Columbus Summer Camps: Parent-to-Parent Guide

Kelly R.:  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 include The World of Harry Potter, Bluey & Bingo, Let It Go, Moana and Maui, and more!

Katie G.:  Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD) is a private art and design college serving students for over 100 years. Creative Summer Workshops at CCAD are hands-on courses for younger students interested in art to develop their skills in a creative environment. In these art classes for kids, students will learn about colors, paper making, printmaking, digital art, animation, drawing, painting and more.

Kelly R.:  One of Columbus's best museums, the Columbus Museum of Art, holds summer art workshops for kids. Camps involve imaginative play, exploring different art mediums, and gallery games.

Katie G.:  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. Some sessions offer an optional add-on cookout/overnight/breakfast.

Kelly R.:  Kids explore their creative side and perform in a mini-show in just one week. Each week features a different theme to perform.

Kelly R.:  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 soley on spelling or grammar. Through their writing, kids will experience great adventures, solve mysteries, write songs and interesting poetry.

Hannah Scott:  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.

Katie G.:  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.

Kelly R.:  At Camp Recky, they strive to foster a life in motion while creating the extraordinary camper experience through various sport and recreation activities. Turn off your electronic devices and un-plug at Camp Recky this summer. Camp Recky uses the facilities, fields and resources of The Ohio State University to provide its campers with a true Buckeye experience to remember.

Kelly R.:  YMCA of Central Ohio offers a variety of popular weeklong summer camps. Selections include Curtain Up, Wild at Art, and Superhero Training Camp.

Kelly R.:  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.

Hannah Scott:  Camps at the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens are a fantastic way for kids to marvel in the wonders of science and nature without heading deep into the woods! Camps are themed and divided by age so your child is sure to find something they'll love. They get to spend time in the Children's Garden -- complete with a stream, wetland area, canopy walk, nature art studio and more!

Katie G.:  Visitors to The Ohio Craft Museum can view exhibits of contemporary and fine arts crafts. The museum offers summer camps and workshops for kids of all ages. A different theme will be highlighted each week. Camp sessions are half day camps, but you can create a full-day experience by registering for a morning and an afternoon session.

Kelly R.:  Picassos Art Studio offers camps where kids enjoy time creating art through a variety of mediums and techniques.

Kelly R.:  Kids learn about how to act in an emergency, fire prevention, school bus safety, poison/substance avoidance, animal safety, personal safety, and water safety. Pedestrian and traffic safety skills are taught while riding tricycles around a miniature village complete with streets, sidewalks, buildings, stop signs and a working traffic signal.