The Salvation Army Summer Camps

Columbus, IN

mapColumbus, IN

About

The Salvation Army Summer Camps include both day and overnight summer camp sessions where kids take part in swimming, canoeing, hiking, archery, other sports, arts and crafts, music, drama, team-building activities, leadership training, and community service projects. At these camps, kids can learn to swim, play sports, make music, create arts and crafts, and participate in scouting while taking part in outdoor recreation, educational activities, and hands-on projects in a safe, structured, and positive environment under safe and supportive supervision by trained counselors.

• Ages: 5–17 years old
• Price: The Salvation Army’s network of free summer camps allows kids of all ages, despite their family’s income level, to have a safe, fun, unforgettable summer camp experience; most summer camps accept state-provided child care subsidies and offer scholarships to help families offset the cost.

The Salvation Army summer camp programs are free summer camp programs for kids from low-income households so kids can be kids, and most summer camps accept state-provided child care subsidies and offer scholarships. The Salvation Army summer camp experience is more than just a short vacation or rite of passage in childhood, especially for kids from low-income households, and summer camp can provide a beneficial reprieve from nature deprivation, with research showing that spending time outdoors in natural environments can improve a student’s test scores, reduce aggressive behavior, increase positive social interactions, and speed physical healing for children. The Salvation Army summer camps are programmed with hands-on activities for kids that spark curiosity and collaboration and foster education, and kids are encouraged to develop social skills through team-building activities, leadership training, and community service projects. The Salvation Army camp counselors are equipped to help children navigate the complicated emotions and struggles that can arise for those who experience poverty and related hardships, and they are trained to recognize the effects of the stressors of poverty on children and respond to a child’s emotional needs so kids feel safe, included, and welcome.

The Salvation Army is one of the largest social service providers in the United States and is committed to serving neighbors in need of assistance in every zip code throughout the nation through services that include summer camps. The Salvation Army also serves local families through Kroc Community Centers, which offer after-school programs, recreational opportunities, and community programs dedicated to fostering healthy futures, with over 400 after-school programs nationwide that often complement its summer camp programs throughout the year. Along with community centers, The Salvation Army provides summer camps and after-school programs for students of all ages and numerous music, art, and athletic programs for aspiring youth.

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church, and its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God, and its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

Last updated May 13, 2026.

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