Summer camps and school break camps

There is a lot of variety in summer camps schedules and activities in the Seattle-Tacoma metro region. There are day camps, weekly camps, half-day camps, full day camps, and overnight camps. There are indoor and outdoor camps, and camps that explore skills, learning, and fun through art, nature, math, science, sports, computer technologies, and other topics.

Many summer camp programs also offer break camps for winter and spring, after school or extended care programs, and weekend workshops. So, if a summer camp doesn’t fulfill your needs this summer, they may offer programs for you that are useful at other times.

All camps offer age-related programs. Many camps offer camps for children in elementary and middle school grades. But many camps also offer programs for pre-school age children as well as teens.

Registration for most summer camps occurs February through May. Many summer camps fill up fast, so register as early as possible to get your first choice in camps and dates.

Summer camp costs: Our lists focus on some of the most popular camps throughout the Puget Sound region, especially those targeted to school children of all ages. We’ve divided these lists into varying price points. Be sure to consider whether the camp provides meals, snacks, and all supplies when comparing tuition costs.

Summer camp discounts: Camps may offer scholarships. Some camps also have discounts for early registration, siblings, return customers, and referrals. So be sure to inquire about discounts for any program you consider to minimize camp costs.

Free and low cost summer day camps

In the following list, we focus on summer camps with a weekly (full-day) cost less than $300. Lower cost options may be available, including daily, half-day, and short week rates. Extended care, if available, is an additional cost.

(Listed alphabetically by city)

Paint Away in Redmond lets kids have a blast with new friends while they get creative and messy with arts and crafts. For ages 6-14.

Microsoft DigiGirlz in Redmond and Seattle give middle and high school girls opportunities to learn about careers in technology in these upcoming events for summer:

August 5-8, 2019. DigiGirlz High Tech Camp in Redmond, WA. Students listen to executive speakers, participate in technology tours and demonstrations, network, and learn through hands-on workshops. Cost: FREE.
June 21, 2019. DigiGirlz Day in Seattle. Students interact with Microsoft employees and managers to gain exposure to careers in business and technology. The day camp provides girls with information about technology and business roles, thought-provoking exercises, and Microsoft product demonstrations. Cost: FREE.

Drama Studio in Seattle offers an outdoor camp that includes theater games, scene work, playground time, art, singing, and dancing. For grades K-5.

Illumination Learning Studios in Seattle offers fun and educational outdoor adventure camps that include field-trips, engaging lessons, outdoor play time, and weekly visits to play in the water. For ages 5-13.

Seattle Audubon Nature Camps in Seattle offer a variety of themed nature camps. For grades Pre-K to 12.

Seattle Parks & Recreation in Seattle offers hundreds of summer camps in a variety of topics. Find camp descriptions in the annual Seattle Parks Summer Camp brochure. For ages 3-17.

Seattle’s Performers in Seattle offers summer camps that facilitate growth in confidence and self-esteem through music, dance, and acting. For ages 3-15.

OneWorld Now! summer language camp in Seattle offers high school students (and recent graduates) summer language camp, an immersion program to learn beginning Arabic, Korean, or Chinese.

$25 summer language camp (grades 9-12) in Seattle

Boys & Girls Clubs in the Puget Sound region. No child is ever turned away for economic reasons. Tuition assistance is available at all Club branches for fee-based programs.

King County Boy & Girls Clubs offer summer day camps, sports camps, teen camps, and leadership development for older students. For ages 6-18.
Snohomish County Boys & Girls Clubs offer summer long camps with a variety of activities, including arts and crafts, sports, computer games, and field trips. For ages 6-18.
South Sound Boys & Girls Clubs have summer programs at some clubs. Call or visit the nearest club for details. For ages 6-18.

Seattle YMCA Day Camps in the Puget Sound region offer a variety of summer day camps in music, gaming, and outdoor activities, plus specialty, leadership, and overnight camps. For grades K-12.

Skyhawks Sports Camps in the Puget Sound region gives each child a positive introduction into sports while fostering a lifelong love for an active, healthy lifestyle. High school students age 14-16 can participate in the Coach-In-Training Program. For ages 4-14 and 14-16.

STEM Camp Invention in the Puget Sound region is a high-energy, hands-on STEM camp. Save $15 with “REGIONAL15”. For children grades K-6.

Mid-priced summer day camps

This list of popular summer camps have a weekly (full-day) cost between $300-$600. Lower cost options may be available, including daily, half-day, and short week rates. Extended care, if available, is an additional cost.

(Listed alphabetically by city)

Islandwood on Bainbridge Island offers summer day camps in a natural settings that include hands-on exploration in a variety of topics. For grades Pre-K to 9.

Music Works in Bellevue offers a variety of summer camps that engage student through singing, instrument playing, note reading, song writing, performance, games, crafts, and outdoor activities. For ages 4-16.

AL Studio in Bellevue and Kirkland is a creative arts academy with diverse staff that teaches techniques in mediums such as pastels, watercolors, oils, and pencils. For ages 5-14.

Studio East in Bellevue and Kirkland offers one- and two-week theater camps that teach interested kids and teens to sing, dance, act, laugh, perform, and make new friends. For ages 4-19.

Oxbow Farm in Carnation offers kids a chance to connect with nature and express themselves through exploration, art, games, songs, and fresh farm food. For ages 4-11.

Wilderness Awareness School on the Eastside and in Seattle offer summer day camps that give kids an opportunity to discover the outdoors by learning in a variety of skills. For ages 4-13.

Village Theatre in Everett and Issaquah offer camps that use theatre to build critical life through creativity, collaboration, problem solving, concentration, public speaking, and a strong work ethic. For grades Pre-K to 12.

Northwest Soccer Camp in Kenmore offers training in technical skills, game tactics, and league play. Overnight sessions available. For ages 8 to 17.

Wolf College summer day camps in Lake Sammamish and Puyallup offers a variety of wilderness and wildlife themes. For ages 6-11.

MoveFree Academy in Redmond offers summer camps that focus on movement and skill development. For ages 6-17.

Steve & Kate’s Camp in Redmond and Seattle gives kids an opportunity to try, fail, learn, trust their own judgment, and build confidence. Very flexible plans for any number of days or the entire summer (44 days). For ages 4-12.

Arts Aloft in Seattle help students experience the pleasure of artistic self-expression while learning the techniques in tempera, acrylic, water color, charcoal, ink, plaster, and clay. For ages 5.5-11.

Gage Academy of Art in Seattle offers a variety of programs including creative art techniques, dance, yoga, martial arts, animation, and poetry. For ages 6-18.

Girls Rock Math in Seattle explores math concepts through games, songs, crafts, and science and math projects. For girls grades 1-6.

Kids Science Labs in Seattle enhance a child’s critical thinking skills and problem solving ability, combined with summer fun. For children grades JK-8.

Made Sewing Studio in Seattle offers one and three-day sewing camps that teach skills on a specific project. For ages 7-15.

Moss Bay in Seattle offers a kayaking, paddle boarding, and sailing camp on Lake Union. For ages of 6-12. These camps are usually full by February.

Northwest GirlChoir in Seattle offers a week of choral singing, instrument exploration, arts and crafts, group games, and outdoor fun. For girls grades 2-7.

Off the Wall School of Music in Seattle packs as much high quality fun and music education as possible into its Rock Band Camp. All-girl bands available. For ages 8-15.

Pinnacle Explorations Outdoor School in Seattle nurtures a sense of stewardship for the environment through experiments and activities. For ages 5-12.

Safe N Sound Swimming in Seattle offer swim and adventure camps on water and land. Teens age 14-16 can participate in the Counselor-In-Training Program. For ages 6-13 and 14-16.

Sail Sand Point in Seattle are a fun way to experience sailing and paddling for the first time, master new skills, or just hang out on the water with friends. For ages 5-17.

School of Acrobatics & New Circus Arts (SANCA) in Seattle gives kids exposure to circus arts such as tumbling, acrobatics, gymnastics, juggling, unicycle, and aerial arts. For ages 6-17.

Seattle Opera Kids Camps in Seattle offers summer camps through the lens of opera with a focus on storytelling and musical performance. For ages 7-18.

Tilth Alliance in Seattle offers weeklong camps in topics that include farming, gardening, and cooking. For ages 6-15. Shorter family workshops are available for younger children.

Woodland Park Zoo Camps in Seattle include games, activities, crafts, and learning opportunities around zoo animals For ages 3-14.

Pacific Science Center in the Puget Sound region offers summer camp students the opportunity to explore, experiment, and ignite their curiosity through a range of innovative topics. For grades Pre-K to 8.

Pedalheads in the Puget Sound region offers biking and sport camps that teach kids to go from training wheels to trails. For ages 2-12.

School of Rock in the Puget Sound region offers music camps for musicians of all skill levels who play guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, and vocals. For ages 8-18, plus a special camp For ages 6-8.

Overnight and specialized summer camps

These summer camps have a weekly (full-day) cost between $700-$1600 and up to $4,000. They offer specialized instruction and/or overnight accommodations.

(Listed alphabetically by city.)

Wilderness Awareness School in Duvall offers summer overnight camps that give kids an opportunity to discover the outdoors by learning in a variety of wilderness skills. For ages 11-18.

Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle offers a variety of summer camps in art, design, dance, graphic arts, music, filmmaking, and photography. For ages 3.5-18.

DigiPen Academy in Seattle lets students learn, create and collaborate on hands-on projects in video game programming, art and animation, game design, engineering, and music and sound design. For ages K-12.

Game Experience in Seattle teaches the basics of game development a student’s create a game project of their own design. Overnight session available. For ages 12-18.

UW Seattle Summer Tech Camps & Academies in Seattle develops skills in coding, AI, machine learning, video editing, robotics, game design, and advanced level coding. Offers overnight and all-girls sessions. For ages 10-18.

US Sports Camp around the Puget Sound region offers competitive skills camps for a variety of sports. Overnight sessions available. Gender specific and mixed sessions available. Overnight available for some programs. For ages 8-18, though eligibility varies by sport.

Wolf College overnight youth camps in various Washington locations offers a variety of wilderness and wildlife themes. For ages 9-17.