Full Day Summer Camps in Columbia, SC

Say “hooray” to the most flexible Summer Camp around! At Kids Garden, weekly camps are structured so you can sign up for the days and times that work best for your family – be it several weeks, select days or even just a few hours at a time. Activities change weekly and are centered around various themes, from Lego learning and mountain adventure to space camp and science (plus many more in between). *Ages walking to 12 are welcome.* Please Click Here to Register.

The After School Zone Academy program offers homework help, outdoor activities, STEM, Yoga, free pickup from 5 schools in the Lexington/Richland district, and more. Find a list of schools they will pick up at on their website.

Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission offers a variety of summer camps offered for all ages and interest at the parks. Check the camp guide for fees, dates, times, and detailed information.  Registration forms should be returned to Crooked Creek Park or Seven Oaks Park. Forms may NOT be emailed. They also offer an after school program called Safari After School. To find a list of schools that offer this program visit their website above.

Crooked Creek Park @ 803-345-6181

Seven Oaks Park @ 803-772-3336

These Lexington County specific summer camps include collaborations with Game Changers, Splash & Skate, and more.
Ages 5+

WEEKLY THEMES

• June 2-6: Movie Magic
• June 9-13: Barnyard Boogie
• June 16-20: Planet Power
• June 23-27: Decade Dash
• June 30-July 3: Holiday Jamboree (No camp on the 4^th)
• July 7-11: Game On!
• July 14-18: Career Quest
• July 21-25: Soak It Up!
• July 28-Aug. 1: Maker Madness

Palmetto Athletic Center (PAC) offers year round gymnastics classes, ninja classes, swim lessons, Summer Sports Camp, and Kids Care Camp.

Kids Care Camp is full day camp.
Summer Sports Camp is tailored to a camps themed for gymnastics, kinder camp, ninja, cheer, and more.

Full-day summer camp with cheer, dance, tumbling, crafts, themed weeks, and more. Register for the whole summer, a week or  a day.

Camp is for girls ages 5 and up. There is also a preschool camp for ages 3 and 4.

Offers after-school and summer camps that are movement-based, with lots of fun activities that are engaging and educational, while still fun.

Dynamite Kids serves Irmo and the surrounding area.

Summer camps are full-day, with early or late drop-off/pick-up available.

Cadence Academy Preschool offers childcare programs, summer camps, and an after school program called “The Clubhouse.” The program schedule can be found on their website.

Childcare Programs for:

• Infants (6 weeks-1 year)
• Toddlers (1-2 years old)
• Early Learners (2-3 years old)
• Preschool (3-4 years old)
• Pre-K (4-5 years old)
• School-Age (5-12 years old)

Locations in Harbison, SC, Lexington, SC and Northeast Columbia, SC:

450 Columbiana Drive, Columbia
5307 Sunset Boulevard, Lexington
1130 Sparkleberry Lane Extension, Columbia

After School Program at Cadence Academy: Includes homework help and free transportation from schools local to each Cadence Academy location

Summer Camp: Full-day summer camp for ages 5 to 12 that offer fun and activities to prepare kids for the next school year.

Chesterbrook Academy’s Summer Camp has many activities to keep your child excited and engaged, including field trips, sports, STEM projects, arts and crafts, music, dance, and drama. Full Day Camp is available for rising 1st-5th graders. There’s also a Kindergarten Enrichment program for rising Kindergarteners. The Summer Enhancements Program is for ages 1-4.

Columbia Sailing Club hosts multiple Sailing Summer Camps for ages 4-19. The variety of classes accounts for all skill levels, and you don’t have to own a boat or be a club member in order to register. The camps are full-day programs (9:30 am – 4:30 pm).

Classes: The Karate Dojo offers classes for kids and adults beginning at age 3.

Summer Camps: The Karate Dojo offers a Summer Karate Kamp that focuses on martial arts instruction, skill, and training. Campers will leave camp with newfound confidence. * 2025 summer camp information TBD

University of South Carolina Youth and Teen Summer Camps offer camps for kids and teens in sports, music, dance, and academics including music, drama, sports, STEM, and lots more.

YMCA of Columbia offers youth sports, after school programs, summer camps, and more. Youth sports include basketball, soccer, volleyball, football, and tennis.

There are sports, games, crafts, swimming and lots more fun to be found at summer camps at the YMCA of Columbia.

• Jeep Rogers Family YMCA, 900 Lake Carolina Drive, Columbia (Includes camps for preschoolers, traditional camp, teen camps and specialty camps)
• Northwest Family YMCA, 1501 Kennerly Road, Irmo, SC (Offers traditional camps)
• Downtown YMCA, 1447 Hampton Street, Columbia (Offers traditional camps)

Riverbanks Zoo Camps bring kids and nature face-to-face with animal interactions and more through themed and age-appropriate camps. Camps are for K5 through 6th grade. There is also an option for 3 and 4-year-old camps with an adult.

Summer Camps: Open to students 11 and older, the SC Summer Dance Conservatory is a 3-week intensive program for serious students. Entrance is by audition.

Indoor roller skating and an indoor playland is available for family fun at Skateland. Skate rentals are available. Special events include glow parties, pizza nights, and more.

Summer camp at Skateland Fun Center includes roller skating, use of an indoor/outdoor playground, field trips, crafts, and more! *Check back soon for updated 2025 information!

• For kids ages 5 to 11
• Breakfast, lunch, and snacks included
• 6:30 am to 6:30 pm
• Weekly and daily options

Birthday parties at Skateland include pizza, skate rentals, and use of the indoor playland (for an additional fee), plus other options depending on the party package.

Summer camp fun at Game Changers includes full-day programs for campers ages 5 to 14 years old in reading/writing, science, math, history, and faith-based programs.

Sports camps in basketball and baseball are also available.

Children’s museum with multiple floors of hands-on fun and learning for children and their families. See our full review of EdVenture.

Birthday Parties: Birthday packages include all-day admission for guests and 180 minutes in a private party room.

Summer Camp: Summer Camps exist to ignite curiosity, discovery, and adventure in children ages 4-10. Camps are open to the public, and there are a variety of camps to choose from. Space is limited, and all campers must be potty-trained.

Barron Academy offers Camp XCEL, a full-day summer camp at various locations in Richland County.

Welcoming infants as young as six weeks up to Pre‑K (around age 5).

They utilize a “Links to Learning” curriculum in a play‑based yet intentional environment for elementary preparation.
The academy is in Northeast Columbia near Fort Jackson.

They also offer summer camp options.

Full day and half day camps for kids ages 6 to 12 years-old. Kids will learn to be good stewards of nature. Week themes are STEAM, Wilderness Week, and EarthKeepers.

Kids learn programming, robots, animation, and lots more through fun games. There are several locations near Columbia. Ages vary by specific session and location, beginning at about age 6 up to 14.

“My son loves stem for kids sc! He’s learning a lot and absolutely loves going to class. I love that he’s learning valuable skills, and he loves that he gets to play games like Minecraft and use his creativity to build and create. The teachers are very invested in the kids and really care about their growth.” -Jen H.

Camp Kanuga is an American Camp Association-accredited co-ed summer camp affiliated with The Episcopal Church, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. There are several camp options available, and camps are offered for rising 1st graders through rising 12th graders.

Richland County Recreation Commission offers a full-day Summer Mania camp at multiple locations for ages 5-16 that is designed to meet the physical, creative and social needs of kids. A variety of activities are offered including recreational activities, games, arts and crafts, and conservation activities. Camp is offered Mondays – Fridays. Check out their website for times and cost based on age group and length of stay each day. They also offer an after school program for children ages Kindergarten to 8th grade. Find a list of location sites on their website.

Classes: Recreational youth sports available include track, basketball, tennis, flag football, soccer, and more. Youth programs begin at age 3.

Summer camp at JCC is for children ages 4 through rising 9th graders. During this full-day camp, campers will participate in drama, dance, swimming, sports, gardening, crafts, and fitness activities. * Contact the location directly for 2025 information

Brussell’s Gymnastics offers several classes for children of all age levels as well as programming throughout the year. They also have Sprouts Morning Out for crawlers through 5 years old where kids can play and bounce around in the padded play areas.

Summer Camp: Brussell’s Gymnastics is offering a Summer Day Camp for rising kindergartners – 7th graders. Activities will include Arts & Crafts, Science & Cooking, and Games & Fitness.

The Sunshine House offers childcare, after school care, before school care, and a summer camp for kids. Themes vary and there’s limited space.

Multiple locations in Columbia, SC

Crooked Creek Park offers half and full day summer camps for all ages. They have everything from STEM, arts and crafts, fitness, outdoor adventures, sports, cooking, and more!

Register here for lots of fun at Crooked Creek Park Summer Camp!

Geared for rising 6-10th graders, STEM is The Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics Summer Camp for kids to grow as scientists and engineers.

GoSciTech Residential Camps
GoSciTech Day Camps- (various locations)
GoSciTech Virtual Camps

The SC State Museum has four floors of changing and permanent exhibits, a planetarium, a 4D interactive theater, and plenty of places for kids to play and explore indoors. The museum offers year-round programming and events to suit every learner.

Summer Camp: Week-long summer camps with various themes throughout the summer. See their website above to choose your week and for information regarding costs and registration.

• Ages 6 to 12
• 8:30 am to 3:00 pm with extended day options to 5:30 pm

Full-day and partial-day camps on a variety of topics including arts, sports, STEM, engineering, and academics.

2025 Registrations now open

Girls Scouts of South Carolina Mountains to Midlands is offering several summer camps for girls. Girls entering 1st-6th grades are invited to the Day Camp at The Cathy Novinger Girl Scout Leadership Center in Columbia. Overnight options are available for rising 2nd – 6th grade girls.

Heathwood Hall offers a wide variety of summer camps for kids and teens including early childhood options, camps for teens, science, art, sports, and chess camps.

Summer camp at TyJasKey Academic Enrichment and Mentoring Center includes academic enrichment, stem programs, computer programs, sports, and more.

*Summer Camp info for 2025 TBA

Full-day camp for K5 through 5th-grade kids with sports, arts, recreation, and Bible study. Winshape at North Trenholm is June 9th to 13th, 2025.

Mighty Kidz Services’ ABA Day Program is for 2 to 5 year olds, and is open from 7:30 am until 3:30 pm for preschool life skills, individual ABA Therapy, and Social Skills Group Therapy.

The Mighty Kidz Afterschool Program is from 3:30 pm until 5:30 pm and is open to school-age kids aged 4 and older. This program will help benefit and support kids already in a school setting with a focus on social interactions and skills, self-advocacy, navigating challenges, and more.

Mighty Kidz Services also offers summer camps.

The University of South Carolina offers football camps for kids to learn new techniques and become overall better football players. Campers will be able to learn from current assistant football coaches and current student-athletes at USC.

2025 Camp dates, times, and cost vary based on the chosen camp week.

Check out their schedule below for all the needed information and choose the camp that is the best fit for you!

Cayce’s Best offers safe, reliable, and most importantly, FUN after school and summer camp programs year round for elementary school aged children in the local community.

La Petite Academy offers childcare for infants to Kindergarteners. They also offer after school care and summer camps. Transportation to after school is available by contacting your schools director on the website. They have three locations in Columbia.

Pong Gang offers equestrian classes year-round. Classes offered include Western riding, English riding, and a Tiny Tots class.

Summer Camp: Pony Gang is a private residential and day camp for ages 6-14 years old. The camp is focused on helping campers build self-confidence, self-awareness, and self-acceptance. Campers will spend lots of time outside. No horse experience is necessary. There are limited spots available so be sure to register quickly. There’s also an overnight option (girls only).

Summer & Extreme Safari are offered for 10 full day, week long camps at Crooked Creek Park and Seven Oaks Park. You may register for as many weeks as you would like. Safari activities include indoor and outdoor play, arts and crafts, games and more. There will be two snacks provided per day. Summer Safari is for children entering grades K–5; Extreme Safari is for children entering grades 6–9.

Time: 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
Days: Monday – Friday

Registration begins March 15th.

*Check back soon for more information regarding forms and application packet.

Shelley Smith’s South Carolina Soccer School offers girls both a soccer day camp option, as well as a mini Residential Elite Overnight camp.

Day Camp: ages 6 – 13 (half-day and full-day options)
June 9th to 13th, 2025
or
July 14th to 18th, 2025

Location: USC Soccer Center
115 Marion Street
Columbia, SC

Elite Mini Residential Overnight Camp: Ages 10 – 14
July 11th – 13th, 2025

Location: USC Soccer Center
115 Marion Street
Columbia, SC

Shandon Weekday’s Summer Discovery Program has full and part day options, one-week camps or all summer long.

• K5 through 8th grade