Trying to plan a family vacation, keep the kids active, and sneak a little learning into summer? That's a lot to fit on one to-do list. Good news: Wichita makes it easier.
As the largest city in Kansas, Wichita is affordable, easy to navigate, and packed with summer camp options and things to do for kids of all ages and interests. A multiday or weeklong camp can become the perfect home base for a family getaway, giving kids a memorable experience while adults explore the city before everyone reconnects for family adventures.
Want to make memories together? Families can also sign up for overnight camp experiences and build a Wichita vacation around them, with plenty of attractions, dining and unexpected discoveries waiting before and after camp.
Keep reading to see how camp and vacation make a surprisingly perfect summer pair.
Types of summer camps in Wichita
With an assortment of camp themes and formats, it’s easy to schedule siblings with different interests at nearby programs. Younger kiddos might enjoy a half-day session while older siblings take on full-day sessions or overnight camps.
The main camp formats in Wichita are single-day camps, weeklong camps with half-day and full-day options and even family overnight camps where the entire family stays and participates in structured activities together.
Programming ranges from traditional camps focused on outdoor activities and games in a safe, supportive environment to specialty camps catering to interests like sports, performing arts, STEM topics and beyond.
Popular summer camps in Wichita
While not an exhaustive list, among the best summer camps in Wichita are:
Bliss Climbing & Fitness: For adventurers, this indoor climbing facility offers two-day sessions with climbing instruction, interactive games and confidence-building activities. The half-day Bliss Minis camp is for ages 4-7 and the full-day Bliss ICT camp works with ages 8-14. Date range: June 8-July 22.
Cosmosphere: For the hands-on learners, this Smithsonian-affiliated museum in nearby Hutchinson has a robust camp program delivering unique day and overnight camp experiences for grades 3-12. Date range: June-July.
Exploration Place: For hands-on learners, Wichita’s science center puts science, fun and adventure on a collision course with its interactive STEM activities. Each age group (7-8, 9-10 and 11-13) has its own themed camp like Design Build Flight, Comics, Cartoons & Animation and Movie Magic. Each weeklong camp also includes time outdoors at Exploration Place’s new 6-acre Adventure Playscape. Date range: May 26-Aug. 7.
Kansas Aviation Museum: For engaged learners, ages 6-14, there’s no better place than the Air Capital of the World to build STEM skills and discover exciting career paths. Date range: June 15-July 31.
Mark Arts: For creatives, Wichita’s regional arts hub runs a variety of STEAM Academy weeklong sessions that tie art to science, technology, engineering and math concepts. Students are grouped by grade (Grades K-2 in the morning and Grades 3-5 in the afternoon) and will explore projects inspired by weekly themes such as exploring space or recycling. Date range: May 26-Aug. 7.
Museum of World Treasures: For adventurers, there are two weeklong, half-day summer camps with activities, challenges and adventures inside the museum: Myths and Monsters for grades 6-8 and Mystery at the Museum camp for grades 4-6. Date range: June 15-19 & July 13-17.
Music Theatre Wichita: For creatives, The Academy at Music Theatre Wichita offers four-day mini-musical camps that each culminate in a showcase performance. Campers ages 5-13 sing, dance and act their way through scenes and songs inspired by Wicked, Beauty & the Beast, The Greatest Showman, Disney on Broadway, Hamilton, Tangled, Matila, Annie and Moana. Another summer series lets students ages 8 to 18 work on musical theatre dance techniques. Date range: May 26-July 31.
Sedgwick County Zoo: For outdoor explorers, the seventh largest zoo in the country offers themed weeklong Summer Learning Adventures teaching students (grouped by ages 4-9, 10-12 and 13-17) about keeping the planet healthy, creating native animal habitats, conservation and exploring the outdoors. Date range: June 1-July 31.
Tanganyika Wildlife Park: For outdoor explorers, the Jr. Zookeeper camps are weeklong day camps with themes ranging from zoo vet to African safari. Students ages 6-12 gather in age-appropriate learning pods to play, build, create and experiment while interacting with Tanganyika’s unique animals. Campers visit Tanganyika Falls Splash Park twice per week. Date range: May 25-Aug. 7.
Wichita Art Museum: For the creative, campers spend time in the galleries and the studio at WAM. Afternoon sessions are offered Wednesdays through Fridays for ages 6-12. Date range: June 17-Aug. 7.
Wichita Children's Theatre & Dance Center: For creatives, this nonprofit performing arts center offers a variety of weekly dance and theater classes as well as themed summer camps and for ages 3 to 18. Date range: June 1-July 31.
Wichita Riding Academy Inc.: For the outdoor adventurer, this full-service equestrian facility in Derby, just south of Wichita, offers single-day and weeklong themed camps for all experience levels ages 5 and older. Daily riding lessons are combined with camp activities and games. Date range: May 25-Aug. 7.
Greater Wichita YMCA: The Greater Wichita YMCA has the region’s largest, most diverse camp program for ages 5-14. Choices range from traditional camps focused on physical, social and educational activities to adventure, equestrian and specialty camps like Outrageous Art, Nerf Warriors, Catch Them All, Lego Builders, Crazy Science, Fun With Food, Mythical Creatures. Date range: May 26-Aug. 7.
Summer camps by interest
Here’s an easy to skim listing of some of the most popular Wichita summer camps by interest area with links to registration pages:
Animal and outdoor adventure
Sedgwick County Zoo Summer Learning Adventures
Tanganyika Wildlife Park Jr. Zookeeper camps
Wichita Riding Academy Inc. camps
Art and creativity
Mark Arts STEAM Academy sessions
Museum of World Treasures camps
The Academy at Music Theatre Wichita camps
Wichita Children's Theatre & Dance Center camps and classes
Sports & Recreation
Bliss Climbing & Fitness camps
STEM
Cosmosphere International Science Education Center & Space Museum camps
Mark Arts STEAM Academy sessions
When to register for summer camps in Wichita
Summer camp registration begins as early as February, and typically all Wichita summer camps are accepting registrations by early March. Plan to sign up as soon as possible because space is limited. If your camp preference is full, ask if there’s a waitlist. Note that some camps cut off registration one to two weeks prior to its start.
Tips for choosing the right summer camp
With so many options available, choosing the best summer camp for your child comes down to your family’s needs. Consider logistics such as a location and schedule that align with your plans and whether a half-day, full-day or family overnight camp format matches your child’s age and temperament.
Your child’s personality can also help decide whether to sign up for a traditional camp delivering a wide variety of experiences or a specialty camp focused on building a specific skill. The American Camp Association recommends involving your child in the decision-making process to build excitement.
There are a range of camp fees to meet most budgets, with scholarships and financial aid available in some cases.
Visit our online Summer Guide and download our Visitors Guide to learn more about transforming your camp planning into a full summer getaway where the entire family can enjoy Wichita’s outdoor adventure, unique museums, seasonal dining, festivals, shopping and more.
