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Writer's pictureAndrea Graham

Ultimate Guide to Summer Camps for Kids in NW Michigan

Updated: Sep 23


Summer in Northwest Michigan is all about adventure, and what better way for kids to make the most of it than at a summer camp? Whether your child loves outdoor activities, arts and crafts, or building new skills, there’s a camp here for every interest. In this guide, we’ve gathered some of the best summer camps in the area to help you plan an unforgettable summer for your kids. Let’s dive into the ultimate list of summer fun!


Bellaire
  • Grass River Natural Area Summer Camp

    • Grass River Natural Area hosts a summer day camp for children 6-11 years old. It's a great day camp for kids that love the outdoors! Children will spend their summer catching salamanders in the wetlands, dipping nets in Finch Creek, building shelters in the woods, making tie dye, and more!

    • Visit the Grass River Natural Area website for more information.


Benzonia
  • Nature Explorers International

    • There are nine summer day camps available through Nature Explorers International for ages 4-11: Sprout Scouts, Scales & Slime, Geology Rocks, Nature Around the World, Nature Detectives, Toddler Tracks, Nature Journaling Workshop, Survival Skills Workshop and Leather Crafting Workshop.

    • Visit the Nature Explorers International website for more information.


Beulah
  • COGNiTiON Summer Day Camp
    • The summer day camp at COGNiTiON is filled with creative investigations, intriguing observations, and a lot of hands-on activities! Day camps are geared for kids ages 6-13.

    • Visit the COGNiTiON website for more information.


Boyne Falls
  • Fritz's Adventure Camp at Boyne Mountain
    • Treat your camper to a summer experience they'll love - and one they'll want to repeat, year after year. Whether you enroll your child for a day, a week, or an entire summer, they'll leave with new friendships and memories of fun, outdoor adventure. Open to ages 4-13.

    • Visit the Fritz's Adventure Camp website for more information.


Cadillac
  • Northern Lights Dance Academy

    • The Northern Lights Dance Academy will host eight different summer camps for kids ages 4 to 18 at their Cadillac location (check out their camp in McBain, too!). Dancers will learn a dance to perform at the end of the week.

    • Visit the Northern Lights Irish Dance 4 Ballet Academy website for more information.

  • The YMCA at Camp Torenta

    • The YMCA at Camp Torenta is a great friendship place where you’ll have fun, learn responsibility, thrive on teamwork and grow in consideration of others. Activities with new friends and terrific staff combines to create memories that will last a lifetime. Join your friends, old and new, at Camp Torenta this summer! Each camp day is packed full of programs and activities including Swimming, Boating, Hiking, Archery, Sports, Games, Arts & Crafts, & Special Events. Open to ages 6-12.

    • Visit the Cadillac Area YMCA website for more information.


Central Lake
  • Camp Hayo-Went-Ha Sparks Day Camp on Torch Lake

    • Boys and girls (ages 5-10) will utilize many areas of Hayo-Went-Ha’s 640 acres of virtually undisturbed forest and 1.5 miles of shoreline on beautiful Torch Lake. The Dow Building serves as Day Camp’s home base, with playing fields and trails accessible right outside. Campers will be busy playing group games, hiking, exploring nature, singing, and doing crafts. Fridays are special theme days that include a cookout lunch for parents.

    • Visit the Camp Hayo-Went-Ha website for more information.


Frankfort
  • Camp Lookout

    • Camp Lookout's programming model emphasizes creativity, exploration, and community building. Their goal is to make a positive impact on each member of our community by building connections to self, others, and the natural world. Open to ages 7-10.

    • Visit the Camp Lookout website for more information.


Glen Arbor
  • Art Rangers and Clay Clubs Camps

    • GAAC’s Art Rangers and Clay Cubs programs offer unique visual arts opportunities for artists ages 6-12. Classes included all art materials. Instructors will help campers foster their natural creativity, self-expression, and art techniques in a FUN and supportive environment.

    • Visit the Glen Arbor Arts Center website for more information.


Harbor Springs
  • Kids Adventure Camp at Highlands of Harbor Springs

    • Treat your camper to a summer experience they'll love — and one they'll want to repeat, year after year. Whether you enroll your child for a day, a week, or an entire summer, they'll leave with new friendships and memories of fun, outdoor adventure. Open to ages 5-12.

    • Visit the Kids Adventure Camp website for more information.


Interlochen
  • Interlochen Arts Discovery Day Camp
    • Designed for students ages 7-12, this week-by-week day camp offers local students a chance to experience some of the magic of an Interlochen summer at a reduced cost while remaining flexible to family summer schedules.

    • Visit the Interlochen Arts Discovery Day Camp website for more information.


Maple City
  • Camp Kohahna and Camp Leelanau

    • Camp Leelanau for Boys and Camp Kohahna for Girls offer comprehensive summer camping programs for children ages 5-8 years old enrolled in the Sunday Schools of Christian Science branch churches. The day camps are designed to cultivate individual character through participation in a wide variety of activities.

    • Visit the Camp Kohahna and Camp Leelanau website for more information.


Petoskey
  • Camp Daggett

    • Camp Daggett has been a tradition since 1925 of providing quality character building experiences through educational and recreational programs in a safe, fun environment; serving all ages with an emphasis on youth. Open to ages 7-14.

    • Visit the Camp Daggett website for more information.

  • Crooked Tree Arts Center

    • Crooked Tree Arts Center hosts art and music summer day camps for kids beginning in Kindergarten through high school. The week-long camps begin in mid-June and ends in late August.

    • Visit the Crooked Tree Arts Center website for more information.

  • Fedorov Hockey Academy

    • The Fedorov Hockey Academy features on ice and off ice operations supervised and facilitated by Fedor Fedorov, retired NHL/KHL player. The Fedorov Hockey Academy (FHA) is structured around the U.S. & Russian training systems. Based on the fundamentals of individual development, with drills configured in a unique repetition format that have proven to give players an advantage over their competition.

    • Visit the Petoskey Ice Arena website for more information.


Traverse City
  • Camp Carvela

    • Camp Lookout's programming model emphasizes creativity, exploration, and community building for kids ages 7-9. Their goal is to make a positive impact on each member of our community by building connections to self, others, and the natural world.

    • Visit the Camp Carvela website for more information.

  • Camp Invention: Wonder

    • Give your young innovator an inspiring, action-packed summer adventure! All-new, hands-on challenges will spark their curiosity and build their confidence as they jump into limitless STEM fun with opportunities to imagine, plan, experiment and create. This camp is for children entering grades K - 6.

    • Visit the Camp Invention: Wonder website for more information.

  • Challenge Island - Northwest Michigan

    • The world's #1 STEAM Program. Where engineering meets imagination. When School is Out, STEAM is in with the World’s #1 STEAM Program!

    • Visit the Challenge Island website for more information.

  • Crooked Tree Arts Center - Traverse City

    • Kids will have fun, learn new art techniques, get messy and make new friends at a Crooked Tree Arts Center day camp. Camp sizes are limited to ensure a quality camp experience. Open to grades 1-8.

    • Visit the Crooked Tree Arts Center website for more information.

  • Dance Arts Academy

    • Dance Camps are a wonderful opportunity to improve dancing and learn more about this art form in a positive nurturing environment with our professional educators. Camps available for 2+.

    • Visit the Dance Arts Academy website for more information.

  • ELEV8 Climbing and Fitness

    • Join us for summer fun with ELEV8’s qualified instructors! Summer programs include lots of climbing, outdoor time, arts and crafts, and games. Open to ages 6-14.

    • Visit the ELEV8 Climbing and Fitness website for more information.

  • Grand Traverse Bay YMCA

    • Full day camps are available for children in Kindergarten through 9th grade. Multiple programs are available for campers entering 3rd - 6th grade, mix and match camp weeks to help your camper become well-rounded this summer!

    • Visit the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA website for more information.

  • Greenspire Summer Program

    • Greenspire offers hands-on, outdoor Summer Program sessions for grades 1-9. Program themes vary from week to week, but most are outdoor, project-focused activities to get kids creating, exploring and adventuring all summer long!

    • Visit the Greenspire School website for more information.

  • Human Nature School

    • The Human Nature School has Summer Day Camps for ages 9-12 at the Grand Traverse Commons, where campers will participate in different hands-on survival activities.

    • Visit the Human Nature School website for more information.

  • Kids on the Go Camp

    • Kids On The Go camp is a free therapy day camp designed to provide physical, occupational, and speech therapy services for children with special needs ages 3-17 years. Programming is led by professional pediatric therapists and volunteers.

    • Visit the Kids on the Go Camp website for more information.

  • Nature Day Camps at Boardman River Nature Center

    • The hands-on, outdoor experiences at the Boardman River Nature Center's Day Camps will inspire your child’s innate curiosity, creativity, and empathy for the plants, animals, and ecosystems. Nature Day Camps at Boardman River Nature Center welcomes campers ages 5-11 years old.

    • Visit the Nature Day Camp website for more information.

  • Norte Summer Bike Camp

    • Norte is dedicated to providing affordable summer camps in northern Michigan that address the region’s considerable childcare shortages. This is more than a day camp; every single ride is a new adventure dedicated to inspiring healthy habits and building important social skills with every pedal stroke. Open to grades 1-10.

    • Visit the Norte Youth Cycling website for more information.

  • Pathfinder Summer Camp

    • The Pathfinder Day Camp offers four different age-group options: Young Explorers (1/2 Day Program for 3-4-year-olds), Explorers (4-5-year-olds), Discovery (6-8-year-olds), and Adventure (9-12-year-olds). Other than our 1/2 day program for our Young Explorers, camp is a full day of fun in the sun.

    • Visit the Pathfinder Summer Camp website for more information.

  • Ranch Rudolf

    • Ranch Rudolf offers multiple camps for children between the ages of 4 and 16. These are a series of progressive camps to grow with through the years. No experience is needed to start your journey. Your child will learn about horses and Western riding in a safety centered environment that encourages perseverance and promotes confidence.

    • Visit the Ranch Rudolf website for more information.

  • The Children's House Summer Camp

    • The Children's House Summer Camp's goal is to provide a safe, enjoyable and positive experience for campers ages 3 months to 6 years.

    • Visit The Children's House website for more information.

  • The Studio Traverse City

    • Fun and creative performing arts and activities for boys and girls. Activities include hip hop, acro, and arts and crafts.

    • Visit the The Studio TC website for more information.

  • Traverse City Area Public Schools - Summer Explorers Club

    • TCAPS' Summer Explorers Clubs are designed to engage kindergarten through fifth grade learners during the summer months. Each week features different theme-based activities. Sign up for every week or just a few. (Families are encouraged to sign up early as space is limited.)

    • Visit the Summer Explorers website for more information.

  • Traverse Area Community Sailing

    • Ages 8-17 can learn the art and fun of sailing! Designed to teach sailing basics and beyond. When registering, please indicate experience level. Instruction is customized to the student! Beginning students each have their own Optimist Dinghy, sized just for young sailors: 8 foot long wooden sailing prams that are lightweight, safe and stable.

    • Visit the Traverse Area Community Sailing website for more information.

  • Northwestern Michigan College

    • College for Kids includes weekly summer enrichment classes and youth programs, including music, STEM, writing, drama, art and more. Sessions available for kids ages 3-18.

    • Visit the NMC College for Kids website for more information.





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