The Ultimate 2026 Guide to Summer Programs in Allentown, PA
Allentown offers a vibrant variety of summer programs to keep kids engaged, learning and having fun when school‘s out. From STEM camps at local colleges to theater workshops at community arts organizations, there‘s something for every interest and age. This definitive guide provides an overview of Allentown‘s top summer programs for 2024 with key details to help parents make the perfect choice.
Academic Enrichment Programs
Supplementary learning opportunities to challenge bright young minds.
Lehigh University Summer Scholars
Topics: Architecture, business, creative writing and more
Ages: 14-18
Dates: June 24 – July 29, 2024
Location: Lehigh University campus
- 6-week pre-college enrichment program where students live on campus and earn credits
- Curriculum aligned with college-level rigor – great for motivated teens
- $7,950 for tuition, housing, meals (financial aid available)
- Early admission deadline: February 1, 2024
Cedar Crest College Young Writers Workshop
Topics: Creative writing and poetry
Ages: 14-18
Dates: July 8 – 19, 2024 (2 week sessions)
Location: Cedar Crest College campus
- Sharpen creative writing skills with guidance from published authors
- Small classes capped at 12 students
- Tuition: $995 (discounts and scholarships available)
- Perfect primer for AP English or future creative writing major
Sports & Adventure Camps
Skill-building and adventurous activities to get kids active outdoors.
IronPigs Baseball Camps
Age groups: 7-14
Dates: Weekly full and half day camps June through August 2024
Location: Coca-Cola Park
- Official player-led camps of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs minor league club
- Covering fundamentals of hitting, pitching, catching and more
- All proceeds donated to IronPigs Charities
- Rates from $152 – $305 per week
View 2024 camp schedule & registration
Wildlands Conservancy Summer Camps
Age Groups: 4-14
Dates: Weekly full and half day sessions June – August 2024
Locations: Pool Wildlife Sanctuary and more natural preserves
- Unplugged adventures focused on environmental education
- Science experiments, habitat exploration, creek walks and more
- CIT program for teens to learn job skills as counselors-in-training
- Rates from $105 – $295 per week
Arts & Creativity Camps
Hands-on programs to spark imagination and build creative confidence.
Allentown Art Museum ArtVentures Summer Camp
Ages: 4-13
Session dates TBA (Mon-Fri for 2 weeks in June/July 2024)
Location: Allentown Art Museum
- Themed week-long immersions into various art forms taught by studio faculty
- Past themes include fantasy art, printmaking, fashion design, sculpture
- Kids display their creations in a special exhibition on the last day
- $270/week for members, $300/week for non-members
Pennsylvania Youth Theatre Summer Conservatory
Ages: 10-18
Session Dates:
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2 week sessions in July 2024
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Production rehearsals in August 2024
Location: Pennsylvania Youth Theatre studios -
Intensive training in musical theater performance and production
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Participants split time between workshops and rehearsals
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Summer culminates with multiple full-scale musicals performed across 3 weekends
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Tuition for full conservatory: $745
While finding the right summer pursuit takes some careful consideration – evaluating your child‘s needs, interests, schedule and budget – Allentown offers enriching programs spanning all kinds of purposes. From athletic skill-building at sports camps to artistic discovery at creativity-focused programs, kids can craft their own self-growth.
Local child development experts advise parents to have open conversations with their kids about what types of summer experiences would be most meaningful to them. Finding activities driven by intrinsic motivation leads to greater engagement. Some key aspects kids should consider when choosing summer programs include:
- Trying new things outside their comfort zone
- Building social confidence in group settings
- Taking on leadership roles and responsibilities
- Discovering untapped talents and passions
- Gaining a sense of independence and responsibility
Sylvan Learning of Allentown director Amanda Holt explains, "The most successful summer programs provide supportive communities where kids feel safe pushing their boundaries. When given the right scaffolding to take risks and make mistakes without judgement, children build critical life skills."
Allentown mom Katie Reese, who enrolled her 11-year-old son Ben in science and robotics camp last summer, saw huge self-esteem gains from the experience. "Ben had always struggled with some learning differences that left him feeling insecure. But his passion for engineering gave him a chance to tap into genius-level thinking in projects perfectly tailored to how his mind works best. Finding where your child‘s true talents can shine is the magic formula."
The wide breadth of Allentown‘s summer program options means parents can curate a personalized adventure enabling their child‘s personal and intellectual growth. And kids get to try on new identities and uncovered strengths that last far beyond summer‘s end.