22 Most Affordable and Free Summer Camps in Connecticut

Make new friends at Camp Foxfire. ​Photo courtesy of Camp Foxfire
Make new friends at Camp Foxfire. ​Photo courtesy of Camp Foxfire
3/14/22 - By Jennifer Coe

Most kids look forward to getting outside and playing at summer camps in Connecticut. Budding athletes can sign up for sports summer camps in Connecticut, and kids who crave connection with nature can attend summer camp at the beach or summer camp at Connecticut parks. Some kids may want to learn a foreign language, while others may be interested in all of the above. We've rounded up the most affordable and even free summer camps in Connecticut for kids, hitting all of those marks without breaking the bank.

For more summer camps in Connecticut, including picks for Sleepaway Summer Camps and the best STEM summer camps, be sure to bookmark our Connecticut Summer Camp Guide and our Camp Directory where you can search for summer camps by type, age, and town. 

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Soccer is just one of the athletic offerings at the US Sports Institute. Photo courtesy of the camp

Affordable Summer Camps near Fairfield for Kids

US Sports Institute - Multiple Locations

Price: $115 and up
US Sports Institute offers sports camps throughout the Southern Connecticut region. Children ages 2 to 19 can choose from a multi-sports camp or a camp that focuses on a specific sport such as tennis, basketball, or soccer. The camp also offers parents the opportunity to pay less if they offer to become a "community parent."

Stratford Parks and Recreation Camp - Stratford

Price: $75 and up
Parks and Recreation offer summer sports camps for children in grades Pre-K through 8. Kids can choose from basketball, baseball, soccer, tennis, arts, and more. A Theater Workshop is also offered. Camps are weekly, Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm. Now enrolling. 

Camp Looper - Wilton 

Price: $300 
Camp Looper is for children in grades K-8. All camps are held at the Comstock Community Center. For seven sessions, children will spend time in nature, swim, create arts and crafts, and play games. Runs from late June to mid-August.

RELATED: Best YMCA Summer Camps in Connecticut for Kids

 
Make summer bonds that last year-round. Photo courtesy of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Seaside Park Summer Day Camp - Bridgeport 

Price: TBA
Join Seaside for an extremely affordable four-week summer camp program for kids ages 5 to 12. Kids will enjoy activities such as swimming, arts and crafts, field trips, and other athletics.

Shehan Center Summer Day Camp - Bridgeport

Price: Determined at time of application
At this fun summer program for ages 4.5 to 13, children will enjoy traditional activities such as swimming, arts and crafts, sports, as well as cultural and educational activities for an affordable price. Shehan Center strives to keep camp affordable.

Camp Sunrise - Norwalk

Price: $304 and up
The Y offers several camps based on interest and age. Children age 3 to grade 8 will participate in archery, fishing, arts and crafts, drama, swimming and so much more. Camp starts at 9am and goes until 3pm; extended hours are available. 


Kids develop friendships and confidence as part of the "Leadership Experience." Photo courtesy of Camp Courant

Free and Cheap Summer Camps near Hartford

Camp Courant - Farmington

Price: FREE
At this FREE summer camp for Hartford residents ages 5 to 12, kids enjoy swimming, arts and crafts, sports, leadership training, time in the computer lab, and more. Applications are available in April. A bus is available for transportation to camp. 

Summer Fun Camp - Windsor

Price: $155
Registration is already open. This camp is for children ages 5 to 13. There are seven sessions to choose from. Campers will enjoy arts and crafts, STEM, swimming, games, and sports. Camp runs from 9am to 4pm with an extended day option and are located at three different locations, depending on the age of the child.

RELATED: Best Summer Camps for Teens and Tweens in Connecticut

 
Spend some time on the water at Camp Foxfire. Photo courtesy of Camp Foxfire

Camp Foxfire - Windsor

Price: $152 and up
What is not to love about a good, old-fashioned nature camp? NWP offers Camp Foxfire, a full day (with extended hours available) of hiking, shelter building, outdoor games, field trips to state parks, and pond exploration. There are eight themed weeks to choose from for children in grades pre-K through 8.

Boys and Girls Club of Bristol Camp - Bristol

Price: TBA
Kids in grades 1-8 enjoy a full day of programming during the summer. Age-appropriate activities include swimming, gym, arts and crafts, STEM, and weekly field trips. 

RELATED: Best Dance Summer Camps in Connecticut for Kids

 
Shoot some hoops at Skyhawks Sports Camp. Photo courtesy of Skyhawks Sports Camp - Connecticut, Facebook

Skyhawks Sports Camp - Multiple Locations

Price: $79 and up
An affordable summer sports camp for children ages 4 to 12. Your child will be able to perfect their skills in tennis, basketball, baseball, soccer, and...capture the flag! Camp is available from late June through August.

Playground Program - Southington

Price: $130
There are three sessions available beginning in late June until early August for children (must be a Southington resident) for ages 5 through 12. The program is held rain or shine, from 9am to 2pm. Kids will enjoy many things such as board games, soccer, swimming, a field trip as well as plenty of outdoor playtime and trips to the bowling alley.

Camp RECreate - Newington

Price: $225 and up
RECreate is a Parks and Recreation Department-sponsored traditional day camp program for children entering kindergarten through 8th grade at four locations. Choose from seven weeks with activities like karaoke, laser tag, swim lessons, theater, and bowling.

 
Get dirty at Glastonbury Enrichment Camps. Photo courtesy of glastonburyct.gov 

Glastonbury Enrichment Camps - Glastonbury

Price: $120 and up
Glastonbury offers several different themed camps, focused on unique topics like coding, guitar, STEAM, foreign languages, and arts and crafts. Open to children in grades K-12.

Inexpensive Summer Camps near New Haven

West Haven Summer Camp - West Haven

Price: TBA
Choose from Tiny Junior Day Camp (for children ages 3-5) or Summer Day Camp at Painter (for kids ages 6 to 12). There are eight two-week sessions that run from 9am-4pm to choose from. The camp offers multiple child discounts. 

City of New Haven Summer Camp - New Haven 

Price: $100 and up
Super affordable, especially if you are a New Haven resident, this camp offers four sessions from June to early August. Choose from City Camp, Tiny Tots, Eco Adventure, Performing Arts Camp, and the Hershey Track and Field Camp. 

Woodbridge Camps - Woodbridge

Price: TBA
For children in grades 1 to 8. Camp sessions run from June 27 to August 5 and are held at Beecher South School. Activities include swimming, athletics, game room, water slide, and drama. Registration begins on April 18. Also available are Chess Wizards Camp and Cooking Camp (Pease Pavilion). Pre-K/K camp has been canceled for 2022. 

 
Bond as a team at Waterbury PAL Summer Camp. Photo courtesy of Waterbury PAL Summer Camp, Twitter

Waterbury PAL Summer Camp - Waterbury

Price: Determined at time of application
Run in conjunction with the Kiwanis of Waterbury and Waterbury Youth Services, camp runs Monday through Thursday and is for children ages 4-13. During one of their three two-week sessions, children will enjoy sports, arts and crafts, hiking, and nature activities in a natural setting. "Camperships" are available.

Middletown Summer Camp - Middletown

Price: $95 and up
Choose from 8 different sessions of summer camp. Four camps are available including Camp Moody, Crystal Lake, Camp Spencer and Teen Quest. Busing is provided. 

Camp BCG - Meriden

Price: $150 and up
For children ages 6 to 13, BCG Camp offers both recreational and educational experiences for campers. Running from June 13 to August 5, the camp features frequent field trips and a full day of programming. Extended hours are available. 

Affordable Summer Camps near Litchfield

Robotics and Beyond Summer Camp - New Milford

Price: $200 and up
Camp sessions are offered in July and August. Kids will meet at the New Milford High School library daily to take classes on STEM and robotics, graphic design, mechanical design, and coding. Tuition assistance is available.

 
Perfect your hula-hooping skills at Camp Cochipianee. Photo courtesy of Camp Cochipianee, Facebook

Camp Cochipianee - Goshen

Price: $60 and up
Children ages pre-k to sixth grade will enjoy summer at Camp Coch while they swim, play soccer and softball, practice archery, and play with one another. Register soon as space is limited.

This article has been updated for 2022.

 

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