Summer Camps for Teens Near Columbia, SC

Just a short drive from the bustle of Columbia lies a sanctuary in the Blue Ridge Mountains where kids can truly be themselves. Camp Kanuga is an ACA-accredited, co-ed Episcopal residential camp that has been welcoming campers since 1931.

We believe summer is for more than just staying busy—it’s for intentional growth. Our unplugged environment allows campers to trade screens for 1,400 acres of forest, mountain trails, and our private lake. Whether they are soaring on the zip line, working in the blacksmithing shop, or singing songs around a campfire, your child will find a community built on connection, kindness, and belonging.

We offer programs for ages 6–15, ranging from our 6-day “Starter Camp” for first-timers to our traditional 9-day and 13-day sessions.

Is Kanuga the right fit for your family? If you value a community that fosters independence, celebrates the outdoors, and nurtures the soul, we invite you to explore our 2026 sessions.

Find your place in the mountains. Discover Camp Kanuga.

One Summer. Endless Returns.

Your search for an overnight camp experience that blends learning with real adventure ends here. YLI Camps offers a full spectrum of camp experiences, with five distinct programs across two breathtaking South Carolina locations, so every camper can find their perfect fit.

From a first overnight camp experience at 4-H Camp to hands-on marine science at Camp Sewee and personalized shooting instruction at Camp Wildlife, the Lowcountry offers a wide range of experiences to match any camper’s interests.

In the Upstate, campers can explore STEM-focused learning at Camp Voyager or take on high-adrenaline mountain excursions at Adventure Camp, designed to challenge and excite thrill seekers of all levels.

YLI Camps provides a clear pathway for every interest and every stage of growth. Campers do more than try new things. They push boundaries, build confidence, and discover what they are capable of in environments intentionally designed to foster independence and personal growth. Each YLI Camp is rooted in intentional fun, immersive learning, and meaningful connection, all within a safe, energizing setting led by experienced, caring staff.

Since 1934, YLI Camps has created unforgettable adventures that build character, spark curiosity, and form lifelong friendships, giving parents peace of mind and campers experiences that last far beyond summer.

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.

Dates: July 6 – July 24 
Ages: 11 – 18 years old 
Price: $3,475 
Full day available

This overnight Christ centered summer camp on Lake Wateree offers a variety of camps, including Traditional Camp and Family Camp.

Dates: June – July 
Ages: 7 – 17 years 
Price: $346 – $640 
Overnight Camp

The ultimate outdoor camp for rising K – 10th grade, with experiences for day camp and week long overnight camp.

Dates: June – August 
Ages: Rising K – 10th grade 
Price: $480 – $3,090
Full Day and Overnight available

The Challenger Learning Center is an aerospace-themed educational program designed to provide interactive learning field-study experiences and summer camp programs.

Challenger STEM Summer Camps (Columbia, SC)

Offers: Ages 7–18; Astronaut Academy, Rockets – Artemis, Rockets – Mercury, Robotics Camp, Intro to Aviation, Advanced Aviation, Intro to Drone, Advanced Drone, and Coding Drone camps

Months: June through July each summer, with multi-day sessions scheduled throughout the season

Pricing: Pricing varies by camp and duration, ranging from $50–$200 per session at the Columbia, SC campus

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

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.

Dates: June 5 – August 4, 2026  
Ages: Rising Grades 2 – 11 
Price: $1,395 – $$3450 per session
Overnight only

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

Kids ages 5 – 17 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!

Dates: June 9 – August 1, 2026  
Ages: 5 – 17 years old  
Price: $85 – $125
Full and Half day available

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.

Dates: June – July 
Ages: 6 – 12th grade 
Price: $675 for commuter – $1,250 for overnight
Full Day and Overnight

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

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

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.

2026 info TBA
Dates:
Ages:
Price:  
Full and Half day available:

The South Carolina Waterfowl Association’s Camp Woodie offers weeklong, overnight summer camps for ages 7-11 and 12-16. Activities include hunter safety training, five-stand sporting clays, incoming and away skeet ranges, archery, and more.

Dates: May – July
Ages: 7 – 16 years old
Price: $1,300 per session
Overnight only

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 

Shelley Smith’s South Carolina Soccer School offers girls soccer skills training camps in June and July.

Day Camp:
Ages 6 – 13 (half-day and full-day options)
June 8th – 12th, 2026 or July 20th – 24th, 2026

Elite Mini Residential Overnight Camp:
Ages 10 – 14
June 5th – 7 th, 2026 or July 17th – 19th, 2026

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.

2026 info TBA
Dates: May – July 
Ages: 
Price: $187
Full day available

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.

Columbia Sailing Club hosts multiple Sailing Summer Camps. 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.

Dates: June – July
Ages: 4 – 17
Price: $395 – $495 
Full day available

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.

Camps for youth, high school, and coaches

2026 Camp dates, times, and cost vary based on the chosen camp week

Classes: H. Haney Golf Academy offers lessons for juniors (kids 6 to 16), groups, and adults. Lessons are offered during the week and on Satrudays.

Summer Camps: H. Haney Golf Academy offers one-week camps for ages 6-16. Campers learn to improve their golfing skills through assessments, drills, and training.

Bethel Christian offers Summer Camps for ages 7-16 throughout June and July. Costs vary. Activities include Bible focus, verse memorization, chapel, electives, swimming, and more.

Dates: June – July
Ages: 7 – 16 years old 
Price: $329 – $439
Overnight only

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.

Camp Chatuga is a traditional overnight summer camp for children ages 6 to 16 years old. Camp lengths vary from 1-4 weeks. Activities include horseback riding, water-skiing, BMX bikes, arts and crafts, archery, animal care, and so much more!

Registration is now open for 2026. This camp will quickly reach capacity. Register now.

Dates: June 7 – July 25, 2026 
Ages: 6 years old – 16 years old 
Price: $1,370 – $2,740 
Full: Overnight — Half-week options within longer sessions available

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

Dates: June – July 
Ages: Rising Grades 6 – 10 
Price: $860 – $1,360
Full day available

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.

Dates: June – July 
Ages: 5 – 17 
Price: ~$150 – $180 per session/workshop
Full and Half day available

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

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.

2026 camp dates TBD

Camp Burnt Gin is an overnight summer camp for children and teens with physical disabilities and chronic illnesses. DHEC operates the camp. Camp days are filled with various activities including arts and crafts, sports and games, swimming and boating, talent shows, campfire, and more.

2026 TBA
Dates: July – August  
Ages: 7 – 25 years old 
Price: Free to attend 
Overnight Camp