Preschool Summer Camps near Columbia, SC

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)

After School: Offered at three branches and the Y-Club, including transporation from school.

• Jeep Rogers Family YMCA — Afterschool (ages 4–12)
• Northwest Family YMCA — Afterschool (grades 4K–5th) + Tech Club (grades 6–8)
• Downtown YMCA — Y-Club at Sports & Skate Station USA (Lexington One partnership)
• Y-Club at Select Richland One Schools (run through the YMCA, not at a branch facility) — at AC Moore, Brennen, Carver Lyon, Caughman Road, Logan, Rosewood, and South Kilbourne schools.

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.

Dates: May – August 2026 
Ages: Rising Kindergarten – 5th grade  
Price: $215
Full day available

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.

Dates: May – August
Ages: 3 – 12
Price:
Full day available

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.

2026 info TBA
Dates: May – August 
Ages: 4 and up
Price: $75 – $185
Full and Half day available

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

Dates: June – July
Ages: 3 – 18 
Price: $130 – $675
Full and Half day available

The Columbia Museum of Art has a small play area for children. Visiting the rest of the museum does require admission, but they offer several programs for kids and youth.

Summer Camp: The Columbia Museum of Art has a variety of summer camps for ages 4-12. Camps center around encouraging your child to be creative and imaginative. Register early; many of their camps are known for selling out.

Dates: June – July
Ages: 4 – 12
Price: $140 – $200 per week 
Full and Half day available

The Columbia Children’s Theatre Summer Camp is a week-long experience to get your child moving, learning, and having fun. Activities will include acting, set design, playwriting, and more. There are a variety of camp offerings for different age groups.

2026 info TBA
Dates: June – July 
Ages: k–12 
Price: $150–$560 
Full and Half day available

Farm based summer camps for ages preschool and older. The camps are a week long, and include:

2026 info TBA
Dates: May – July
Ages: 3 years old – 5th grade
Price: $250 – $350
Full and Half day available

Classes: Offers gymnastics classes for preschoolers as well as school-aged children. In addition to gymnastics, they also offer Ninja and tumbling classes.

Birthday Parties: 1 1/2 hour long party with instructional gym time, foam pit, trampoline, and lots more. Option to add cake service.

Summer Camps: Carolina Gymnastics has a partial-day Summer Camp for children ages 3-12. Activities include gymnastics, crafts, a foam pit, games, snack, and trampoline. There are also themed dress-up days to make the experience even more fun and memorable for kids.

2026 info TBA
Dates: June – July 
Ages: 3 – 12 years old
Price: $160 – $185
Half day available

Classes: Join in for the Parent and tot dance classes. At Rising Star Performing Arts Studio, they’re dedicated to nurturing young dancers in a safe, joyful, and supportive environment.

Summer Camp: This summer, let your child’s imagination soar at our Creative Arts Summer Camp! Packed with dance, music, art, and theater activities.

2026 info TBA
Full and Half day available

Ben Lippen offers day camps for grade school kids, including sports, arts, STEM, music, and theater (vary by age range)
Most camps run Monday-Thursday.
Summer QUEST runs most weeks, June 1-July 23.

Dates: June 1 – July 23, 2026 
Ages: Rising K – Rising 9th grade 
Price: $125 – $275 per session 
Full and Half day 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.

Kids Garden offers ultra-flexible summer camps—choose weeks, days, or hours. Weekly themed activities include LEGO, science, space, and adventure.

Dates: May – August 2026 
Ages: 2 – 12 years old
Price: $180 – $260 per week 
Full and Half day available

Classes: Lake Murray Gymnastics offers gymnastics classes for all ages of children, from just walking through the 12th grade. Classes are offered during the school year and summer. They also offer Ninja, Cheer, and a parent’s night out program.

Birthday Parties: Lake Murray Gymnastics offers birthday parties that include one hour of time in the gym with balance, foam pits, trampolines, and more, plus 30 minutes in the party area.

• Party packages start at $225 for up to 20 participants
• Party times available Saturday and Sunday

Parent’s Night Out: Ages 4 and up on Friday nights from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Register in advance.

Summer Camps: Lake Murray Gymnastics offers summer camps for preschoolers to school-age where campers will train in small groups and practice gymnastic skills. Kids will also participate in arts & crafts, games, and strength training.

Dates: June – July 
Ages: 3 – 12
Price: $80 – $110
Half Day Available 

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.

Dates: May 26 – August 6
Ages: 1 years old – 5th grade
Price: $215 +
Full and Half day available

A variety of horseback riding camps focused on horsemanship, riding skills, and farm activities. Camps blend daily riding lessons, horse care, grooming, stable routines, and fun activities in a supportive equestrian environment.

Ages: 3– 12
Half Day, Full Day, and Overnight options available
Dates: June – July 2026
Price: Tiny Tot camp – $395
Summer Day Camp – $495
Overnight Girl Camp – $999

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

Dates: June – August 
Ages: 5 – 12 years old 
Price: Varies by location; contact your local Sunshine House for current tuition details
Full-day day camp

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.

Dates: May – July
Ages: 3 years old – 6th grade
Price: $285 – $680
Full and Half day available

Dance studio offering classes in tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, acro, musical theater, pointe, pom and creative movement for ages 12 months to adult!

Summer Camps: Summer dance camps for kids ages 2 to 12. Partial day camps are available at a wide variety of times, including evenings. Styles of dance include ballet, jazz, tumbling, hip-hop, and creative movement.

Dates: May – July
Ages: 2 – 12 years old 
Price: $85
Half day available

Summer Camps: 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

2026 information TBA
Dates: May – August
Ages: 4-12
Price: $70–$145+
Full and Half day

After School Program: 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

Gymnastics Classes:  Classes are offered at multiple locations for kids ages 3 to 12.

BL Gym Monday 4-4:45 pm
Lexington Leisure Center: Thursday 6-7 pm

Summer Camps: Summer sports camps for kids ages 4 to 9. Camps occur at multiple locations near Columbia, SC. Camp options are available for ninja, nerf and more.

Dates: May – August 
Ages: 4 – 9 
Price: $120 
Half day available

Saxe Gotha Church: Lexington, SC
Lexington Leisure Center: Lexington, SC
Crooked Creek Park: Irmo, SC
Saluda Shoals Park: Irmo, SC

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.

Dates: June – July 
Ages: 1st – 4th grade 
Price:
Full day available