Unearth the natural world at a Briar Bush Nature Center camp. Photo courtesy of the center

Affordable Nature Camps Near Philly

Briar Bush Nature Center — Abington

Dates: June 12 - September 1, 2023
Ages: 4-12
Hours: 9:30 am-12:00 pm; 1:30 pm-4:00 pm; 9:30 am-4:00 pm
Price: Starts at $260 per week for half day and $300 per week for full day
Half-day camps, full-day camps, travel camps, and overnight camps are all available at Briar Bush Nature Center. Half-day programs fit into the "affordable" category in the $200 per week range (even less for Nature Center members), while full-day and older kid camps get a bit steeper. Scholarships are available, and discounts for members are applied. 

Morris Arboretum Camp — Philadelphia

Dates: July 3 - August 11, 2023
Ages: 4-11
Hours: 9:30 am-3:00 pm
Price: $300-$320 per week 
Nature, birds, insects, wild wizardry, and exploration are just some of the themes that are part of this nature camp's curriculum.

Newlin Grist Mill — Glen Mills

Dates: June 26-July 28, 2023
Ages: 4-12
Hours: 8:30 am-12:30 pm
Price: $225-$275 per week
On any given day, campers might be looking for frogs, building a sculpture of recycled materials, baking cookies from an 18th-century recipe, or experimenting with unbreakable bubbles.

Nest — Philadelphia

Dates: June 20 - August 25, 2023
Ages: 2.5 - 5
Hours: 9:00 am-12:00 pm
Price: $176-$275 per week 
Each week your child will have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of age-appropriate activities, including sports, games, arts, music, science, and more!

Paint in the colors of the rainbow at Sky Soup Arts Center camps. Photo courtesy of the center

Affordable Art Camps Near Philly

Cheltenham Center for the Arts — Cheltenham

Dates: June 19- August 25, 2023
Ages: 5-12
Hours: 8:30 am-3:30 pm
Price: $165-$320 for half-day; $320-$610 for full-day
Sign up for a one-week "Crafty Kids" camp or a two-week session for longer, more in-depth art-making, plus trips to the local swimming pool!

Fleisher Art Memorial Camp — Philadelphia

Dates: June 20- July 28, 2023
Ages: 5-18
Hours: 9:30 am -12:00 pm or 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Price: Starts at $340 - $800 per week; tuition assistance is available
From themed art for younger kids to figure drawing for bigger kid artists, classes provide a place for imagination and creativity.

Main Line Art Center Summer Camp — Haverford

Dates: June 20-August 18, 2023
Ages: 5-16
Hours: 9:00 am-12:00 pm and 12:30 pm-3:30 pm
Price: Starting at $168 - $558 per week
Pick from palette pals, pre-teen studios, or teen studios for this awesome art camp in the heart of the Main Line. Scholarships are available.

Northern Liberties Arts — Philadelphia

Dates: Weekly sessions June 20 - August 25, 2023
Ages: Kindergarten through Grade 4
Hours: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
Price: $245- per week depending on age
Explore all different art mediums at this creative camp in Northern Liberties.

PAFA Summer Art Camp — Philadelphia

Dates: June 26- August 11, 2023
Ages: 5-14
Hours: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Price: $400 for nonmembers; $350 for members for the full two-week session
The per-week breakdown of this art camp is pretty affordable, but note that the session runs for two weeks. At this camp, you'll not only make art but get up close with real works of art in PAFA's collection.

Sky Soup Art Center — Bala Cynwyd

Dates: June 19 - August 26, 2023
Ages: 4-12
Hours: 9:00 am -12:00 pm and 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Price: Starting at $325 per week
With themes like Rainbow Camp, House Design, and All Things Food, there's something for every aspiring artist at this award-winning art studio in Bala Cynwyd.

Sound Space Performing Arts — Philadelphia

Dates: June 19 - July 28, 2023
Ages: 4 and up
Hours: 9:00 am-12:00 pm; 9:00 am - 3:00 pm for ages 10+
Price: Starting at $229 per week
Get moving at Sound Space's youth dance camps, where campers can learn everything from acrobatics to jazz to creative movement.

Yes! And...Collaborative — Philadelphia

Dates: June 26 - August 25, 2023 
Ages: Kindergarten through Grade 12
Hours: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Price: Starting at $320 per week
Kids from kindergarten to fourth grade participate in Imagination Camp, a summer performing arts program, while kids entering grades 5 through 8, students will take classes in acting, dance and movement, visual arts, and storytelling or playwriting, all of which will be on display in a final performance.

Camp Garett — Newtown Square

Dates: June 19 - August 8, 2023
Ages: 5-15
Hours: 9 am-4 pm
Price: $360 - $770 per week 
Camp Garrett provides every camper with a nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snack made on-site every day. An excellent opportunity for children to experience the wonder and fun of summer with friends while in a safe, nurturing environment.

Milky Way Farm Camp — Chester Springs

Dates: June 5 - July 28, 2023
Ages: 4-12
Hours: 9:30 am -12:00 pm; 9:30 am - 2:00 pm; 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Price: $185-$300 per week 
Ages 4-6 can enroll in the Little Farmers program, while 2nd-6th graders enjoy Fantastic Farm Fun. Learn about the animals on the farm, take hayrides, explore agriculture, and so much more at Milky Way.

Miss Betty's Day Camp — Chester Springs

Dates: June 19 -July 28, 2023
Ages: Grades 1 - 6
Hours: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Price: $275 per week 

Nature, art, and swimming in Pickering Creek are all part of the experience at Miss Betty's Day Camp in Chester Springs.

Philadelphia Parks and Rec — Multiple Locations

Dates: Vary by location
Ages: 4-12
Hours: Vary by location
Price: Starting at $25
Located at parks and rec departments across the city, more than 100 neighborhood day camps are available at affordable rates. Use the department's finder tool to locate a summer program near you and contact your chosen rec center for dates, ages, costs, and availability.

YMCA — Multiple Locations

Dates: Vary by location throughout the entire summer
Ages: 4 and up
Hours: Varies by location and age
Price: Vary by location
With multiple locations throughout the Philadelphia region, there are YMCA summer camps to fit many interests and budgets. Campers must be current Y members, and you can register for membership when you sign up for camps.

This post was originally published in 2019 and has been updated annually. Victoria Fox updated this article for 2023.