Warmed by an unrelenting sun, the village of Worton, Maryland, is quiet as woodland animals explore their environment, inspecting the sparkling lake and luscious grass. That is, until occupants of YMCA Camp Tockwogh settle in, and the atmosphere quickly changes.
Excited children crash through the trees, shooting arrows and throwing axes, while others splash on boats and water skis. A climbing wall, outdoor cooking, survival crafts, and jewelry making are just some of the other activities that send campers soundly to their bunks each night after s’mores and a roasting campfire
Back over the state line, YMCAs in various counties of Delaware also open their doors for day camp. Participants, whether returning to the youth organization or experiencing a session for the first time, are welcome to make lifelong memories and learn. Each day holds something new, whether it means taking trips, swimming, playing field games, or engaging in movement-based activities. Indoors, tables are adorned with crafts and lessons to round out the experience.
Children looking for a place to release their energy and explore the world around them, or somewhere to perfect their musical, artistic, and academic skills should find what they seek at the YMCA and dozens of other camps around the state.
Explore these latest offerings for a summer of learning and fun:
Statewide
Delaware 4-H offers coeducational day and overnight opportunities, including environmental classes, camping, animal science, leadership, healthy living, and outdoor recreation. Ages: 5–19. Price: $100–$375. State overnight camps: 831-2509. Day camps: New Castle County: 831-8965. Kent County: 730-4000. Sussex County: 831-3350.
Delaware Nature Society prioritizes outdoor exploration and learning through play with their camps geared toward adventure, nature, fishing, science experiments, farm discovery, education, and more at locations in Milford, Hockessin, and Greenville. Ages: 3–17. Price: $260–$565. 239-2334.
Delaware Technical Community College Camps offers full-day, half-day, specialty, and off-site camps that engage participants with creative challenges and educational opportunities. Ages: 4–17. Price: Visit the website for updated information. Dover: 857-1000. Georgetown: 259-6000. Stanton: 454-3900.
The Music School of Delaware provides instruction through classes, workshops, and camps, featuring private and group learning, competitions, concerts, and more. Ages: 6 months–adult. Price: $80–$525. Wilmington: 762-1132. Milford: 422-2043.
YMCA summer day camps operate in multiple locations throughout the state, offering activities from art and music to nature and swimming. Ages: Pre-K–Grade 11. Price: $170–$300 (financial assistance is available).
New Castle County
Alapocas Run State Park offers summer camps that engage children in the outdoors with activities such as rock climbing and rappelling. Ages: 8–15. Price: Visit the website for updated information. Wilmington: 577-1164.
American Karate Studio trains campers with any level of martial arts experience through classes, seminars, outdoor activities, team games, and more. Ages: 5–12. Price: $275 per week; additional costs may apply. Wilmington: 529-7800.
Aspira Academy Summer Camp features a different theme each week, varying from wildlife rangers and dinosaurs to soccer and time traveling, always including field trips and splash days. Ages: 5–13. Price: $310 per week. Newark: 292-1463.
Bellevue State Park camps are nature-, fishing-, and history-themed, with activities such as art, science experiments, naturalist education, water play, and travel to other museums or parks. Ages: 6–14. Price: $150–$310. Wilmington: 793-3046.
Brandywine Center for Dance teaches audition skills, character studies, stage blocking, vocal and choreography training, and more at its day camp. Each week concludes with a mini Broadway show, as well as swim parties and other excursions. Ages: 3 and older (free extended day care is included). Price: $295. Wilmington: 593-3277.
Brandywine Creek State Park camps provide nature education, outdoor adventure, sports, orienteering, survival skills, tubing, and more. Ages: 5–14. Price: $220–$305. Wilmington: 577-3534.
Brandywine Zoo hopes to inspire the next generation of wildlife conservationists with summer programs that include zoo visits, live animal presentations, crafts, and learning projects. Ages 4–14. Price: $160–$360. Wilmington: 407-4408.
Cab Calloway School of the Arts and Charter School of Wilmington specializes in performing and visual arts, graphic design, AI, biology, chemistry, engineering, animal sciences, video game design, problem solving and mystery adventures, textile arts, and more. Ages: Grades 1–12. Price: $350–$1,200. Wilmington. 766-3411.
Camp JCC is an outdoor, traditional summer day camp that focuses on shared values and community. Campers will participate in sports, nature, music, swimming, special events, field trips, and more. Ages: Grades 1–10. Price: $365–$825 (member discounts are available). Wilmington: 478-5660.
Caravel Day Camp engages children in activities such as obstacle courses, bowling, treasure hunting, roller-skating, water battles, Olympic-style competitions, and carnival games. Ages: Grades K–8. Price: $190–$260. Bear: 740-4333.
The Center for Creative Arts allows children to discover their creativity in summer programs focused on visual and performing arts, with activities including fiber arts, mosaics, drawing, and ceramics. Ages: Grades K–9. Price: Starting at $160. Yorklyn: 239-2434.
Centreville Layton School offers two camps. The Academic Morning Program teaches small, interactive classes in subjects such as reading, writing, and math. The Recreational Afternoon Program includes activities from physical games and pool visits to technology, arts and crafts, and science. Ages: Pre-K–Grade 8. Price: $1,450–$3,150. Centreville: 571-0230 or contact agilbert@centrevillelayton.org.
Delaware Aerospace Academy divides campers into small teams and provides hands-on activities and many opportunities for STEM problem solving. Ages: Grades 2–10. Price: $350–$750. Environmental Outpost and Delaware Discovery Center in Smyrna and University of Delaware in Newark: 834-1978.
Delaware Art Museum’s summer program allows artists to explore drawing, painting, ceramics, and more in the Bank of America Education Wing Studio, as well as throughout the museum’s galleries and Copeland Sculpture Garden. Camp sessions, which run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or on a half-day schedule, include outdoor adventures, cartoon creations, theater sessions, and artful abstraction. Ages: 6–17. Price: $315–$620. Wilmington: 351-8514.
Delaware Dance Company trains varying skill levels of dancers and concludes with performances. For more information, contact office@delawaredancecompany.org. Newark: 738-2023.
Delaware Museum of Nature & Science encourages each student’s scientific skills and interests through nature and science exploration. Camps cover sea creatures, senses, worldwide wonders, bodily functions, and weather processes, while STEAM workshops cater to older children in higher-level learning. Ages: 4–14. Price: $185–$350. Wilmington: 658-9111.
First State Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive requires an audition to register in the program that gives students a chance to develop their technique and artistry with faculty. Classes include ballet, pointe, variations, contemporary, and character. Ages: 9–21. Price: $900–$1,700. Wilmington: 652-5503.
Girl Scouts of Chesapeake Bay invites the development of outdoor and leadership-based skills for girls with overnight, mini, and day camps as well as teen counselor-in-training programs. Ages: Grades 1–12. Price: $295–$1,200. Hockessin and Denton, Maryland: 456-7150.
Hagley Museum encourages campers to immerse themselves in history with day camps. Participants can explore life in the 1800s, use technology and equipment, investigate scientific and engineering concepts, and learn trades. Ages: 7–12. Price: $290–$400 per week (member discounts are available). Wilmington: 658-2400.
Hockessin Athletic Club incorporates the use of trails, playing fields, classrooms, and an indoor gymnasium to entertain energetic campers. Children can participate in athletics and exploration themes, fitness fun specialty camps, and pop-up extracurriculars, such as Spanish classes and youth yoga. Ages: 3–12. Price: Visit the website for updated information. Hockessin: 239-6688.
Hockessin Montessori School offers arts and crafts, science, technology, dance, drama, education, singing, swimming, and field trips. Ages: 1–12. Price: Visit the website for updated information. Hockessin: 234-1240.
The Independence School offers full-day and specialty camps, with options for extended care, using its 90-acre campus, numerous athletic fields, and outdoor classroom. Campers can participate in water activities, creek exploration, science, technology, art, music, and more. Ages: 3–Grade 8. Price: $200–$490. Newark: 239-0330.
Lums Pond State Park offers nature education, wildlife research, crafts, fishing, survival skills, and boating. For more information, visit DNREC_LumsPrograms@delaware.gov. Bear: 368-6989.
Newark Arts Alliance Camp Imagine features professional teaching artists who will guide children through exploration in visual arts, theater, singing, and dance. Ages: 7–12. Price: $300–$550 (scholarships and extra care are available). Newark: 266-7266.
Newark Parks and Recreation offers a variety of full- and half-day camps, including traditional day camps, arts, dance, theater, nature education, archery, basketball, and soccer. Camps take place throughout Newark at parks, school facilities, and the George Wilson Center. Ages: 5–13. Price: Starting at $80. Newark: 366-7000.
New Castle County summer camps offer a variety of options, ranging from cooking and horseback riding to traditional day and sports programs. Ages: 5–17. Price: Visit the website for updated information. New Castle: 395-5654.
Salesianum Summer EDGE pairs students with faculty, coaches, and alumni to receive instruction in academics and sports. Each program encourages Education, Development, Growth, and Enrichment. Ages: Grades K–12. Price: Visit the website for updated information. Wilmington: 654-2495.
St. Anne’s Episcopal School offers seven weeks of traditional and specialty camps in areas such as volleyball, cooking, basketball, theater, and kayaking. Special activities include Water Wednesdays, lake exploration, scavenger hunts, and plate awards. Ages: 4–Grade 8. Price: $285–$425 per week. Middletown: 551-6822 or contact amchone@saintannesschool.org.
Spark! summer camp develops confidence, discipline, and respect in children through martial arts, team sports, STEM activities, dance and tumbling classes, multimedia creative work, and more. Ages: 5–12. Price: $189–$230 per week. Middletown: 572-4123.
Tatnall School summer camp provides flexibility through half-day camps that allow parents to select from varying extended-day, sport or specialty, and traditional programs for each session day. Activities include drama, volunteering, robotics, construction, and marine science. Ages: Pre-K–Grade 10. Price: $130–$475. Wilmington: 892-4337.
Tower Hill School presents day, sport, academic, and enrichment camps. Bundles include mixtures of subjects, such as math and cooking, planes and natural wonders, and dollhouses and dance. Ages: 3–18. Price: Starting at $125. Wilmington: 575-0550.
Wellspring Farm provides a summer program for children to learn about horses and horseback riding with unmounted and mounted lessons, crafts, and opportunities for families to observe sessions. Ages: 6–13. Price: Visit the website for updated information. Wilmington: 798-2407.
White Clay Creek State Park offers summer camps with activities such as creek play, outdoor games, crafts, hiking, fishing, and farm visits. Ages: 4–15. Price: $150–$330. Newark: 368-6560.
Wilmington Friends School provides experiences in performing arts, fine arts, technology, field trips, music, swimming, baseball, ice skating, bowling, lacrosse, and more. Ages: 3–Grade 8. Price: $276–$460. Wilmington: 576-2900 or contact ccharriez@wilmingtonfriends.org.
Wilmington Montessori School programs, led by experienced educators, include day camps, a toddler care program, and specialty camps. Activities include music, crafts, outdoor exploration, STEAM play, field trips, and team building. Ages: Preschool–Grade 8. Price: $180–$1,500. Wilmington: 475-0555.
Wilmington Youth Rowing Association helps campers discover the joy of rowing, starting with any level of experience. Half-day and full-day options offer lessons, practice, and more on the Christina River. Ages: 12–16. Price: $300–$450. Wilmington: 777-4533 or contact info@wyra.org.
Kent County
Killens Pond State Park camps offer naturalist education, hiking, swimming, wilderness survival, artistic exploration, boating, and more. Ages: 6–13. Price: $200–$265. Felton: 284-4299.
Yoon’s Martial Arts encourages active play with martial arts, obstacle courses, dodgeball, bowling, swimming, and more. Field trips and camps are themed weekly, ranging from “Star Wars” and Water Week to ninja play. Ages: 6–12. Price: $199–249 per week. Dover: 734-4429.
Sussex County
Alley Oop Skim camp offers a three-day experience for children interested in learning to skimboard. Kids work with experienced instructors for skim instruction, demonstration, and practice. Ages: 6–15. Price: $350. Dewey Beach: 603-4074.
Camp Arrowhead includes day and overnight camps run by the Episcopal Church in Delaware, encouraging campers to embrace a sense of adventure and cultivate spiritual awareness. Activities include archery, swimming, sailing, fire building, hayrides, and zip lines. Ages: Grades 2–11. Price: $470–$1,695. Lewes: 945-0610.
Cape Henlopen State Park offers camps with brain-teasing puzzles, historical education, animal tales, arts and crafts, outdoor exploration, and more. Ages: 5–10. Price: $120–$275. Lewes: 645-6852.
Dave Marshall Tennis & Pickleball offers summer camps and private lessons for children interested in tennis. For more information, contact dmarshalltennis@gmail.com. Lewes: 381–7617.
Epworth Preschool offers summer camps for children. For more information and this year’s themes, contact bplowman@epworth.faith. Rehoboth Beach: 227-7120.
Kids Cottage offers summer camps with a variety of themes, such as American celebration, Lego, beach, and cooking. Ages: 3–9. Price: Visit the website for updated information. Rehoboth Beach: 644-7690.
Mr. Hetfield’s Rock & Roll Summer Camp takes aspiring musicians and teaches rock-based instrumental skills. Campers participate in recording sessions and performances. Ages: 8–16. Price: $700. Milton: 245-1670.
Rehoboth Summer Children’s Theatre encourages stage entertainment and creativity with drama-themed camps. In film camp, participants write and direct their own productions, while those in theater camps rehearse and perform plays each Friday afternoon. Ages: 8–14. Price: $395–$425. Rehoboth Beach: 227-6766.
RELYance Skim Camp uses a low instructor-to-camper ratio, a hands-on positive approach, and knowledge of the sport to teach participants how to skimboard. Ages: 6 and older. Price: $350 per week. Rehoboth Beach: 745-6358.
Trap Pond State Park camps get children outside and engaged with kayaking, STEM experiments, outdoor exploring, crafts, and a range of fishing activities from general lessons to technique training. Ages: 7–14. Price: $170–$260. Laurel: 875-5163.
Over the Line
Camp Odyssey offers Adventure Camps, which focus on outdoor experiences and include fishing, survival skills, and archery, as well as day camps, where participants engage in games, sports, golf, special activities, and more. Ages: Pre-K–Grade 8. Price: $70–$372. Salisbury, Maryland: 410-883-7934.
Camp Pecometh offers swimming, ziplining, crafts, paddleboarding, Bible study, and more. The organization also has a Summer Respite camp for adults with disabilities. Ages: Grades K–11. Price: $389–$949. Centreville, Maryland: 410-556-6900.
Easterseals Camp Fairlee provides a safe and accessible camp experience for children and adults with disabilities, ranging from a 1:1 ratio to a 3:1 ratio of campers to counselors. Activities include music, sports, games, swimming, hayrides, campfires, and crafts. Ages: 6–adult. Price: $2,200–$6,600. Chestertown, Maryland: 410-778-0566.
Echo Hill Camp is a sleepaway summer camp that encourages campers to try new things, build their skills, and take risks. The camp includes participation in over 20 noncompetitive water sports and traditional activities, campfires, and bonding. Ages: 7–16. Price: Visit the website for updated information. Worton, Maryland: 410-348-5303.
YMCA Camp Tockwogh is a coed overnight camp, with programs that include specialty watersports, mini-camp, teen leadership, and family sessions. Campers can sail, ride horses, rock climb, and more. Ages: Grades K–11. Price: $460–$3,600. Worton, Maryland: 410-348-6000.
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