Camps with nature in Connecticut

Ages 6–16 · $900/session

ASAP! Summer Camp is an arts-focused day camp held at Rumsey Hall School in Washington, CT, led by professional teaching artists across visual, culinary, and performing arts. The program has served the community for roughly 26 years and offers age-tiered tracks from grades 1–10.

As published: $900 base tuition; $100 early-registration discount before April 1; financial aid available (apply by June 1)

Ages 5–13

A weekly day camp on Arethusa Farm property at 14 Webster Road in Litchfield for ages 5 to 13, running ten weeks from June 15 to August 21, 2026. The site says the camp was run with Litchfield County UConn 4-H and first ran in summer 2025.

As published: Not published on the main page (a separate registration document was referenced but not read)

Ages 3–18 · $350–$385/week

Audubon Sharon Summer Day Camp is a nature-based day camp run by the Sharon Audubon Center, serving children ages 3 through 12th grade on the Center's wildlife sanctuary grounds. It is directed by Camp Director Wendy Miller.

As published: "Tuition for each session is $350 per child per week." (2026); TRIP teen week $385; 4-day week $280

Ages 3–15

A farm day camp on the 120-acre Auer Farm using a STEAM curriculum with time in barns, gardens, a play forest, stream and trails. Groups run from Sprouts (ages 3-5) through a grades 9-10 Leadership program.

As published: Per week: Sprouts (half-day) $370; Young Farmers (K-5) $395; Explorers (6-8) $395; Leadership (9-10) $375. Dates for summer 2026 were not listed on the page

Ages 4–15

A nature-focused, tech-free day camp on more than 700 acres in Deep River with a private lake, low ropes course and a farm with animals. Programs include Seedlings (4-5), Main Camp (5-13), Scout Survival Camp (13-15) and a CIT program.

As published: Not published on the pages reached. Summer 2026 add-ons: morning or afternoon care $50 per week each; round-trip bus $70 per week from shoreline towns

Ages 5–18 · $425–$525/week

A Girl Scout summer day camp in Weston for campers entering kindergarten through grade 12, running six themed weeks in July and August. Activities include a daily swim in the on-site pool supervised by certified lifeguards, archery, outdoor cooking and survival skills. Bus routes and financial aid on request are listed.

As published: 2026 weekly rates range by week and fee tier: $425-$500 (weeks 1, 3, 4, 6) and $450-$525 (weeks 2 and 5); older campers in weeks 2 and 5 can join an overnight

A residential camp on Columbia Lake in Columbia, CT, with campers living in screened cabins and a daily program of swimming, boating, nature study and arts. A registered nurse lives on site each session.

As published: Not published (site links a "2027 Dates & Rates" page that could not be read)

Kindergarten to grade 6 (about ages 4–11)

A nature-focused weekly day camp on the Arboretum's 93 acres for students entering kindergarten through sixth grade, with themed weeks and hands-on STEAM activities. Eight sessions ran June 22 to August 14, 2026.

As published: 2026: $435 per week for members, $475 per week for non-members; extended hours (to 5 PM) $180 per week members, $200 non-members. Scholarships available

Ages 5–13 · $228–$386/week

Camp COMO is the state-licensed summer day camp of the Stonington Community Center (COMO), running 10 weeks of programming on a 16-acre campus for preschool through grade 7, with specialty options in arts, technology, and athletics.

As published: 2026 pricing: full day $321 (members) / $386 (non-members) per week; half-day $228 (members) / $293 (non-members) per week; $50 non-refundable deposit per week

A YMCA day camp on more than 80 acres at 15 Canton Road, serving the Farmington Valley with archery, bouldering, a climbing wall, swimming, arts and crafts, nature hikes, a low ropes course and a splash pad. Originally established in 1962 as Holiday Ridge Day Camp, it runs ten one-week sessions from June 15 to August 21 in 2026 and has units from grades 1-2 through grades 7-8 plus leader and counselor-in-training groups.

As published: 2026: $329 per 1-week session; $629 per 2-week session; pre-camp and/or morning bus $75 each or $125 for both per one-week session; post-camp and/or afternoon bus the same; YMCA family membership saves $10 off regular session prices; $75 non-refundable deposit per session

Ages 5–12

A free summer day camp on a 36-acre campus in Farmington for children ages 5 to 12 who live in the City of Hartford or the Town of East Hartford, which the camp says has served Hartford's children since 1894. Campers are bused from assigned stops and get breakfast and lunch. Daily programs include arts and crafts, nature, music and performing arts, swimming, sports, a computer lab and a LEGO STEM program.

As published: Free to eligible families. A one-time non-refundable application fee per child applies, and East Hartford campers pay a weekly fee (amounts not published); Care 4 Kids is accepted.

Kindergarten to grade 8 (about ages 4–13)

A state-licensed YMCA day camp at 97 Salmon Brook Street for children entering kindergarten through 8th grade, with swimming, swim instruction, archery, a climbing wall, gaga, arts and crafts, nature adventures and field trips. The 2026 schedule ran ten themed weeks from June 16 to August 21; the page says 2027 pricing and registration are coming soon.

As published: Weekly camp price not shown on the current page (2027 pricing "coming soon"); Y vacation days listed at $85/day for members and $115/day for program participants; before and after care (7-9 am, 4-6 pm) included in camp price; financial assistance and Care 4 Kids accepted

Kindergarten to grade 4 (about ages 4–9)

Greens Farms Academy's Camp GFA for rising K-4 students rotates campers through Art & Nature, Outdoor Games and STEAM periods. The school also runs summer academics and sports programs.

As published: Not published

Ages 5–15

A YMCA state-licensed day camp at 30 High Street for ages 5-11, with field trips, arts and crafts, archery, STEM, nature and sports, plus a separate teen camp for ages 12-15 that explores Connecticut attractions and does community service. It serves Andover, Colchester, Glastonbury, Hebron, Marlborough and nearby towns, with 2026 weeks from June 22 to August 21.

As published: Not published (2027 pricing "coming soon")

Ages 5–13

A YMCA day camp at 11 Pinney Street for ages 5-13, with outdoor time in a wooded wetland nature preserve, archery, a low ropes course, swimming and swim instruction, arts, music, drama and STEM, plus weekly guests and field trips. Camp runs 9 am to 3:30 pm and 2026 weekly themes are posted; 2027 pricing is coming soon.

As published: Not published (2027 pricing "coming soon"); $20 per week per child deposit at registration; early and late care available for an additional cost; financial assistance and Care 4 Kids accepted

Ages 4–15 · $257–$328/week

Camp Mansfield is a traditional outdoor day camp run by the Town of Mansfield Parks and Recreation Department for campers age 4 1/2 to 15. It is held on the grounds of Mansfield Middle School, Schoolhouse Brook Park and Bicentennial Pond, with groups set by the grade a camper enters in the fall. The camp states that staff are certified in First Aid, CPR and AED and that it has a campers-with-special-needs inclusion process.

As published: 2026 full-week resident rates: Explorers (grades K-6) $257, Adventurers (grades 7-9) $318; non-resident rates $267 and $328. Shorter first weeks, KinderCamp half days and optional Camp Care cost extra or less.

Ages 5–15

A traditional YMCA state-licensed day camp held at Hanmer Elementary School for ages 5-15, with a weekly theme, arts and crafts, sports, nature, STEM, field trips and special guests. Morning and afternoon care is provided at no additional cost; 2026 weekly themes are posted and 2027 pricing is coming soon.

As published: Not published (2027 pricing "coming soon"); AM and PM care included at no extra cost

Ages 4–22

Camp Quinebaug ("Camp Q") is a state-run special-needs summer day camp established in 1972 by Connecticut's Department of Developmental Services, located on the Wauregan Reservoir and serving children ages 4–21 who are eligible for DDS services.

As published: Not published

Ages 7–18 · $65/week

Camp RISE is a Southington Recreation Department summer camp for students with special needs, serving Southington residents entering grades 2–12 (and SHS program participants up to age 21). A Camp Director, adult professional counselors, volunteers, and an on-site nurse staff the program daily.

As published: $130 per child for the full 2-week (8-day) program, or $65 per child for one week

Ages 6–15 · $550–$675/week

A sailing and marine science day camp on Holly Pond and Long Island Sound at Cove Island Park, for children entering grades 1 through 9, with a Counselors in Training program for ages 14 and 15. Each one-week session has a theme and a typical day mixes animal encounters, swimming, sailing, art and science experiments. The camp lists certified sailing instructors, lifeguards and CPR and First Aid certified counselors.

As published: 2026 tuition per week: $550 (entering grade 1), $595 (grades 2 and 3-4 groups listed), $675 (older groups); four-day week 3 is discounted; $150 non-refundable deposit per session; early camp $25 and late camp $100

Ages 3–21

A six-week special-needs day camp run jointly by five central Connecticut recreation departments for campers with a physical, intellectual, developmental or other health impairment. It meets at Smith Middle School with games, sports, arts and crafts, nature walks, swimming and field trips; 2026 ran June 22 to July 31 plus an Adventure Trip week.

As published: $174/week ($204/week for typical siblings); Adventure Week $204 (2026); separate transportation fee

Kindergarten to grade 8 (about ages 4–13)

A co-ed YMCA day camp for children entering kindergarten through 8th grade, using the Wheeler Y's gym, indoor pool, climbing wall, outdoor gaga pit, nature trail and archery. The 2026 season ran nine weeks from June 22 to August 21, 9 am to 4 pm; 2027 pricing is coming soon.

As published: Weekly camp price not shown (2027 pricing "coming soon"); Y vacation days listed at $70/day; before camp 7-9 am and after camp 4-6 pm available; Care 4 Kids accepted

Kindergarten to grade 6 (about ages 4–11)

A traditional outdoor day camp at Kiwanis Park for children entering grades K-6, with archery, arts and crafts, nature, team building, swim lessons and free swim, and weekly enrichment such as parkour, karate and gymnastics. 2026 ran in three two-week sessions between June 22 and July 31.

As published: Not published on the web pages (rates are in a brochure PDF)

Ages 4–13 · $410/week

Small-group outdoor day camps at the Connecticut Audubon Society's Fairfield Nature Center and Larsen Sanctuary for ages 4 to 5, children who have completed kindergarten through grade 5, and a Travel Adventure Camp for completed grades 6 to 7, plus a Counselor in Training program for ages 14 to 18. Weekly themes focus on exploring wildlife and habitats. Families must hold a Chickadee-level or higher Connecticut Audubon membership to register.

As published: 2026 camp fee $410 per week ($328 for four-day weeks); Counselor in Training $150 per week; Chickadee-level membership ($58 family) or higher required

Ages 6–11

A six-week day camp for ages 6-11 at the Connecticut River Museum, with wildlife observation, boat trips on the RiverQuest research vessel and the Onrust replica yacht, and crafts. 2026 weeks included Sailor Life and Pirates, River Explorers, Historic Voyagers and Tides and Tales.

As published: $400/week for non-members, $360/week for members; four-day Discovery Days week $80/day non-members, $72/day members (2026)

A small independent half-day summer camp in Cos Cob run by four local physical education teachers, with sports and outdoor play. It runs weekdays 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM across a summer session (June 22 to August 21, no year shown).

As published: $400 per week; $100 daily drop-in (year not stated on page)

Ages 3–10

A seven-week nature camp (June 22 to August 7, 2026), 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM, with weekly themes and hands-on outdoor activities and animal care. Our Living Planet serves ages 3-6 and Eco Explorers serves ages 7-10.

As published: 2026: $710 per week ($660 early bird); the four-day Week 2 is $568 ($528 early bird); Eco Explorers extended day to 3 PM adds $175 per week. One need-based scholarship

Kindergarten to grade 8 (about ages 4–13)

A summer day camp on a 253-acre property at 101 Paper Mill Road in Killingworth, open to children in kindergarten through grade 8, running mid-June to mid-August, plus a Wilderness School for high schoolers. The 2026 dates and rates page exists but its content could not be retrieved.

As published: Not published on the page fetched (a separate "2026 Dates and Rates" page was not retrievable)

Ages 6–11 · $225–$245/week

Dudley Farm Museum runs a small, farm-based summer day camp for children ages 6–11 on its historic Guilford property, capped at 25 campers per week with hands-on activities such as a Farmers Market & Entrepreneurship week.

As published: Approximately $225/week for local campers, approximately $245/week for out-of-town campers (published as "TBD" pending final confirmation)

Ages 8–12

A full-day, five-day history camp where children ages 8-12 try 1700s chores and games at the Noah Webster House and spend two days a week at Westmoor Park caring for barnyard animals and tending a garden. Two 2026 sessions were offered.

As published: 2026: $290 per week for members, $325 per week for non-members; extended care until 5 PM $50 per week

Ages 2–15

A nature-center summer camp in Westport welcoming campers of all abilities from age 2 through age 15, with weekly sessions from mid-June through mid-August. Staff are described as trained and engaged.

As published: Not published

$365/week

A hands-on museum workshop on the historic site of Eli Whitney's armory in Hamden that runs week-long camps for young builders and experimenters. The 2026 schedule lists over 50 workshops across 11 weeks, each grouped by age band, such as woodworking, robotics, ceramics, theater, sewing and model building. Tuition assistance funds are available.

As published: 2026 workshops listed at $365 per child per week (full-day, 9am to 3pm); extended care 8-9am $10 per day and 3-5:30pm $25 per day

Ages 6–14 · $385/week

A farm-life day camp in Simsbury for ages 6 to 14, running seven one-week sessions from 9 am to 1 pm with snack and lunch provided. Campers feed and care for animals, garden organically, gather eggs, take hayrides, ride ponies and horses, and hike to streams and fields. The farm lists all 2026 weeks as sold out.

As published: 2026: $385 per week per child, with a $25 fee for switching weeks.

Ages 3–13

Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust offers more than 70 half-day and full-day nature, farm, art and cooking programs for ages 3-13 from June through late August. The page says to watch for 2027 dates.

As published: Not published

Ages 9–15

A coed 4-H overnight camp in Marlborough with seven one-week sessions (June 21 to August 15, 2026), a two-day Mini Camp, a Bring Your Own Horse week and an optional horse activity add-on. Activities include archery, swimming, boating, nature, outpost camping and arts and crafts.

As published: 2026 tiered: overnight week $800 (Tier 1) or $710 (Tier 2); Bring Your Own Horse $820/$730; Mini Camp $160/$140; horse add-on $150; $70 discount for 4-H club members

Ages 3–13 · $1,425–$1,475/session

A long-running (since 1954, per a third-party source) traditional day camp in the Naugatuck Valley/Greater Waterbury area, marketed as the "resort" of day camps with amenities like an American Ninja Warrior course, a maker-space cabin, a high-ropes course, and transportation from over 50 towns. It's ACA-accredited and prices by two-week session with weekly proration available.

As published: 2026 per-two-week-session pricing: $1,425 before Dec 1, 2025 / $1,475 after. Weekly enrollment available, prorated to roughly half the session price. $500 deposit per camper