Free and Cheap Summer Camps in NYC for Kids

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Registration is now open for the reasonably priced summer camps at YMCA locations in NYC.

Finding summer camps in NYC can be especially stressful for your family's finances, and while we want our children to have a fun, rewarding, and safe experience, we don't want to dig into our retirement fund to pay for it. New York City families are lucky because free and cheap summer camps abound all across the five boroughs, where arts and education funding subsidizes some excellent New York City programs so all children can enjoy fantastic summer camps in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island.

Read on for all our picks for free and affordable summer camps in NYC. Find more summer camps in New York City, including preschool summer camps, great sleepaway summer camps in the Northeast, and STEM summer day camps in our Summer Camp Guide and NYC Camp Directory, where you can search for summer camps in NYC by type, age, and neighborhood.

Free and Affordable Summer Camps in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

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Aspiring artists love the 3-hour workshops at MADE Art Studio in Mamaroneck,

Fun summer camp options abound in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, from traditional day camps to STEM-focused programs to a variety of sports camps. But no matter your child's interests, camp can be a pricey proposition. If you're looking for especially budget-friendly options, we’ve rounded up a selection of the most affordable day camps in the area.

For this 2024 list, we've capped the cost at $500 per week, but most of these are well below that. Many of these camps offer half-day sessions as well as early-bird or sibling discounts. Plus, there are often options for financial aid or scholarships. Even if you don’t see that information listed, you can always ask to see if it’s a possibility.

For even more options, check out our Summer Camps Guide for Westchester & Hudson Valley Kids, or search our Camp Directory. 

Best Free and Affordable Summer Camps on Long Island

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At Long Island's Y camps, campers build friendships. Photo courtesy of the YMCA

Looking for the best free and affordable summer camps on Long Island? Read on for our roundup of some great picks that won't break the bank. 

For kids on Long Island, summer is a fun-filled 10 weeks, but for moms and dads, those two months need to be filled with activity before the home becomes a whining zone of boredom.

Summer camps can be a significant investment, but some Long Island summer camps are actually quite affordable, and others offer scholarships and financial aid.

Here is our list of the most affordable summer camp programs on Long Island. Find more summer camp resources in our Guide to Summer Camps. 

Best Sports Summer Camps in New Jersey for Kids

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Beat the heat and join the fun this summer at Branchburg Sports Complex! Photo courtesy of the Branchburg Sports Complex

Summer is the perfect time for kids to get active and burn energy at one of the many sports-focused camps in New Jersey. Sports day camps range from multi-sport options with indoor and outdoor facilities to specialty camps that focus on specific sports such as soccer, golf, and baseball. Whether your camper is looking to improve their game or just have a ball, read on for sports camps that cater to diverse ages and interests.

For more info on summer camps in New Jersey, bookmark our Guide to Summer Camp in New Jersey and our New Jersey Summer Camp Directory, where you can search for summer camps by age, interest, and town. 

Top Tween and Teen Summer Camps in Atlanta

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YMCA summer camps in Atlanta offer speciality camps for tweens and teens. Photo courtesy YMCA of Atlanta

Tween and teen summer camps in Atlanta offer some independence AND some organized activities. Teens and tweens (generally ages 12-17) can be tough to entertain come summer break, but there are awesome Atlanta summer camps that cater to the specific interests of this age group. Some local summer camps offer specific teen programs, among the other camp programs for younger kids, to entertain the older bunch. In addition to having a blast, many of these tweens and teens pick up leadership training and skills— allowing them to become the next generation of amazing summer camp counselors.

Take a look at some of the best summer camps in Atlanta for teens below; for more summer goodness, check out our Atlanta Summer Camp Guide to get the details on additional Atlanta camps!

Spring Break 2024: 50 Fun Things To Do in Orlando with Kids

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Keep the Mardi Gras celebration going at Universal Orlando through April. Photo courtesy of Universal

Searching for Orlando spring break activities to keep the kids entertained outside the home? We've got you covered with our top spring break activities for Orlando kids. Just remember that Central Florida school districts have differing spring break schedules for 2024— Lake County and Osceola County observe March 11-15, and Orange County and Seminole County observe March 18-22. Explore our Orlando events calendar for even more happenings.

Free and Affordable Summer Camps In Chicago

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Tinkering Camp in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Dupage Children's Museum

Looking for free summer camps in Chicago? Look no further—we have a list of affordable and free summer camps in Chicago and the surrounding area.

Even though it's February, the time has come for parents to figure out how to keep kids busy, happy, and entertained for the whole summer. Summer camp is a great way to help kids burn off energy, spend time outdoors, and make lifelong friendships... but you gotta do it without breaking the bank. No need to panic: We've rounded up affordable and free summer camp options throughout Chicagoland. 

Parents and caregivers should sign up for summer camp as early as possible to take advantage of early-bird discounts offered by most organizations. Also, many summer camps award scholarships or help with financial assistance. If there is a camp your child is interested in, it’s worth checking to see if they offer scholarships and/or financial assistance.

There are tons of different types of Chicago summer camps. Find the right one using our Chicago Summer Camp Guide.

Top Philadelphia Summer Camps for Teens and Tweens

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Junior Marine Biologists Camp at The Center for Aquatic Sciences at Adventure Aquarium gives camper ages 11-14 the opportunity to dive deep into the summer camp experience and discover what it is like to have a science career. Photo courtesy of the aquarium

Summer camp is a great way for tweens and teens to explore their interests, make new friends, and stay active during the summer. Whether they're interested in sports summer camps, film summer camps, theater summer camps, or STEAM summer camps, there are tons of summer camps in Philadelphis for teens and tweens to find the right fit. 

We've rounded up the best summer camps in Philly for teens and tweens below, and you can find more summer camp options for kids of all ages and intrerests in our Philadalphia Summer Camp Guide. 

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