Columbus Recreation and Parks Summer Camps

Columbus Recreation and Parks Summer Camps offer themed, week-long camps where campers take part in arts, crafts, sports, games, science experiments and nature exploration. Camp days run with camp hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with before-camp drop-off from 7:30–8 a.m. and after-camp pick-up from 5–5:30 p.m. The program uses the ePACT Network health and safety software for secure submission of critical data, contactless check-in and check-out, and communication with participants in the event of an illness, injury or larger scale emergency.

• Ages: 6–12 years old
• Schedule: Themed, week-long camps running June 8–Aug. 14, with daily camp hours between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and designated before- and after-camp times
• Price: Registration fees for standard community center camps are $120 for residents and $144 for non-residents, and fees for other camps may vary

Columbus Recreation and Parks Department states its mission as connecting the people of the community through the power of nature, wellness and creativity. The department encourages participation from a diverse population and accommodates people with varying abilities and learning styles. Inclusion services support staff develop accommodation plans, reasonable accommodations are provided, and campers may have a personal support person on-site with a mandatory background check, with all accommodation requests due by Wednesday, April 1. Residents are defined as those who live within the municipal boundaries of Columbus, non-residents pay additional fees, and the department reserves the right to adjust or cancel camps due to insufficient enrollment and unforeseen circumstances.

Columbus Recreation and Parks utilizes online and in-person registration through ACTIVENet accounts, with specified registration dates and times for Columbus residents and the general public for Outdoor Recreation Camps, Community Center and Specialty Camps, and Therapeutic Recreation Camps, and online registration is highly recommended due to high demand. Prior to registration, families can add desired camps to a wish list. A late pick-up fee of $15 applies for pick-ups between 5:30–5:45 p.m., with an additional $1 per minute after that time, and this fee must be paid before a camper returns to any camp if they are picked up late. The City Recreation Department was established on July 15, 1910, and on Jan. 2, 1972, it merged with the Division of Forestry and Parks to become the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department.

Last updated May 13, 2026.