2025 Columbus Summer Camps (Gathering Reviews)

Camp Invention is a nonprofit camp that teaches STEM concepts through fun, hands-on learning. Kids are presented with a series of challenges that build problem solving, teamwork, creative thinking, and entrepreneurship skills. Curriculum and activities are inspired by National Inventors Hall of Fame inductees.

Robot Academy's Lego Robot Summer Camps are hands-on, action-packed technology experiences. Campers will design, build and program working LEGO robots and invent contraptions using 3D Modeling/Printing. Campers will increase their familiarity with engineering and computer knowledge while practicing problem-solving skills.

Kids explore all aspects of theater performance and production, including creating characters, choosing costumes, and a performance on the final day of camp.

Columbus Children's Theater holds summer camps that are designed to inspire young performers and teach acting skills while building communication skills, self esteem, and teamwork. Themes are usually based on popular children's movies and shows.

Creative Summer Workshops at CCAD are hands-on courses for kids and teens. Introductory classes for the youngest artists expose them to a variety of techniques, while older kids spend the session with a certain focus, like puppetry or insect art.

One of the best kid-friendly Columbus museums hosts summer art workshops for students. Camps involve imaginative play, exploring different art mediums, and gallery games.

Kids will explore the Grange Insurance Audubon Center and Scioto Audubon Metro Park in the Audubon Adventure Camps program. Campers will participate in nature hikes and scavenger hunts, explore different habitats, and enjoy songs and crafts.

Thurber House holds week-long summer writing camps for kids, helping them to find their creativity and passion for writing. The focus is on fun and imagination, not solely on spelling or grammar. Through writing, kids will experience great adventures, solve mysteries, write songs and interesting poetry.

Junior Achievement is a national organization on a mission to empower youth with the economic skills to succeed in business. The Biztown Summer Camp is a week-long experience in which campers get a taste of life in the workforce and as a business owner. Classroom-teaching and interactive activities are combined to teach entrepreneurship, marketing, personal finance, job preparation, and more.

Kids can explore the performing arts through the Patternz Summer Camp at the historic Lincoln Theater. Campers will learn dance, theater, music and visual arts as they participate in workshops each day. There will be a performance for family and friends at the end of the week to show all that campers have learned.

OSU Rec Sports offers their popular Camp Recky, with mornings spent learning basic skills for the two sports offered as "majors" for the week, and afternoons spent on a variety of sports and rec activities. There is also an Esports Camp for tweens, where campers learn about gaming fundamentals, broadcasting, and careers in esports and technology.

The Ohio State University offers a plethora of summer athletic camps for boys and girls. Choose from baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross country, football, gymnastics, lacrosse, rowing, soccer and many more!

YMCA of Central Ohio offers a variety of popular weeklong summer camps.

Summer camps at the Conservatory let kids explore nature through gardening, learning about insects and active outdoor play.

Ohio Craft Museum offers creative art summer camps and workshops in full or half day sessions. Summer camps for younger kids center around a new theme each week, and teen summer workshops focus on different techniques and mediums, from needlework to clay.