20 Best Summer Programs in Denver, CO for 2026
As the snow melts and spring arrives, many parents start thinking ahead to keeping kids engaged over the long summer break. Summer camps and programs provide fun and enriching activities that prevent summer slide and let kids explore new interests. With endless options available, here are 20 of the top-rated and recommended summer programs in the Denver area for 2024.
1. Denver Museum of Nature & Science
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is one of the city‘s premier institutions, offering summer camps spanning diverse science topics from archaeology to zoology. Popular options for 2024 include Space Odyssey focusing on astronomy and Robotics Camp where kids design automatons. Camps are held at the museum with both full and half-day sessions available for ages 4-14.
Key Details
- Location: 2001 Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO
- Dates: Weekly sessions, June 5 – August 11, 2024
- Ages: 4-14 years
- Highlights: Hands-on learning with science experts in state-of-the-art facility
2. Cheley Colorado Camps
Nestled amidst the Rocky Mountains in Estes Park, Cheley Colorado Camps provide an iconic summer getaway for kids since 1921. Campers immerse in outdoor adventure with hiking, horses, rafting, and more while building lifelong friendships. New offerings for 2024 include drone photography and survival skills lessons. Sessions run weekly, June – August.
Key Details
- Location: Estes Park, CO
- Dates: Weekly sessions, June 3 – August 17, 2024
- Ages: 6-17 years
- Highlights: Outdoor adventure in an iconic mountain setting
3. Denver Botanic Gardens Summer Adventures
For budding nature lovers, Denver Botanic Gardens Summer Adventures offers unique outdoor exploration among stunning gardens and plant collections. Themed day camps like "Nature‘s Superheroes" and "Garden Wizards" let kids get hands dirty with nature-based art and science activities led by experts. Programs held at multiple garden sites in June and July.
Key Details
- Locations: York St, Chatfield Farms, Denver Botanic Gardens
- Dates: Weekly sessions, June 3 – July 26, 2024
- Ages: 5-13 years
- Highlights: Outdoor fun learning about plants and nature
4. Colorado Academy Summer Programs
As a highly respected private school, Colorado Academy offers exceptional summer programs spanning academics, arts, and athletics. Students can immerse in subjects like leadership, photography, or game design and build skills while having fun. Many specialty camps also available through partnerships. Facilities located minutes from downtown Denver.
Key Details
- Location: Denver, CO
- Dates: Weekly sessions, June 3 – July 25, 2024
- Ages: Preschool – Grade 12
- Highlights: Strong academics balanced with dynamic electives
5. Children‘s Museum of Denver Summer Camps
The Children‘s Museum of Denver connects kids to interactive learning through an array of summer camps in science, art, literacy, and more. New offerings for 2024 include Students Space Explorers camp made in collaboration with Space Foundation along with culturally diverse programs. Both full and half-day sessions available.
Key Details
- Location: Denver, CO
- Dates: Weekly sessions, June 3 – August 5, 2024
- Ages: 3-10 years
- Highlights: Immersive STEAM learning through exhibits and activities
6. Denver Christian Schools Camps
At Denver Christian Schools, summer camps emphasize faith-based learning and character growth in a warm community environment. From theater arts to STEM explorations, elementary age kids engage in hands-on discovery guided by caring instructors. New offerings for 2024 focus on environmental stewardship and community building.
Key Details
- Location: Lakewood, CO
- Dates: Weekly sessions, June 5 – July 24, 2024
- Ages: Preschool – 5th Grade
- Highlights: Values-based programs led by trusted school
7. Apex Center Summer Camps
The Apex Center offers summer day camps focused on active sports and recreation. Programs utilize the center‘s premier facilities from indoor turf fields to swimming pools and climbing walls. Half and full day camps for ages 5-15 include classics like basketball and soccer along with unusual options like pickleball and esports.
Key Details
- Location: Arvada, CO
- Dates: Weekly sessions, June 1 – August 11, 2024
- Ages: 5-15 years
- Highlights: Quality instruction for a wide variety of sports
8. Circus Collective Kids Camps
At Circus Collective, kids can run away with the circus for a week of adventure and skill development. Offerings include beginner and intermediate levels across circus arts like aerial fabrics, juggling, acrobatics, and more. The non-competitive environment allows campers to explore creativity in a supportive community.
Key Details
- Location: Denver, CO
- Dates: Weekly sessions, June 4 – August 10, 2024
- Ages: 6-17 years
- Highlights: Boost coordination and confidence through circus arts
9. Lighthouse Writers Summer Workshops
Budding writers will find their people at the highly regarded Lighthouse Writers Workshop summer camps. Programming spans fiction, nonfiction, poetry, stage and screenwriting led by professional authors. New offerings for 2024 include a musical theater writing workshop. Teens also welcome at the Denver campus with workshops and college prep.
Key Details
- Location: Denver, CO
- Dates: Varied sessions, June 1 – August 2, 2024
- Ages: 8-17 years
- Highlights: Build writing skills in every genre with publishing guidance
10. Sticky Fingers Cooking Camp
At Sticky Fingers Cooking Camp kids not only prepare tasty treats, but also gain cooking skills for life and nutrition know-how through hands-on food prep. Session themes range from Sushi Rolls to French Pastries guided by expert chef instructors who keep things fun. Locations across Denver with half and full day programs offered.
Key Details
- Locations: Denver, CO
- Dates: Weekly sessions, June 1 – August 12, 2024
- Ages: 7-13 years
- Highlights: Hands-on cooking instruction for scrumptious recipes
11. Silicon STEM Academy Camp
With coding growing ever critical, Silicon STEM Academy Camp offers project-based technology and science exploration. Students create video games, program robots, design websites and more with guidance from tech field experts. New drones camp also added for summer 2024. They strategically cap enrollment to maximize attention.
12. ComputerXplorers Summer Camps
In these tech-immersed ComputerXplorers summer camps, kids code and launch their own video games, claymation movies, and interactive stories across science and arts themes. Certified STEAM teachers guide the fun through project-based learning. Convenient half and full day sessions available at metro locations.
13. Denver Academy of Torah Summer Programs
Denver Academy of Torah engages kids in an enriching Jewish cultural and educational experience through their summer day camps and teen programs. Sessions integrate arts, science, cooking, sports and field trips with dynamic Judaic themes. Specialty offerings for summer 2024 include astronomy and wilderness adventure.
14. The Culture School Summer Program
The Culture School takes a creative approach to language and cultural immersion at their one-of-a-kind summer camps for ages 2-15. Alongside Spanish language instruction, campers express themselves through dance, music, cuisine, arts and crafts from Central/South America and Spain. New teen intensive program added for 2024.
15. Denver Waldorf School Summer Camp
Denver Waldorf School‘s summer camps nurture body, mind and spirit inspired by Waldorf traditions coupled with creative exploration across science, arts, and nature topics. Experienced teachers guide children through activities like gardening, drama, and wilderness skills tailored for specific age groups up to 14 years.
16. Firefly Autism Summer Camps
For neurodiverse students, Firefly Autism summer camps provide tailored social skills development and learning opportunities led by specialized instructors with low student-teacher ratio. Half and full day sessions offered focusing on arts, movement, recreation and life skills for preschool to young adult age ranges.
17. Colorado Ballet Summer Program
Aspiring dancers soar to new heights in the Colorado Ballet Summer Program under the guidance of internationally renowned staff. Alongside progression in ballet technique, campers can also sample related dance styles while preparing audition strategies. Includes intensive residency program for ages 12+.
18. Denver Zoo Camps
For animal lovers, Denver Zoo summer camps offer wildlife adventures through encounters with resident creatures, zookeeper talks, hands-on activities and park exploration. Themes highlight ecosystems, conservation and care for critters like turtles, sharks and monkeys. Programs for ages 4-15 tailored by age.
19. Craig Hospital Summer Adventures
Craig Hospital creates adaptive recreational summer camps for children with mobility issues where specialists nurture confidence alongside independence via sports, arts and life skills content. One-week resident and day programs offered including new Wilderness Discovery for teens in 2024 wanting outdoor challenge.
20. Colorado School of Strings Summer Camp
Dedicated string musicians in 1st-12th grade rehearse together in sectionals, chamber music and full orchestras over this award-winning Colorado School of Strings summer program directed by CSO pros. Participants gain technique and performance mastery while bonding with fellow peers through the unifying language of music.
That wraps up 20 top-rated summer programs across diverse pursuits to match Denver kids‘ varied interests for 2024. With engaging hands-on instruction from experienced teachers, participants not only expand horizons but also forge new friendships in these enriching summer adventures. Be sure to check back next year as options continue to grow!