Here Comes the Sun
Summer camps and programs expose children to fun, new friends, and experiences sure to leave a lasting impression.
by Leigh Stuart

While social media and constant connectivity have changed the landscape of the modern world, there will always be a few things that AI can’t replace; at the top of the list are fresh air, sunshine, and new experiences to broaden the mind and strengthen the body. For kids, those kinds of things are particularly important, and local summer camps are fantastic places to find them all. 
 
Other benefits to come to mind. Focused attention on areas of expertise, such as soccer or dance, can hone athletic skills; in-depth study outside of the classroom can open a young learner’s mind to a new subject, or offer more time to delve into the intricacies of one in particular; plus, any camp setting will introduce kids to peers and offer the space to form new friendships.
 
“All those classic camp dynamics—being away from home and parents, making new friends, being part of a team, and trying new things—are building blocks to crucial social-emotional skills,” writes Leah Shafer for Harvard Graduate School of Education. “It’s not just the new environment and flexible schedule that builds kids’ social-emotional skills. Many camps have an intentional focus on social-emotional learning. … And most camps train staff to coach kids on becoming more independent, socially aware, and reflective.”
The results of a study by the American Camp Association looked at myriad areas of life including careers and collegiate experience. The study found that “youths’ memorable summer narratives were often set at camp, despite the fact that youth generally spent much more time at home than at camp.”

 
In addition, the report states: “Results show that in general, youth who had higher-quality camp experiences than their peers also had better school experiences the following spring.”
 
So, whether parents and their children seek academic enrichment, an immersion in the arts, or a summer full of sports, involvement in any summer program can have a positive impact on a child in a variety of ways. 
 
It’s best to line up summer plans as soon as possible. It may still be cold and snowy outside, but summer is only a few months away. Most camps have limited availability, so reach out now to avoid being left out in the cold. 
 
ACADEMICS +
Academy of Notre Dame de Namur
Villanova
ndapa.org/campus-life/summer-camps
 
Archmere Academy
Claymont, Delaware
archmereacademy.com
 
Friends’ Central School
Wynnewood
fcsprograms.org
 
Friends School Haverford
Haverford
friendshaverford.org
 
Germantown Academy
Fort Washington
germantownacademy.net/summer
 
The Meadowbrook School – Camp Meadowbrook
Meadowbrook
themeadowbrookschool.org
 
Notre Dame High School
Lawrenceville, New Jersey
ndnj.org/summer-experience
 
Perkiomen School
Pennsburg
perkiomen.org
 
Salesianum School
Wilmington, Delaware
salesianum.org
 
St. Joseph’s Preparatory School
Philadelphia
sjprep.org
 
St. Katharine Drexel Catholic School
Southampton
sunnydayssummerfun.weebly.com
 
Tatnall School
Wilmington, Delaware
atatnallsummer.org
 
Ursuline Academy
Wilmington, Delaware
ursuline.org/discovery-cove
 
Villa Joseph Marie High School
Holland
vjmhs.org/summer
 
Villa Victoria Academy
Ewing, New Jersey
villavictoria.org
 
LEARNING DIFFERENCES
AIM Academy
Conshohocken
aimpa.org
 
Benchmark School
Media
benchmarkschool.org
 
Center School
Abington
centerschoolpa.org
 
Delaware Valley Friends School
Paoli
dvfs.org
 
Woodlynde School
Strafford
woodlynde.org

 
ATHLETICS
CAL Sports Academy
Hatfield
calsportsacademy.com
 
Game Breaker Lacrosse Camps
Multiple locations
laxcamps.com
 
The Gymnastics & Cheerleading Academy
Cherry Hill, New Jersey
thegcacademy.com
 
Hatfield Ice
Hatfield
hatfieldice.com/youth-hockey/summer-camps
 
High Performance Tennis Academy
Multiple locations
hprsports.com
 
Phillies Baseball Academy
Multiple locations
philliesacademy.com
 
Philadelphia NFL Alumni Youth Football Camps
Multiple locations
prosportsexperience.com

 
CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS
Burn Brae Day Camp of Creative Arts
Dresher
burnbraedaycamp.com
 
HomeCooked Kids Cooking Camp
Paoli
homecooked.net
 
Main Line Art Center Summer Art Camp
Haverford
mainlineart.org
 
Michener Art Museum Summer Camps
Doylestown
michenerartmuseum.org
 
Rockdale Art Center Summer Art Weeks
Aston
rockdaleartcenter.com
 
Rockdale Music & Studios Summer Camps
Aston and Media
rockdalemusic.com
 
School of Rock Music Camps
Multiple locations
schoolofrock.com/locations

DISCOVERY, SCIENCE, AND TECH
Awbury Adventures Camp 
Philadelphia
awbury.org/summer-camp
 
Briar Bush Nature Center Summer Camp
Abington
briarbush.org
 
Bucks County Audubon Society Summer at Honey Hollow
New Hope
honeyhollownaturecenter.org/summer-camp-2026
 
Bucks County Community College – Kids on Campus at Bucks
Newtown
bucks.edu/kidsoncampus
 
Churchville Nature Center Summer Camp
Churchville
churchvillenaturecenter.org
 
Delaware Valley University Kids U! and Inspire U!
Doylestown
delval.edu/programs
 
Elmwood Park Zoo Summer Camps
Norristown
elmwoodparkzoo.org
 
Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania Nature Explorers Summer Camp
Chestnut Hill
morrisarboretum.org
 
Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy Summer Camps
Schwenksville
perkiomenwatershed.org
 
Riverbend Environmental Education Center Summer Camp
Gladwyne
riverbendeec.org
 
Science Explorers Summer STEM Camps
Multiple locations
scienceexplorers.com
 
The Yoga Gnome Summer Camps
Doylestown
theyogagnome.com

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
Briarwood Day Camp
Furlong
briarwooddaycamp.com
 
Camp America
Chalfont
camp-america.com
 
Camp Curiosity
Doylestown
campcuriosity.com
 
Camp Kweebec
Schwenksville
kweebec.com
 
Camp Sequoia
Pennsburg
camp-sequoia.com
 
Future Stars Day Camps
Multiple locations
futurestarscamps.com
 
Habonim Dror Camp Galil
Ottsville
campgalil.org
 
Hideaway Day Camp
Collegeville
hideawaydaycamp.org
 
Independent Lake Camp
Thompson (Susquehanna County)
independentlake.com
 
Liberty Lake Day Camp
Mansfield Township, New Jersey
libertylakedaycamp.com
 
Malvern Day Camp
Glen Mills
malverndaycamp.com
 
Perkiomen Pines Day Camp
Schwenksville
perkiomenpines.com
 
Pinemere Camp
Stroudsburg
pinemere.com
 
Rainbow Academy Summer Camp
Ivyland
rainbowacademypreschool.com
 
The School in Rose Valley Summer Camp
Rose Valley
srvcamp.org
 
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Life, February 2026.