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Free and Affordable Summer Camps in Connecticut 2023

Sun, smiles, and new friendships await at free and affordable summer camps in Connecticut! Photo courtesy of Camp Sunrise
Sun, smiles, and new friendships await at free and affordable summer camps in Connecticut! Photo courtesy of Camp Sunrise
2/19/23 - By Ally Noel

The end of the school year comes ridiculously quickly and Connecticut parents don't want to see their kids glued to the television set all summer. We've made it easy for you to find a great summer program with our picks for affordable summer camp in Connecticut (and yes, some even free!). We've gathered listings from the Hartford, New Haven, Fairfield, and Litchfield areas. Read on and find a fun, affordable summer camp that fits your child's interests and your family's budget. Remember also to inquire with your own local parks and recreation department; these camps tend to be some of the best deals around.

Connecticut has all kinds of fun summer camps for Summer 2023. For more recommendations, browse our Connecticut Summer Camp Guide and explore our favorites. And our extensive Camp Listings let you filter by interest, age, or area of the state to help you find the best Connecticut summer camp for your child.

 

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Connecticut kids can learn and grow with free and affordable camp programs. Photo courtesy of Camp Sunrise
Connecticut kids can learn and grow with free and affordable camp programs. Photo courtesy of Camp Sunrise

Free and Affordable Summer Camps in Connecticut: Fairfield Area

US Sports Institute

Multiple Locations
US Sports Institute offers sports camps throughout the Southern Connecticut region. Children ages 2 to 19 can choose from a multi-sports camp or a camp that focuses on a specific sport such as tennis, basketball, or soccer.    READ MORE

Stratford Parks and Recreation Camp

Stratford
Parks and Recreation offers summer sports camps for children in grades 1 through 8. Various parks around town offer a summer playground program. Stratford also offers programs in arts, golf, tennis, mad science, archery, and more.  READ MORE

Westport Parks and Recreation Day Camp

Westport
Westport offers affordable camps for children ages 3 to 5, as well as in grades K-4 and 5-8. Seven different sessions are available and run in different locations throughout town in July and August. Full day camp runs from 9am to 3pm.    READ MORE

Camp Sunrise

Norwalk
Held at Saint Jerome's Church, YMCA's Camp Sunrise is for children in grades K-5. Weekly camps run from late June through mid-August, with additional after-hours opportunities available as needed. Daily activites include STEM, outdoor activities, arts and crafts, Zumba, trivia, and field trips to the Wilton YMCA.   READ MORE

Cardinal Shehan Summer Camp

Bridgeport
Summer Day Camp at the Cardinal Shehan Center offers campers a chance to excel both academically and athletically in an emotionally supportive environment. Campers will have the opportunities to use our facilities to the max; swimming, arts and crafts, photography, computers, music, basketball, field sports, tennis, dramatic arts, health and fitness, and dance. Fees are on a sliding scale based on annual income. READ MORE
The summer camp experience can instill confidence and resilience. Photo courtesy of Camp Courant
The summer camp experience can instill confidence and resilience. Photo courtesy of Camp Courant

Free and Affordable Summer Camps in Connecticut: Hartford Area

Camp Courant

Hartford
At this free summer camp for Hartford residents ages 5 to 12, kids enjoy swimming, arts and crafts, sports, leadership training, time in the computer lab, and more. Applications are available in April.    READ MORE

Windsor Summer Fun Camps

Windsor
Summer Fun Camp is for campers ages 8 to 13. Campers can enjoy an extraordinary summer camp experience filled with organized games, activities, sports, swimming, arts and crafts, special events, friends, and fun new experiences. Scholarships and payment plans are available. READ MORE

Skyhawks Sports Camp

Rocky Hill
This multi-sport camp is designed to introduce young athletes to a variety of different sports in one setting. For this program, two or three sports are combined into one fun-filled week.  READ MORE

Glastonbury Enrichment Camps

Glastonbury
Glastonbury offers several different themed camps, focused on foreign languages, robotics, coding, guitar playing, Latin, and a Virtual Space Academy. Open to children in grades K-12. READ MORE
These camps are filled with great summer activities for Connecticut kids! Photo courtesy of Camp Mountain Laurel
These camps are filled with great summer activities for Connecticut kids! Photo courtesy of Camp Mountain Laurel

Free and Affordable Summer Camps in Connecticut: New Haven Area

Woodbridge Camps

Woodbridge
Woodbridge Camps offers half-day programs for students entering grades 1-8. The camp day is broken down into 45-minute periods, featuring activities that include arts and crafts, drama, swimming, and athletics. READ MORE

Camp Mountain Laurel

Hamden
Camp Mountain Laurel provides twenty acres of wooded space with an open shelter, outdoor swimming pool, archery station, gaga pit, ropes course, and climbing wall. Special themed weeks like Lego Week, Creative Cooking and Get Crafty to keep campers entertained all summer long. READ MORE

Mixville Adventure Camp

Cheshire
Learn to swim, hike through the woods and make new friends at Mixville Adventure Camp. It's a fun and exciting summer camp featuring one-stop camping for age 4 thru grade 8. Themes for 2023 will include: Sports Week, Space and Time, Wild Safari and more. READ MORE

Summer Day Camp

North Haven
North Haven's Summer Camp includes creatively days structured with interesting activities and Arts & Crafts that are developmentally appropriate for all ages of camper. Ages 3 to 13. READ MORE
Give kids an unforgettable camp experience for summer 2023. Photo courtesy of Camp Cochipianee
Give kids an unforgettable camp experience for summer 2023. Photo courtesy of Camp Cochipianee

Free and Affordable Summer Camps in Connecticut: Litchfield Area

Little Rascals Summer Day Program

Sharon
Little Rascals takes advantage of its waterfront location by offering swim lessons and ample opportunity to access the water on hot summer days. In addition to waterfront activities, staff schedules a summer full of fun, from arts and crafts to theme weeks, to sporting activities.  READ MORE

Camp Cochipianee

Goshen
Camp Cochipianee is a fun-filled day camp is for kids going into Pre-K to 6th grade. The camp family creates an environment for campers to come and have fun, but also learn how to be a kid, a friend, and a camper.  READ MORE

Clatter Valley Day Camp

New Milford
Clatter Valley Day Camp is a Girl Scout Camp that provides a traditional camp experience with hiking, outdoor cooking, crafts, games, and new friends. CVDC mixes a traditional Girl Scout camp experience with special, themed activities to create a truly unique week-long experience.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Various Locations Across CT
Town of Stratford
Westport Parks and Recreation
Cardinal Shehan Community Center
Hartford’s Camp Courant
Windsor Summer Fun Camp
Glastonbury Enrichment Camps
Mixville Adventure Camp
Little Rascals Summer Day Program
Clatter Valley Day Camp