The Top 20 Summer Programs for Students in Grand Rapids, MI in 2026

As spring approaches, many parents start thinking about productive activities to keep their kids engaged over summer break. Summer programs provide fun and enriching ways for children and teens to make the most of their time off from school. From academic camps to sports clinics to arts workshops, Grand Rapids offers an array of dynamic summer programs to appeal to diverse interests.

This guide spotlights the 20 best summer programs in Grand Rapids in 2024 ideal for stimulating your child’s creativity and helping them build important life skills like teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving.

1. Tech Camp at Aquinas College

Tech Camp at Aquinas College offers week-long immersive technology programs tailored for middle and high school students. Through hands-on activities led by the college’s faculty, kids can explore areas like esports, cybersecurity, robotics, videography, coding and more. The structured curriculum helps teens expand their STEM knowledge while giving them an empowering college experience.

Key Details

• Dates: Weekly sessions June – August 2024
• Ages: Entering 6th – 12th grade
• Location: Aquinas College Campus
• Tuition: $325 per week

2. Grand Rapids Rowing Summer Camps

The Grand Rapids Rowing Association offers summer camps for middle and high school rowers of all skill levels. Participants will gain technical skills training in a fun and supportive environment while building new friendships. The GRRA’s qualified coaches and small coach-to-athlete ratio facilitates focused skill development on the water and land.

Key Details

• Dates: Weekly full and half-day camps June – August
• Ages: 12 to 18 years old
• Location: Grand River by Riverside Park
• Tuition: $200+ per week

3. Blandford Nature Center Summer Camps

At the Blandford Nature Center, kids can explore woods, wetlands and farmlands over the summer while learning about science and nature. The wildlife sanctuary offers specialized themed day camps like Farm Camp, Survival Camp and Nature Explorers for various ages. Qualified naturalists lead hands-on activities in small groups tailored for each age level.

Key Details

• Dates: Weekly half and full day camps June – August
• Ages: 3 years old to 14 years old
• Location: Blandford Nature Center
• Tuition: $55 to $265 per week

4. Grand Rapids Children’s Museum Camps

At the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, kids can let their creativity run wild through interactive STEAM-based programs over summer break. Museum educators lead campers through engaging hands-on building challenges, experiments and design projects related to topics like space, superstructures and manufacturing. Small class sizes ensure lots of individual guidance and support.

Key Details

• Dates: Weekly half and full day camps June – August
• Ages: Entering 1st – 6th grade
• Location: Grand Rapids Children’s Museum
• Tuition: $180 to $275 per week

5. Grand Rapids Creative Arts Camp

Students passionate about the visual and performing arts can develop their talents at Grand Rapids Creative Arts Camp. The immersive one or two week-long sessions led by GRPS teachers allow kids to focus on a specific art form like photography, theater, dance, creative writing, music and more. Participants build skills through hands-on learning while getting a taste of arts education at the middle and high school levels.

Key Details

• Dates: Two one-week sessions in June/July
• Ages: Entering 6th – 12th grade
• Location: Innovation Central High School
• Tuition: $140 per week (two weeks for $225)

6. Grand Valley State University Summer Camps

Grand Valley State University offers an extensive selection of summer camps spanning academics, arts, athletics and more. The programs allow youth in grades K-12 to experience campus life while developing skills in areas like computer science, songwriting, sculpture, soccer and others. Many camps incorporate field trips to local parks, museums and cultural attractions.

Key Details

• Dates: Weekly half and full day camps June – August
• Ages: K-12th grade
• Location: GVSU’s Allendale Campus
• Tuition: Varies, $150 – $400 per week

7. North Rockford Dance Camps

Students passionate about dance can take their training up a level over summer through North Rockford Dance Camps. Dancers work directly with the studio’s talented faculty to build technical skills while preparing exciting choreography for an end-of-camp performance. A supportive environment focused on creative expression makes dance camp a confidence-boosting summer experience.

Key Details

• Dates: Weekly full day camps June – August
• Ages: Entering 1st – 9th grade
• Location: North Rockford Dance Studio
• Tuition: $190 per week

8. MVP Sports Camps

MVP Sports Camps offer instruction in a variety of team sports tailored for kids ages 6 to 14. Their Grand Rapids area half and full day camps focused on baseball, basketball, football, soccer and volleyball incorporate technique drills, game play and fun competitions to build athletic skills. Online registration provides convenient camp selection and payment.

Key Details

• Dates: Weekly half and full day camps June – August
• Ages: 6 years old to 14 years old
• Locations: Various Grand Rapids fields/courts
• Tuition: $150+ per week

9. Celebration Cinema Summer Filmmaking Camp

Budding filmmakers can learn the entire creative process of moviemaking hands-on during Summer Filmmaking Camp at Celebration Cinema. Participants collaborate in small groups to develop stories, write scripts, block scenes, direct actors and edit footage. The week culminates with a red carpet screening of campers’ short films.

Key Details

• Dates: One-week sessions in June/July
• Ages: 12 years old to 17 years old
• Location: Celebration Cinema North
• Tuition: $375 per week

10. GR Drive Summer Basketball Camp

GR Drive Basketball Camp offers top-level instruction for aspiring young players alongside current members of the NBA G League‘s Grand Rapids Drive. Participants develop fundamental skills through drills and gameplay led by professional coaches and players. The full day camp experience builds discipline, leadership abilities, and love for the game.

Key Details

• Dates: Three days in June 2024
• Ages: 7 years old to 17 years old
• Location: Drive Practice Facility
• Tuition: $225

11. Zoo Camp at John Ball Zoo

Kids who love animals can dive deeper into wildlife conservation, care and science through Zoo Camp at John Ball Zoo. Specialized programs tailored for preschoolers through 8th graders blend hands-on animal encounters, crafts, games and experiments for an unforgettable zoo experience. The zoo’s excellent counselor-to-camper ratio ensures lots of interactive learning.

Key Details

• Dates: Weekly half/full day camps June – August
• Ages: 3 years old to 14 years old
• Location: John Ball Zoo
• Tuition: $170 – $260 per week

12. Grand Rapids Public Museum Day Camps

Campers fascinated by science and history can explore their passions further through the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s Summer Camps. Expert museum educators lead kids in grades 1-7 in behind-the-scenes learning adventures tied to topics like fossils, mummies, medieval times and more. Dynamic hands-on activities make absorbing new knowledge tons of fun.

Key Details

• Dates: Weekly half-day camps in June/July
• Ages: Entering grades 1-7
• Location: Grand Rapids Public Museum
• Tuition: $180 per week

13. Ballet Summer Intensives

Aspiring young dancers can take their training to the next level through professional-grade summer programs offered by Grand Rapids’ premier youth ballet companies. Prestigious options include Grand Rapids Ballet, West Michigan Youth Ballet and Augusta Ballet intensives incorporating technique, pointe/variations, Pilates and choreography.

Key Details

• Dates: One to three-week sessions June – August
• Ages: Approximately 10–18 years old
• Locations: Company studios
• Tuition: $325-$750 per week

14. Tech Survival Camp by MacPros

Kids intrigued by technology can soak up new skills during Tech Survival Camp offered by MacPros computer service and repair. The hands-on programs teach fundamentals around computer building/diagnosing, coding, game design, and cyber safety through fun projects to boost tech competencies. Small class sizes ensure lots of interactive instruction.

Key Details

• Dates: Weekly full-day camps June – August
• Ages: Entering 2nd – 8th grade
• Location: MacPros Camp Facility
• Tuition: $325 per week

15. Grand Rapids Triathlon Summer Camp

Youth athletes aspiring to compete in triathlons can take their training to the next level at Grand Rapids Triathlon Summer Camp. Expert coaches lead participants in building open water swimming ability, cycling endurance, running strength and transition skills through game-based activities. All gear provided for pool and open water sessions.

Key Details

• Dates: Weekly half and full day camps June – August
• Ages: 8 years old to 15 years old
• Location: Richmond Pool & Kent Trails
• Tuition: $175+ per week

16. Grand Rapids Rowing Camp for Girls

The Girls Rowing Camp introduces teen girls to the fun, fitness and friendships of rowing under the guidance of strong female coaches. No prior experience necessary. Participants learn key technical aspects of the rowing stroke plus racing basics while building confidence and teamwork skills during this empowering summer sport program.

Key Details

• Dates: One week-long session in August
• Ages: 12 years old to 18 years old, no experience required
• Location: Grand River by Riverside Park
• Tuition: $200

17. Friends of Grand Rapids Parks Eco Camp

Kids who love the great outdoors can dig deeper into environmental science and stewardship at Eco Camp hosted by Friends of Grand Rapids Parks. Qualified naturalists lead small groups on exploration adventures in City parks focused on ecosystems, water cycles, soil science, plants/animals and outdoor skills.

Key Details

• Dates: Two one-week sessions in June/July
• Ages: Entering 1st – 5th grade
• Locations: Various Grand Rapids parks
• Tuition: $200 per week

18. Grand Rapids Swim School Camps

Kids ages four and up can gain confidence in the water alongside making new friends at Grand Rapids Swim School’s camps. Their American Red Cross certified instructors incorporate safety lessons, stroke techniques, water sports, and playtime into the fun five-day sessions. All abilities welcome.

Key Details

• Dates: Weekly half-day camps June – August
• Ages: 4 years old to 12 years old
• Location: Grand Rapids Swim School
• Tuition: $169 per week

19. Festival of the Arts Summer Art Camp

Campers with creative talents can further develop their artistic abilities at the Festival of the Arts Workshops. The immersive week-long summer art camps taught by professional artists allow kids to focus on drawing, painting, fiber arts, sculpture, jewelry metalsmithing or ceramics through hands-on mediums exploration.

Key Details

• Dates: Weekly full day camp first 2 weeks of August
• Ages: 6 years old to 18 years old
• Location: 1575 Galbraith Ave SE
• Tuition: $250 per week

20. Grand Rapids Youth Symphony & Classical Orchestra Music Camp

Youths with musical talents can improve their performance and theory skills at GRYSO’s Summer Music Camp. Aspiring orchestral musicians rehearse with internationally-renowned faculty, receive private lessons/coaching, and conclude with celebratory concerts. Financial assistance available.

Key Details

• Dates: Two week-long sessions in June/July
• Ages: Approx. 12 years old to 18 years old
• Location: Aquinas College
• Tuition: $450 per week

As one of the top-rated cities in America for raising a family, Grand Rapids offers an amazing variety of summer camps spanning recreational, academic and artistic pursuits. Whether your child is an aspiring veterinarian, coder, dancer or inventor, there are fantastic programs to stir their passions.

Many camps incorporate field trips and hands-on learning tailored specifically for kids’ attention spans and educational enrichment. The area’s vibrant arts scene and wealth of museums, zoos and parks provide dynamic backdrops for unforgettable summer adventures.

Beyond sparking new hobbies and talents, summer camps help young people gain independence, self-confidence and vital social skills through supportive environments. Your kids will treasure the camaraderie forged with peers and mentors while exploring subjects they love.

Browse these best-of-the-best summer programs in Grand Rapids as you make plans for your child’s upcoming summer break. Their transformative camp experience will nurture their personal growth and create cherished lifelong memories.