Soccer camps and other sports camps are offered by the DC Department of Parks & Rec.

Affordable Summer Camps in Washington, DC

1. DC Department of Parks & Recreation Summer Camps

The DC Department of Parks & Recreation offers some of the most affordable summer camps in the region. Its REC day camp for kids ages 6-12 starts at around $80 per week, with before- and after-care costing around $20 if needed. Its specialty camps and traditional camps for younger kids are also very reasonable, starting at under $150 per week. Reduced rates are also available for DC-resident families that qualify. A lottery system is used to give all families an equal chance at securing a coveted camp spot. 

2. DC-ICE Summer Skating Camps

DC-ICE offers many flexible and affordable options for summer skating camps, where campers can practice their inline skating, swim, play sports, do yoga and tai chi, and more. Parents can choose a half-day camp from 9am-12pm, a full-day camp from 9am-3pm, or an extended-day camp from 9am-6pm. All of the options are $250 or less. Kids can also drop in for daily camps.

 
Kids can enjoy robotics, coding, and other STEM activities at iGen Educational Academy's summer camps.

3. iGen Educational Academy STEM Summer Camps

If you have a future engineer or computer scientist looking to build their skills over the summer, iGen Educational Academy offers affordable STEM summer camps in the DC area. Activities include robotics, coding, science experiments, and makerspace projects, along with some field trips and breaks for arts and crafts, sports, and other traditional day-camp activities. The camp is for kids in pre-kindergarten through 5th grade and costs around $300 per camper from 9am-4pm. Before- and after-care is available for an added fee.

4. Apple Camp – Various Locations 

If your kid can't let go of the screen for outdoor excitement, why fight it? This camp is a two-hour session at your local Apple store where kids  learn how to create a comic book on an iPad. This isn't a drop-off opportunity, however: Apple makes it very clear that all campers must have a parent or legal guardian on-site for the duration of Apple Camp. With free wifi and often a Starbucks within eyeshot, of course, that's not much of a sacrifice. Pre-registration is required, and these usually fill up early.

Affordable Summer Camps in Northern Virginia

5. Fairfax County Department of Parks & Recreation Summer Camps

The Fairfax County Park Authority is one of the largest providers of summer camps in the region, with a huge range of camp options for residents of Fairfax County, Fairfax City, and Falls Church. The Rec-PAC program for kids in grades 1-6 is the most affordable option at less than $125 per week for up to six weeks. Partial scholarships are available based on need. The variety day camps—Kiddie Camp for preschoolers, Junior ROCS for ages 5-7, and Summer ROCS for ages 8-12—are open to non-county residents for a small fee and are also fairly affordable, as are full-day themed camps.

6. Fairfax City Summer Camps

The City of Fairfax offers popular summer day camps that run for six weeks from late June through late July for kids in preschool through 8th grade. Little School Summer Camp for preschoolers runs from 9am-1pm and costs less than $1,000 for all six weeks. Camps for elementary- and middle-schoolers cost a bit more for the six-week session, but run from 8am-4pm. Financial assistance is available for Fairfax City residents who qualify. There are also full-day speciality camps such as art camps, LEGO camps, and cooking camps.

 
Art is just one of the themes at Arlington County Parks & Rec camps.

7. Arlington County Department of Parks & Recreation Summer Camps

Arlington County’s summer day camps for ages 3-14 start at less than $150 per week for half-day camps and $200 per week for full-day programs. These camps offer traditional summer fun with themed weeks, swimming, arts and crafts, and more. For teens and tweens, the Summertime Thrills Camp includes daily trips to amusement parks, water parks, state parks, and other fun destinations in the DMV. Arlington County also offers inclusive camps for kids with special needs, though those cost a bit more.

8. Alexandria Department of Parks & Recreation Summer Camps

The Alexandria Department of Parks & Rec offers a wide variety of traditional day camps and themed summer camps for kids ages 3-18. Full-day options start at under $200 per week. City of Alexandria residents can also participate in the Summer Power-On/Power-Up program, which costs less than $500 for all eight weeks of camp and runs from 9am-6pm. Even more discounts are available for families that qualify.

Campers spend lots of time outdoors at Montgomery County Parks & Rec summer camps.

Affordable Summer Camps in Maryland

9. Montgomery County Department of Parks & Recreation Summer Camps

Montgomery County Parks & Rec offers several affordable day camps. The Summer Outdoor Adventure camp for kids ages 7-12 is a particularly good deal, costing around $250 for six weeks of camp for 9am-3pm. Before- and after-care is available for most camps for an additional fee. Another great option is the Summer Fun Centers: For less $50 per week or less, families can drop off their kids ages 6-12 for supervised activities from 8am-6pm.

10. Idea Lab STEAM Summer Camps

If you have a future scientist or doctor in the family, check out Idea Lab’s STEAM summer camps, located in Howard County and Baltimore. The camps cover all types of science, from veterinary medicine to forensic science to game development. There’s even a hocus-pocus wizarding science camp. The camps are for ages 5-11 and start at under $200 per week. Before- and after-care is also available for an added fee.

Little ballers will love HoopEd Nation's basketball camps.

11. HoopEd Nation Summer Camps

If your kids are all about sports—especially basketball—send them to HoopEd Nation summer camps, with locations throughout Montgomery County. HoopEd Nation offers traditional day camps with a variety of sports and games, basketball camps, and splash camps at the pool for kids ages 4-15. Day camps start at around $200 per week for half-day programs (9am-1pm) and $325 per week for full-day programs from 9am-3pm.

12. Camp Sonshine

Camp Sonshine is an affordable Christian summer-camp program with locations in Silver Spring and Germantown for kids ages 4-15. There are different themes each week throughout the summer, from carnival week to world Olympics. Prices vary by age, starting at less than $350 per week for preschoolers and kindergartners. There are also multi-week and military discounts available, as well as financial assistance for families that qualify. Kids in 5th grade and up can add overnight stays to their week of camp for an additional fee.

 
YMCA's Camp Letts is more affordable than other sleepaway camps, as are the Y's day camps.

Summer Camps with Multiple Locations, Plus a FREE Virtual Day Camp

13. YMCA of Greater Washington Summer Camps

Sing it with me... it’s fun to camp at the Y-M-C-A! With locations throughout the DC metro area, the Y is a great place to find affordable summer camps for kids ages 4-15, though it's important to note that camps may require families to be full or program members. Camp hours are 7:30am-6:30pm, longer than most other day camps and perfect for working parents. At around $300 per week on average, that's a steal. Day camp themes include animals, sports, cooking, STEM, and more. If you’re looking for a sleepaway camp that’s more affordable, the YMCA's Camp Letts starts at around $900 per week and offers flexible payment plans and need-based scholarships.

14. Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington

This non-profit offers summer camps for less than $200 per week at its locations across the greater DC region. Children must be members of Boys & Girls Club to attend. The summer day camps are for ages 6-18 and offer all sorts of fun activities, including sports, arts and crafts, technology, field trips, and swimming. Camps run from 9am-5pm and include breakfast and lunch. Financial assistance is available.

High school girls interested in computer science will love Girls Who Code.

15. Girls Who Code Virtual Summer Camp

Girls Who Code offers a free—yes, free—virtual summer camp program for students ages 14-18. Students can even apply for a stipend of up to $300 per week to offset income they might have otherwise earned. The camp runs for two weeks for four to five hours per day and teaches web development programming languages. Students must apply by March 24, 2023.

All photos courtesy of the camps or organizations