Every year, summer sneaks up on me. One minute I’m thinking “I should look into camps” and the next minute it’s June, the good spots are full, and my kids are asking me to entertain them at 8 AM on a Tuesday. So this year I actually did the research ahead of time and I’m sharing it with you so we can all avoid that particular flavor of chaos.
Whether your kids are into science, sports, the stage, or just need somewhere fun to be while you work, there are some genuinely great options right here in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty. Here’s what’s happening this summer.
General Day Camps
ISU Extension & Linn County 4-H Day Camps
These are some of the most affordable and well-run camps in the area, and they fill up fast so if this is on your list, don’t wait. The day-long camps (9 AM–3 PM) are hands-on and educational without feeling like school, which is exactly the balance we’re all looking for. Cedar Rapids sessions are held at the Northwest Recreation Center. Registration opened in March, but spots may still be available. Financial assistance is offered, so don’t let cost be a reason to skip it.
Cost: $35/day extension.iastate.edu/linn
Summit Schools Summer Camps
Summit runs a solid mix of themed, academic, and fitness camps from June 8 through July 31. You can do full-day or just mornings or afternoons depending on what your summer looks like. Kids are grouped by age and grade, and financial aid is available. Bonus: kids who register by May 15 get a free swag item, which my kids would absolutely consider a deciding factor.
Coralville Parks & Recreation Day Camps
A great option for Coralville families who want something structured, local, and run by people who know the community. They offer half-day specialty camps for K–6, plus Camp TEAM and Trail Trekkers for grades 6–9. Worth checking out if you want something close to home without a lot of driving.
STEM & Science Camps
Camp Invention
If you have a kid who loves taking things apart to see how they work, this one is made for them. Camp Invention is run by the National Inventors Hall of Fame and has been bringing hands-on STEM experiences to K–6 kids for over 35 years. Expect real building, real problem-solving, and real excitement — not just worksheets with science words on them.
UI WILD (University of Iowa)
This one surprised me. UI WILD combines conservation education with outdoor activities for kids in grades 1–12. It’s the kind of camp where kids come home muddy and full of facts about ecosystems. Hosted by the University of Iowa, so you know the programming is solid.
Iowa Children’s Museum Summer Camps
Located right in Coralville, the Iowa Children’s Museum runs Kinder Camps for kids heading into kindergarten, plus school-age camps through 5th grade. Sessions run Monday through Friday, 9 AM–noon, which pairs nicely with afternoon plans or a part-time schedule.
Arts & Theatre Camps
Coralville Center for the Performing Arts Theatre Camps
Okay, this one is genuinely impressive and I feel like not enough Corridor families know about it. The CCPA runs weekly theatre camps all summer for ages 5–18. Each week has a different theme; improv, comedy, musical theatre, tech theatre and kids actually audition, rehearse, and perform a full show with professional teaching artists in just five days. Sessions run from June through July, and there are options for younger kids (5-7) all the way through high school.
Sports Camps
The Corridor has a lot of options for young athletes, and Cedar Rapids in particular has a strong sports camp culture for soccer, lacrosse, and baseball. A couple worth looking into:
Challenger International Soccer Camp
Runs in Coralville and Center Point and is one of the largest youth soccer programs in the country. Great for kids who want focused skill-building in a fun environment.
UI Hawkeye Sports Camps
Through the University of Iowa, these camps cover everything from tennis and pickleball (kids as young as 5 can join) to rowing for older kids. The Hustling Hawkeyes multi-sport camp for ages 7–12 is a good pick if your child is still figuring out what sport is their thing.
Overnight Camps
YMCA Camp Wapsie
If your kids are ready for the full sleepaway experience, Camp Wapsie it is. It’s about 30 miles north of Cedar Rapids in Coggon, set on 182 acres with a waterway for canoeing, a climbing tower with a zipline, an archery range, a swimming pool, and way more. Over 2,000 campers attend each summer, and applications for summer 2026 are open now. It’s the kind of place kids talk about for years.
A Few Things Worth Knowing Before You Register
The cost range in the Corridor is really wide. City-run and nonprofit programs can be as low as $125 a week, while specialty camps can run $400 or more. A lot of camps offer sibling discounts, earlybird pricing, or scholarships. It’s always worth asking, even if it’s not advertised upfront.
Most day camps run 9 AM–3 PM, but many offer extended care from 7:30 AM-6 PM for working families. Make sure to ask about that when you’re registering if it matters to you.
And finally register sooner rather than later. The CCPA theatre camps, 4-H day camps, and Camp Wapsie especially tend to fill up. I know it feels early, but future-you will be very relieved.
Know of a camp we should add to this list!? Send us a note we love hearing from local families and we’ll keep updating this as we learn more.
Last updated May 2026. Always verify details directly with the camp, as schedules and availability can change.