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Free and Affordable Summer Camps in Connecticut 2024

Go wild (budget-friendly wild) with the top free and affordable summer camps in Connecticut for 2024! Mixville Adventure Camp photo courtesy of Chesire Parks and Recreation
Go wild (budget-friendly wild) with the top free and affordable summer camps in Connecticut for 2024! Mixville Adventure Camp photo courtesy of Chesire Parks and Recreation
2/18/24 - By Jennifer Coe

There's no need to break the bank with our picks for the top free and affordable summer camps in Connecticut! Can you believe it's time to sign your kids up for summer camp?  The end of the school year is coming and Connecticut parents don't want to see their kids glued to the television set all summer. We have scoured the internet to find a selection of summer camps that families might be able to fit into their budgets in Hartford, Litchfield, Fairfield, and New Haven counties.

Connecticut has all kinds of fun summer camps for Summer 2024. 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 - Ages 2-19
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 - Grades 1-8
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 - Grades K-8
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 - Grades 1-8
For children entering 1st grade – 8th grade in the Fall of 2024, Camp Sunrise runs daily Monday through Friday from 9am-3pm. The program features Arts and Crafts and STEAM in addition to outdoor and indoor athletic and social play with field trips to the Wilton YMCA three days per week weather permitting   READ MORE

Cardinal Shehan Summer Day Camp

Bridgeport - Grades K-12
Summer Day Camp at the Cardinal Shehan Center offers campers a chance to excel in an emotionally supportive environment. Campers will have the opportunity to use their facilities for several activities (swimming, arts and crafts, photography, computers, basketball and more) as well as educational math, STEM, and literacy classes. Fees are on a sliding scale based on annual income. READ MORE

Boys and Girls Club Bridgeport Summer Camp

Bridgeport - Grades K-8
Boys and Girls Club of Bridgeport offers summer camps for kids in three different locations throughout town. Kids will enjoy doing things like playing in the gymnasium, practicing art, learning STEM and then go outside to play Gaga ball and more. Camps are available for kids in grades K-8 and include themes like Football, Basketball and more. Prices work on a tiered structure utlilizing the CT Care for Kids application. READ MORE
From sports to the arts, these affordable and free summer camps have plenty to offer! Photo courtesy of Skyhawks Sports Camps
From sports to the arts, these affordable and free summer camps have plenty to offer! Photo courtesy of Skyhawks Sports Camps

Free and Affordable Summer Camps in Connecticut: Hartford Area

Camp Courant

Hartford - Ages 5-12
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 - Ages 8-13
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

Glastonbury Enrichment Camps

Glastonbury - Grades K-12
Glastonbury offers many different themed camps, focused on foreign languages, crafting, codingm guitar, STEAM and much more. Open to children in grades K-12. READ MORE

Skyhawks Sports Camp

Wallingford - Ages 9-12
This multi-sport camp (held in multiple locations in CT) is designed to introduce young athletes (ages 5-12) to a variety of different sports in one setting. For this program, two or three sports are combined into one fun-filled week. Offered in multiple locations throughout the state. Check Skyhawks website for ages, sports and locations. READ MORE

New Britain Museum of American Art Summer Camp

New Britain - Ages 6-9
NBMAA offers kids a fun, art-centered camp. Kids can beat the heat of summer and enjoy time at the Museum with half-day summer camps for ages 6-9. Campers will create their own artwork taking inspiration from the NBMAA’s special exhibitions and permanent collection during weekly three-day sessions (9 a.m.-12 p.m.). READ MORE

Town of Southington Summer Camp

Southington - Ages 5-12
An affordable summer program for children ages 5-12.  Children will enjoy sports of all kinds, swimming, splash pad, crafts, field trips and a talent show! Four sessions of camp are offered and takes place at South End Elementary School. 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

Camp Mountain Laurel

Hamden - Grades K-9
Camp Mountain Laurel (campers age K-9th) provides twenty acres of wooded space with an open shelter, outdoor swimming pool, archery, gaga pit, ropes course, and climbing wall. Special themed weeks like Wilderness Survival, Creative Cooking and Mind in Motion to keep campers entertained all summer long. READ MORE

Mixville Adventure Camp

Cheshire - Ages 4-12
Attend one of Mixville's themed summer camps like Wild Safari, Shark Week or Out to Sea this summer. Cheshire offers fun and exciting summer camps featuring one-stop day-camping for age 4 to 12. Extended day options are available as well. READ MORE

Skyhawks Sports Camp

Wallingford - Ages 9-12
This multi-sport camp (held in multiple locations in CT) is designed to introduce young athletes (ages 5-12) to a variety of different sports in one setting. For this program, two or three sports are combined into one fun-filled week. Offered in multiple locations throughout the state. Check Skyhawks website for ages, sports and locations. READ MORE

Elevation Camp

Wallingford - Grades K-7
A Christian camp, Elevation offers camps for kids K-7th grade. From Swimming & Sports to Music, Worship, & Crafts, they have a wide variety of activities to expand campers’ horizons while having summer fun and building strong friendships. Elevation is held on a 56-acre campus and has a basketball court, gaga pit, playscape and swings and more. READ MORE
Kids will love exploring the outdoors and making friends at these affordable summer camps. Winsted Summer Camp photo courtesy of the Town of Winchester
Kids will love exploring the outdoors and making friends at these affordable summer camps. Winsted Summer Camp photo courtesy of the Town of Winchester

Free and Affordable Summer Camps in Connecticut: Litchfield Area

Little Rascals Summer Day Program

Sharon - Ages 2-14
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. Limited to those who work in Sharon. READ MORE

Winsted Summer Camp

Winsted - Ages 4-14
The Town of Winchester offers a summer camp for children ages 4-14. Each day has new games and activities, beach days and field trip each week or special guest. There are 7 weeks of camp to choose from.  READ MORE

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