: $210+/week
Scholarships: Yes
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Campers will learn about cultural differences and stewardship of their environment while creating their projects. A great chance to enrich your child this summer.
513-522-2108

Classroom Antics Summer Camps

Location: Multiple locations, check the website for details
Eligibility: Any child within the age requirements
Ages: 7-14
Dates: June to August
Cost: $209+/week
Scholarships: Yes
Hours: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Campers will have a chance to participate in multiple STEAM camps, such as Lego Bots and game builders. Let go of the traditional campfire and have your camper build robots and games this year.
800-595-3776


Summer Camps for Ages 8 through 10+

Ensemble Theatre Summer Camps

Location: 1127 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH, 45202 (OTR)
Eligibility: Any child within the age requirements
Ages: 8-19
Dates: July
Cost: $325+/ per week
Scholarships: Available but limited
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Summer campers will focus on acting fundamentals and promote self-confidence, communication, and teamwork. This art camp is great for many campers, no matter how old.
513-421-3555

Women Writing for (a) Change

Location: 6906 Plainfield Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236 (Silverton)
Eligibility: Anyone within the age requirements; gender specific for some camps
Ages: 9-18
Dates: June to July
Cost: $329/week
Scholarships: Yes
Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
All summer camps use the art of writing and artistic expression to enhance self-esteem and build skills in creative self-expression. Programs are designed to help strengthen young people’s authentic voices, develop their ability to speak out, and deepen their self-belief.
513-272-1171

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Summer Camps for junior high/high school-aged students

Breakthrough Cincinnati

Location: Multiple locations in Cincinnati
Eligibility: Rising 6th and 7th graders
Ages: 11 to 13
Dates: July to August
Cost: Free
Hours: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Summer campers will be energized to enter college confidently with the help of near-peer mentors. For over 25 years, BTC has provided a space for transformative growth with fun, hands-on, socially just experiences.
513-204-9139

Cincinnati Architectural Mentoring Program

Location: 5470 Aronoff, Cincinnati, OH 45221 (Clifton)
Eligibility: Rising 8th and 9th grade student
Ages: 12-15 years old (based upon grade level)
Dates: July
Cost: $100 per student
Scholarships: Available upon request
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Summer Campers will enjoy a five-day immersive architect camp experience followed by a project exhibition, presentations, and graduation celebration on Saturday.
[email protected]

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Cincinnati Ballet Dance Summer Camp

Location: TBD
Eligibility: Any child within the age requirements who passes auditions
Ages: 12 to 18
Dates: June to July
Cost: $2,100+/ per 3 weeks
Scholarships: Yes
Hours: Vary
Summer campers will enjoy an entrance into intensive summer training in a fun and nurturing environment for young, aspiring dancers.
513-562-1111

UC CEAS Young and Rising Engineers Summer Camp

Location: 2600 Clifton Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45220 (Clifton)
Eligibility: Anyone within the age requirements
Ages: 13 to 18
Dates: June to July
Cost: $125+
Scholarships: Yes, but limited
Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Camps in CEAS are a great way to learn about the different types of engineering! Camps offer a variety of field trips, lab tours, hands-on activities, and engineering design challenges!
513-556-6000

Girls Who Code Summer Programs

Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Girls within the age requirements
Ages: 14 to 18
Dates: June to August
Cost: Free
Hours: Varies
A live, virtual, 2-week introductory computer science course for eligible 9th-, 10th-, and 11th-grade U.S. and international students. There is also a 6-week flexible computer science course for U.S. and international students.
[email protected]

Related Article: FREE homework help for students in kindergarten through eighth grade at Cincinnati Public Library branches.

Back to School Giveaways in Cincinnati

Another clever way to find the right camp experience for your child is Cincinnati blogs. Check Groupon, CincySavers, and other discount sites for reduced camp prices. Ok, Cincinnatians. Now that you know the available summer camps for kids, pay attention to registration deadlines. Many camps are first-come, first-serve. So, sign your child up quickly!

Enroll now, don’t wait to register! Be sure to check the camp’s website for brochures, information on camp counselors and camp staff, first-day information, and more!

Camps that would like to be added to this list can contact The Voice of Black Cincinnati with the information below:

Camp Name:
Location:
Eligibility:
Ages:
Dates:
Cost:
Scholarships:
Vouchers:
Hours:
Short description:
Phone:

Written by: Jaylyn Nurredin

The Voice of Black Cincinnati is a media company designed to educate, recognize, and create opportunities for African Americans. Want to find local news, events, job postings, scholarships, and a database of local Black-owned businesses? Visit our homepage, explore other articles, subscribe to our newsletter, like our Facebook page, join our Facebook group, and text VOBC to 513-270-3880.

Cincinnati Summer Camps Photo provided by © [Sergey Novikov] /Adobe Stock

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