Smithsonian Summer Camp
S. Dillon Ripley Center, 1100 Jefferson Dr SW, Washington, DC 20004
About
Smithsonian Summer Camp offers games, hands-on projects, crafts, tours, and conversations with experts. Programs are offered in person and online and include weeklong in-person and online day camps that run as live programs simultaneously. Camp themes are Smithsonian-centric and include the natural world, space, art, design, history, world cultures, and more, with age-appropriate content that focuses on the Smithsonian, its history, and its collections.
• Ages: 5–16 years old
• Schedule: June 22 – August 14, 2026
Smithsonian Summer Camp is produced by Smithsonian Associates, which is described as the largest museum-based education program in the world and offers educational and cultural programming connected to the Smithsonian's world of knowledge. A diverse, creative, and experienced team of instructors designs age-appropriate content, and children are guided by scientists, researchers, museum curators, writers, and visual and performing artists. The program has been recognized as the #1 Summer Camp—Best of DC by Washington Post readers, Best Camp—Best Camps of Northern Virginia by NOVA Magazine, and one of “4 Summer Camps That Turn DC into One Big Playground” by Washingtonian. Testimonials describe the camp as an enormously positive experience, praise the instructors as engaging, knowledgeable, fun, and “genius,” and note well-organized activities, challenging information, and children planning and completing art projects daily.
Last updated January 5, 2026.
• Ages: 5–16 years old
• Schedule: June 22 – August 14, 2026
Smithsonian Summer Camp is produced by Smithsonian Associates, which is described as the largest museum-based education program in the world and offers educational and cultural programming connected to the Smithsonian's world of knowledge. A diverse, creative, and experienced team of instructors designs age-appropriate content, and children are guided by scientists, researchers, museum curators, writers, and visual and performing artists. The program has been recognized as the #1 Summer Camp—Best of DC by Washington Post readers, Best Camp—Best Camps of Northern Virginia by NOVA Magazine, and one of “4 Summer Camps That Turn DC into One Big Playground” by Washingtonian. Testimonials describe the camp as an enormously positive experience, praise the instructors as engaging, knowledgeable, fun, and “genius,” and note well-organized activities, challenging information, and children planning and completing art projects daily.
Last updated January 5, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.