Looking for a summer camp in Charlotte for your child? We get a lot of requests from parents for summer camps, so we’ve put together a list of resources for you to explore.
It’s important to know that registration for some of the camps happens early–as early as January–and spots can fill up quickly. So, research in advance so you know what you want to sign your child up for when the time comes.
We’re including information about some of the most popular summer camps, but it’s not a comprehensive list by any means! Scroll down for the Charlotte Parent’s Summer Camp Database. You’ll find many more camps there, including at schools and churches.
The church camps are usually the least expensive. Although we’re not including information on the many, many church camps and Vacation Bible Schools, just because of the sheer number of them, you should be able to find many of them in Charlotte Parent’s Database, and they are a great choice for the budget-conscious parent if the church is in line with the family’s values.
New to Charlotte on the Cheap? You might also be interested in:
UNC Charlotte Summer Camps
UNC Charlotte offers some really interesting camps for kids in grades 1 through 12. The camps are designed to keep kids’ brains engaged and to be a lot of fun. Camps take place both on the main campus of UNC Charlotte.
The camps are broken up by age:
- Cool School: Rising grades 1-4
- 49er Minors: Rising grades 5-8
- Niner Academy: Rising grades 9-12
These are just some of the camp topics and activities to choose from, although they’re not all available for all age groups.
- Video game coding
- LEGO Robotics
- Nature Explorers
- Harry Potter Adventure
- Mad Sciences
- Fashion Camp
- Build an RC Car
- Marine Science
- Musical Theater
- Animal Science
- Financial Literacy
- Minecraft Movie Makers
- Many more!
Prices of the week-long camps vary, but most are $295 and up.
Registration opens to the general public on January 27, 2026.
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Summer Camps
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department offers a wide selection of camp for kids of all ages, including camps that focus on nature, sports, the outdoors, and more.
They offer both half-day and full-day programs. The camps take place at recreation centers, parks, nature centers and aquatic centers. Prices vary, but these camps tend to be on the less expensive side. Many start at $150 a week.
Registration starts on February 3 to 5, 2026, depending on where the camp is held.. Register here.
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Immerse your child in the wonders of nature, science and adventure with these hands-on camp offerings from Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. Choose from adventure Camp, Nature Art Camp, Enchanted Garden Camp, Wonderful Water Camp, Woodland Naturalists Camp. Ages 6-14. Most camps are $250 a week. Registration is open now.
Charlotte Chess Camps
Charlotte Chess Camps are designed for those starting to learn chess, or with beginner to intermediate knowledge. Grades K-8. Camps take place in North and South Charlotte. Half-day camps are $185/week, with discounts for multiple weeks. More info.
Charlotte Cirque & Dance Center
Charlotte Cirque & Dance camps are recreational — no experience required. Activities include dance, acrobatics and aerial dance. Please check the website for tuition. Camps take place at 9315-E Monroe Road, Charlotte, NC.
Barca Academy Soccer Camp
Barca Academy is hosting the official FC Barcelona Soccer Camp in Charlotte, NC, from June 15 to June 19, 2026. The camp will take place at Matthews Sportsplex, running from Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kids will experience 5 days of training with official FC Barcelona coaches. Visit the website for tuition information. FCBCHARLOTTE50 to save $50 on tuition.
Girl Scouts Summer Camp
Girl Scouts Hornets Nest offer overnight camps. The overnight camp is at the Dale Earnhardt Environmental Campus at Oak Springs in Statesville. It features archery, arts and crafts, canoeing, fishing, and much more. There are several weekly sessions, for girls from 2nd to 8th grade. The Counselor-in-Training program is available for grades 9th to 12th. Pricing varies. Girls don’t have to be Girl Scouts to attend. More info.
Whitewater Center
The Whitewater Center offers a variety of camps for kids ages 4-17. Some activities include whitewater rafting, climbing, zip lining and mountain biking. The cost ranges from $395 to $500 a week. The center also offers a half day and full day camp for kids ages 4-7. Half-day camps are $225/week and full-day camps start at $450/week. Registration is open now. More info.
Charlotte Christian School
Charlotte Christian School offers a variety of summer camps. Just a few of the topics are theatre, pickleball, Lego, dinosaurs and chess. Half-day sessions start at $160/week. More info.
Discovery Place Camps
Discovery Place summer camps are very popular and can fill up quickly. Themes include chemistry, engineering, Girls in STEM, coding and more. Please check the website for choices and tuition.
The camps take place at Discovery Place Science and Discovery Place Kids. Full-day camps are $415 a week, but at the time of this update, there was an early bird discount, bringing the price to $395/week.
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte offers summer camps for age 3 to 18. Camps take place at ImaginOn, with satellite camps at other locations. Professional Teaching Artists lead campers in acting, singing, and dancing activities.
Check the website for tuition.
Registration starts on January 16 for Season subscribers and current education families, and January 27 for the general public.
Central Piedmont Community College
CPCC’s summer camps offer experiences in art, cosmetology, culinary skills, engineering, forensics, law, and technology. They’re held on various CPCC campuses.
Price varies, and registration is open now.
Aerial CLT
Week-long aerial and circus camp for kids age 8-14 who want to learn circus and aerial arts. $385/week. 801 N Tryon Street, Charlotte. Registration is open now.
Camp Cornelius
Summer camps with Cornelius Parks & Recreation Department. A wide variety of camps are available, featuring sports, arts and crafts, water fun and more. Ages 4-14. Check the website for information on registration and tuition. More info.
Lit Kids Only CLT
Lit Kids Only CLT is a that features arts and crafts, dance, games, movies, sports and more. Learn more here. It meets at Northlake Mall and travels to various locations as field trips. The weekly cost is $175 per week, or $155 per week if the child commits to the whole summer, from June 1 to August 14, 2026. Drop-ins are $45 per day.
YMCA Camps
The YMCA of Greater Charlotte offers many varieties of traditional, sports and themed day camps across their 14 branches. Prices vary. Registration for non-members opens January 15, 2026.
Levine JCC Camp Mindy
Levine JCC offers traditional summer camps, performance camps, and sports camps on its 54-acre campus in South Charlotte. There are half day and full day options. Prices vary. Sessions range from 2 to 7 weeks. Member priority registration is now open. Community registration opens February 2, 2026.
Swim Carolinas
Swim Carolinas offers two swim camps at 330 Seagle Street, Suite 21, Huntersville, North Carolina. They take place May 27 to 29, and August 18 to 20, 2026, and are for children ages 3-8.
JazzArts Summer Music Camp
The 2026 JazzArts Summer Music Camp takes place at UNC Charlotte Main Campus’ Robinson Hall, 9027 Mary Alexander Road, Charlotte, North Carolina, from June 22 to 26, 2026. Tuition is $385, with financial aid available.
The JazzArts Summer Music Camp is an exciting one-week comprehensive music training program for students in grades 7-12 devoted to America’s original art form: jazz.
The JazzArts Summer Music Camp curriculum includes small combo performances, jazz improvisation, jazz history and listening, jazz theory (basic to advanced), master class instruction on bass, drums, guitar, piano, saxophone (all woodwinds), trombone and trumpet, and student jam sessions.
There will be a culminating community concert performance on Friday evening, the last day of camp.
Creation Acres Montessori
Creation Acres Montessori, 11120 Lawyers Road, Mint Hill, NC, offers a summer camp for ages 4-15 that centers on meaningful work, creative expression, and hands-on exploration of the natural world. $315/week for full-day and $250/week for half-day. Camps available in June and August.
Charlotte Parent Summer Camp Database
Charlotte Parent has put together a list of summer camps. You can search by type of camp, geographic area or name of camp.
Gail Williams says
I have a grandson with special needs who is 22. He LOVES music, drama, dance. He has participated in camps through Mecklenburg Park and Rec. Do you know of anything that works with special needs young adults in these areas he craves??? This would be for summer camp.
Gail Williams says
Question is written above.
Tiffany says
Hi there is a program called Specdrum that specializes in playing the drums. That may be interesting . Hear is a contact for them 704.794.8747 John Hogan