Richland County Summer Camps

Camp P.A.L.S. is a summer camp for children with social skills deficits (including but not limited to Asperger’s, high-functioning autism, ADHD, and learning disabilities). Camp Staff incorporate physical activity and social skills support using a variety of theory driven practices.

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.

Kids ages 8 -16 can learn new golf skills or improve on their already-known skills at Golf Camp with the City of Columbia at the James E. Clyburn Golf Center.

The official training center of Ann Brodies Carolina Ballet. CDE offers dance classes year round for infants through adults in styles such as ballet, tap, jazz and contemporary. Morning/mid-day homeschool classes also available. Summer classes available as well.

Classes: Offers group classes for Level 1 – Level 5 in Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Lyrical/Jazz, Adult Intermediate/Advanced Ballet, and Variation.

Summer Camp/ Summer Intensives: Summer Intensive camps are offered based on age and skill for ages 3 and older. There are multiple dates to choose from.

Classes: Palmetto Performing Arts offers performing teams, Hip Hop, Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical, Contemporary, Tap, and Acro. Classes are available for all ages and skill levels.

Birthday Parties: You can host your next birthday party with Palmetto Performing Arts. Contact the center for more information regarding pricing and details.

Summer Camp: Summer camps are available, and are based on themes. Camp ages range from 3- 18, and are grouped by age range.

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.

Classes: Legacy Martial Arts offers classes for young children beginning at age 4, all the way through teens and adults.

Birthday Parties: Legacy Martial Arts birthday parties are fun for all kids, whether they have marital arts experience or not. Parties include some basic instruction as well as activities and all set-up and clean-up.

Summer Camp: Legacy Martial Arts offers a Summer Camp for kids with fun and active educational activities of all kinds.

After School Program: Legacy Martial Arts offers an after school program that provides a positive place for kids to spend time after school.

Four locations: 

5225-C Sunset Boulevard, Lexington, SC
7579 St. Andrews Road, Irmo, SC
494-4 Town Center Place, Columbia, SC
4711 Forest Drive, Columbia, SC – Suite 10
1056 S Lake Drive, Suite B, Lexington, SC

Fine Art and Pottery studio

Classes: Art classes for kids and teens, adult classes, family events, and private art lessons.

Camps: Offers summer art camp, both half-day and full-day, pottery wheel camp, and teen camps.

After School: After-school program with pickup for all District 5 schools. After school helps with homework assistance and math tutoring.

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.

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

2025 Registrations now open

Exciting hands-on experiences that allow children to explore different careers. They include things like activities, workshops, and more! Children will also be able to hear from guest speakers to gain an understanding about different types of jobs.

SC Career Kids

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.

Kids ages 5 – 16 can enjoy painting, drawing, pottery, and more with the City of Columbia Kids Art Camps at the Columbia Art Center. They have themed weeks such as Farm Fun, Magical Creature Fun, Swimming in Your Brain, and so much more! Check out their website for more information!

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

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.

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.

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.

Youth sports, family/community events, child fun days, summer camp, football training camp

Great gym in a great location!

Youth Aerial Silks Summer Camp! Your child can learn the basics of a fun circus art that gets their blood pumping! Taught by Ellie Blackwell, a certified aerial silks instructor!

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.

Animal care camps are for kids ages 7-12. They begin at 8:30 am and end at 12:30 pm. Kids will play games, meet community helpers that care for animals, and learn how to treat pets.

2025 Summer Camps dates are:

June 17-20

June 24-27

July 15-18

July 22-25

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.

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.

All Star Gymnastics offers a Gymnastics classes for a range of ages along with Summer Camp. Please call the gym for more information.

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

The City of Columbia Tennis Camp is for ages 5 – 14 and will focus on tennis skills improvement and practice.
Camp Dates: Check website for date options.
Cost: $85/week

Town Theatre offers a youth theatre program with a variety of classes and production experiences for youth and teens.

Summer Camp: Town Theatre offers various summer camps for rising kindergartners through rising 12th graders. From improv to tap dancing to musical theatre and more . . . there are plenty of options to satisfy the kid who loves performing.

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)

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

Classes: Mud Club, art classes for kids after school.

Summer Camps: Mad Platter offers camps for young kids ages 3-6 and older kids age 7 and up.

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).

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!

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.

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.

Challenger Learning Center has several different camp options for children ages 7-18. Camps include Astronaut Academy, Robotics, Rocketry, Drones, Aviation, and more! Camps run various lengths.

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.

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.

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

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.

Children aged 8 – 16 can enjoy Kayak Camp with the City of Columbia park rangers at Riverfront Park.

2025 Dates/Times: Dates vary based on age.
Cost: $125

Call 803.315.9275 for additional information

*Check back soon for updated information for the 2025 season.

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.