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Best Free and Affordable Summer Camps Near Atlanta

Kids can spend the day playing in the park at one of several camps across Gwinnett County. Photo courtesy of Gwinnett Park and Recreation
Kids can spend the day playing in the park at one of several camps across Gwinnett County. Photo courtesy of Gwinnett Park and Recreation
2/19/23 - By Elsa Simcik

Finding affordable summer camps in Atlanta can feel like trying to find a unicorn. But unlike unicorns, they are out there! We hunted high and low to put together a list of affordable summer camps in the Atlanta area that run all day — helping parents get the most out of their buck and helping kids have an awesome summer.

Affordable means different things to different families, and here we've capped the summer camp cost at $200 per week or less. Luckily, Atlanta's suburbs and counties have awesome parks and recreation departments that offer parents lots of affordable camp options. 

Need more ideas for keeping kids entertained all summer? Check out our Atlanta Summer Camp Guide, which includes the Best Atlanta Summer Camps for Preschoolers, the Best Summer Day Camps in Atlanta, and more great ideas.

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Aurora Day Camp is a free summer day for children with cancer and their siblings. Photo courtesy of the camp
Aurora Day Camp is a free summer day for children with cancer and their siblings. Photo courtesy of the camp

Free and Affordable Camps for Atlanta Kids

YMCA of Atlanta Summer Day Camps

$187 facility members/$196 program members
The YMCA gives parents lots of options when it comes to summer day camp. With over a dozen locations across metro Atlanta, parents can easily choose the campus closest to them. With the traditional day camps, kids ages 5-12 play for seven hours, with extended time available. Many locations also have affordable specialty camps, like sports, cheer, STEM, and nature. The Y offers financial assistance to families based on their ability to pay. ​ READ MORE

Cobb County Summer Recreation Camps

$125 (2022 rate; 2023 rate TBA)
Families send kids ages 6-13 to Cobb County camps at various recreation centers around the community. Campers enjoy weekly themes like sports and gaming. Camp starts at 9am and runs until 4pm. Parents can drop off their campers between 7:30am - 9am, and pick-up their campers between 4pm - 5:30pm. Drop-off and pick-up times are included in the cost of camp. Some sites offer breakfast and lunch through the Summer Food Service Program. Cobb County also offers sibling discounts.  READ MORE

City of Roswell Day Camp

$126 residents/$189 non-residents
Full-day camp runs from 9am-4pm (with early and late hours available for additional costs) and includes arts and crafts, indoor and outdoor games, and a different theme each week. Depending on the selected campus (Roswell Area Park on the westside and East Roswell Park on the east), kids will either get to visit the swimming pool or library a few times each week. Kids ages 5-10 are welcome. City of Roswell offers additional interest-based camps as well.  READ MORE

City of Alpharetta All-Day Summer Camp

$150 residents/$225 non-residents
Alpharetta offers full-day summer camps for ages 6-12 that run from 7:30am-6pm. The Wills Park camp for ages 6-10 offers swimming, arts and crafts, field trips, and more; MVP Sports Zone camp is for kids ages 8-12 who love athletics. Alpharetta also offers affordable adaptive camps for kids with special needs. Happy Hearts is for children ages 6-12. Older children with special needs (ages 13-22) can attend Camp Joyful Soles.  READ MORE

Dekalb County Camp Superstars

$66
DeKalb residents can send their children to Camp SuperStars from 7am-6pm at either N.H. Scott III Recreation Center. Campers ages 5-12 experience a traditional day camp with arts and crafts, games, and swimming. There's also a teen camp for ages 13-15. Camp SuperStars even includes breakfast and lunch!  READ MORE

Kennesaw Camp Venture Summer Day Camp

$150 residents/$165 non-residents
Kids ages six to 12 can play and have fun at Kennesaw’s Camp Venture Summer Day Camp. Each week of camp is based on a different theme and some weeks include field trips. Camp hours are from 9am – 4pm. Early care is available from 7:30am – 9am. Extended care is available from 4om – 6pm. Kennesaw camps maintain a low camper-to-staff ratio of approximately 10:1.     READ MORE

Gwinnett County Summer Camps

$151 residents/$171 non-residents
Gwinnett County has many affordable camps happening this summer across Buford, Lilburn, Suwanee, Lawrenceville, and more cities for kids ages 5-13. The Summer Adventure Camps (ages 7-13) and The Summer Adventure Jr Camps run from 7:30-6pm throughout summer. Each municipality hosts its own camp, with weekly themes like "Campers Got Talent" and "Into the Wild." Lunch is provided.  READ MORE

Cherokee County Adventures Express Camps

$200
Campers have a blast at Cherokee County's Adventures Express Camp, which has four locations for 2023 (Cherokee County Recreation Center, The Hickory Flat Gym, a school location TBD and The Buzz). Besides traditional summer camp fun, children also venture out on field trips to roller skate, bowl, and swim at Cherokee's aquatic center (all included in the price of camp). Camp runs from 7am-6pm for ages 5-12.  READ MORE

Henry County Parks and Recreation Summer Day Camp

$125 residents/$155 non-residents (2022 rates; 2023 rates TBA)
On the south side of Atlanta, families have access to Henry County's summer day camps that go from 7:30am-6pm for children ages 5-12. These lucky campers play games, do arts and crafts, swim, and go on field trips. Camps are held at five different recreation centers and parks.  READ MORE

City of Marietta Gem City Summer Camps

$100 residents/$120 non-residents
Campers ages 6-12 get lots of physical activity as well as participate in STEM, art, and music activities and go on field trips through Gem City Summer Camps. Camp runs from 9am to 4pm with options for extended hours from 7:30am to 6pm. ​ READ MORE

Aurora Day Camp

Free for children with cancer and their siblings
Aurora Day camp is an amazing summer camp specifically for children going through cancer treatment (or follow-up treatment) and their siblings, located at The Davis Academy in Dunwoody. While medical staff members are always around, these children (ages 3.5 to 16), forget about being sick while they play sports, participate in theater, play water games, do yoga, and just have fun! The camp is provided free to all participants.  READ MORE

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