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The amazing Smedley Street Christmas Light Spectacular.display is back! Photo courtesy of the venue
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Santa roams Philadelphia's Christmas Village all season long. Photo courtesy of Kory Aversa for Christmas Village.
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Photo courtesy of Philadelphia's Magic Gardens
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Kids under 18 are always free at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Photo by Liz Baill
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Take in 300 years of history on Elfreth's Alley. Photo courtesy of the museum
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In addition to Pay-What-You-Wish First Sundays, kids 18 and under are always free at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Photo courtesy of the museum
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Turn your eye of the tiger into the eye of an artist at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
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Learn all about fire safety and the history of firefighters in Philly at the Fireman's Hall Museum.Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia
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Challenge the rope bridge and zip line at Elmwood Park Zoo. Photo courtesy of the zoo
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Blue Cross RiverRink is open for Summerfest in the warmer months and Winterfest in the colder months. Photo courtesy of J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia
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Kids can zoom down the slide and, of course, launch scarves at Kith + Kin. Photo courtesy of Kith + Kin
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Best Summer Camps in Philadelphia

Spend your summer with Sesame Rockwood Camps & Rockwood Adventures Teen Travel. Photo courtesy of the camp
Spend your summer with Sesame Rockwood Camps & Rockwood Adventures Teen Travel. Photo courtesy of the camp
3/5/23 - By Alyce Wilson

We've found the best summer day camps for kids in the Philadelphia area.

With the warmer weather comes dreams of summer. Get ready by enrolling your kids in one of Philly's many day camps. We've rounded up some of the area's best traditional summer day camps, from the city, to the burbs, to South Jersey, where your kids can get fresh air, stay active, enjoy nature, and keep busy while school's out. 

For more summer camps in Philly, including sports camps and free and affordable summer camps, be sure to bookmark our Summer Camp Guide and Camp Directory, where you can search for summer camps by type, age, and town. 

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Build serious skills, make friends, and have tons of fun at Lavner Camps Pennsylvania. Photo courtesy of Lavner Education
Build serious skills, make friends, and have tons of fun at Lavner Camps Pennsylvania. Photo courtesy of Lavner Education

Best Summer Day Camps with Multiple Locations

Future Stars Day Camps

Future Stars Day Camps immerses campers, ages 5-13, in inventive guided activities. Traditional day camps include swimming, STEAM education, arts, games and more. At specialized camps, campers can focus on sports, STEAM or swimming. Locations in Blue Bell, Bryn Athyn, Bryn Mawr, Doylestown, Malvern, Philadelphia, Plumsteadville, Quakertown, Radnor, Wyndmoor. READ MORE

Greater Philadelphia YMCA

With multiple locations in the Greater Philadelphia area, the YMCA offers a variety of swimming classes (preschoolers through adults) and summer day camps for ages 4 through 15. Camp range from traditional day camps with a variety of activities to specialty camps in gymnastics, sports, dance or others, depending on the location. READ MORE

Lavner Camps Pennsylvania

Lavner summer camps come in a variety of themes: from traditional day camps, to sports camps, to computer programming, to arts, theater, chess and more. There are locations in Fort Washington, Gwynedd Valley, and Malvern for ages 6 to 14. READ MORE

Best Summer Day Camps in Philadelphia

Friends Select Summer Day Camp

The Friends Select School is nestled in Center City, Philadelphia just blocks from the Philadelphia Art Museum. Campers aged 5 to 13 can enjoy indoor and outdoor spaces, including an indoor swimming pool and rooftop turf playing fields in this day camp run by Future Stars Day Camps. READ MORE

William Penn Charter School Camp

Penn Charter offers summer camp for kids ages 3-14. Campers can expect daily instructional swim, free swim, tennis, art, archery, music, dance, drama, sports, and games. Younger children must be potty trained. READ MORE

Summerside Camps at SCH

Summerside Camps at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy provide camps ranging from STEM to sports and arts for children in pre-K through grade 9. Located in Chestnut Hill at the edge of Wissahickon Valley Park, campers can enjoy the urban oasis and a host of outdoor creative activities.  READ MORE

Best Summer Day Camps in Montgomery County

Blue Bell Camp

Located on fifteen shaded acres in Blue Bell, PA, nature is abundant at Blue Bell Camp, with winding creeks, manicured fields, a pond full of fish, and even an aviary. Kids ages 4 to 11 engage in a wide range of activities, including numerous sports, creative activities, swimming, and independent play time. READ MORE

Friends' Central School

Located on 41 acres in Wynnewood, PA, Friends’ Central School is a co-ed, college-preparatory Quaker school offering an independent school education to students in nursery through grade 12. The Early Childhood program includes an innovative Nature Nursery, where kids as young as 2 years and 7 months explore and learn from the woods, gardens, streams, and fields of the stunning campus. The school's summer camp for kids ages 3-12 offers a traditional day camp experience, with sports, swimming, performing and creative arts, and more.   READ MORE

Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania - Camp Shelly Ridge

At Camp Shelly Ridge, run by the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania, campers in kindergarten through 12th grade can participate in week-long themed experiences designed for their specific age group. Camp Shelly Ridge is located in Miquon, Pa., and offers both day camps and overnight camps. READ MORE

Miquon Day Camp

Located on a 10-acre wooded valley in Conshohocken, just outside Northwest Philadelphia, Miquon Day Camp provides daily activities for children ages 4 to 11. A typical camper's day involves numerous activites, such as swimming, arts and crafts, athletics, drama, music, and nature. READ MORE

Riverbend Environmental Education Center

Riverbend Environmental Education Center in Gladwyne, Pa., offers year-round exploration camps and educational programs, nature clubs and other events. Campers ages 4 to 11 experience outdoor play, hike, explore animal habitats, play games, perform science experiments, and more. READ MORE

Sesame Rockwood Day Camp

For over 60 years, Sesame Rockwood Day Camp has offered the premier day camp experience in the Philadelphia and suburban areas. Campers range from the 3 to 12 years, with opportunities for counselors-in-training and Interns at ages 13 and 14. 11-15 year-olds can continue with Rockwood Adventures. READ MORE
There is lots of fun, lots to do, and lots of happy campers at Camp Arrowhead. Photo courtesy of the camp
There is lots of fun, lots to do, and lots of happy campers at Camp Arrowhead. Photo courtesy of the camp

Best Summer Day Camps in Chester County

Arrowhead Day Camp

An all-inclusive camp, Arrowhead Day Camp tuition includes house to house transportation, a daily nutritious lunch and snack, and dozens of safe and challenging kid-friendly activities. Campers ages 4 through 13 are grouped by age and get to select daily electives on top of regular programming blocks like nature, swimming, art, sports, and more. READ MORE

Indian Springs Day Camp

Located on 46 acres of roling countryside in Chester Springs, PA, Indian Springs Day Camp welcomes campers ages 3 to 14 for recreation, fitness, and learning. In addition to daily fun activities, campers will participate in special events such as cook-outs, field trips, and special performances. READ MORE

West Chester YMCA (A Branch of the Greater Brandywine YMCA)

Swimming lessons are offered for preschool through adult, with lower rates for members. The West Chester YMCA also offers summer camp options for kiddos aged 3 through 12. Younger ones can participate in Montessori camp or Camp Discovery full or half-day programs.      READ MORE
Camp Garrett provides engaging and fun activities for children ages 5-15. Photo courtesy of Garrett Williamson
Camp Garrett provides engaging and fun activities for children ages 5-15. Photo courtesy of Garrett Williamson

Best Summer Day Camps in Delaware County

Benchmark Camp

Benchmark Camp in Media, PA helps kids in grades 1 through 6 to develop and maintain academic skills, build confidence and self-esteem, and enjoy recreation. Choose between the academic or recreational programs. Camps are held on a woodland campus with an outdoor swimming pool and a ropes course. READ MORE

Camp Garrett

Camp Garrett in Newtown Square, Pa., provides engaging and fun activities for children ages 5 through15 that enhance physical, social emotional and intellectual development. Campers participate in art classes, nature programs, swimming, gardening, sports, and also get the opportunity to learn about barnyard animals in the camp's barn.   READ MORE

Community YMCA of Eastern Delaware County

The Community YMCA of Eastern Delaware County provides day camps at all three locations: Lansdowne, Ridley and Springfield, Pa. Campers in grades 1 through 7 can sign up for a traditional day camp, with a range of daily activities, or opt for a specialty camp focusing on theater, sports, STEM, or more. READ MORE

Cradle of Liberty Council Cub Scout Day Camps

Kids entering 1st through 5th grades can join the Cradle of Liberty Council's Cub Scout day camps for fun-packed days with activities such as archery, crafts, nature, STEM, songs and skits, and games. Camps are offered at four locations: Fort Washington State Park in Flourtown, Pa.; Tyler Arboretum in Media, Pa.; Bryn Athyn Church School in Bryn Athyn, Pa.; and Smedley Park in Springfield, Pa. READ MORE

Delaware County Community College Summer Camps

Campers ages 6 through 14 can select from a variety of specialty day camps at the Delaware County Community College in Media, Pa. Offerings range from STEM camps like computer coding, to theater, photography, culinary arts, and music. READ MORE
Diamond Ridge Camps has a wide range of activities that allow campers to explore and develop new interests and skills. Photo courtesy of the camp
Diamond Ridge Camps has a wide range of activities that allow campers to explore and develop new interests and skills. Photo courtesy of the camp

Best Traditional Summer Camps in Bucks County

Southampton Summer Day Camp

Campers from 3 years old through grade 8 can participate in this traditional 8-week experience. Kids can try swimming, performing arts, horseback riding, sports, and nature challenges. Extended hours and door-to-door transportation are available. READ MORE

Diamond Ridge Camps

A beautiful, 33-acre tree-lined property in Bucks County by longtime camp owners offers a traditional day camp experience. Ages 3-7 comprise the lower camp, while campers ages 8-14 make up the upper camp. From swimming, to archery, to hockey, playgrounds, a multipurpose center, and more, Diamond Ridge promises a memorable camp experience. READ MORE

Best Summer Day Camps in New Jersey

JCC Camps at Medford

The JCC Camps at Medford, an award-winning, ACA-accredited summer day camp program for children ages 3-14, is the ultimate summer experience in South Jersey. Each camp day is woven with traditions, values, and spirit, and campers become more self-confident, self-reliant and self-sufficient while building lifelong friendships.  READ MORE

Liberty Lake Day Camp

Liberty Lake Day Camp in Bordentown, NJ goes beyond just a fun experience, with camp activities and electives designed to achieve the core values of Liberty Lake's 5-Star-Points of Youth Development: independence, integrity, aspiration, teamwork, and friendship. Camps geared for different age groups start with pre-K and go up to teen leadership camps for 9th and 10th graders. READ MORE

Tall Pines Day Camp

Summertime fun at Tall Pines includes sports like swimming and soccer, performing arts, crafts, cooking, rope courses, boating, fishing, zip towers, and more.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania - Camp Shelly Ridge
Miquon Day Camp - The Miquon School
Riverbend Environmental Education Center
West Chester YMCA (A Branch of the Greater Brandywine YMCA)
Community YMCA of Eastern Delaware County
Cradle of Liberty Council Cub Scout Day Camps
Delaware County Community College
Southampton Summer Day Camp