The Houston area is home to some of the country’s best summer camps for kids of all ages. From educational STEM camps to traditional summer camps packed with classic activities like canoeing and archery, there are summer camps in Houston across a wide range of categories.
Ready for the best part? Many of these camps offer exclusive discounts to our loyal HoustonOnTheCheap readers! Plus, there are several other cheap and even free Houston summer camps worth checking out.
With that in mind, our 2019 Houston summer camp guide gives a complete rundown of the top discounted, cheap, and free options to keep your kids engaged and you less stressed.
For your convenience, we’ve divided the guide into a few sections:
- Camp Discounts and Offers for HoustonOnTheCheap Readers
- Cheap Houston Summer Camps (around $100 or so weekly day camps)
- Free Summer Camps in Houston
Houston Summer Camp Discounts and Special Offers
Aquatic Adventure Summer Camp at Sea Star Base Galveston
Type: Sports & Recreation
Description: Experience Sea Star Base Galveston’s thrilling, one-of-a-kind, action-packed, and adventure-filled Aquatic Adventure Summer Camp and have the BEST SUMMER EVER! With activities in sailing, fishing, kayaking, paddle sports, introduction to S.C.U.B.A., oceanography, and more, our campers create ever-lasting memories, build community and learn how to master their crafts on the waterways of Offatts Bayou and Galveston Bay!
The camp is for ages 11 to 17. It’s a great chance for campers to make new friends, learn valuable new skills, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Overnight and Day Camps available. Click here to register today and get 5% off with promo code ‘Cheap5’.
Locations: Galveston (7509 Broadway, Galveston TX 77554)
Contact: [email protected], SSBGalveston.org/camps
Dates: June 3rd through August 10th, 2019
Cost: $945/week
Exclusive Discount: HoustonOnTheCheap readers can get 5% OFF their registration by using coupon code Cheap5
Coder Kids
Type: Educational, STEM
Description: We live in a time when technology is constantly changing and improving. At Coder Kids, we want kids to not just consume technology but control it! To that end, we teach computer programming summer camps all throughout Houston starting from the most basic concepts to high school level classes. We also host drone and gaming camps throughout the summer.
For kids in grades K-2, we teach coding foundations with hands-on games and activities to teach the kids logic and sequencing. For grades 3-6, our focus is on building games and animations in Scratch. From there, older students can learn Python, Java, Unity, or even build their own website. Check out our website for our full course offerings.
Coder Kids will ready your child for the future of summer camp! Throughout the Houston area, you can choose from half or full-day camps lasting for five days. Projects are gone through step-by-step, which ensures that kids have all the help they need to solve any coding problems. No coding experience is required to attend! Click here to register today.
Locations: All around Houston! (Bellaire, Memorial, Kingwood, The Woodlands, Cypress, Katy, Sugarland, Friendswood)
Contact: [email protected]; CoderKidsTX.com
Cost: Half day, week-long camps are $160 – $225; Full day, week-long camps are $300 – $450, depending on location
Dates: All Summer starting June 3rd
Exclusive Discount: Add a child for a 5% sibling discount
Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council
Type: Recreation, Outdoors
Description: At Girl Scout camp, girls have the chance to discover more about who they are and what they can become. She’ll spend the summer trying new things, exploring the great outdoors, making incredible memories with awesome new friends, and so much more in an all-girl safe space where girls are free to explore, learn and have fun.
Girl Scout summer camp is open to girls age 6 to 17 and designed with their interest in mind.
Not a Girl Scout? That’s okay — joining Girl Scouts is very easy and you can go to camp, no troop required. All girls are welcome!
Overnight sessions at Camp Agnes Arnold, Camp Casa Mare and Camp Misty Meadows range from 3-13 days. Day camp sessions at the Program Place for Girls run for five days.
Location: Multiple locations
Contact: Email : [email protected]; Phone: 713-292-0300 or 1-800-392-4340; Para información en español: 1-877-250-8110
Dates: Overnight camp: June 16 to August 2; Day Camp: June 10 to July 26
Cost: Varies – click here for pricing info & more
Ice at the Galleria
Type: Sports & Recreation
Description: Are the kids looking for something to do over the Holidays?
Come join our great skate camp from June 3 – August 23, 2019. Have fun ice skating as well as many other on-ice and off-ice activities, like scavenger hunts, cookie & pasta building, karaoke, arts & crafts, and so much more. There is nothing else like it!
We offer full day and half day options as well as offering full week registration. Lessons daily. Camp shirt and rental skates included as well as hot lunches for all day campers. Most suited to 3yrs to 12yrs but will accommodate older children.
Location: Located in the food court area of the Galleria mall – 5015 Westheimer Rd. #1260. Houston. TX. 77056
Contact: [email protected], IceattheGalleria.com
Cost: Half day, full week. 8:30 am-12:30 pm or 1:15 pm- 5:30 pm Daily rate: $75. Full week: $190. Full day, full week. 8:30 am-5:30 pm. Daily rate: $101. Full week: $350 (full day camp includes Chilis lunch)
Dates: June 3 – August 23, 2019
Outdoor Odyssey at AD Players at The George Theater
Type: Arts
Description: A.D. Players Performing Arts Academy Summer Camps extend from June through August offering a variety of inclusive programming for students ages 5-Young Adult. Promoting arts education, these sessions incorporate the theme “Outdoor Odyssey” to provide an engaging and fun learning experience.
Our youngest students will explore various “Creatures of the Wild” while our middle schoolers unravel “Creatures of Mystery.” Intensives for high school students tackle some true-to-life topics in “Forces of Nature” as they present personal monologues and uncover the power of physicality in telling a story on the stage.
Academy Arts for All makes the arts accessible to all populations, employing specifically-designed curriculum to permit those with learning differences the opportunity to express their artistry in front of an audience as well as build confidence, community, and socialization skills. Summer All-Star Musical Productions at the Academy create an experience that may last a lifetime, uniting all aspects of a professional production with engaging material for young actors. Summer Camps at the Academy serve as a foundation for the study of improvisation, theatre technique, self- expression, and speech development that assists students in overcoming difficulties with public speaking.
Join the Odyssey at the Academy during Summer 2019!
Location : 2613 Saint Street, Houston, TX 77027
Contact: [email protected], Visit the AD Players Summer Camp Website
Dates: June 3 – August 11
Cost: $175-$325
Club SciKidz
Type: Educational, STEM
Description: Club SciKidz Houston (CSKH) is an authentic, immersive summer day camp with locations in Houston, Katy and Sugar Land, Texas. With over 42 week long offerings in summer 2019, CSKH provides children with loads of fun and hands-on science (S), technology (T), engineering (E), art (A), and mathematics (M) experiences. Club SciKidz Houston has two components: camps for grades Pre K-5 and grades 6-8. Both camp categories allow students to tinker, build, create and learn cool STEAM facts.
Club SciKidz Houston now has a few new additions for this summer! We offer early programming opportunities with our Introduction to Java, Little coder, and Dash and Dot camps. We also offer tech machines, veterinary, JR. meteorology, chemistry, LEGO Robotics, physicians, engineering, quad copter (or drone), mobile game design and Water robotics camps.
All of the hands-on National Science Standard activities make science challenging and fun! Our camp directors and counselors are highly trained, certified teachers and are assisted by currently enrolled college students that have been trained by Club SciKidz. Club SciKidz was founded on the principle that parents want to provide their children with exciting, challenging, life-impacting academic experiences. We are committed to exposing children to the science and technology of today and tomorrow. Our lessons help engage students in observation, measurement, identification of properties, and experimentation involving life, earth, and physical science concepts. We believe that every child is a scientist and that we can make children even better scientists!
There are so many offerings, we’re sure there is a camp for your little scientist or engineer! Click here to learn more or to register today.
Locations: Houston, Sugar Land, Katy
Contact: [email protected]; Houston.ClubSciKidz.com
Dates: June 10th – August 2nd
Cost: Cost: $285 – $375 (9 am – 4 pm) Monday through Friday. Pre-camp is available for an additional $25 (8 am – 9 am) and post-camp is an additional $35 (4 pm – 5:30 pm)
Exclusive Discount: Use code CLUBHOC2519 at registration for discount
Idea Lab Kids
Type: Educational, STEM, Arts
Description: Idea Lab Kids provides STEAM (STEM + Arts) camps ranging from Cooking School, Robotics, Drones, 3D Printing, Art Studio, Coding Programming, Movie Production, Engineering, and Science. Campers learn through inquisitive hands-on activities utilizing Science, Math, Critical thinking Skills and a great deal of IMAGINATION!
Click here to learn more or to register today.
Camp Options: Full Day | Half Day plus optional extended hours for Before and After camp care
Camp age groups: Preschool – Lower Elementary – Upper Elementary – Middle School
Location: 8404 Katy Fwy Suite #200, Houston, TX 77024
Contact: [email protected], Website
Cost: $175-$275/week
Dates: June 3-Aug 30, 2019
Exclusive Discount: Get a free T-shirt when you use the code Summer2019 at registration
Companion Camp at Houston Humane Society
Type: Educational, Animals
Description: Companion Camp is a fantastic opportunity for children ages 7-13 (or ages 12- 15 during teen week) to learn about the animals cared for by Houston Humane Society. Campers learn valuable life lessons concerning the welfare of all animals. During a typical day, campers receive humane education, workshops from animal experts, games, crafts, and hands on animal activities. This camp is a must for all kids!
Cost is $295 per session and includes daily snacks and drinks, t-shirt, crafts, and all activities. Lunch is not be provided; attendees will need to bring a sack lunch. ***Register before June 1st for just $275 per session***
Camp hours are from 9:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Optional, extended morning hour is available from 8:30-9:30 a.m. for just $50 more per session.
Click here to learn more or to register today.
Locations: 14702 Almeda Rd., Houston, TX 77053
Contact: [email protected]; Official Camp Website
Dates: Weekly, June 3rd-August 9th
Cost: $295/session
Exclusive Discount: Register before June 1st for just $275 per session (a $20 discount!)
Houston Arboretum & Nature Center Summer Camp
Type: Educational, Outdoors
Description: Register your kids for Houston Arboretum & Nature Center’s fun-filled, week-long camps that explore the natural world through active, hands-on indoor and outdoor adventures at this 155-acre nature sanctuary.
Children ages 4-12 are invited to explore the Arboretum while learning about birds, bugs, amazing animal adaptations, wetlands, and more this summer!
It’s the perfect camp for kids who love the great outdoors and enjoy getting their hands dirty!
Click here for more information or to register today.
Location: 4501 Woodway Drive, Houston, TX 77024
Contact: 713-681-8433, [email protected], Website
Dates: June 3 – August 9
Cost:
| Fees per week: | Members | Nonmembers |
| Half Day (4), 9:00 am – 12:00 pm | $165 | $210 |
| Half Day (5-12), 9:00 am – 12:00 pm | $155 | $200 |
| Full Day, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm | $285 | $365 |
| After Camp, 3:00 – 5:30 pm | $75 | $90 |
Main Street Theater Summer Camp
Type: Theater, Arts
Description: Main Street Theater’s Summer Camp for ages 4 – high school takes place at 5 locations across the city: Rice Village (Main Street Theater), Montrose (Italian Cultural Center), West Loop/Meyerland (The Shlenker School), Bellaire (Bellaire Parks & Rec), and Midtown (MATCH). These camps are a performing arts playground where imaginations are sparked as students collaborate to create an original play and dance piece! Students take charge of all aspects of performance while the teachers (who are arts and educational professionals) provide guidance and know-how support to students.
One- and two-week sessions for ages 4 – 14 are available for their general camps (see specialized Turbo and Shakespeare camp information below). They also offer one-day “Turbo Camps” (ages 6 – 14) during July 4th week and at the end of the summer. Sign up for as many or as few days as you wish! Before/After-Care available for general camp sessions.
Main Street Theater also offers Summer Shakespeare for 8th – 12th grades (this summer will be Henry VI Part 1: Games of Crowns, Roses, and Thrones. By William Shakespeare, adapted by Jonathan Minchew-Gonzalez).
Need-based scholarships are available for students who qualify and if space is available.
Click here for all the details or to register today.
Location: Rice Village (Main Street Theater), Montrose (Italian Cultural Center), West Loop/Meyerland (The Shlenker School), Bellaire (Bellaire Parks & Rec), and Midtown (MATCH)
Contact: [email protected]; Website
Cost: Varies
Dates: June 3 – August 23
Register online today before camps sell out!
Fine Arts Camp at Willow Meadows Baptist Church
Type: Arts, Christian
Description: This one-week long day Houston summer camp gives children ranging from age 3 (bathroom independent) through completed 5th grade the opportunity to create art, movement, and music taught by an experienced faculty of local professionals.
Fine Arts Camp was established to provide children a place to discover what happens when Christian faith collides with artistic means of expression. The cost of tuition to camp is $110 per camper and includes a daily nutritional snack, a Fine Arts Camp t-shirt, and 5 days of professional instruction.
Visit their website for registration information.
Location: 4300 W. Bellfort St. Houston, TX 77035
Dates: June 10-14, 2019
Contact: [email protected], Website
Cheap Houston Summer Camps
Bellaire Parks & Recreation Department
The Bellaire Parks & Recreation Department offers a range of one-week specialty camps all summer long for kids ages 3 and older. In prior years, topics ranging from Young builders and Drone junior flight camp to things like Junior engineers have been covered. Along with week-long specialty camps, Bellaire Parks and Rec hosts a variety of other all-day (8 am – 3:30 pm) camps at Camp Paseo for kids 5-12. The camps usually cost about $100. Info for the 2019 camp season is expected to be posted soon at this link.
The Foundry Summer Camps
There are multiple summer camps at both the Fry Rd or Jones Rd campuses of The Foundry. Camps range from Vacation Bible School to Sports Camps to Fine Arts Camps, and they have camps for most ages. Camp dates and locations can be found on their website and look to start at $85.
Houston Parks & Rec Department: Summer Enrichment Program
Kids age 6-13 are eligible to enjoy plenty of summer fun during a variety of full-day summer camp programs. Activities will include nutrition, crafts, fun fitness, nature exploration, junior golf, soccer, computer literacy, bird watching, track and field, swimming, hiking, and much more! Registration and more information is available online at www.houstonparks.org. The cost is $30/week with various dates from June to August; full days 8 am – 5 pm or 6 pm.
Lone Star College Discovery College
Lone Star College offers a variety of summer half-day camps and programs for children ages 6 to 17 at their campuses across the area (Cy Fair, Montgomery, North Harris, University Park, Tomball, Creekside Center). Prices are reasonable and there are morning (7:30 am to 12:30 pm) or afternoon (12:30 pm to 4:50 pm) sessions available. A variety of camps/classes are available such as robotics, web development, photography, and much more! Camps and classes are available at one of six campus locations. Learn more on their website.
Messiah Lutheran Church: Camp Hope Day Camp
The theme for Camp Hope’s summer day camp is Rewrite the Rules. The day will be filled with Bible stories, crafts, games, songs, and on some days splash play. Kids from 5 years old through 6th grade are eligible to sign up and will be paired into groups of children based on age. Make sure to register by June 15 to ensure your children get a camp t-shirt! The cost is $85 (for the first child), $80 (each additional). Scholarships are available. Camps run through most of the month of July. Find more details here.
Mark Kistler’s Summer Art Camp
Mark Kistler is known for his work on PBS, “Mark Kistler’s Imagination Station” or “The Secret City” in the 1980s. Now this Emmy-award winning artist is available to teach kids age 6 to 16 3D art and drawing in a four-day summer day camp. Mark explores a new theme daily that will teach your children different techniques from drawing to more advanced art techniques. Locations vary throughout the summer with dates in Sugar Land, Spring, and The Woodlands. Get full details here!
FREE Summer Camps in Houston
Destiny Sports Camp
StoneBridge Church offers a sports came which is a free 4-day camp from June 3-6. Kids from 1st grade to 6th grade are eligible to attend. The camp is run by local professional coaches and/or college athletes. All skill levels are welcome to attend and will learn and be included. A variety of sports options are available. Camp wraps up with a Victory Celebration Party offering activities for kids of every age, live music, food, and an awards presentation from the coaches. Sports options range from dance and football to golf, baseball, and numerous other sports. Registration starts May 1 at noon. A $20 registration fee is required this year, though the actual camp is free. Click here to learn more.
Vacation Bible School at University Baptist Church
This Clear Lake church offers a free day camp for kids entering kindergarten (5 years old) through 5th grade. It’s a fun camp where kids will participate in arts and crafts, sing-alongs, and more as they learn about God with stories from the Bible. Click here to learn more.
Camp Spike ‘N’ Wave®
Camp Spike ‘n’ Wave® takes place June 9-15 and gives kids age 8 to 14 with epilepsy the chance to explore a fun, residential, fully accessible camping experience. This summer camp is completely free to children with epilepsy courtesy of The Epilepsy Foundation Texas. At Camp Spike ‘n’ Wave® campers have the chance to create lasting friendships, build self-esteem, and participate in traditional camp activities like swimming, boating, nature hikes, group sports, and arts and crafts. Registration is now open. Download an application here.
Camp Neuron
Kids from 8 to 14 that also have epilepsy can attend Camp Neuron absolutely free from June 30-July 6 at Texas Lions Camp in Kerrville, TX. The Epilepsy Foundation Texas provides this opportunity for families of children with epilepsy to provide them with a unique and amazing residential camping experience. Camp Neuron gives kids a chance to make friends for life, to build their self-esteem, and to enjoy all the best parts of camp from craft projects to boating activities! Applications are available here.
Kamp Kaleidoscope®
Kamp Kaleidoscope® is a residential camp for teenagers (ages 15-19) who are also living with epilepsy. It takes place June 30 – July 6 at Collin County YMCA in Anna, Texas. This worthwhile camping experience is provided by free by The Epilepsy Foundation Texas. Kamp Kaleidoscope® provides campers with a true camp experience. Teens will make friends, experience different social situations, and do all the fun things campers do from group sports to swimming. Get your application here. Registration can be completed online. You’ll need to submit your registration by June 23.
Camp STREAM at the Houston Public Library
This free summer day camp in Houston gives kids and teens of all ages the chance to participate in a range of interactive, exciting STREAM (science, technology, reading, engineering, arts, and math) activities. Everything from video game design to LEGO robotics to creative writing is covered. There are dates throughout the summer at various Houston Public Library locations around the city. Click here for all the details.
Know of any other great Houston summer camps worth attending? Let us know by commenting below.
How can I add a camp in the Houston area to this website?
Thanks for sharing this.
Sure, I hope it’s helpful!
Vicki