Thank you to all of our camp sponsors who made this guide possible.

As busy moms ourselves, we know that finding summer camps in and around Boston is on the top of many moms’ lists of things to figure out. While we long for the lazy days of summer, we also know there are childcare and entertainment needs week after week. We hope this guide to summer camps in Boston provides the insight you need to plan a fun and stress-free summer.

A special thanks goes out to all the sponsors that helped us make this guide possible. If you would like your camp included in this guide please email meghan{@}bostonmomsblog{dot}org. 

Wild at Art Summer Camp

mass audubon wild at art summer camp - boston moms blog camp guide

Give your child the chance to experience the transformative power of art and nature! The Wild at Art Camp’s unique camp setting — part wildlife sanctuary, part art museum and studio — inspires creativity, promotes well-being, and enhances connections to nature. Wild at Art provides a safe, fun-filled camp experience specially designed to foster a child’s creativity, sense of wonder, and bond with nature. Campers have fun and build lasting friendships as naturalists, teaching artists, and trained counselors lead them in outdoor explorations and creative art projects, including pottery, painting, mixed media, printmaking, and much more. One- and two-week sessions blend art, nature, science, and engineering for a stimulating experience. Camp staff are selected for their compassion, enthusiasm, creativity, and ability to work with children in an outdoor setting. Most of the counselors are college students or graduates pursuing careers in art or environmental sciences, while professional art educators plan and direct camp art activities.

Register before March 1 for four or more camp weeks per family and receive a $100 discount. Not valid with any other offer, discount, or camp scholarship.

Dexter Southfield Summer Camp

summer camp logo

At Dexter Southfield, the goal is simple: To provide your family with a summer experience you’ll never forget. From the minute you register, as you get ready for your summer, and throughout your child’s time at camp, Dexter Southfield will do everything they can to ensure you and your campers receive the best care. Welcome to the family! Ten camps on one property allow every type of camper to have a place to call home during the summer. Dexter Southfield prides itself on providing a well-rounded experience; campers participate in athletics, science, the arts, and everything in between.

The Advent School

the advent school - boston moms blog summer camp guide

Each summer, Advent’s SMART Lab is transformed into a makerspace where children become designers, tinkerers, and builders. The Advent School summer program offers three completely unique two-week sessions for children ages 5 through 12.

Designers begin each session by sorting through recycled materials, learning proper tool use, and engaging in the design process. Each day, the designers and faculty set out to explore the city, play games, and gather inspiration. On the last Friday of each session, the designers share their creations and prototypes with friends and family at the Design Expo.

15 Brimmer Street
Boston 

Meadowbrook Day Camp

meadowbrook summer camp - boston moms blog summer camp guide

Meadowbrook Day Camp is located on the campus of the Meadowbrook School of Weston and serves campers entering K through entering 7th grade. Campers participate in a wide variety of activities, both indoors and out, including the use of two beautiful swimming pools, where lessons and free swim occur daily. Other activities include art, archery, boating, ceramics, computers, drama, leathercraft, music, nature, high ropes, and sports. In 2018 Meadowbrook will begin a new Drobots program, where campers will learn about drones and robots! For older campers, entering grade 8 or 9, Meadowbrook offers the Teen Adventures program. Teens go on daily trips for experiences like white water rafting, kayaking, indoor skydiving, glass blowing, and F1 racecar driving, to name a few. Check out Meadowbrook’s programs in more detail on their website at daycamp.meadowbrook-ma.org or call 781-647-0546 to speak with a staff member.  

10 Farm Road
Weston

iD Tech Camps for Kids and Teens

id tech camp - boston moms blog camp guide

June–August

At iD Tech Camps, students ages 7–17 learn to code, design video games, produce videos, mod Minecraft, create with Roblox, engineer robots, model and print 3D characters, work with AI and machine learning, build laptops, learn about cybersecurity, and more! Weeklong, day, and overnight summer programs instill in-demand skills and embolden students to shape the future. Options include iD Tech Camps (weeklong, co-ed, 7–17), Alexa Café (weeklong, all-girls, 10–15), and iD Tech Academies (two-week, teen-only, 13–18).

Held at Harvard
Held at Simmons College
Held at Eastern Nazarene College
Held at Bentley

Guard Up's Wizards & Warriors and Zombie STEM Camps

guard up camp - boston moms blog camp guide

Wizards & Warriors STEM Camp and Zombie STEM Camp are educational adventures where kids and teens are heroes who fight monsters using physics and foam swords or NERF blasters. During Guard Up’s School Breaks or Summer Camps, your child or teen has the opportunity to experience their imagination coming to life. Each STEM-based Wizards & Warriors and Zombie event involves an ongoing storyline filled with mystery, monsters, and fun education. Adventurers dress in costume, learn safe sword skills with special foam swords, and then enter a realm where the plot unfolds. How they proceed depends upon their own decisions and actions as well as how much they can learn about science, literature, history, and more. And each week, the adventure picks up where it left off… so the adventure is fresh and exciting each time. As a convenience for parents, Guard Up provides transportation from various locations to their facility each morning for camps.

Acera Summer STEAM Camp

acera steam summer camp - boston moms blog summer camp guide

For an early bird discount of 15% register by Feb. 28, 2018.

At Acera, children nurture their natural desire to inquire, create, innovate, and experiment. Among Acera’s staff are award winners, active research scientists, and working artists. The GirlPower Series (ages 10–15) draws out girls’ leadership and self-esteem through STEM skill building, artistic expression, and project-based learning. For 12–17-year-olds, Acera offers the unique Principal Investigator Series. Where else can you spend a two-week research internship with a resident neuroscientist? Or learn how to edit genes using CRISPR technology?

Dedham Country Day Camp

dedham country day camp - boston moms blog camp guide

Open Houses: 

February 11
April 8

For children ages 3–12, Dedham Country Day Camp offers the ideal place to enjoy all that summer has to offer. From swimming, sports, and archery to arts and crafts, woodworking, and the simple joy of making friends, DCDC provides a wide range of activities in a warm, intimate setting. It’s everything summer should be! Traditional Day Camp (ages 3–12), Sports Option (entering grades 2–7) and CIT programs (entering 9th and 10th grades) are available.

Dedham Country Day Camp offers flexible accommodations for your family’s plans. Choose from one week to all eight. (Camp weeks do not have to be consecutive.)

Energy Fitness & Gymnastics

Energy fitness & gymnastic - boston moms blog camp guide

Plan your summer with Energy and you will receive 50% off your first full week of camp! Gymnastics, outdoor play, inflatable slip n’ slide, and creative arts and crafts will make for an action-packed and memorable camp experience for children ages 3 to 12 this summer. Running from May 21 to August 30, Energy has a whole summer of fun waiting for your child! Single-day, full-week, early drop-off, late pick-up, half-day, and full-day options are available for sign up. Summer camp is going to be a BLAST —you don’t want to miss out! 

Summer Sage

summer sage logo

Summer Sage is a summer camp that sparks and satisfies your child’s intellectual curiosity and allows children to delve deep and explore their passions with like-minded peers — it’s a time to make learning come alive! This year Summer Sage will run for four weeks, from July 9–August 3, and will offer a stimulating experience for all ages. Whether your children are elementary school students enrolling in SageExploration (grades PK–3) — a week-long enrichment program based on interesting themes — or older students (grades 4–8) who create a uniquely customized learning experience in SageAcademy, they are bound to venture on an adventurous journey, discovering and exploring new passions and strengths! For detailed information regarding these programs, please visit the Summer Sage website at https://sageschool.org/summer-sage/. Summer Sage will forge friendships, facilitate creative self-expression, and develop an appreciation for our natural surroundings. Small class sizes will allow for inquiry-based hands-on learning that will truly support your children in their intellectual development. 

Summer in French

summer in french - boston moms blog camp guide
Program begins June 18, 2018.
Register before March 31 to receive 10% off with the early bird discount. 
Families registering two or more children for a minimum of two weeks will get an additional 5% off before March 31.

Summer of fun in French! Give your child or teen a full immersion experience of summer fun and learning. Summer in French at the French Cultural Center offers native French-speaking teachers, a varied and engaging curriculum, and a convenient location in the heart of Boston. Summer in French is the perfect way to improve your child’s or teen’s skills and confidence in French, no matter their age or level. Introduce them to the second-most-learned language in the world, and prepare them for a successful academic year. This program has sold out in previous years, so register early!

Nobles Day Camp

boston moms blog camp guide
Camp operation dates: June 25–August 17, 2018
Your choice: 9 a.m.–2 p.m. or 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Weekly sessions (minimum of two consecutive weeks)
AM/PM care available

 

Nobles Day Camp is owned and operated by Noble and Greenough School and is a fun and caring camp community dedicated to a quality summer enrichment program. Campers ages 3 through entering 9th grade develop and practice life skills through experiential, engaging activities that build independence and self-confidence in a non-competitive atmosphere. Through the group process and involvement with positive role models, campers learn to appreciate their environment, respect the rights of others, take positive risks, and develop long-lasting friendships with peers and adults.  

Letgo Your Mind Summer STEM Programs

Registration is now open for these three classes: 
Superhero half-day for ages 4–5 
Superhero master builder and stop-motion animation for ages 6–9
EV3 battle bots with superheroes, villains, and stop animation/Minecraft for ages 9–14

LEtGO Your Mind boasts a team of teachers and engineers with a passion for helping kids discover creativity through STEM. LEtGO Your Mind programs offer a safe, educationally enriching STEM program experience that is fun and challenging using LEGO bricks, motors, elements in the areas of simple machines, robotics, stop-motion animation, and programming Minecraft. The programs focus on the vital STEM subjects and challenge the kids to think creatively, problem solve, work as part of a team, and reinforce skill sets while the students have lots of fun. LEtGO Your Mind programs are for students between the ages of 4 and 14. This year’s theme is superheroes.

KIDSTOCK! Summer Theater

Summer registration began Dec. 1 and continues throughout the summer while space is available.
Summer programs run June 18–August 30.

 

KIDSTOCK! Summer Theater offers 10 unique and creative week-long programs for ages 4–6, 6–8, 9–12, and 12–15 from June 18 through August 30. Each week has a theme that is developed into an original musical stage presentation by various age groups. Individual weeks focus on Broadway musical theater, Hollywood movie making, improvisational performance, and more! Acting skills are developed while students also explore visual art, creative movement, and music in an engaging summer curriculum focused on the process of creating theater. The fully air-conditioned facility in Winchester boasts a state-of-the-art performance space, sunlit dance studios, visual art workshops, and multiple classrooms, all promising the quality resources young imaginations require to ACT UP all summer long! For details and registration please visit www.kidstocktheater.com or call 781-729-5543.

Camp Invention

Wild and crazy ideas become reality in this year’s all-new Camp Invention program, Fast Forward! A nonprofit program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, Camp Invention allows children in kindergarten through 6th grade to experience real-world problem solving, creative thinking, invention, and teamwork — all while having FUN! Activities include challenges and achievements from the brightest thinkers around — National Inventors Hall of Fame inductees — to inspire children! This year, campers will bring their “smart” home to life with smart furniture and eco-smart energy, design a robotic dog and diagnose puppy problems, explore sensors by designing tracks for an Optibot (a robot that senses dark and light surfaces), and build cake catapults! Local educators lead the week of fun, hands-on, STEM activities that allow children to think big, explore their curiosity, and never give up. Early registration discounts are available. Visit campinvention.org or call 800.968.4332 to register. Use promo code MomsBlog25 to save $25 (expires 3/23) and MomsBlog15 to save $15 (expires 5/4).

Super Kids’ Quest Summer Camp

March 19th Early Bird Enrollment begins for Members of The Little Gym of Boston – Great discounts available!
March 24th Camp Registration Day/Open House
March 31st Early Bird Enrollment ends
April 2nd Camp Registration opens to all students

Super Kids’ Quest Summer Camp is an adventure-filled 3-hour camp for children ages 3-8yrs.  Each camp theme is based on fun, exciting missions or “Quests” that the kids are challenged to complete each day!  Each day of camp involves a fun, creative storyline and music that will incorporate opportunities for the kids to exercise their muscles, their imaginations and their cooperation skills – working together to complete each Quest!  If your kiddo’s have been to The Little Gym Camps in the past, they will be in for a totally new and exciting experience!

Summer Enrichment Institute

Registration is ongoing and will continue until all spots are filled.  Summer 2018 dates are July 10 – August 17

All the Fun of Summer Camp for Kids with ADHD

Experience the joy of summer! The Summer Enrichment Institute (SEI) program at Judge Baker Children’s Center is designed to bring the fun, camaraderie and life-building experiences of a high-energy sports camp to children with ADHD and other behavior issues. The 6-week program takes children (age 6 – 12) who otherwise maybe challenged in traditional camp programs and works with them as individuals to develop skills and confidence that translate into success at home and in school. SEI is overseen by a licensed clinical psychologist and fosters friendship building, combats the “summer slide,” and allows kids to experience the simple joys of summer camp including, art, sports, group activities and weekly field trips in and around greater-Boston. With a 3:1 ratio of campers to specially-trained staff, individualized programs for campers, and regular skills training for caregivers, SEI is the perfect summer option for families of children with ADHD. To learn more, please click https://jbcc.harvard.edu/summer-enrichment-institute 

Hale Day Camp

Located in nearby Westwood and Dover, Hale’s 1,137 acres of adventure feature 20+ miles of trails, two ropes courses, four ponds, and multiple beaches. The century-old organization offers classic camp experiences that are routinely named Boston Parent Family Favorites.

Hale Day Camp runs traditional two-week camps, four- and eight-week leadership camps for teens, and specialty camps for outdoor adventures and mountain biking. Enrollment includes bus transportation from a host of surrounding communities. Campers enjoy swimming and boating lessons with American Red Cross certified lifeguards and water safety instructors, as well as archery, arts and crafts, field games, hiking, mountain biking, and outdoor skills workshops. Sessions fill as registrations are received, and all payments and forms are due by May 1.

Hale also offers family programs through Hale Summer Club.

Kids 4 Coding

Kids 4 Coding, an award-winning leader in computer education for youth, offers half- and full-day co-ed summer technology programs for students ages 7–16, divided by age group. Interactive and affordable programs are offered at both Newbury College in Brookline and Lesley University in Cambridge.

Programs include: Minecraft and Robotics, 3D Design, Code and Fly Drones, Game Design, Coding through Music Production, Mobile Apps, Roblox, Build Your Own Laptop, Web Development, Python, Design and Code Wearable Tech, and more.

Weekly programs run July 2–Aug 17. Half-day fees start at $309, and full-day fees start at $569. Extended-day options are available at both locations.

Early bird rate ends March 31!

Camp Grossman

jcc camp grossman - boston moms blog camp guide

Camp Grossman is a vibrant Jewish day camp where summer days are filled with aquatics, sports, arts, and nature. Situated on 75 acres in Westwood’s pine-studded Hale Reservation, Camp Grossman is a unique place where every child is valued and encouraged to succeed. With an amazing array of activities to choose from, everyone can explore their interests, try new things, and build self-confidence. The Grossman program is designed to be fun and accessible for children of every age and ability. This program nurtures pride and community by weaving Jewish themes, culture, and celebrations through camp life. Camp Grossman’s team of passionate, experienced educators aspires to make informal Jewish learning fun for everyone. Camp Grossman welcomes campers of all backgrounds, faiths, and beliefs.

Open houses March 11 and April 8
Camp fair March 25
Register by April 15 for early registration discounts

Camp Kaleidoscope

jcc camp kaleidoscope - boston moms blog summer camp guide

Camp Kaleidoscope is a creative Jewish day camp where summer days are filled with theater, arts, music, science, and outdoor fun. Located at JCC Greater Boston’s Leventhal-Sidman Center, Camp Kaleidoscope is a welcoming community where children spread their creative wings. With a professional theater, studios, and a beautiful outdoor setting, campers enjoy a wide array of daily activities. In a culture of kindness and caring, Kaleidoscope campers feel safe to explore their emerging interests and freely express themselves. Kaleidoscope’s talented staff of artists, performers, and educators inspires campers to try new things in a pluralistic Jewish setting that embraces campers of all backgrounds. Whether it’s performing in the camp musical, swimming in the outdoor pool, or dressing up for special theme days, Kaleidoscope campers have fun, try new things, and build self-confidence.

Open houses March 11 and April 8
Camp fair March 25
Register by April 15 for early registration discounts

Camp Kingswood

jcc kingswood - boston moms blog summer camp guide

Camp Kingswood is a dynamic Jewish overnight camp where summer days are filled with adventure, sports, arts, and friendship. Kingswood is a place where kids have a blast while they learn new skills, develop self-confidence, make lifelong friends, and build Jewish identity. To many, it feels like a second home. The Camp Kingswood program is elective-based, and campers get to design their days. Camp Kingswood nurtures pride and community by weaving Jewish culture and values through the camp experience. The magic of Shabbat at Kingswood remains with campers well beyond their summers in Bridgton. Campers of all backgrounds, faiths, and beliefs feel a strong sense of belonging thanks to a team of warm and welcoming staff members.

Camp fair March 25

LINX

LINX Camps - Boston Moms Blog Summer Camp Guide

LINX Camps proudly serves Metrowest MA with over 40 premier camps, including Junior, General, Adventure, Performing Arts, Sports, Leadership, and STEAM. LINX Camps is focused on building a community, one camper at a time. These award-winning camps, for kids age 3 years through 10th grade, provide a traditional day camp experience (like a sleepaway camp) that builds community and character while allowing kids to explore their interests. Theme Fridays, opening and closing ceremonies, and camp-wide spirit cheers are just a few of the community-building aspects of LINX Camps that all camp families have the chance to enjoy and share with each other for a lifetime. Come see why LINX Camps is an award-winning camp five years in a row! LINX bus transportation is available from 17 towns.

Hill House

Hill House KIDDIE KAMP - boston moms blog camp guide

Kiddie Kamp at Hill House is the perfect combination of new and exciting experiences and a safe, familiar environment. Join a staff of beloved counselors for a summer full of games, crafts, stories, songs, age-appropriate athletics, and outdoor fun. Your child will build confidence, independence, and friendships. Each week, campers explore playful themes through crafts, songs, and active games that allow their imaginations and creativity to flourish. Kiddie campers will spend a portion of each session (weather permitting) on the Esplanade at Teddy Ebersol’s Red Sox Fields and the Alfond Spray Deck (all above ground). Kiddie Kamp’s experienced staff and low counselor-to-child ratio ensure that each child will receive proper attention and supervision. Note: All Kiddie Kampers must be potty-trained.

Registration is NOW OPEN! All forms and a copy of child’s immunization records must be signed and submitted to Hill House by June 1.

Everwood Day Camp

everwood day camp - boston moms blog camp guide

Situated along the glistening shores of Lake Massapoag in Sharon, MA, Everwood Day Camp offers campers ages 4–15 a summer of sports, arts, and outdoor activities, in an environment that’s uniquely suited to encourage their growth. Everwood’s dynamic camp program grows with its campers and includes a wide variety of activities to keep every child engaged. Nurturing staff encourage social and emotional skill development throughout each moment of the day. Everwood’s 70-acre, dedicated camp facility includes over 40 cabin spaces, lodges, fields, courts, and two incredible waterfronts. At Everwood Day Camp, campers experience all the fun and friendship of camp life, plus the support of a community that’s committed to providing skills for life. Transportation INCLUDED!

Boating in Boston

boating in boston summer camp - boston moms blog camp guide

Boating in Boston offers three boating day camps that strive to teach safe boating in a fun learning environment by instructing and reinforcing boating safety and skills. The goal is to teach campers both independence and teamwork and to promote self-confidence through sailing and paddle sports. It’s high-energy outdoor fun on the water, with no shortage of games and engaging activities. The camper-to-staff ratio is 8 to 1, promoting personal interactions between campers and counselors. 

Boating in Boston’s camps are a great way to spend summer days having fun and making new friends. Whether kids are getting their hands dirty on a paddle at River Adventure Camp or feeling the wind in their face as they raise the sails at Boating Is Fun Camp, it will be a summer for all to remember — and the beginning of a love for being on the water and going boating!

Early bird special: 10% off February 1–28.

Avion Imaginario at Pine Village Preschool

At Pine Village‘s Avion Imaginario summer camp in multiple Boston locations, children and teachers jump into Spanish immersion on an adventure through four Spanish-speaking countries! Pine Village offers two four-week summer sessions for children from 15 months–6 years old, as well as a program for school-age children (ages 5–7 years old).

Each day, children and teachers will embark on a magnificent imaginary journey to explore Spanish-speaking countries and experience life as a child in a different country. Activities include dancing and crafts, cooking, and games.

Edge on Science

Calling all budding scientists and engineers, ages 8 to 14! This summer, choose from these week-long day programs: Drone & Code, Catapult Engineering, the Hydraulics Makerspace, Bridge Buiding, Galileo’s Astronomy, Let’s Experiment!, Amazing Bugs, Summer Rocket Blast Off, and Whales ‘n’ Things. At Regis College in Weston and the Plymouth Public Library in Plymouth. Featured on Public Radio!
 
These are project-based introductions to applied science, where kids will use drawings, tools, hardware, measuring instrument, computer applications, and modeling. Led by engineers, scientists, and/or scholars, enrollment is limited to 14 children per session, and the child to instructor ratio is 7:1 or less. Games, challenges, and teamwork add to the fun!
 
Reduced rate transportation, by Sheprd, is offered to and from Regis College (Weston), for Newton, Brookline, and Wellesley.

Camp Starfish

Camp Starfish fosters the success and growth of children with emotional, behavioral and learning problems by providing individualized attention as part of structured, nurturing and fun group programs. The Starfish philosophy, which provides 1:1 support for campers, is based on engaging campers in a variety of well-structured traditional summer camp activities in a safe and predictable environment. Through the use of Strategies, Tools and Keys, we make camp a positive, safe place where campers are actively participating in things they enjoy. We help children learn what it means to be accountable for their choices through positive feedback and without embarrassment, enabling them make more productive choices in the future. Starfish is a place to “learn, grow and have fun.”

 

Community Boating, Inc.

Community Boating Inc has classes in sailing, windsurfing and paddling for kids ages 10 – 17.  Membership includes all classes and sailing privileges for the full summer season, daily environmental science activities, leadership opportunities, theme days, racing and more!  CBI’s boathouse, conveniently located on the Esplanade, is the best place for fun in the sun this summer! 

Members start with our week-long Learn to Sail and Kayak Class, and can progress throughout the summer with classes in keelboat sailing, dinghy sailing, or windsurfing.  By taking classes and demonstrating proficiency, members earn “ratings” that allow them to use the different boats in our fleet.  Outside of their scheduled classes, members can use their ratings to take out boats on their own or with friends. 

We are an open, drop-in program; members can come and go from the boathouse anytime during Junior Program hours.  The 2018 Junior Program is open weekdays from8:30am to 3:00pm, June 18 – August 24.  Registration is now open!

Beaver Summer Camp

June 25 to August 17

JCC Specialty Camps

Camp Fair March 25

Shady Hill School

FaySummer Camp

Register online now

Coding With Kids

EARLY BIRD PRICING UNTIL MAY 31ST

New School of Music Vacation Programs

Want even more camps?

Check our our Comprehensive Guide to Camps in and Around Boston for even more summer fun!

Want to be a part of our 2018 Summer Camp Guide?

We want to show our readers all the great camps available right here in the Boston area. Partnering with us allows your business greater visibility with a large targeted market of local families. Join us and help enrich the lives of Boston moms!

Boston Moms
Boston Moms is a rapidly growing community of moms in the Boston area, providing a collaborative parenting resource written and read by local moms. We are passionate about engaging with our readers online through mom-to-mom content + recommendations, and offline through our exciting local events that connect moms to each other and to local and national businesses they should know about!

1 COMMENT

  1. During the summer months, it can be challenging to find things for the kids to do. Summer camps solve this problem, and the Boston area has so many of them, it is easy to find one that your child will really enjoy.

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