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