One of the first things I thought of as a kid, and got excited for about summer, was summer camp. I remember throughout the years, we would do different kinds of camps—sometimes it was short morning day camps through our school, other times it was a week-away trip to a local camp and retreat center.
There are dozens of summer camp opportunities in Lancaster County, so I couldn’t imagine sharing about all of them—but I did want to showcase a few of the unique ones that are favorites of many Lancaster County families. And if you’re a planner like me, working ahead might save you some money with early bird registration fee discounts!
Have fun searching the list—you’ll find everything from musical camps, to STEM-related camps, to reading camps, to chess camps, to traditional camps, to budget-friendly sports camps. Enjoy!
Summer Camps in Lancaster County
I question I hear from moms a lot is , "where can my kids attend summer camp?" I am always so excited to share that there are dozens of day camp and overnight camp options in Lancaster County. On this list you'll find everything from Academic Camps, Robotics Camps, Tech Camps, Science Camps, Christian Camps, Athletic Camps and more!
Snapology (Lancaster) offers summer camps for children ages 4 and up, ranging from $99-189. These camps focus on robotics and engineering skills through interactive play.
This summer they are offering four types of programs for you to choose from: robotics, STEAM, technology or themed camps. Kids love learning and playing with all of the fun camp topics that are explored in each program.
Some of the skills your child will secretly be learning can include coding, engineering, minecraft, video game design, and animation, all with the help of LEGOs, blocks, and science.
Take a look at a few of their interesting classes offered, including “Minecraft Movie Making”, “Pokemania”, and “Junior Scientists: All About Animals”. KinderBots (5-Day Camp) and Space Wars Robotics (6-Week Class).
Are you wondering how to get your kids excited to be outside this summer? Black Rock Retreat is excited to offer 8 weeks of high-energy, intentionally-programmed summer day camp in Lancaster County for campers entering 1st through 6th grade in 2019. Every week at Blast Day Camp, campers will experience the natural world around them, grow in knowledge and skills, and connect with new friends. They also offer a traditional overnight camp, that has been a staple for many years.
Blast Day Camp offers two age groups. Blast Day Camp Pioneers for campers entering 1st-3rd grade and Blast Day Camp Explorers for campers entering 4th-6th grade. Groups will have separate age-appropriate activities throughout the day and will be together for meals, swimming, and other large group games.
Each week runs Monday through Friday from 9:00 am until 4:30 pm with extended care available from 7:00 am until 6:00 pm (additional cost). Your camper will have a BLAST!
Hands-on House will be offering camp activities this summer, beginning Tuesday, June 16! Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have altered the structure and programming to protect the health and safety of our campers and staff and to comply with current state regulations and color phase guidelines.
We’ve combined on-site programs with take-home activities. Rather than 5 consecutive days, we will be offering 9 unique on-site days over a 3-week period (which will be repeated weeks 4-6 and weeks 7-9). See Camp Sessions listing below. A bonus day of Virtual Space will also be available. Fees will be structured per-day rather than per-week. Register as often as you wish – space will be limited! Camp will be held (weather permitting) Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays beginning June 16. Campers must be pre-registered and have all necessary paperwork submitted at least 72 hours before attending their first session. Campers will sign up for morning sessions from 9:00-11:00 a.m. or afternoon sessions from 12:30-2:30 p.m.. Each day will consist of a series of Hands-on House activities around a theme and self-guided free-time play. Select days will include take-home activities or virtual activities to extend the learning and fun to home. Campers must be 4 years old by September 30. All children attending MUST be toilet trained (not needing diapers or pull-ups). Cost is $30 per session. Click here to register on our Sign-up Genius page.
Lancaster Science Factory is offering a wide variety of summer camps including Junior Coders, Flying Machines, Harry Pottery Super Fans, Junk Drawer Inventor, Good Clean Fun, 3D Printing, Costumes-Sewing-Fabric Crafts, Woodworking, Creative Creatures, Video Game Design, Environmental Engineering and more!
Please see their site for registration info, camp times and all the health adjustments they are making this year.
Woodcrest Retreat (Ephrata) offers day and overnight camps for kids ages 6-14, ranging from $125-325. The Discovery program is for ages 6-11 while the Trekkers program is for ages 12-14. Both provide a place to learn and grow here on the Ephrata Mountain. These programs are full of adventure and excitement and include plenty of outdoor activities, games, crafts, Bible lessons and water fun.
The overnight camps at Woodcrest Retreat offer a unique experience for ages 7 – 15. Other than the Explorer mini-week camp and the Breakaway sports camp, campers enjoy a full-week beginning on Monday 9:00 AM and ending with a parent program at 6 PM on Friday evening.
Campers will experience a diverse set of activities that broaden horizons and build lasting memories, including creative crafts, waterslide, swimming, group games and sports, night activities, and interaction with God’s creation. Additional activities vary between camps.
Held at Hempfield recCenter, campers are divided into age groups with planned activities, including arts & crafts, indoor and outdoor sports, games, and themed events. You'll find Youth Outdoor Volleyball Clinics and intro Lacrosse Camp for the older kids too!
Two-, three-, and five-day options! Campers – grades K–7th 7:00 am–6:00 pm and PreK 7:00 am–1:00 pm
*Summer Day Camp 2020 begins Monday, June 15th, 2020, and will end Wednesday, August 12th, 2020. Camp will not be held on Friday, July 3rd, 2020.Each Wednesday, they will offer an optional Parks and Pizza field trip. Groups will rotate between three West Hempfield Township Parks: Lake Grubb, Ironville Pike, and Fairview Parks. Each park will have supervised activities from our Day Camp Specialists that offer a unique experience that changes each week! Activities will include water play, playground time, hiking and so much more!
These camps are FREE to all Borough residents of the fully sponsoring municipalities, and just $20 for those living in Ephrata Township. The programs are part of the Ephrata Recreation Center’s Summer Municipal Recreation Program, which is sponsored in full by Akron Borough, Clay Township and Ephrata Borough and partially by Ephrata Township.
Camps offered are beginner soccer skills, dance camp, street hockey, art camp, youth speed camp, craft camp, playground camps, basketball camp, and aquatic nature camp (which is really great if you're looking to learn more about creek nature and creek life!!)
Registration forms for these programs must be submitted to the Rec
Center by 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 21 via mail or electronic submission. A mail-in registration form appears on the back page of this booklet or
you may use the Google form found on the homepage of www.ephratarec.com. On
Monday, June 22, Summer Municipal Programs will be randomly filled with the submitted forms.
There is an online registration form for 2020.
Watch the Ephrata Rec homepage for more information on summer camps.
It’s their 42nd year! Offered for seven weeks during summer break.
Supervised program is held at two local parks: Amos Herr Park – East Hempfield Township and Silver Spring Park – West Hempfield Township.
This popular program offers supervised outdoor play, games, and sports. Jun 22–Aug 7M–F 9:00 am–3:30 pm
*there will be no playground during inclement weather*no playground, Friday, July 3FEE $135YM / $155R / $190NR. Early Registration deadline is 6/10. After 6/10 additional $10 fee.
For more information, contact playground@hempfieldrec.com or Cristine Maser, Program Director, at cmaser@hempfieldrec.com or 898¬3102, ext. 139.
Art Camps at Art Matters Studio offer children the opportunity to experiment with a variety of art materials and mediums with camp themes changing weekly so students can enjoy more than one. Projects are fun, engaging and open ended so that campers can put their own imagination to work.
Younger students enjoy stories games and choice stations in addition to group projects. Older students may prefer to focus on skills development in our Fine Art or Craft Camps.
Camps open to the public will resume in June 29th with numbers 1/2 of our normal size (no more than 8) and with the following guidelines. These follow current PA Governor and CDC recommendations. If they change by July we will update our policy.
- Children will be given their OWN supply kit at the beginning of the week. These will be disinfected between camp weeks.
- Additional supplies will be distributed each day with no shared caddies and disposable items.
- We will follow and update social distancing measures as they occur. Currently, in the Yellow Phase, children will be seated 6 feet apart and should bring their own smock and wear a mask.
- We will not be able to offer shared toys or sensory areas.
- Tables, Chairs, Bathrooms and Common areas will be disinfected between each camp.
SportsWorld is is a fun, safe and exciting environment where your child will learn physical skills, develop character qualities, and mature spiritually while building relationships with others in the community. Mornings are spent in skill clinics and afternoons are full of games and team competition!
LOCATION: Lancaster Evangelical Free Church | 419 Pierson Rd., Lititz, PA
Registration is available on their website. Cost is $60.
Both toddler camps and big kid camps are offered. Toddler camps are for ages 18 months and up. Big Kid Camps are for ages 4-8 years old.
They will be offering morning camp sessions from 9am-12pm and drop-in camps for those who need flexibility. Camps include astronomy, fashion design, pastry and zoology.
Pricing. The Monday-Friday 9am-12pm pricing is $195. Included in the cost is a stay and play pass for a family of 4, a t-shirt and a snack. Drop in pricing is $40 per day plus $5 for an optional camp t-shirt.
Included in the cost as a bonus, your family is allowed to stay and play in the morning or afternoon the day your child is in camp for up to 4 people in the same household.
Camp Conquest hosts day camps with a unique twist—they run buses from local partner churches each morning for the week of your camp and bus your kid to Camp Conquest!
Camps are for ages 7-12 and cost $150. For those that need additional financial assistance, please contact the office for a “Campership Application” at registrar@campconquest.org.
Overnight camps are also available.
Children will enjoy the following activities: Swimming, archery, crafts, horses, and group games and much more will be enjoyed daily. Creative, hands on Bible lessons and fun camp songs teach valuable truths.
For 2020, all 8 Day Camp Sessions run Monday-Friday from 9am-4pm.
June 8-12 – This week has been canceled. June 15-19 – This week has been canceled. June 22-26 June 29-July 3 July 6-10 July 13-17 July 20-24 July 27-31
New School offers toddler camp, kindergarten readiness camp, primary summer camp, elementary summer camp and a virtual summer skills camp.
New School Summer Camp provides stimulating activities guided by our experienced teachers. Students will enjoy a day filled with meaningful work and joyous exploration.
A developmentally staged Montessori environment featuring summer activities focusing on gardening, science, Spanish and water play. There will be a special focus this summer on outdoor life science and ecology.
The elementary camp is for grades 1-6 and offers enriching experiences with weekly themes including The Circus School, Nature Camp, Sports with Steele, Makers Tech, Animal Exploration, Art Camp and Splash Camp.
Camps are staffed with experienced New School teachers.
Summertime means new experiences and new friends with summer camps! Lititz recCenter, Lititz Springs Pool, and Warwick Regional Recreation Commission partner up to make summer camp time in Lititz full of fun options for families and kids.
Summer Day Camps – Lititz recCenter and recROC
Lititz recCenter Summer Camps kick off June 8 and run through August 14. Lots of options for weeks, days and themes to fit your schedule. Camps for kids ages 3 – 12!
See the CAMP FLYER for details! Register online at this link!
recROC Summer Camps are back for bouldering, obstacles, and fitness challenges. Ages 8-12 9 am – Noon, July 6-10, July 20-24, Aug 3-7. Register in-house, online or call 717-874-3281.
The Jenkins School Summer Camp offers a wide variety of structured activities for children ages 3-8. Camp Jenkins runs for 9 weeks, June 15 through August 14. Hours are 9:00am to 3:00pm.
Camps include Jungle Safari, Mad Scientist Week, Around the World, Super Heroes, Escape to the Land of Dinosaurs, On the Farm, Bugs, Party in the USA and Under the Sea.
They offer flexible drop-off and/or pick up hours beyond the camp day, (7:30-9:00am and 3:00-5:30pm) for an additional fee.
Pricing. Camps cost around $160 per week. There is a 15% discount for siblings. No registration fee. For more information download the brochure and forms linked on this page, or call (717) 295-1548 or email tina.miller@thejenkinsschool.com.
The Camp Jenkins registration form, brochure and supporting documents can be downloaded via the buttons on their summer camp page.
Fusion Summer Camps offer unique themes each week including Hawaiian, sports, party in the USA, space, around the world, Olympics, under the sea, Disney and everyday heroes!
They are a fun-filled days of gymnastics classes, arts and crafts, outside water play, and open gym time!
Full day campers must bring a lunch and all campers are encouraged to bring a snack and water bottle. All pre-registered campers will receive a free t-shirt!
Ages 3-4 five half days (am or pm) = $100
Ages 5 and up five half days (am or pm) = $100
Ages 5 and up five full days = $155
One day options are available starting at $50 if space allows. Call for availability.
Spooky Nook Youth Programs are designed for children up to age twelve. All of our counselors and caretakers have had background checks and are experienced in working with children.
Participation in our programming shows kids the fun of exercise, physical activity and teamwork. Our world-class facility offers the perfect location for safe, fun activities ranging from sports and games to crafts and scavenger hunts. Kids are sure to have a wonderful time playing and learning at Spooky Nook Sports.
Many programs are offered including Nook Kids Camp, Jump Start Preschool Sports Camp, Nook Kid Night Clinic, Lanco Bitty Ballet Camp, Backwards and Bizarre and many more. See their website for a complete list and camp dates.
We pride ourselves on offering exciting, challenging, and fun educational summer camp opportunities for students!
Camps include Intro to Movie Making, Advanced Movie Making, Digital Photography, Robotics, Computer Coding, and Video Game Design.
Many camps are specifically for ages 4th grade to 8th or 9th grade. All equipment, computers, software, instruction, snacks, and a copy of their movie or final product is included. Students are responsible to bring their lunch.
All camps are from 9:30am to 3:30pm and last for four days. Cost is about $185. Specific details for each camp are on their website.
Camps meet at Centerville Middle School, and Hempfield High School, depending on your camp choice.
CANCELLED FOR 2020.
Veritas Academy (Leola) offers summer camps for kids who have just completed grades 1-12, ranging from $70-150. Camps include chess camp, culinary camp, song writing camp, chamber music camp, art mornings, and harry potter camp.
Kayla says
How fun! I never would have thought Lancaster was so kid friendly!
Kathy says
Tons of kid friendly things to do here!!! 😉
Mason says
Summer camps were the best when I was a kid! So many great opportunities, I think it’s awesome they include curriculum that allow these kids to learn such valuable lessons while interacting outside of their normal social setting.
Kathy says
Agreed!
Van Doggett says
Never knew there was such a wide variety of summer camps. Sounds like a great time!
Kathy says
Certainly a wide variety for sure! I don’t think there were this many options when I was a kid.
Akayla says
Some of my favorite memories and best lessons cane from summer camps when I was a kid, but I had no idea that there were so many different kinds of camp. That experience is something that I will never forget.
John Messick says
Oh, to be a kid again 🙂 Would’ve loved these growing up. Snapology and TinyTown sound like my kind of places!
Hannah Cavanaugh says
Going to camp was my favorite thing to do as a child! I think it’s awesome of Lancaster to provide such a wide range of camp options to give kids a head start on the rest of their lives!
Roz says
Love these recomendations. Its always so difficult to find a legitimate rescource for good ideas! This seems perfect for letting the kids blow off some steam.
Paul says
Summer kids day camp is very important for children. It keeps them engaged and active during the months out of school and introduces them to new activities in a fun and stimulating social environment!
Prag Ghimire says
These are such fun and educational opportunities for children to learn and grow! I definitely like that each camp is tailored to fit needs of different kids with different interests.
Vinnie Moro says
Growing up near Lancaster I never knew there was so much to do! This makes me wish i was young enough to go back to camp as a kid!
Roz says
These summer camp ideas are awesome. My little 6 year old is incredibly active and I feel like he would love the majority of these options. Great post!
Katie says
Pokemania sounds amazing to me, let alone a child! Snapology seems like such a fun idea!