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80+ Edmonton Area Summer Camps 2024

Updated June 6, 2024

Summer hasn’t even officially started yet, and the “I’m bored”s are already ringing through the house. There’s a camp for everyone this summer in Edmonton area. From ages 3 to 19 and beyond (yes, adults, too – though we usually call those classes!), the number of summer camps in the Edmonton area is huge!

Big Organizations

There are a few large organizations that run camps in multiple locations across many themes in and around the city. Due to the size of the organization these are often some of the best run and most affordable camps (but not always – if you’re on a budget be sure to shop around!).

YMCA

The YMCA of Northern Alberta runs summer camps across Edmonton each and every week of the summer. There is a small discount if your child has a membership, but it isn’t necessary to attend camp. These programs are structured and the staff is well trained and supported. One hour of before and after care is available as part of the camp cost.

Some of the programs offered include: 1- and 2-week swim camp, art camp, cooking camp, biking, skateboarding, basketball, soccer, general sports, “field trip camp” (Y Explorers), science, and sport performance training (for 12-15 year olds).

City-Run Day Camps

The City of Edmonton move.learn.play program offers a wide variety of registered day camps for ages 4 to 17 all over the city (locations such as the City Arts Centre, Rundle Park, Victoria Golf Course, Edmonton Valley Zoo, Fort Edmonton, and various recreation centres). Some of the options include art, golf, nature, history, plants, outdoor adventure, and zoo camps.

Other cities in the Capital Region to offer day camps include: St Albert (famous for it’s children’s theatre camps, but offering much more!), Strathcona County, Leduc, Devon, Spruce Grove, and Parkland County. Be sure to check your local town, county, and recreation center websites!

Post-Secondary Camps

NAIT offers badminton, basketball, volleyball, and hockey summer camps through the Ooks Athletics program.

MacEwan University has a sports stream (basketball, volleyball, and hockey camps) and a swim/rec stream for their summer camps for ages 8-16.

The University of Alberta has DiscoverE (5 engineering-based themes for kids entering grade 1 to 9 in the fall), Green & Gold Sport Camps (Aquatics, Basketball, Climbing, Curling, Flag Football, Hockey, REC Mix, Rugby, Soccer, Sport Skills, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball, and Wrestling), and Science Camps (these fill up fast – sign up to the mailing list to get notified for next year!).

King’s University has a smaller selection of camps primarily targeted at older kids (11+) with a few camps for younger kids, too.

Edmonton Public Schools’ Metro Continuing Education offers a range of summer programs for elementary and junior high students.

National Organizations

There are several national organizations operating in the Edmonton area. These programs are typically very well designed and really engage kids!

Several Mamas have had their kids go through the Pedalheads bike camp. You can read some of our reviews. They are all about getting kids riding their bikes safely and with confidence. With camps for kids from 1 year old and up, between bike and trail camp there is something for most kids.

Get ready for an EPIC camp experience with Sportsball! Camps for kids from 6 to 12 years old focus on up to 9 different sports (with one specifically for Flag Football for 9-12 year olds), and extra fun with games and some topical learning built in as well.

Target soccer specifically with Royal City Soccer Camps. With a dozen locations in and around Edmonton their full and half day camps offer before and after care (additional charge) and are open to ages 5 to 13 with volunteer opportunities for 14 and 15 year olds.

Camps in the Arts

Dancing, drawing, writing, oh my! Let your kid’s creativity come alive at these artistic camps.

Theatre Camp

Backdrop for the J'Adore Musical Theatre Encanto performance.
J’Adore Musical Theatre camp

Let your kids show off their dramatic flare at an acting camp! There are lots of options available in and around Edmonton:

Dance Camp

Do you have a little dancer, or a kid that just won’t stop moving and could use some direction to put meaning to those moves? Dance camp can corral that energy into intentional flow and increase spacial awareness. With options from hip hop to ballet to general “dance”, there’s something for every interest.

Musical Camps

Whether it’s playing an instrument or singing a song, these camps hit the right notes.

Creative Writing

Two girls writing in notebooks outdoors.

One of our contributor’s daughters attended YouthWrite and wrote about her experience!

Sewing/Fashion Camps

From learning the basics of how to sew all the way to fashion design, for the textile-inclined child there’s lots to discover at a sewing-themed summer camp! Be sure to pick the appropriate camp for you child’s skill level.

The Makery

Located in Sherwood Park, The Makery camps for ages 5 to 12 offer unique registration options from single day camps, weekly, and full month. The camps are a combination of structured and free play within the creative spaces offered at The Makery.

More Art Camps

With options like animation, drawing, painting, ceramics, photography, and more these art-focused organizations have camps on a range of subjects.

STEM Camps

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math themed camps are great for the more cerebral child – or child that would benefit from discovering that learning IS fun.

Telus World of Science

From half day kindercamp to grade 5/6 coding camps TWOS offers about a dozen different camps grouping kids of a similar age. The also offer a lunch program so you don’t have to pack a meal, and pre- and post-care add on packages.

Coding Camps

Teaching kids to code is becoming a popular camp topic, offered by several organizations. Most camps offer a combination of educational screen time, crafts, and physical/outdoor activity.

Here are a few based in Edmonton:

Flight School

Head to the Alberta Aviation Museum to explore flight with hands-on and interactive experiments, from launching bottle rockets to exploring the intricacies of flight. For ages 6 to 11.

Other STEM Programs

Whether they offer a range of STEM programs or multi-disciple camps, check out what these spots have to offer!

Sports Camps

In addition to the big organizations above (most run a variety of sports-themed camps), there are smaller organizations that typically focus in on one or two specific sports.

Soccer Camp

If your kid loves to kick a ball around, try soccer camp!

Ice Skating & Hockey Camps

Whether your kid is just learning how to skate, or is looking to upgrade their skills on the ice, these camps have something for everyone.

Gymnastics Camps

Are kids interested in vault, balance beam, uneven bars, pommel horse, rings, horizontal bar and parallel bars? Try a gymnastics camp at one of these clubs:

Yoga Camps

Help your kids find their centre at a child-focused yoga camp.

  • Glow Yoga (Ages 5 to 12, full and half day options)

Volleyball Camp

Let your kid master their spike and serve at these summer volleyball camps!

Football & Rugby Camps

Let your kid tackle new skills and experience the thrill of the gridiron at football camp!

Water Camps

From swimming to rowing to paddle boards, enjoy the water at these camps!

Variety Camps

These camps cover several sports in a single week. Introduce your child to a wide variety of sports and help them discover some new favourites!

Other Active Camps

While these activities aren’t usually considered “sports” they will certainly wear your kid out! Get active at these camps!

Obstacle Course Camps

Burn out your little ball of energy at these obstacle course themed camps!

Bike Camps

Pedalheads offers fun and learning for your child this summer with their bike camps!

Always a popular activity for kids, there are a variety of summer bike camps available. From learning to ride, to adventurous trail excursions, there is something for every ability!

Skatepark Camps

Is your child interested in figuring out the skateboard park? These camps are a great introduction!

Circus Camp

Is your child interested in aerial performances or circus acts? Discover high flying fun at these cirque-themed camps.

Indoor Activity Shops

Do you have some favourite indoor spots for parties or letting the kids burn off energy? They might offer a summer camp! Here are a few options:

Animal Camps

Camps for Older Kids

King’s University has a range of camps offered all summer long for kids 11+.

Keno Hill Stables has introduced a teen (13+) riding camp with Thursday night sleepover.

YouthWrite offers writing themed camps for kids from 8 to 19. Read one of our kids’ review!

ArtsTrek sleepaway theatre camp in Red Deer hosted by Theatre Alberta hosts two sessions for teens finished Grade 7 to 15 years old (July 7-12) or 16 to 18 (July 14-20).

General Camps

These camps don’t really fall into one specific category. They may be a sampling of all sorts of things, act more like a week of daycare, or have another theme.

Accessible Camps

With camps for kids from 3 to 23+, AdaptAbilities’ Summer Camps are focused on movement, exploration, and purposeful activities. Camps run 9am to 3pm with before and after care available from 7:30am to 6pm for an additional fee. AdaptAbilities also offers Inclusion Camp which provides an aid worker for your child at an independent camp.

Camp Health, Hope & Happiness Society exists to provide safe and rewarding recreational opportunities to children and adults with physical and mental disabilities. Camps are available for ages 6 to 31+.

Autism Services Edmonton will release details of their summer camp program on April 1, 2024.

Sportsball offers Adapted Programs. They haven’t released their schedule for this summer at the time of writing, but you are encouraged to check and reach out.

In addition to these need-specific camps, many of the big organizations are able to offer accommodations for kids with extra needs. Reach out and see if they can work with you and your child(ren).

More Camps?

Do you know of a summer camp that should be added to this list? Send us an email or message us on social with a link!

A few requirements:

  • Day camps only (exception: accessible camps)
  • Available to most kids – think programming that could be part of a public school curriculum
  • Within the Capital Region

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