Disclosure: We are frequently asked about where to find the best summer camp in Cedar Rapids and understand that sorting through all the choices can be time-consuming. We are thrilled to provide this one-stop guide to Cedar Rapids youth camps, brought to you by our many sponsors!  We hope our guides make your life just a little bit easier.  You deserve the break! 

Summer Break Guide

Summer break camps are a popular option for parents looking for a fun and educational way to keep their kids engaged and active during the summer months. These camps offer a wide range of activities and programs that cater to the interests and needs of children of all ages.

Structured & Safe Environment:

One of the main benefits of summer break camps is that they provide children with a structured and safe environment to explore new activities and make friends. Many camps offer a variety of programs, such as sports, arts and crafts, music, and STEM activities, which can help children discover new interests and develop new skills.

Prevent the “Summer Slide”:

Summer break camps also offer a break from the academic pressures of school and can help prevent the “summer slide,” which refers to the loss of academic skills that can occur during the summer months. Many camps offer educational programs that incorporate hands-on learning experiences and can help children retain and build upon the knowledge they gained during the school year.

Develop Social Skills & Make New Friends:

Another benefit of summer break camps is that they provide children with opportunities to develop social skills and make new friends. Camps often group children by age and interests, allowing them to interact with peers and form lasting connections. This can be particularly beneficial for children who may struggle to make friends or who are new to a community.

Flexible Schedules & Convenience:

Summer break camps also offer convenience for busy parents. Many camps offer flexible schedules, allowing parents to choose the days and weeks that work best for their family’s needs. Some camps even offer extended hours or transportation options, making it easier for parents to manage work schedules and other responsibilities.

CHAMP CAMP Summer 2023

Take convenience, flexibility, and laughter to the max!
School’s out, but that doesn’t mean learning stops or boredom sets in—discover unplugged awesomeness that lights up your child’s mind, not their screens.

Over 1,000 families shared what they’re looking for in a summer program. With their needs and wants in mind, we bring you: Champions Champ Camp!

– CONVENIENT AND FLEXIBLE SCHEDULES. Join Champ Camp for a week or all summer long! Just pick the days or weeks that work for you, and we’ll handle the rest.
– DIFFERENT DAILY. No two days are the same. We’ll include STEM experiments, field trips, interactive sports, water play, group activities, friendship, and more!
– UNPLUGGED LEARNING. Our research-backed curriculum delivers hands-on experiences, not hands on the keyboard.
– A SAFE PLACE. When you drop your camper off, you know they’re with people (and in environments) you already know and trust.
– CONFIDENCE. By the fall, your child will be more confident with new skills and new friends!

Multiple Locations in Cedar Rapids, North Liberty, Iowa City, Hills, Tiffin

Enroll now to have the best summer ever

Keep your children happy and active this Summer at Studio 360 School of Dance! Studio 360 School of Dance is conveniently located on the SW side of Cedar Rapids, right off the Eastern Iowa Airport exit! We have four camps this summer for your child to choose from that will keep your camper active, singing, exploring, tumbling, moving, and grooving with all their camp friends!

Camps are offered for children ages 5 – 10 years old! All camps run from 9 am – 2 pm, Monday through Friday! Choose from a full day, partial day, or single day! Visit our website to sign up and learn more today!

TCR’s 2023 summer theatre camps begin June 12 and are now open for registration. Enroll your child in one week of camp or many! These uniquely-themed camps offer both morning and afternoon sessions, and run for one week at a time. Want to enroll your camper for a full day? Send a sack lunch and they’ll eat with friends in the green room between their sessions.

Theatre Cedar Rapids (TCR) is one of the largest professionally-run volunteer theatre organizations in the nation, creating a robust season of musicals, plays, special events, and more. TCR also offers educational programming for students of all ages, featuring an innovative “pay-what-you-can” model, ensuring that theatre education is accessible to everyone.

Summit Schools has been the summer destination for local students for over 20 years. Summit offers 8 weeks of summer camps June 5-July 28 for all local children in grades K-6. Summit’s weekly themed camps encourage kids to think critically and problem-solve while still having a blast! There’s gardening, art, music, writing, fitness, STEAM, and more! Summit’s summer camps are known in the community for their high-quality programming. Students will work with a licensed teacher in every camp. Full-day, morning, and afternoon camps offered. Summer tutoring in various subjects is also available. View camp brochure and register at summitschools.org.

From your child’s first class to their senior recital, The Pointe is the place for your child to thrive in dance! Our dancers go beyond technique to develop important life skills, learning to be respectful, confident, and conscientious young people who share their gifts and talents with the community.

The Pointe is the only dance studio in the Cedar Rapids area certified by Youth Protection Advocates in Danceand affiliated with More Than Just Great Dancing, ensuring best practices in student safety and wellness with continued staff training and education.

Classes are available for children as young as 18 months through adults, for beginners and experienced dancers. Contact us today to find the right classes for your child!

Hiawatha Adventure Camp June 5 – August 4 8 Weeks Guthridge Park Kindergarten – 5th Grade $125.00 per child per week enrolled. Participants will have opportunities to listen and learn from exciting speakers, participate in community service projects and engage in additional fun activities. This program encourages developing friendships and group participation. Children will meet at the Green Pavilion in Guthridge Park and are required to bring sack lunches and a snack each day. A schedule of activities will be available to participants one week before each session begins. T-shirt included. Limited to 24 registrants per session.

Big Picture Gallery and Studio is a vibrant children’s art studio in North Liberty providing Arts Education Programing for students pk-12. We work with a wide variety of media and processes including ceramics, acrylics, watercolor, drawing, mixed media, collage and 3D art. We offer weekly classes, summer camps, workshops and birthday parties.

Camp Ewalu is a Lutheran-Christian outdoor ministry in scenic NE Iowa serving about 1,000 children each summer in grades 1 to 12 through our youth programs, plus Family Camp and Grandparent Camp! We have more than 400 acres of woods and prairie, with a river to play in, a pool, high ropes course, a farm and much more. Campers grow in faith and make new friends while having fun, and they’ll love our highly trained college-age counselors. Ewalu is accredited by the American Camp Association. Save up to $20 on youth programs when you register by April 18!

Don’t let summer boredom catch up to your kids this year. Register them for Camp Wakonda, an exciting 6-day, 5-night overnight summer camp for 3rd – 9th graders. Your camper will explore the outdoors through a variety of fun activities, make new friends, and build a connection to the outdoors that will last a lifetime. Sign up today!