Best Arts Summer Camps in Maine

Ages 6–13 · $400/week

Bowdoin College's Office of Events and Summer Programs runs a studio art day camp in four weeklong sessions at the Edwards Center for Art and Dance in Brunswick. Campers are grouped by age (6 to 7, 8 to 10 and 11 to 13) and try hands-on projects that change by week, such as cardboard construction, collage, fabric art, woodworking, shadow puppetry, painting, sculpture, weaving and natural dyeing. Children may enroll in up to two sessions.

As published: 2026: $400 per five-day session, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuition includes art supplies and reception costs, and campers bring their own snack or lunch. The page says 2027 dates and details are to be announced.

Ages 6–16 · $1,271–$1,877/week

Camp Bishopswood is an Episcopal coed overnight camp on Lake Megunticook in Hope, Maine, with one-week youth camp sessions for ages 8 to 16, short mini-camps for ages 6 to 8, a counselor-in-training program and a day camp. It uses a voluntary three-tier pricing system and offers scholarships. Activities include waterfront, performing arts, camp craft, art barn, campouts and hikes.

As published: 2027 voluntary tiered pricing for one-week youth camps (ages 8 to 16): Tier 1 $1,271, Tier 2 $1,633, Tier 3 $1,877 per week; Session 1 (4 weeks) $5,084 to $7,508; Session 2 (3 weeks) $3,813 to $5,631; 7-week $8,897 to $13,139; three-day mini-camps $572 to $845

Ages 8–17 · $4,950–$11,475/session

Camp Encore/Coda is a music-focused camp in Sweden, Maine, for campers finishing grades 3 through 11, with overnight sessions of two, three or six weeks and a day camp. Campers take part in ensembles, musical theater, jazz, rock, orchestra and vocal programs alongside a waterfront and recreation. The camp describes a non-competitive community of around 100 campers.

As published: 2027 overnight full rate: Session I or II (3 weeks) $6,980 each; Full Session (6 weeks) $11,475; Staccato 2-week sessions $4,950 each. A lower community rate (honor system) is offered: $6,575 for 3 weeks and $10,800 for 6 weeks. Day camp pricing not published

Ages 7–16

A boys' camp in the Belgrade Lakes region of Maine with sports, waterfront and arts programs, founded in 1947. It also runs Camp Eastwood for younger boys.

As published: 2027: First Session (Jun 24-Jul 16) $10,950; Second Session (Jul 19-Aug 10) $10,950; Full Session (Jun 24-Aug 10) $18,350

Camp Mechuwana is a United Methodist, ACA-accredited camp on more than 200 acres bordering Lower Narrows Pond and Lake Annabessacook in Winthrop, operating for more than 75 years with overnight programs for campers from grade 2 through high school seniors and a day camp for ages 5-12, covering music theater, soccer, outpost camping, swimming, science, and Native American studies.

As published: Not published

Ages 8–16 · $5,200–$14,800/session

An arts-focused coed camp in Washington, ME (founded 1967 on a site with camp roots back to 1904) built around a free-choice activity model spanning visual arts, performing arts, circus, music, and culinary programs; the camp's own history page highlights an early, notable commitment to admitting campers of color and international campers, reinforcing its identity as an inclusive, creativity-first program rather than a traditional sports/outdoors camp.

As published: 2-week sessions: $4,900; 4-week sessions: $7,500 (Summer 2026 published rates)

Ages 7–16 · $5,300–$11,700/session

Camp O-AT-KA is a nonprofit, ACA-accredited traditional boys' camp founded in 1906 on Sebago Lake, serving ages 8-16 with two-to-seven-week sessions covering archery, sailing, tennis, riflery, waterskiing, campcraft, and arts programming. The camp is affiliated with Maine Summer Camps and Green Camps and draws boys from around the world.

As published: Summer 2027: 2-Week Starter $5,300 to Full Season (June 27 - August 13) $11,700; sessions are 2 to 7 weeks

Ages 7–15 · $13,100–$17,900/session

Camp Pinecliffe is an ACA-accredited, full-season sleepaway camp for girls ages 7 to 15 in the Lakes Region of Maine. Campers rotate through a structured choice program covering land sports, water sports, camp craft, riding, and studio and performing arts, with a summer-long Color War and inter-camp teams. The camp states it was founded in 1917 and offers a shorter four-week session to first-time campers.

As published: 2027 full session tuition $17,900; first-time camper four-week session (June 25 to July 23) $13,100. Additional fees listed: canteen, transportation to and from camp, uniforms, optional horseback riding, senior trips

Ages 7–15

A girls' overnight camp on East Pond in the Belgrade Lakes region of Smithfield, Maine, with team and individual sports, arts, culinary classes, dance, adventure trips and a lake and pool aquatics program. Sister camp to Camp Eastwood.

As published: 2027: Full Somer (Jun 24-Aug 10) $17,900; Half Somer (Jun 24-Jul 16 or Jul 19-Aug 10) $10,800; deposit $3,500 full, $2,500 half

Ages 7–16 · $2,900–$13,700/session

Camp Wawenock is an ACA-accredited, all-girls sleepaway camp on Sebago Lake in Raymond, Maine, serving campers entering grades 3 through 10. Offerings include seven-week, half-season and shorter introductory programs, with waterfront, creative and performing arts, tennis, target sports, horseback riding and trips. The camp says girls come from across the country and around the world.

As published: 2027: Full Season (7 weeks, June 30 to August 17) $13,700 ($13,200 early rate); Half Season $9,500 ($9,200 early rate); Wayseeker (2 weeks, June 30 to July 15) $6,000; Wonder Week (July 18 to 24) $2,900

Ages 6–16

A traditional coed overnight camp in Waterford, Maine, with adventure, performing arts, riding, athletics and waterfront programs, and a Kids' Choice schedule. Founded in 1922.

As published: 2027: 1st or 2nd Session (4 weeks) $9,250; Short Session (2 weeks) $6,950; Extended (6 weeks) $12,950; Full (8 weeks) $13,950; CIT 4 weeks $8,250; plus $300 trips fee and $50-$75 store fee

Christian Science summer camps on Long Lake in Harrison, Maine: Camp Newfound for girls and Camp Owatonna for boys, with sailing, canoeing, kayaking, music, art, trips and counselor-in-training programs. The organization also runs Family Camp and an 8-day Creative Arts program.

As published: Newfound 2027: first session (June 20-July 9) $4,100; two-week session for new campers (June 20-July 3) $3,200; second session (July 11-August 6) $5,450; full session $7,950; CIT $7,000. Owatonna rates are on its own page

Ages 6–15 · $1,700/session

Center Day Camp, run by the Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine on the shores of Sebago Lake in North Windham, has offered coed day camp since the late 1940s for campers roughly ages 3-15, with programming in archery, art, athletics, boating, sailing, performing arts, swimming, and mountain biking.

As published: Session 1 and Session 2 each $1,700; Art Adventures $475; transportation $375; $150 deposit per session; JCA family membership required ($216/family, $120 single parent)

Two-week children's drama camps run by the Center Theatre in Dover-Foxcroft and other Piscataquis County towns since 1999, where kids work on a play while learning acting, props, costumes and set construction. Camps are offered on a pay-what-you-can basis.

As published: Pay what you can (no one turned away); donations of $500 or more for the two weeks support the program for everyone

Mahoosuc Kids Association is a nationally accredited, Maine DHHS-licensed nonprofit youth organization in Bethel offering year-round after-school programs and summer camp with Performing Arts, STEM, soccer, nature, and adventure activities, supported by trained behavioral-health professionals and a five-star Maine QRIS rating.

As published: Not published

Ages 4–18 · $155–$410/session

Maine State Ballet, based on U.S. Route One in Falmouth, offers summer dance and theater workshops open to all dancers regardless of studio affiliation. The 2026 lineup included a Musical Theater workshop for students entering grades 3 to 12, Young Dancer mornings for ages 4 to grade 2, a Ballet Pre-Intensive for grades 3 to 4, and five weekly Ballet Intensive sessions for students entering grade 5 and up. Every workshop ends with a performance at the company's Lopez Theater.

As published: 2026: Young Dancer $155 per session (mornings, three days), Ballet Pre-Intensive $175 per session, Musical Theater $350 for the week (afternoons), Ballet Intensive $310 per week (afternoon) or $410 per week (advanced morning). Ballet workshops require at least one year of prior ballet.

Ages 9–18

A music camp on a 40-acre lakefront campus operated by Snow Pond Center for the Arts, with core, chamber music, composition, classical voice and musical theatre programs. Described as a 90 year old nonprofit.

As published: 2027: One session (2 weeks) $3,900; two sessions $7,200; three sessions $9,600 (Sessions: Jun 27-Jul 11, Jul 11-Jul 25, Jul 25-Aug 8)

Ages 2–16

NYA's independent-school campus hosts weekly summer camps for ages 2 to 16 in arts, academics, sports, outdoor adventure and coastal exploration. Partner-led camps include Maine Circus Arts, magic, Lego, dance, soccer and tennis, plus NYA hockey and Panther Cub programs.

As published: Not published on the summer page; $50 non-refundable deposit per camper per session; $25 early-bird discount for registrations by April 15, 2026

Schoolhouse Arts Center, in a historic 1920s schoolhouse in Standish, runs one-week summer theatre camps with both half day and full day sessions. Each session has its own theme, and campers work together to create a production, building teamwork and problem solving along the way. The center's page announced 2026 summer camp registration.

As published: Not published

Grades 1 to 9 (about ages 5–14)

Breakwater is an independent school in Portland whose enrichment center runs summer camps for rising 1st through 9th graders (the Maine Summer Camps listing describes one- to four-week sessions with arts, cuisines and cultures, recreation, circus, performing arts and overnight expeditions). Registration for summer 2026 opened in January 2026.

As published: Not published (see Summer 2026 catalog linked from the page)

Summer camps at Cheverus High School in Portland, including a multi-sport co-ed day camp for grades 1-7 with weekly beach and pool trips, plus sport-specific, art and theater weeks. Run by the Director of Summer Programming and Youth Engagement.

As published: Not published on the page (2026 registration open; 2027 not yet posted)

Grades 2 to 12 (about ages 6–17)

Lincoln Academy, an independent academy in Newcastle, runs short summer camps in basketball, golf, softball, soccer, cheering, theater, art and USM Robotics, plus the free LA Launch for incoming 9th graders. Camps are led by LA coaches, teachers and players.

As published: Per camp, 2026: Youth Basketball $100; Golf $75; Youth Softball $80; Heartwood Theater Camp $400; USM Robotics $450; Art Camp $265; Cheering $125; Youth Soccer $100

Ages 7–16

A residential, all-girls full-season overnight camp in Poland, Maine, with sports, waterfront, equestrian, outdoor and arts programs. Tradition since 1911, with about 300 campers.

As published: 2027: full season (Jun 26-Aug 12) $18,200

Ages 4–16

Summer at Waynflete runs day camps and specialty programs for ages 4 to 16 on Waynflete School's two Portland campuses, across seven weeks. Programs include Mini Flyers, performing arts, sports, STEM/coding, nature, Dungeons & Dragons, and a CIT program.

As published: Not published (tuition is listed per camp session on the registration portal; the site says 2027 information is coming)