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Charlotte Mama’s 2026 Not-too-late Summer Camp Guide
If you’re behind on getting kids signed up to camp for this summer, don't worry. There are still plenty of great options in the greater Charlotte area. Here is our working listing of local day camps with plenty of openings for the summer of 2026:
NATURE/ADVENTURE
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Location: 2593 Lake Haigler Drive, Fort Mill, S.C.
How long: Half and full day options.
When: Week-long sessions starting June 1-5 through July 27-31.
Ages: From ages 3-6 through 10th graders for Leaders in Training.
Description: From hiking scenic trails and creek stomping to horseback riding, archery, fishing and mountain biking. Specialty camps at the Greenway Farm & Stables encourage learning about animals and nature.
Cost: $225 for half day. $320-$345 for full day. $560 for farm camp. $265-$295 for half day of fishing camp. $325 for half day of mountain biking camp. $625 for half day and $825 for full day of equestrian.
For more information: Summer Camps | Anne Springs Close Greenway
Daniel Stowe Conservancy
Location: 6500 South New Hope Road, Belmont
How long: Full day: 8-4:30
When: Weeklong camps from June 8-12 through July 27-31
Ages: 6-8, 9-11, 10-14.
Description: Enchanted Garden Camp, Adventure Camp, Woodland Naturalists Camp, Nature Art Camp, Wonderful Water Camp
Cost: $250 for non-member, $225 for members
For more information: Camps - Daniel Stowe Conservancy
Discovery Place Science
Location: 301 N. Tryon St., Charlotte
How long: Full Day Camps 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., extended care available from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
When: Selected weeklong sessions from mid-June to mid-August
Ages: 5-6, 6-8, 8-10, 10-12
Description: Camp themes range from engineering and robotics to space and astronomy, girls in STEM, nature and animals.
Cost: $395
For more information: https://discoveryplace.org/blog/camps-summer-camps-charlotte/
Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves and Recreation Centers
Location: Various recreation centers in greater Charlotte area
How long: half and full Day
When: Select week-long sessions from June - August.
Ages: 2 to 18
Description: Recreation centers from Eastway Regional Rec Center to McDowell and Reedy Creek Nature Centers to Second Ward Gymnasium to Marion Diehl to Ray’s Splash Planet and others, select sessions are still available for all ages and activities ranging from swimming and sports to nature and adventure.
Cost: $175 to $420
For more information: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/mecklenburgparks/activity/search?onlineSiteId=0&locale=en-US&activity_select_param=2&open_spots=1&activity_category_ids=50&viewMode=list
U.S. Whitewater Center:
Location: 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy, Charlotte
How long: Half and full day, 8-12:30 p.m. or 8-5 p.m
When: Week-long sessions, June-August
Ages: 4-7, 8-13, 10-12, 12-16, 10-17
Description: Little Leaf Camp for environmental education with classic camp programming and some Whitewater activities. Tiny Trekkers adventure camp for more active, challenge-based activities. Adventure Camp for whitewater rafting, ziplining and more. Survival camp, Rock, Ride and Paddle Camp and three levels of kayak camp.
Cost: $225 for half day, $450-$600 for full day
For more information: https://whitewater.org/whitewater-camps/summer-camps/
YMCA Camps
Locations: 13 locations throughout greater Charlotte area, including a wide variety of offerings at the Morrison branch in Ballantyne (9405 Bryant Farms Rd), South Charlotte at the Harris branch (5900 Quail Hollow Rd.) and on Lake Wylie, S.C. for outdoor adventure at Camp Thunderbird.
How long: Full days, as long as 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., half days at select preschool and specialty camps.
When: Weekly sessions from June - mid-August.
Ages: 2-17
Description: Camps vary by YMCA location but include classic, preschool, teens, outdoor adventure, sports, swim, arts & STEAM, dance, and adaptive, which are for campers with diverse abilities. Camp Thunderbird, located on Lake Wyle, has both overnight and day camp options. Day camps, for ages 6 and up, feature a high ropes course, zip line, alpine tower, two swimming pools and more than 20 Sunfish sailboats. For prospective overnight campers and families, a camp tour will be held Sunday, March 29 from 12:30-2:30.
Cost: Fees are discounted for YMCA members. Prices range from $184 for preschool camps for members to $510 for non-members attending Camp Thunderbird. Scholarships are available to offset costs.
For more information: https://www.ymcacharlotte.org/day-camp
Cooking and Art
Flour Power Rea Farms
Location: 9826 Sandy Rock Place, Suite E, Charlotte
How long: Half and full day, 9-4 p.m., either for one day or five days
When: Full week camps begin June 8, with selected sessions available through mid-August.
Ages: 5-8, 9-12
Description: Young chefs explore cooking and learn essential culinary skills. Themes include Baker’s Delight (breakfast casserole, pizza, brownies and more), The Chocolate Factory, Cooking Outside the Box (recipes from scratch) In Our Cooking Era (Taylor Swift-Themed) Restaurant Recipe Makeovers (Starbucks-style Pumpkin Scones, Subway-inspired Double Chocolate Chip Cookies, Moe’s Southwest Chicken Burritos) and more.
Cost: $159 for one day, $499 for five days
For more information: https://flourpower.duckdojo.com/locations/reafarms/events/2/CMP
Flour Power Fort Mill
Location: 810 Brayden Parkway, Suite 107, Fort Mill, S.C.
How long: Half and full day, 9-4 p.m., for one day or five days
When: Full week camps begin June 1, with selected sessions available through mid-August.
Ages: 5-8, 9-12, 13-14
Description: Young chefs explore cooking and learn essential culinary skills. Themes include Celebrations (cooking for parties) Viral bites (popular recipes), The Chocolate Factory, Passport to Flavor (international recipes) and more.
Cost: $159 for one day, $499 for five days
For more information: https://flourpowerstudios.com/locations/fortmill/
Little Hands Big Art Waverly
Location: 7415 Waverly Walk Ave., Charlotte
How long: Half day (mornings and afternoons) and full day
When: June 1-5 through August 31-Sept. 4
Ages: 3 ½ - 5 ½, 4-12, 11-15
Description: Either Art, Pottery, or Art + Pottery options in which kids discover new ways to express themselves, problem-solve and shine. Camps foster creativity, perseverance and both collaborative and independent thinking.
Cost: $325 to $610 plus 10 percent sibling discount
For more information: https://www.smallhandsbigart.com/south-charlotte/camp-schedule/#1745939801332-673b0122-8f41
Little Hands Big Art Fort Mill
Location: 1365 Broadcloth Street, Suite 105
How long: Half day (mornings and afternoons) and full day
When: mid-June through mid-August.
Ages: 3 ½ - 5 ½, 4-12, 11-15
Description: Either Art, Pottery, or Art + Pottery options in which kids discover new ways to express themselves, problem-solve and shine. Camps foster creativity, perseverance and both collaborative and independent thinking.
Cost: $325 to $610 plus 10 percent sibling discount
For more information: https://www.smallhandsbigart.com/south-charlotte/camp-schedule/#1745939801332-673b0122-8f41
Noah’s Art
Locations: South Park 5110 Park Rd. 2E, Charlotte, Blakeney 9852 Rea Rd. Suite C2, Charlotte and Fort Mill, 1135 Stonecrest Boulevard, Suite 115, Tega Cay, S.C.
How long: Half day mornings and afternoons, full day camps available in combination with My Gym next door.
When: Daily and weekly availability May 26 - Sept. 4
Ages: 3-10
Description: Flexible scheduling yet kids never repeat the same project twice. Camps which provide a kinetic experience full of creativity and exploration.
Cost: $49 for half day, per day, 10 percent off siblings. Extended day $102 per day and 10 percent off siblings.
For more information: https://www.noahs-art.com/south-park
Sports
Hornets Hoops Basketball Camp
Location: Eight locations but multiple weeks at Myers Park Presbyterian Outreach Center, 1073 Providence Rd, and Covenant Presbyterian, at 1000 East Morehead St.
How long: Full day, 9 to 4 p.m.
When: week-long sessions from mid-June through mid-August
Ages: Boys and girls 7-14
Description: Kids learn shooting mechanics and footwork, ball handling, defense, rebounding and about mental approach, while also having fun in competitive action, whether it’s 5-on-5, 3-on-3 or 1-on-1. The June 15-19 session at the Myers Park Outreach Center includes a one-hour appearance from Hornets player(s), but a limited number of spots remain. The camp swag bag includes two ticket vouchers to a ‘26-’27 regular season Hornets game, Hornets Hoops jersey and shorts and a Gatorade bottle.
Cost: $283.94 ($368.81 for session with Hornets player appearance.)
For more information: https://www.nba.com/hornets/hornetshoops
Barclay Downs Tennis Camp
Location: 2812 Iverness Road, Charlotte
How long: Half and full day, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (ages 5-15) or 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (ages 6-15)
When: Weekly sessions (and daily when openings allow) June 8-12 through August 17-21
Ages: 6-15, with advance camps available for ages 12 and older
Description: With more than 20 years’ experience in expert junior tennis instruction, camp offers group instruction according to ability, free play including soccer and arts and crafts, as well as swimming in the club pool. The extended sessions include tennis match play and free play.
Cost: $300 for members, $325 for non-members. Discounts available for multiple week signups.
For more information: https://bdswimclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/summer-camp-2026-2.pdf
Queens University Sports Camps
Location: 1900 Selwyn Ave. Soccer is outdoors at the Myers Park Traditional Soccer Field adjacent to Queens University. Basketball is indoors at the Levine Center for Wellness and Recreation on campus. Baseball is at Freedom Park at 1908 East Blvd.
How long: Half and full day (Soccer is 8:30-12, 8:30 - 4:45, Basketball is 9-12, 9-4 p.m. Mon.-Thurs, half day Friday) Baseball is 8:45 a.m to 3 p.m., noon pickup Friday)
When: Soccer is seven week-long sessions (Starting June 1, 8, 15, 22 and July 13, 20 and 27) Boys basketball is four week-long sessions (starting June 22, July 20, Aug. 10 and Aug. 17) Girls basketball is five week-long sessions (starting June 15, July 6, July 27, Aug. 3 and Aug. 17) Baseball is four week-long sessions (starting June 15, 22, July 6 and Aug. 10)
Description: Kids of all ages can learn skills and have fun with a series of sports camps run by Queens athletes, coaches and staff. If you have siblings interested in soccer and basketball, this is a good way to accommodate both in one location. Basketball camps are offered independently by the men’s and women’s teams. Baseball camps are off-campus at Freedom Park.
Ages: Boys and girls ages 5 to 14 for basketball and soccer. Boys and girls grades K through 8th for baseball.
Cost: Soccer is $165 for half day, $325 for full day. Boys’ basketball is $225 for half day, $450 for full day, girls basketball is $250 for half day, $400 for full day. Baseball is $500.
For more information: About soccer https://www.queensusoccercamps.com/content/2026-summer-camp-programs/2026-early-summer-camp
About boys basketball https://www.queensboysbasketballcamps.com/content/2026-kids-camp
About girls basketball
https://www.queensgirlsbasketballcamps.com/content/kids-camp
About baseball
https://queensbaseballcamps.com/
Other camps worth exploring: ImaginOn theater and performance camps with satellite locations at CPCC - Levine Campus in Matthews and Gaston Day School. Private schools as slots are available, Charlotte Country Day, Providence Day, Charlotte Latin, Charlotte Prep, Charlotte Christian, Trinity Episcopal.
Behind on summer camp sign-ups?
You’re not out of luck. Charlotte and the surrounding area still have a wide range of 2026 day camp options with open spots across nature, STEM, arts, cooking, and sports programs.
From outdoor adventure at local nature preserves and the Whitewater Center, to hands-on science at Discovery Place and creative studios for young artists and chefs, there’s something for every interest and age group. Families can also find flexible scheduling, half- and full-day options, and camps running all summer long into August.
And if you’re building out your full summer game plan, don’t stop here—pair camps with our Charlotte Summer Reading Program for kids who want to keep learning going, our Charlotte Summer Movie Deals for easy indoor escapes, and our Best Splash Pads in Charlotte for hot-day fun between camp weeks.
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