Free and Affordable Summer Camps In and Near Philly

Inexpensive Summer Day Camps Near Philly

Steve & Kate's Camp — Center City
Ages: 4-12
Campers choose from a wide variety of activities, including sewing, stop-motion animation, music, coding, sports, baking, and more. Families can buy as many days as they’d like and use them at any time, with no weekly reservations required. If you need more care, purchase a Summer Pass for the whole season, and you'll be refunded for any unused passes at the end of the summer. Visit the website here.

Camp Garrett—Newtown Square
Ages: 5-15
Camp Garrett provides every camper with a nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snack made on-site every day. An excellent opportunity for children to experience the wonder and fun of summer with friends while in a safe, nurturing environment. Camp starts at $397 per week. Visit the website here.

Milky Way Farm Camp — Chester Springs
Ages: 4-12
Ages 4-6 can enroll in the Little Farmers program, while second-sixth graders enjoy Farm Fun. Learn about the animals on the farm, take hayrides, explore agriculture, and so much more at Milky Way. Price runs $200-$300 per week, depending on age. Visit the website here.

Miss Betty's Day Camp — Chester Springs
Ages: Grades 1-6
Nature, art, and swimming in Pickering Creek are all part of the experience at Miss Betty's Day Camp in Chester Springs. Camp starts at $300 per week. Visit the website here.

Philadelphia Parks and Recreation — Multiple Locations
Ages: 6-12
Located at parks and recreation departments across the city, more than 100 neighborhood day camps are available at affordable rates. Use the department's finder tool to locate a summer program near you and contact your chosen rec center for dates, ages, costs, and availability. Visit the website here.

YMCA — Multiple Locations
Ages: 4 and up
With multiple locations throughout the Philadelphia region, there are YMCA summer camps to fit many interests and budgets. Campers must be current Y members, and you can register for membership when you sign up for camps. Hours and price vary by location. Visit the website here.

Affordable Nature Camps Near Philly

Briar Bush Nature Center — Abington
Ages: 4-15
Half-day camps, full-day camps, travel camps, and overnight camps are all available at Briar Bush Nature Center. Half-day programs fit into the "affordable" category in the $228 per week range (with discounts for Nature Center members), while full-day and older kid camps get a bit steeper. Starts at $265 per week for half day, with some options for extended care. Scholarships are available, and discounts for members are applied. Visit the website here.

Morris Arboretum & Gardens Summer Camp — Philadelphia
Ages: 4-11
Nature, birds, insects, wild wizardry, and exploration are just some of the themes that are part of this nature camp's curriculum. Each child will be limited to three weeks of camp registration. These camps run approximately $330 per week, with a discount for members. Visit the website here.

Newlin Grist Mill — Glen Mills
Ages: 4-12
On any given day, campers at Newlin Grist Mill's Summer Discovery Camp might be looking for frogs, building a sculpture of recycled materials, baking cookies from an 18th-century recipe, or experimenting with unbreakable bubbles. Camps run $275 per week, with a discount for members. Visit the website here.

Free & Affordable Summer Camps in Philly:

Affordable Art Camps Near Philly

Cheltenham Center for the Arts — Cheltenham
Ages: 5-12
Sign up for a one-week "Crafty Kids" camp or a two-week session for longer, more in-depth art-making, plus trips to the local swimming pool! Camps cost $140-$330 for half-day; $265-$625 for full-day, with discounts for members. Visit the website here.

Fleisher Art Memorial Camp — Philadelphia
Ages: 5-18
From themed art for younger kids to figure drawing for bigger kid artists, classes provide a place for imagination and creativity. Camps start at $400 per week and tuition assistance is available. Visit the website here.

Main Line Art Center Summer Camp — Haverford
Ages: 5-16
Pick from palette pals, pre-teen studios, or teen studios for this awesome art camp in the heart of the Main Line. Prices start at $257 per week for a half-day and at $514 per week for a full day. Scholarships are available. Visit the website here.

Northern Liberties Arts — Philadelphia
Ages: Kindergarten through eighth grade, plus counselor-in-training options for ninth through twelfth grade
Explore all different art mediums at this creative camp in Northern Liberties that features lots of camp options for kids of all ages. Camp costs about $275 per week depending on age, with discounts for siblings. Visit the website here.

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts Summer Art Camp — Philadelphia
Ages: 5-14
At this camp, you'll not only make art but get up close with real works of art in PAFA's collection! This is a great camp for kids who care about making and appreciating art. Camp costs $400 for non-members; $340 for members, plus there are discounts for multi-camp registrations.Visit the website here.

Sky Soup Art Center — Bala Cynwyd
Ages: 5-12
With themes like Cats, Castles and Dragons, Ceramics, Cardboard Creations, and more, there's something for every aspiring artist at this award-winning art studio in Bala Cynwyd. Camps start at $280 per week. Visit the website here.

Yes! And...Collaborative — Philadelphia
Ages: Kindergarten through Grade 12
Kids from kindergarten to fourth grade participate in Imagination Camp, a summer performing arts program, while kids entering grades 5 through 8 will take classes in acting, dance and movement, visual arts, and storytelling or playwriting, all of which will be on display in a final performance. Note that there are teen theater camps that run more than one week! With some free and sliding scale options starting at $5 per week, this camp is truly affordable and a great value for its high quality! Visit the website here.

Free and Affordable STEM Camps Near Philly

GSK Science in the Summer — Multiple Locations
Ages: Grades 2-6
GSK offers this FREE summer camp for kids who are entering grades 2-6. Space is limited, and camps fill up quickly, so be sure to contact your local venue to see how they handle registration. Visit the website here.

Camp Invention — Multiple Locations
Ages: Kindergarten through grade 6
Young inventors will love making everything from robotic fish to volcanoes to engineering challenges. Parents will love the price ($275 and up per week) and the many location options throughout the area. Visit the website here.

Delaware County Community College — Media
Ages: 6-16
Technological and creative camps will get minds working, with past topics including LEGO building, robotics, game design, cooking, acting, and more. Prices for weekly camps start at about $250. Visit the website here.

category: kids activities

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