Area kids and teens can explore outdoor fun, science, sports, crafts, safety, reading, art, careers and more this summer. Some programs are free and some offer scholarships.

Although this list is organized by community, many programs are open to students from any area community.

Nonprofit organizations offer a mix of one-day and weekly programs, while others fill most of the summer calendar.

Here’s a list of 2026 options gathered from various local organizations. 

• Cambridge City
• Centerville
• Connersville
• Richmond
• County/regional

Cambridge City

Sports camp: Lincoln High School camps are being finalized. For more information, call 765-478-5916 or email rodney.klein@wwayne.k12.in.us.

Super Summer Fun: May 26-Aug. 7 for ages 5 and older at Golay Community Center, 1007 E. Main St., Cambridge City. Celebration-themed games, activities, crafts, reading, swimming and more. Children don’t have to attend the whole time. Cost is $20 registration fee per child, then only pay for the days attended. Part time (1-2 days within that week) is $60; full time (3-5 days within that week) is $80. Discount for families with multiple children. 765-478-5565 or golaycenter@comcast.net.

Centerville

Cope Environmental Center: Explore the Outdoors/Little Adventures camps for ages 3-11. Fishing, crafts, hiking, wetland explorations, team-building games, live animal presentations and more. Ages 3-5: 9 a.m.-noon June 1-5, $65. Ages 6-11: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekly from June 8-July 24 (no camp week of June 29). $115/week. Scholarship applications available. 1730 Airport Road. 765-855-3188 or visitcope.org/2026camp

Connersville

Summer Discovery Camp: May 26-July 31, Roberts Park, 2900 Park Road, Connersville. Open to kids living outside or in Fayette County. Parks and recreation program for kids entering grades 1-6. Swimming, Legos, movies, crafts, rock climbing wall, basketball, field trips. $35 registration fee plus $20/day. Sibling discount. Visit Miller Building to register. 765-825-5244

Richmond

Amigos: Richmond’s Latino center offers tennis instruction and various programs for area youth throughout the year. Free. amigoslatinocenter.org or 765-965-5803

Earlham Summer: Precollege residential camp for incoming high school sophomores-seniors at Earlham College. June 7-12, 14-19 and 21-26. Class topics include Chemistry of Cooking, Costume-Cosplay, Anatomy of Fraud, Poetry and Gaming, Medicine and Microscopes, Bird biology: Wings to Songs, Metalsmithing, A Week at the Museum, Conflict Resolution and Psychology of Food. Financial aid available. Apply by June 1. earlham.edu/summer. 765-983-1577

First Tee golf/character development: Five-week classes (45-90 minutes) on Mondays-Wednesdays or Tuesdays-Thursdays for ages 4-17 from June 1-July 16 (no class week of June 29). Meets at Cross/Van Pelt Learning Center at Glen Miller Park golf course, 2500 block East Main Street, Richmond. $40 total. Scholarships available. A kickoff open house will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday, May 15. firstteeindiana.org or 317-738-9696

Girls Inc. of Wayne County: Girls entering kindergarten through 10th grade can explore something new every week from 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. weekdays from June 1-July 24 (closed July 3) in Richmond. $50/week including meals and field trips; ninth and 10th graders free. Individual week signups available. Limited scholarships available. Supply donations are needed. girlsincwayne.org, 765-962-2362 or sbenson@girlsincwayne.org

Hayes Arboretum: Two separate weeks of Camp Tinkergarten will be offered July 13-17 and July 20-24. Ages 18 months to 8 years can enjoy play-based outdoor curriculum. Costs and schedule are being finalized. Throughout the summer, the free StoryWalk will continue. Read a monthly story in self-led hike along the 0.75-mile Blue Trail from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Programs at 801 Elks Road. hayesarb.org or 765-962-3745

Hoops for Hope: Recent Richmond High School graduate Maren Bolser and friends are offering the third Hoops for Hope camp at no charge for any area girl entering grades 5-8. It’s from 1-3 p.m. June 15-19 at RHS’ Tiernan Center. Sign-ups are open for players and paid student coaches at hoopsforhopecamp.org.

Indiana University East: Two camps are offered to help explore career interests. Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Camp for students entering grades 1-6 is from 9 a.m. – noon July 13-17. Free. Registration opens at 9 a.m. May 4 on the IU East School of Education Facebook page at facebook.com/iuesoe/. 765-973-8224.

Meanwhile, IU East School of Nursing and Health Sciences, in collaboration with Reid Health and East Indiana-Area Health Education Center, is offering two free Summer Sample of Nursing Skills and Simulation Camps for high schoolers. Beginner’s Nurse Camp will be offered 10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 8-10 and July 13-15. Advanced Nurse Camp for returning students is July 16-17. All are at Hayes Hall, 2325 Chester Blvd. Registration is available until May 1 at iu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9EIwTPwmXZ92CGO?Q_CHL=qr for beginners and iu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_249bOzBRGUHztLE?Q_CHL=qr for returning students. For more details, email carjudd@iu.edu.

Joseph Moore Museum: Secret Agent Science Camp for students entering grades 1-3 (June 1-5, 9 a.m. – noon). Learn how to view the world like a scientist and a spy. Forensic Investigators Camp for entering grades 4-6 (9 a.m. – noon June 22-26). Analyze hair samples, fingerprints and more to solve a mystery. $95 per camper. Earlham College, 801 National Road W., Richmond. jmm.earlham.edu. 765-983-1303

Kindergarten Readiness Camp: Psi Iota Xi Sorority offers this free opportunity to prepare kids entering kindergarten. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. weekdays from June 2-12 at Crestdale Elementary School. Applications are due May 25, available at RCS elementary schools or via email at maryhuth@comcast.net.

Kiwanis Safety Kamp: Ages 5-7 can learn the importance of street and bicycle safety, weapon safety, dealing with strangers and fire safety. 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. July 11 or 18. Safety Village of Wayne County, 700 N.W. 13th St., Richmond. Free to first 45 applicants per session; lunch provided. safetyvillagewaynecounty.org or 765-935-1230

Richmond Art Museum: Half-day art camps for grades K-6 and high school students in Richmond High School art classrooms. Grades K-6 can try a variety of mediums and techniques. 9 a.m.-noon or 12:30-3:30 p.m. June 8-12, July 13-17 and July 27-31. High school camp from 9 a.m.-noon June 15-17. All are $90/week. richmondartmuseum.org or 765-966-0256 

Richmond Community Schools: RCS is finalizing plans for sports camps open to students from any area school to explore new interests. Some are free, and others have a small fee. For more information, visit werrichmond.com or call 765-973-3316.

Richmond Parks & Recreation: Just Us Kids Outdoors: Free half-day summer camp including lunch from June 1-July 10 for kids entering grades 1-6. Offered by Richmond Parks & Recreation at Vaile Elementary and Springwood Park (9 a.m.-noon) and Glen Miller and Mary Scott parks (1-4 p.m.) Outdoor games, arts and crafts, field trips, swimming and more. JUKO campers sign up for Monday/Wednesday/Friday or Tuesday/Thursday. Little JUKO for ages 3-5 is July 20-31 at Mary Scott (12:30-3 p.m.) and Springwood (9-11:30 a.m.) Free activities and lunches. Volunteer opportunities for ages 13-15. Spots are limited because of staffing. Register at parks.richmondindiana.gov or 765-983-7275

Stage One Youth Theatre: For beginners and those with theater experience. Grades K-2 and 3-5 learn songs, choreography and a short play at minicamp June 1-5. Grades 6-8 and 9-12 try theater games, improv skills, acting basics and a lip-sync contest at teen camp June 8-12. All will give a short performance Friday for family and friends. Richmond Civic Theatre, 1003 E. Main St., Richmond. $80 for minicamp and $100 for teen camp. Registration opens April 21. gorct.org or 765-962-8011 

Wayne County Historical Museum: Adventure Day Camp at 1150 N. A St., Richmond. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. July 13-17. For grades 5-8. Learn about the process of digging up a relic to its debut in a museum exhibition. $75 for members, $100 for non-members. 765-962-5756 or education@wchmuseum.org.

County/regional

Birth to Five

Play groups will be offered weekly at a few sites around Wayne County. The schedule is being finalized. Call 765-966-6080 or visit mybirthtofive.org for information.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Wayne County

When: Three options from June 1 – July 24.

Club Fun: Free activities, lunch and snacks for members from 2-5:30 p.m. weekdays for ages 6-18 at Jeffers Unit (1717 S. L St.) and First Bank Unit (855 N. 12th St.), both in Richmond, and Wayne Bank Unit (519 Queen St. in Pershing). Membership is $15 per year.

A.M. PowerUp: Themed activities for ages 6-18 including science, technology, engineering, math and art, fitness, games and leadership from 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. weekdays at Jeffers, First Bank and Wayne Bank units. $320/summer, $10/day, $40/week. 

Camp Guy: Outdoor activities for ages 6-18 at club’s Connersville campground. Departs from Jeffers Unit. from 8:45 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays plus Thursday overnights in July (return Friday at noon). Camp Guy members may attend ClubFun at the Jeffers Unit from 4-5:30 p.m. $50/week.

Info: 765-962-6922 or bgcrichmond.org. Register at bgcwaynecountyindiana.my.site.com.

Scouting America 

Day and overnight camps for kindergarten to grade 12 around Indiana. The regional day camp has changed to offer four activities including a dinosaur-themed June 4-5 day camp with archery, STEM, nature exploration and games and June 5 swim event, both at Roberts Park in Connersville; a June 5-6 family campout at Manlove Park south of Milton with a campfire, activities and breakfast; a June 20 swim event in Shelbyville; and a July 11 boating and fishing day at Camp Kikthawenund near Noblesville. joinscoutsin.org or 317-813-7125.

Summer reading at local libraries 

Contact Cambridge City, Centerville, Dublin, Hagerstown and Morrisson-Reeves in Richmond for registration details in the coming weeks. Many offer programs and prizes for all ages. Special programs such as crafts, story times, concerts, and puppet and live animal shows are offered at no charge, and attendance is open in locations beyond your home library.

Girl Scouts of Central Indiana

Day and overnight camps in Indianapolis, Lafayette, Morgantown and Poland. Archery, science, technology, engineering and math, swimming, and more. Family camping available. Membership not required. 317-924-6800 or girlscoutsindiana.org

Hoosier Boys/Girls State

American Legion offers week-long civics programs at Trine University in Angola for students going into their senior year of high school. Applications are available at hoosierboysstate.org and alahgs.org.

Other community events

Visit Wayne County’s community calendar at WayneCounty.events for the latest details about summer fun happening in the area.