The 25 Best Summer Programs in Cincinnati, OH for 2026

Cincinnati offers a wide variety of high-quality summer programs for kids and teens. From academic camps at prestigious universities to performing arts intensives and sports clinics, there are enriching opportunities across the city to occupy students during the summer months.

This guide highlights the top 25 summer programs in Cincinnati for 2024 based on ratings, reviews, experience, and value offered.

1. Engineering Summer Academy – University of Cincinnati

• Weeklong immersive engineering camps for middle and high school students
• Hands-on activities like designing robots, computer programming, and building structures
• Campus housing available for regional and international students
• New for 2024: Expanded drone technology and green energyfocused tracks

2. College-Conservatory of Music Summer Programs – University of Cincinnati

• Prestigious music, drama, and dance intensives for ages 14-18
• Taught by CCM‘s acclaimed faculty members and guest artists
• Master classes, rehearsals, workshops, and final student showcases
• Over $350,000 in summer scholarships available annually

3. Cincinnati Zoo Camps

• Day camps and overnight camps for ages 4-15 at the nation‘s second oldest zoo
• Animal encounters, zookeeper talks, behind-the-scenes tours, crafts, and games
• New endangered species-focused curricula for summer 2024
• Ranked among the "Best Zoo Camps in the U.S." by Zoo and Aquarium Visitor magazine

4. Mayerson Jewish Summer Camp

• One of the largest non-profit Jewish summer camps in the Midwest
• Caters to campers entering grades K-10
• Located on a picturesque 148-acre campus with a private lake
• Traditional camp activities plus Jewish culture/faith education

5. Digital Innovation Summer Institute – Xavier University

• Two-week residential program focused on coding, game development, robotics, and app creation
• Open to academically motivated students entering grades 9-12
• Opportunity to earn college credits as a high school student

6. Cincinnati Art Museum Camps

• Half and full day art-inspired camps for ages 4-14
• Hands-on activities in painting, sculpture, photography, and more
• Campers work with professional teaching artists to build skills
• New curriculum focused on modern art movements being introduced in summer 2024

7. Western & Southern Open Summer Tennis Clinics

• Intensive tennis training on the courts of the prestigious Western & Southern Open tournament
• Programs for players at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels ages 6-18
• Taught by experienced tennis pros and collegiate coaches
• Focus on skill-building, strategy, and preparing for competition

8. Cincinnati Playhouse Theater Camp

• Performing arts camps focused on acting, musical theatre, and production & design
• Professional instruction from Playhouse‘s theatrical staff members and guest artists
• Public performances at the end of each session
• Over $25,000 in need-based scholarships available

9. Cincinnati Youth Choir Camps

• Day and overnight choral music education camps for singers in grades 1-12
• Vocal coaching, music theory training, and daily choir rehearsals
• Group performances throughout the Cincinnati metro area
• Open call auditions in April 2024 for placement in skill-based choirs

10. Xavier Basketball Elite Camp

• Boys basketball skill development camp directed by Xavier‘s D1 coaching staff
• Designed for competitive players grades 7-12 to improve fundamentals
• College-style practices and training with advanced technology like real-time analytics
• Guaranteed exposure to college recruiting process

11. iSPACE STEM Camps

• Hands-on science, technology, engineering & math (STEM) camps held at Cincinnati State
• Activities include 3D printing, robotics, game coding, renewable energy projects, and aerospace engineering
• Curriculum designed by NASA astrophysicists and tech/education experts
• Small camper-to-staff ratios for personalized instruction

12. Cincinnati Academy of Performing Arts (CAPA) Musical Theater Intensive

• Triple-threat musical theatre training including acting, dance, and vocals
• Taught by top local instructors and Broadway guest faculty
• Final showcase for family & friends to demonstrate skills learned
• Pre-professional level training to prep serious musical theatre students for college auditions

13. Purple Door Arts & Nature Camp

• Creative day camps with nature exploration for ages 5-12
• Themed weeks like Fairytale Adventures, Animal Antics, and Art in the Wild
• Set on scenic 10-acre wooded campus with creek
• New junior counselor program for teens in 2024

14. Cincinnati Youth Rugby Camps

• Intro and advanced full-day camps tailored to boys and girls grades 1-12
• Focus on rugby fundamentals like skills, rules, & positional play
• Offered in partnership with local powerhouse team, the Cincinnati Celts Rugby Football Club
• Staffed by certified coaches with experience developing young talent

15. University of Cincinnati Volleyball Elite Camp

• Overnight and extended day camps for girls grades 9-12
• High intensity training under UC‘s volleyball coaching staff
• College recruiting seminars and guaranteed player evaluations
• Discounted team rates for club volleyball teams

16. School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) Summer Programs

• Pre-professional arts instruction in dance, drama, instrumental music, vocal music, costume design, creative writing and more
• Taught by SCPA‘s award-winning faculty members
• Open to all students entering grades 4-12
• Auditions required for most programs

17. Kings Island Day Camp and Performing Arts Academy

• Behind-the-scenes entertainment industry training using Kings Island‘s world-class amusements and live performance venues
• Hands-on activities like theme park dance, costume & float design, and video production
• End-of-summer participant showcase event for family & friends

18. Cincinnati Nature Center Camps

• Half and full day nature camps for ages 3-15
• Animal encounters, guided hikes, garden activities, creek walks and field games
• New overnight camping options in 2024 for ages 10-14
• 1,000 acre old-growth forest location with Nature PlayScape

19. Little Miami Rowing Camp

• Beginner and competitive rowing camps for middle and high school students
• Land and water training in technique, endurance, strength, and race strategies
• Led by championship-winning LMR coaching staff
• State-of-the-art training center and access to private 55 acre lake

20. Cincinnati Boychoir Vocal Music Camp

• America’s preeminent boychoir’s five-day commuter or residential summer music camp
• Choral training, music theory, and movement/staging classes
• Taught by Cincinnati Boychoir’s artistic staff
• Local concert performances included

21. Cincinnati Observatory Summer Astronomy Camps

• Day, overnight and family astronomy camps held at historic 19th century observatory
• Hands-on activities like rocket-building, star gazing, astrobiology experiments
• New Mars exploration-themed curriculum coming summer 2024
• Camper access to 12-inch refracting telescope for stargazing

22. Cincinnati Ballet Summer Dance Intensive

• 3-week residential pre-professional program for aspiring young dancers ages 12-18
• Rigorous curriculum focused on classical ballet technique, pointe work, variations & pas de deux
• Taught by Cincinnati Ballet‘s professional company dancers and faculty
• Performance workshop with costume and staging held at Aronoff Center

23. Cincinnati Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Summer Institute

• College-level pre-college courses focused on creative skill-building
• Specialized tracks in graphic design, digital media, creative writing, and fine arts portfolio prep
• Guest professional artists provide workshops, lectures, and critiques
• Opportunity for participants to earn national recognition through Scholastic Awards competition

24. Cincinnati Music Accelerator Digital Music Production Camp

• Behind-the-scenes look at process of creating commercial hip hop tracks from recording vocals to mixing beats
• Hands-on beat-making, rapping, and recording workshops utilizing professional-grade music studio
• One week intensive hosted at award-winning nonprofit youth arts center Elementz
• Public student showcase event at end of session

25. High Voltage Indoor Volleyball Camps

• Defense, setting, passing, serving, hitting, and position specialty clinics
• Programs available for girls and boys ages 8-18 and all skill levels
• Taught by High Voltage‘s experienced coaching staff
• State-of-the-art indoor facility with 8 regulation courts for top-level training

So those are 25 of the best summer programs available across Cincinnati in 2024 spanning academics, sports, performing arts, technology, and more. From day camps at local nature centers to competitive showcase intensives, there are enriching opportunities for students of all interests and ability levels. Registration deadlines start approaching in late winter and spring 2024 for these high-caliber summer programs.