Summer camps don’t have to break the bank. Try these 15+ affordable options in Charlotte
The cold of winter will soon give way to summer, which means it’s already time for Charlotte parents to start thinking about where their kids will go once school is out.
If an expensive sleep-away camp isn’t in your family’s budget, there are numerous local options for keeping your kids, tweens and teens entertained during the day through sports, STEM classes, music lessons and more.
But spots can fill up fast, so it’s best to get things scheduled early to make sure you’re in. You may even save some money through early-bird discounts.
Here are some summer camp options that might not break the bank to consider for kids of all ages in and around Charlotte for summer 2023:
Aerial CLT
What to know: Aerial CLT will hold three weeklong camps through June, July and August for kids ages 8-14. Prior experience is not required.
Cost: Weeklong camps are $350.
How to register: Register online at aerialclt.pike13.com/courses/52245. The registration deadline is three days before the first day of camp.
Boys and Girls Club
What to know: Boys and Girls Club Charlotte-area locations will host summer camps that include STEAM activities, arts and crafts, field trips and more. Meals and snacks are provided.
Cost: Camps cost $60 per week. There is also a $25 non-refundable registration fee required when you apply. Need-based scholarships are available.
How to register: Sign up for camp online at southernusa.salvationarmy.org/bgc-charlotte/summer-day-camp.
Central Piedmont Community College
What to know: Central Piedmont hosts a variety of summer camps for students of various grade levels at its different campuses. Camp themes are related to science and technology, forensics and law, the arts and more.
Cost: Fees vary depending on the camp.
How to register: Register for camps online at youth.cpcc.edu/camps.
Charlotte Chess Center
What to know: The Charlotte Chess Center runs multiple summer camp sessions for players ranging from beginners to rated tournament players.
Cost: Camps range in price but start at $195. Price is lower for Chess Center members.
How to register: Sign up for sessions online at charlottechesscenter.org/camp.
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
What to know: Children’s Theatre of Charlotte offers multiple one-week and multi-week camps for kids ranging from preschool through high school. Camps include public performances.
Cost: Camps range from $185 to $650.
How to register: Families can register for camps online at ctcharlotte.org/Online/default.asp.
Clayworks
What to know: Clayworks offers five-day camps designed for kids ages 6-10 and five-day camps for kids ages 11-15. There are multiple sessions of both camps throughout the summer.
Cost: Camps cost $190 per week. There is a sibling discount.
How to register: Register online at clayworksinc.org/summer-camps or by calling 704-344-0795. You must register by phone to get the sibling discount.
ClubSciKidz
What to know: ClubSciKidz offers multiple summer camps for kids ranging from preschool to middle school age. Themes include “Grossology,” Minecraft and emergency veterinary care.
Cost: Camps range from $325 to $395.
How to register: You can register for camps online at charlottenorth.clubscikidz.com.
Discover Place
What to know: Discovery Place will hold summer camps at multiple locations. Discovery Place Science will offer camps for kids in pre-K through rising sixth graders. Discovery Place Nature and Discovery Place Kids – Huntersville will offer camps for kids in pre-K through rising second graders. 2023 camp themes include superheroes, ocean habitats, spy games and animal architects.
Cost: Half-day camps are $175 for members and $200 for the general public. Full-day camps are $350 for members and $390 for the general public.
How to register: Book camp spots by calling 704-372-6261, ext. 300.
Leadership Martial Arts
What to know: Leadership Martial Arts offers an 11-week camp for kids ages 4-11. Different weeks of camps have different themes, including “Shark Week,” “Harry Potter Week” and more.
Cost: Camps are $220 per week. That cost is discounted to $195 for each additional child. There is also a one-time registration fee of $65 per student, and there is a $30 per child per week deposit required to reserve a spot, “which will be credited to the weeks your child will be attending.”
How to register: Register for camps online at leadershipma.com/summer-camp.
McColl Center
What to know: The McColl Center is hosting multiple weeklong summer camps for kids ages 7-16. Camps will provide lessons on a variety of topics including fashion, ceramics and watercolors.
Cost: Camps are $185. There is a $30 per camper charge for extended care.
How to register: Register online for camps at mccollcenter.org/programs/creativitycamps.
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation
What to know: The parks department offers a variety of summer camps at locations throughout Mecklenburg County. Different camps with different themes are available for kids, tweens and teens of various ages.
Cost: Prices vary by camps. Rates are lower for Mecklenburg County residents.
How to register: Registration opens March 1 for Mecklenburg County residents and March 3 for non-residents.
NASCAR Hall of Fame
What to know: NASCAR Hall of Fame summer camps include engineering lessons, experiments and special access to the museum.
Cost: Camps are $275 per week for members or recurring campers. For others, camps are $300 per week. Extended care is an extra $100.
How to register: Register for camps online at nascarhall.com/plan-a-visit/camps.
Queen City Sports Camp
What to know: Queen City Sports Camp, run by Life Church, is a sports program for kids ages 6 to 14. The 2023 session will run June 26-June 29, with camp daily from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
How to register: Families can pre-register at lifechurchclt.com/queencitysports.
Rock University
What to know: Rock University will host multiple one- and two-week camps for musicians of different degrees of proficiency.
Cost: Camps range in price from $200 to $450.
How to register: You can enroll in camp online at rockucharlotte.com/campenrollment.
UNC Charlotte
What to know: UNC Charlotte offers a variety of summer camps for elementary, middle and high school students. Topics range from app development and musical theater to financial literacy and agriculture.
Cost: Camps range from $95 to $395.
How to register: Register elementary school students at /continuinged.charlotte.edu/camps/scheduler/cool. Register middle school students at continuinged.charlotte.edu/camps/scheduler/minors. Register high school students at continuinged.charlotte.edu/camps/scheduler/academy.
YMCA
What to know: YMCAs in and around Charlotte offer a variety of camps for kids, tweens and teens, including sports camps, swim lessons and “traditional” day camp.
Cost: Prices vary by camp. Costs are lower for YMCA members.
How to register: Register for camps online at ymcacharlotte.org/programs/day-camp.
This story was originally published February 23, 2023 at 6:00 AM.
