Wichita area summer camps

Looking for a summer camp for your child? We get a lot of requests from parents for inexpensive summer camps in Wichita, so we’ve put together a list of resources for you to explore.

This year is going to be a bit different, of course, but we’re keeping an eye out for all of the low-cost/affordable summer camp programs that are opening up for summer 2020. 

Do you know of a 2020 summer camp we’ve missed? Please let us know in the comments!

Summer of Discovery

UPDATE:  Recreation staff modified Summer of Discovery camp dates (June 29 – July 31) in order to implement policies and procedures that will provide a safe environment for staff and program participants. In addition to these procedures, camp field trips may change or be canceled dependent upon reopening guidelines, social distancing and public gathering requirements. Updated: 5/18/2020

These summer camps from the Wichita Parks and Recreation department are some of the most affordable full-day summer camps in Wichita for kids ages 6-12, and registration for them is already open. Sign up early as they are likely to fill up fast. 

Each week of this five-week camp features a different theme and a variety of field trips* and activities.

*Field trips may change or be canceled dependent upon reopening guidelines, social distancing and public gathering requirements. 

Weekly camp fee is $115 and multi-child discounts are available for immediate family members. 

The camps are at Edgemoor, Linwood, and Orchard recreation centers and start June 29. More information

Summer Activity Camps

Summer Activity Camps are also run by Wichita Park & Recreation. They’re held for five weeks during the summer at three area recreation centers: McAdams, Evergreen, and Lynette Woodard.

These camps are held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. 

2020 Summer Activity Camps begin June 29 and end July 31. 

The cost is only $40 per week – and lunch is included in partnership with USD 259’s Free Summer Lunch Program. Need-based scholarships are available for those who qualify. 

Campers will make friends, have fun, and experience life-long learning opportunities such as cooking, mentoring, reading, financial learning and gang awareness. They’ll also participate in recreational activities and games, crafts, movies, and more. Off-site field trips are also planned!

For more information and to register your children, visit the City of Wichita’s Summer Activity Camps page here. 

Wichita Park and Recreation Specialty Summer Camps

Wichita Park and Recreation also has a variety of specialty and technology camps to choose from. Age groups, pricing, and schedules vary, so be sure to check out the Evolve summer activities guide to find the ones you want. 

Youth Volunteer Corps

UPDATE: YVC has determined that all projects during June 1 – June 12 will be held virtually. Projects during June 15 – July 3 will be held virtually or outdoors only. Decisions regarding July project will be made in early June. Please check back regularly for updates.

Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC) is offering service projects for youth ages 11-18 this summer, with additional safety precautions and adhering to state guidelines.

Young people can participate in both virtual (online) projects and traditional on-site projects (mostly outdoors). On-site projects vary but will typically be Monday-Thursday from 9am-12pm. YVC projects may include making and donating your own book with a chance to build a Little Free Library and cleaning up and preserving our beautiful parks in Wichita.

“YVC is a service-learning organization that empowers youth to develop leadership, social, and life skills, which means youth have fun, meet new friends, and explore important issues in our community while volunteering.

The program fee is waived for anyone who has been financially impacted by COVID-19, visit www.yvcwichita.org/volunteer for more details and follow us on Facebook for new projects!”

2020 YMCA Summer Camp

The YMCA will open its summer camp on June 1, 2020 for kids ages 4-16. Enrollment is open now and you can register through July 27.

The camps are available at nine locations and include sports camps, adventure camps, horse camp, traditional camp, teen camp, and Junior Explorers. 

Summer camp rates start at $125 per week and include breakfast and an afternoon snack. Income-based financial assistance is available. More information

Exploration Place Summer Camps

This summer, Exploration Place is offering “Camp in a Box” that combines camp kits with Zoom calls. Choose one of two themes each week. Fee is $90 per camp week for non-members; $75 for members. Camps run from May 26 – August 7, 2020. More information

Sailing Summer Camps

Both the Walnut Valley Sailing Club at El Dorado Lake and the Ninnescah Sailing Association at Cheney Lake normally offer youth sailing classes in the summer. The Learn to Sail classes are surprisingly affordable and you do not need to buy a boat or any special equipment.

We are waiting to confirm things for 2020, but so far it does look like the Ninnescah Sailing Association at Cheney Lake has plans to go forward with their Junior Learn to Sail Camps in July. The Walnut Valley Sailing Club is still trying to decide when classes will be held this summer, if at all. 

Ninneschah youth Sailing Lessons More information

Walnut Valley Sailing Club Sailing Lessons More information

Free Starbase Summer Camps for 4th and 5th graders

Launching rockets, programming robots, and designing on CAD are a few of the activities students can expect during one of these free, week-long STEM summer camps in Wichita.

In-person camps have been canceled for 2020, but they will offer a free CAD virtual academy instead. 

Because demand for STARBASE summer camps is so high, students can only register for one academy per summer, and the Wichita summer camp is only open to students who did not participate last year. More information

Hot Art for Cool Kids at the Wichita Art Museum

UPDATE: WAM is taking precautions to ensure a safe camp environment this summer. They have limited the total number of campers to 25 per session for Hot Art for Cool Kids in order to follow social distancing requirements and safety protocols.

The Wichita Art Museum summer camps are on for 2020 (barring any changes in state and local guidelines), with precautions to ensure a safe camp environment for kids.

Kids ages 6-12 can spend some Wednesday or Thursday afternoons this summer immersing themselves in afternoon art camps at WAM. The camps begin on June 17, 2020. Each 2-hour camp session is $10 and advance registration is required. 

Each class includes an art studio project to take home, a collaborative artmaking project that typically stays on display in the museum, and a gallery-looking conversation all led by a team of art educators and camp staff. Classes will be separated into two age-appropriate groups, 6 to 8 and 9 to 12. More information

FREE Art Start in a Bag at the Wichita Art Museum

This summer, Art Start Goes to Camp, has been changed to  a FREE program called Art Start in a Bag. This program is for children ages 3-5. To register, fill out this online form at the bottom of the page. Then go to WAM’s Welcome Desk where you will receive a FREE bag containing instructions for a self-guided tour in the WAM galleries. You will complete your child’s lesson at home with an artmaking project. You will need to register online by Monday of the week you will be picking up your Art Start in a Bag as supplies are limited. More information

Vacation Bible School

Canceled for 2020: College Hill UMC VBS: June 8-12, 2020 at 2930 E. 1st N., Wichita, KS 67214 . This is a FREE VBS. Learn more and register here.

Find more free and inexpensive summer fun with kids in Wichita, KS