Free and Low Cost Summer Programs

Navigate School Choice / Free and Low Cost Summer Programs

Share This Page On:

Published Updated on

The end of the school year is fast approaching, and parents are now facing the biggest question of the summer: what are my children going to do? From hiring babysitters to family get-togethers to summer camps, there is no shortage of ways you can keep your children busy. We’ve rounded up a list of free and low cost summer program options – and answered some frequently asked questions – to help your family have the best summer possible.

When looking at summer camps it’s important to take into consideration your child’s interests! There are tons of summer camps available, many of which have specific themes. Some summer camps, like YMCA day camps, change their theme weekly. You can find camps themed around sports, water, animals, holidays, space, nature, theater, and more!

Other camps will focus on one theme for the whole summer. For example, you can find camps related to:

  • STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)
  • Arts (painting, drawing, theater, etc.)
  • Gymnastics
  • Horseback riding
  • Academics

Nationwide Organizations

YMCA – YMCA’s across the country offer a variety of summer camp options for families, ranging from day camps to specialty camps to overnight camps. These camps do charge fees for students to attend, however financial assistance may be available through scholarships. Find a camp near you to learn more.

Girl Scout and Boy Scout Camps – Both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts have a wide range of summer camp programming and have financial assistance programs that may include scholarships, grants, or other forms of support. 

The Salvation Army – The Salvation Army has a network of summer camps that allow kids of all ages to have a safe, fun, and unforgettable summer camp experience and enjoy outdoor recreation, educational activities, and hands-on projects. In order to maximize their impact, most of the summer camps accept state-provided child care subsidies and scholarships are also available.

Boys and Girls Clubs of America – Boys & Girls Club summer camps and programs are an affordable, safe, and fun experience for kids. These camps and programs feature outdoor activities, STEM, art, sports, and more! 

Camp Invention – Camp Invention is a summer day camp focused on hands-on STEM adventures. These camps are led by local educators at over 1,500 locations nationwide in schools, community centers, and other local facilities.

Local Organizations

Parks and Recreation Departments – Many cities and towns offer low-cost summer child care for children utilizing city resources such as public spaces and schools. For example, The Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s Parks & Recreation department offers summer day camps covering dozens of themes and topics. Before and after care hours are available to extend the day! Orange County North Carolina’s Department of Environment, Agriculture & Parks & Rec offers half day camps, which can be combined for full day coverage.

Library Summer Programs – Your local library is a fantastic resource that often has free summer programming! The Library of Philadelphia, for example, is hosting a variety of summer programs that are free to attend and are either full day or half day. 


Museums – Museums in your area may offer summer camps or programming for your children! For example, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis offers StarPoint Camp, a free/low-cost camp for children. Campers will engage in hands-on activities and projects while they explore the museum. The Children’s Museum of Phoenix also offers summer camps for children ages 5-8 and scholarships are available.

Schools

Community Colleges – Local community colleges may offer summer camps focusing on career exploration and life skills. For example, Cape Fear Community College in North Carolina offers career exploration camps focusing on photography, public safety (first responder), welding, and automotive restoration alongside a two week immersive program designed for middle school students. 

School Districts – Many school districts offer summer programs and learning opportunities designed to help students maintain their skills and continue to build upon what they’ve learned during the year at school. New York City Public Schools, for example, partners with the Department of Youth and Community Development to run Summer Rising. Summer Rising is a free program for any student who resides in and attends school in K-8 in NYC. This program includes a mix of academic support, social-emotional learning, and enrichment activities over the course of the day.

Universities – Universities offer summer camps and programs for students on a variety of topics. For example, Southern Illinois University in Carbondale offers over 25 different summer camps for children from grades 3 to 12.

Virtual Programs

Girls Who Code – Girls Who Code offers a virtual summer program for high school students where they will learn coding and make an impact in their community while preparing for a career in tech. This program is free to attend.

Numerade – Numerade offers access to summer courses for free where students can learn from experts at their own pace. Courses in physics, math, chemistry, biology and test prep are available as part of the program!


Varsity Tutors – Varsity Tutors has summer programs available to members. These programs include live group sessions taught by experts, on-demand content, small group classes, and 1-on-1 lessons covering topics such as space, Spanish, comics, coding, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Summer camp pricing varies based on the overall experience offered and the length of time of the camp – some are completely free and others can cost hundreds of dollars a week. The average cost of summer camp in the United States is estimated to be between $73 – $87 per day for day camp.

Yes! Many programs, such as YMCA Summer Camps and Red Cross Summer camps, have financial assistance available. However, this does not mean that all summer camps will have scholarships. You should reach out to the program you are interested in having your child attend for specific information.

According to theIRS, summer day camp expenses may qualify for a tax credit. The Child and Dependent Care Credit is available for childcare expenses incurred during the summer if they meet the following criteria:

  • Is the cost of day camp (overnight camps do not qualify)
  • You have all the required information (name of the care provider, the address, the identification number, and the total amount paid)
  • The credit can be up to 35% of your qualifying expenses, depending on your income

A great way to find summer camps near you is to search “summer camps in [city name]”! This will bring up lots of options near you.

Another great resource is social media. Many companies and organizations will post about their summer camps, including when registration opens and closes! Joining your local parent groups will also allow you to stay in the know.

Summer camp registration varies by program, but it may be earlier than you think! Some summer camp registration starts as early as January, while others may wait to open registration until closer to the end of the school year. If you find a summer camp you are interested in a great way to be prepared is to look back at last year’s registration process!

If the end of the year is approaching and you haven’t registered for camp yet don’t panic, many summer camps will still have space and offer waitlists you can join to be notified is a spot opens up.

More Resources

If you’re looking for activities for your children to do over the summer but don’t need a full time summer camp, check out these resources: