11 Free Summer Camp Options for 2019

Maressa Brown
Updated

It may seem tough to find a summer program for your kiddo that doesn't cost an arm and a leg—or anything really. But there are actually free summer camps and summer programs out there. Here are 11 options near you to consider.

The Fresh Air Fund

Families who live in or near NYC can take advantage of the Fresh Air Fund, which provides kids from the city a chance to experience the wilderness. Qualified families get tuition free.

Local Arts Council Camps

Some local arts councils offer free camps for kids and teens. For example, the Greenfield Cultural Arts Center in California offers camps free of charge to residents aged 10-17. Camps run Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Parks and Recreation Department Camps

Some parks and recreation departments offer day camps for free or at a very low cost to families who qualify. For instance, the LA Parks system offers free programs and activities to kids aged 5-17 and has done so since 1996.

Apple Camp

The tech giant offers free camps in Apple store locations across the country for kids aged 8-12. Camps—which run for 90-minute sessions over the course of three days—aim to help kids "explore their creativity through fun, hands-on projects across three tracks ranging from moviemaking to coding robots."

Boys & Girls Clubs of America

The organization is behind various programs focusing on different subjects from STEM to music. While they may not necessarily be free, they are often priced on a sliding scale, depending on a family's need.

Museum Programs

Many local museums offer free programs throughout the summer. For example, Brooklyn Children’s Museum will run a free summer camp program in July and August of 2019. And the Field Museum in Chicago offers opportunities for teens to volunteer at the museum over the summer.

Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program

This free 7-week introductory computer science ​program ​is specifically for​ ​10th-11th grade girls going into their junior or senior year of high school. Participants​ ​learn​ about ​computer science,​ ​gain​ ​exposure​ ​to​ ​tech​ ​jobs,​ ​and​ ​join​ ​a​ sisterhood​ ​of​ ​girls​ ​who​ ​are​ ​using​ ​computer​ ​science​ ​to​ ​become​ ​change-makers. Check out the website to find a location near you.

Mathcamp

The intensive, 5-week-long summer program is for mathematically talented high school students. Students can explore undergraduate and even graduate-level topics while building problem-solving skills that will help them in any field they choose to study. Canada/USA Mathcamp 2019 will take place at Lewis & Clark in Portland, OR from June 23 to July 28, 2019 and is free for qualifying candidates.

Telluride Association Summer Programs (TASP)

TASP is a six-week educational experience for high school juniors located in Colorado. Students participate in seminars led by college and university members and participate in educational and social activities outside the classroom. The program is meant for students who want both a personal and intellectual challenge. Telluride Association Summer Programs are completely free—every student awarded a place in a TASP attends the program on a full housing, dining and tuition scholarship.

University of New Hampshire Upward Bound Summer Program

This New Hampshire-based summer program was created to help eligible students achieve their goal of higher education through a free, federally funded, college preparatory program. For six weeks, students live at the University of New Hampshire and take academic courses, participate in enriching activities, receive tutoring as well as attend career workshops, college visits and help through navigating the college application process and financial aid system. You can learn more on the University of New Hampshire Upward Bound Summer Program website.

STEM Programs Grades K-8

Check out this roundup of STEM programs around the country that are either tuition-free or provide scholarships for kids grades kindergarten through eighth.