2027 summer planning guide · Richmond, Virginia
20 of the Best Summer Camps in the Richmond Area for 2027
Find a camp that fits your child: art, STEM, river adventures, cooking, sports and more.
In Richmond, a summer camp week can mean making art at VMFA, paddling the James River or learning to cook in Midlothian. Start with what your child wants to do, then make the ages, hours and drop-off location work for your family.
These are MyKidCamp’s 20 editorial picks for planning summer 2027 in Richmond, Virginia and nearby communities. Below, you’ll find quick picks by interest, an age-and-location comparison, and the specific reason we chose each program.
Start with what your child enjoys
For a young artist
For science and STEM
For river adventures
For music and the stage
For animals and nature
For sports and swimming
Compare 20 Richmond-area camp options
Use the fit, age and location columns to narrow your list. Age guidance comes from the reviewed programs; confirm the chosen 2027 session with the provider.
| Program | Good fit for | Reviewed ages / grades | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brilliant Summer at St. Catherine’s | School-based choices for different interests | Ages 4+; eligibility varies by session | Grove Avenue, Richmond |
| Club SciKidz Richmond | Robotics, coding and space enthusiasts | Grade bands PK–K through 6–8, depending on camp | Richmond-area school venues |
| Edible Education | Kids who want to cook | Check the individual camp’s age requirements | Waterford Place, Midlothian |
| First Tee Greater Richmond | Trying golf with introductory options | 2026: Little Legends 5–6; Golf Camp 7–13 | Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield locations |
| Greater Richmond School of Music | Trying an instrument or building musical skills | Varies by program; published examples span JK–grade 12 | Atlee and selected Richmond-area venues |
| Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden: Green Adventure | Garden exploration and nature | Check the age band for the next published session | Lakeside Avenue, Richmond area |
| Richmond Ballet: summer camps | Dance, movement and storytelling | 2026 examples: 5–7 and 8–12, with program-specific requirements | East Canal Street, Richmond |
| Richmond SPCA: Compassion Unleashed Critter Camp | Children interested in animals | 2026 summer program: rising grades 1–9 across different sessions | Hermitage Road, Richmond |
| Richmond Young Writers | Storytellers and enthusiastic writers | Select by individual camp; organization serves children and teens | West Cary Street and partner locations |
| RVA Paddlesports: Pipeline Adventure Camp | James River adventures | Published Pipeline range: 9–14 | Richmond / James River area |
| Science Museum of Virginia: summer camps | Hands-on science and making | Reviewed summer program: ages 6–12 | West Broad Street, Richmond |
| SPARC: summer camps | Trying performing arts | Ages 4–18 across different programs | Richmond and metro-area venues |
| Sports Center of Richmond: SCOR camps | Indoor sports and active games | Published summer options span 3–12; select by camp | Richmond |
| SwimRVA: summer swim camps | Swimming instruction within an active camp day | Reviewed general summer camps: ages 6–12 | North Chesterfield and other listed sites |
| The Steward School: Summer Experience academic camps | Academic interests and enrichment | Junior kindergarten through high school, depending on camp | Gayton Road, Richmond area |
| Virginia Museum of Fine Arts: Summer Art Adventures | Gallery visits and studio art | 2026 groups: 5–6, 7–9 and 10–12 | Museum campus, Richmond |
| Virginia Outside: Outside Adventure | Older kids who want outdoor variety | Published Outside Adventure range: 10–15 | Richmond-area parks and meeting points |
| Virginia Repertory Theatre: Stage Explorers | A longer theatre project and a showcase | Reviewed Stage Explorers: current kindergarten–grade 6 | Published 2026 venue: Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond |
| Visual Arts Center of Richmond: ArtVenture | Choosing a studio-art medium or project | Reviewed ArtVenture: 5–14; separate teen options 15–18 | Richmond |
| YMCA Camp Thunderbird | Traditional outdoor day camp | Day Camp: rising K–5; EDGE: rising grades 6–10 | Chesterfield County |
Our camp picks for planning summer 2027
Brilliant Summer at St. Catherine’s
Brilliant Summer gives families access to St. Catherine’s camp programs beyond the school’s own enrollment. Most reviewed camps were open to the public and co-ed, with program-specific exceptions.
The morning and afternoon choices make this a good place to look when you want to compare several interests in one school setting. Choose a specific session first, then check eligibility, lunch and extended care.
Why we selected it: A range of school-based camp choices that families outside the school can explore.
Ask before booking: Is this particular session open to my child, and how do lunch and extended care work?
Sources and 2027 schedule details
2027 sessions and registration have not been verified for this guide. Check the provider’s latest schedule. The reviewed FAQ describes 2026. Confirm a future-season schedule directly. Official provider source
Club SciKidz Richmond
A child interested in robots may want a different week from one fascinated by space. Club SciKidz Richmond separates its STEM camps by theme and grade band, helping families make that choice.
The reviewed catalog includes robotics, coding and science programs at Richmond-area school venues. Match the topic, grade group and location together; the same provider uses more than one site.
Why we selected it: Specific STEM themes and grade bands help families choose around a child’s actual interests.
Ask before booking: Which grade band and venue apply to this session, and what projects will campers work on?
Sources and 2027 schedule details
2027 sessions and registration have not been verified for this guide. Check the provider’s latest schedule. The reviewed catalog lists past 2026 dates; future schedule unconfirmed. Official provider source
Edible Education
For a child drawn to the kitchen, Edible Education puts cooking at the center of the week. Its Waterford Place program in Midlothian offers culinary experiences that include summer camps alongside other classes.
Start with the individual camp description to see the age group and cooking focus. Food allergies and the tasks children will do are useful questions for this particular choice.
Why we selected it: Cooking takes the lead in this Midlothian program, giving food-curious kids a focused option.
Ask before booking: What ages and cooking tasks does this camp cover, and how do you handle food allergies?
Sources and 2027 schedule details
2027 sessions and registration have not been verified for this guide. Check the provider’s latest schedule. Summer camps are described on the overview; next summer’s dates and ages were not verified. Official provider source
First Tee Greater Richmond
First Tee’s reviewed camp information says the necessary equipment is provided, a useful detail for families exploring golf for the first time.
Its 2026 schedule separated Little Legends for ages five and six from golf camps for ages seven through thirteen, with locations across Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield. Compare the next session’s age group, experience level and venue before choosing.
Why we selected it: Introductory golf options and supplied-equipment information make the first step easier to assess.
Ask before booking: Which location and group fit my child’s age and experience, and what equipment should we bring?
Sources and 2027 schedule details
2027 sessions and registration have not been verified for this guide. Check the provider’s latest schedule. Explicitly a 2026 schedule; all listed summer sessions are historical. Official provider source
Greater Richmond School of Music
Greater Richmond School of Music’s Instrument Sampler gives beginners a way to explore music, alongside more focused piano, guitar, rhythm and ensemble camps.
The catalog distinguishes beginner programs from camps with prerequisites. It also separates its Atlee studio from bookings through Summer Saints at St. Christopher’s, so check who handles registration for your chosen week.
Why we selected it: An Instrument Sampler and focused music camps offer different starting points for beginners and experienced players.
Ask before booking: Is this a beginner camp or an ensemble with prerequisites, and which venue handles registration?
Sources and 2027 schedule details
2027 sessions and registration have not been verified for this guide. Check the provider’s latest schedule. Reviewed page is labelled Summer Camps 2026; future offerings unconfirmed. Official provider source
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden: Green Adventure
2027 update: 2027 schedule announced for late January; registration planned for mid/late February. Individual sessions not yet verified.
Lewis Ginter puts the botanical garden at the heart of Green Adventure. The reviewed program describes half-day exploration and learning among plants and garden spaces.
It also gives families a useful planning signal: the full 2027 schedule is expected in late January, with registration planned for mid/late February. Follow that announcement for next summer’s actual age groups and sessions.
Why we selected it: Garden-based exploration gives nature-curious children a distinctive place to spend their camp week.
Ask before booking: What age groups will the next schedule serve, and does a half-day format fit our needs?
Sources and 2027 schedule details
2027 schedule announced for late January; registration planned for mid/late February. Individual sessions not yet verified. Provider says 2026 has ended. The full 2027 schedule is expected in late January, with registration planned for mid/late February. Older session rows are not treated as verified 2027 offerings. Official provider source
Richmond Ballet: summer camps
Richmond Ballet’s summer choices serve different stages of dance experience. In the reviewed program, Invitation to the Dance combined movement and storytelling for ages five to seven, while SRB Dance Camps served ages eight to twelve with prior experience required.
That distinction matters more than the broad word “dance.” Start with the program that matches your child’s experience, then confirm the next schedule at the East Canal Street school.
Why we selected it: Separate younger-child and experienced-dancer options help families match the program to their child.
Ask before booking: Which program fits my child’s age and ballet experience, and what clothing is required?
Sources and 2027 schedule details
2027 sessions and registration have not been verified for this guide. Check the provider’s latest schedule. Reviewed camp sessions are dated 2026 and are past. Official provider source
Richmond SPCA: Compassion Unleashed Critter Camp
Richmond SPCA’s Critter Camp builds a week around animals and humane education. The reviewed summer offerings served different grade groups, giving animal-loving children a subject to spend real time exploring.
The provider says summer 2026 has ended and offers email updates about 2027. Keep summer camp separate from its school-closure programs, and ask what animal contact a particular session includes.
Why we selected it: Animal welfare is the organizing theme, making this a focused pick for animal-loving kids.
Ask before booking: Which session suits my child’s grade and interests, and what animal-contact and allergy information should we discuss?
Sources and 2027 schedule details
2027 sessions and registration have not been verified for this guide. Check the provider’s latest schedule. Official page states summer 2026 has ended; 2027 updates available by provider email list. Official provider source
Richmond Young Writers
Richmond Young Writers gives stories a whole week. Its summer creative-writing camps sit alongside workshops in different forms of writing, with programs for children and teens.
Look at the age group and writing focus of the individual camp. Some programs use the West Cary Street space and others meet at partner locations, so the venue belongs on your shortlist too.
Why we selected it: A week centered on creative writing gives young storytellers time to work on their own ideas.
Ask before booking: What age group, writing focus and sharing format does this camp use, and where will it meet?
Sources and 2027 schedule details
2027 sessions and registration have not been verified for this guide. Check the provider’s latest schedule. Summer-camp format described; specific future summer dates not verified. Official provider source
RVA Paddlesports: Pipeline Adventure Camp
The James River shapes Pipeline Adventure Camp’s activity mix. RVA Paddlesports’ overview includes kayaking, rafting, climbing, paddleboarding and swimming for the published nine-to-fourteen age range.
This is a strong place to start for a child excited by water and outdoor variety. Ask about swimming expectations and how river or weather conditions affect the plan for the week.
Why we selected it: The James River is central to a varied outdoor program of paddling, climbing and swimming.
Ask before booking: What swimming skills are expected, and how do conditions change the week’s activities?
Sources and 2027 schedule details
2027 sessions and registration have not been verified for this guide. Check the provider’s latest schedule. Program overview verified; next summer’s session dates not confirmed. Official provider source
Science Museum of Virginia: summer camps
At the Science Museum of Virginia, camp draws on the museum as well as hands-on activities. The reviewed summer program for ages six to twelve includes exhibition exploration and weekly themes such as making and engineering.
Choose by theme as well as age. A child who wants to build something may be drawn to a different week from one with another science interest.
Why we selected it: Museum exhibitions and hands-on making give science-curious children several ways into a topic.
Ask before booking: Which theme fits my child, and what are the session hours and after-camp arrangements?
Sources and 2027 schedule details
2027 sessions and registration have not been verified for this guide. Check the provider’s latest schedule. Reviewed page describes past 2026 camp themes and dates. Official provider source
SPARC: summer camps
SPARC’s published camp FAQ says an audition is not required. For a child curious about performing, that makes the first question which program to try.
Its summer offerings span different ages and Richmond-area venues. Choose the actual camp and location rather than relying on the organization’s broad age range, then ask how the week fits your child’s experience.
Why we selected it: The published no-audition camp policy offers an accessible entry point into performing arts.
Ask before booking: Which camp fits my child’s age and experience, and where does it meet?
Sources and 2027 schedule details
2027 sessions and registration have not been verified for this guide. Check the provider’s latest schedule. Reviewed page is labelled 2026 and includes some older FAQ details; confirm current registration and policies. Official provider source
Sports Center of Richmond: SCOR camps
SCOR offers an indoor turf-field setting for active days. Its reviewed summer options include different formats for younger children and sport-specific interests, with full-day and half-day choices.
Compare the actual summer session’s age group and hours. The camp page also lists school-holiday programs and a membership requirement, both worth separating out when you compare the total cost.
Why we selected it: An indoor sports setting and several day-length formats give active families practical options to compare.
Ask before booking: Which age-specific camp fits, and are membership or other charges required in addition to tuition?
Sources and 2027 schedule details
2027 sessions and registration have not been verified for this guide. Check the provider’s latest schedule. Reviewed summer schedule is 2026; school-holiday programs are separate. Official provider source
SwimRVA: summer swim camps
SwimRVA’s general summer camp format combines swim lessons with dryland activities and games. The reviewed program serves ages six to twelve at more than one listed facility.
Swimming ability is the useful starting point here. Ask how campers are grouped and which skills the chosen session expects, then confirm the facility and daily schedule.
Why we selected it: Swim instruction is built into a camp day that also includes dryland activities and games.
Ask before booking: How are swimmers grouped, which skills are expected, and which facility hosts this session?
Sources and 2027 schedule details
2027 sessions and registration have not been verified for this guide. Check the provider’s latest schedule. Reviewed general-camp dates and prices are for 2026 and are historical. Official provider source
The Steward School: Summer Experience academic camps
Steward’s academic Summer Experience camps let families start with a subject: languages, mathematics, science and other learning interests. The reviewed overview spans junior kindergarten through high school.
Read the individual camp’s goal before choosing. Enrichment, exploring a new subject and preparing for a course can suit very different children, even within the same summer program.
Why we selected it: Subject-specific academic camps give families a focused route into learning and enrichment.
Ask before booking: Is this session enrichment or preparation for a particular course, and who can enroll?
Sources and 2027 schedule details
2027 sessions and registration have not been verified for this guide. Check the provider’s latest schedule. Reviewed page links 2026 materials; undated registration wording is not treated as a 2027 announcement. Official provider source
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts: Summer Art Adventures
VMFA’s Summer Art Adventures connects looking at art in the galleries with making it in the studio. The reviewed catalog includes drawing, painting and sculpture in age-grouped camps.
The museum setting is the reason to put it on a young artist’s shortlist. Its 2026 sessions used a half-day format, so families combining camps should look closely at lunch supervision and pickup arrangements.
Why we selected it: Gallery visits feed into studio projects, giving young artists inspiration beyond the worktable.
Ask before booking: Does my chosen combination cover the hours we need, including lunchtime and pickup?
Sources and 2027 schedule details
2027 sessions and registration have not been verified for this guide. Check the provider’s latest schedule. Source is the historical 2026 catalog, printed pages 16–18. Current kids-camp portal is linked separately. Official provider source
Virginia Outside: Outside Adventure
Virginia Outside’s Outside Adventure mixes fishing, paddling, hiking and climbing, with the activity plan shaped by weather and river conditions. The reviewed program lists ages ten to fifteen.
It’s a strong fit to explore for an older child who wants several kinds of outdoor activity in one week. Confirm the registration partner and meeting point for the specific session.
Why we selected it: A varied outdoor activity mix gives older children several adventures to explore in one camp.
Ask before booking: Which meeting point and organizer apply, and how does weather affect the activity plan?
Sources and 2027 schedule details
2027 sessions and registration have not been verified for this guide. Check the provider’s latest schedule. Reviewed schedule explicitly describes 2026 sessions; next-season dates unconfirmed. Official provider source
Virginia Repertory Theatre: Stage Explorers
Virginia Rep’s Stage Explorers combines drama, music, dance and production craft. The reviewed 2026 program used two-week sessions, with age-grouped activities leading toward a showcase.
That longer project is the reason to consider it for a child drawn to theatre. Check the full attendance commitment, current venue and performance schedule when the next session is announced.
Why we selected it: A two-week theatre format lets children work toward a shared showcase.
Ask before booking: What is the next session’s full attendance commitment, venue and showcase schedule?
Sources and 2027 schedule details
2027 sessions and registration have not been verified for this guide. Check the provider’s latest schedule. Specific two-week sessions and venue are historical 2026 details, not future dates. Official provider source
Visual Arts Center of Richmond: ArtVenture
ArtVenture puts studio-making at the center of camp. The Visual Arts Center of Richmond offers morning and afternoon classes with teaching artists, plus separate options for teens.
Look at the medium or project your child wants to try. If you combine sessions, check the current lunch supervision and extended-day arrangements alongside the class itself.
Why we selected it: Distinct studio classes let children choose an art medium or project to spend time making.
Ask before booking: Which medium and age group fit my child, and how do paired sessions and pickup work?
Sources and 2027 schedule details
2027 sessions and registration have not been verified for this guide. Check the provider’s latest schedule. Reviewed registration details refer to 2026; 2027 camp dates not confirmed here. Official provider source
YMCA Camp Thunderbird
YMCA Camp Thunderbird brings woods, a lake and a broad activity mix to the shortlist in Chesterfield County. The provider separates Day Camp and EDGE into different grade groups.
Published community pickup information also makes transport part of the comparison. Check the next season’s route and full travel-day hours along with the camp program.
Why we selected it: A traditional outdoor setting, separate age programs and pickup-route information support family planning.
Ask before booking: Which age program and pickup route suit us, and what are the full travel-day hours?
Sources and 2027 schedule details
2027 sessions and registration have not been verified for this guide. Check the provider’s latest schedule. Provider explicitly states registration for the 2026 season is closed. Official provider source
Parent questions
When should I start looking for 2027 camp registration?
Build your shortlist now and follow each provider’s announcement route. Lewis Ginter says its full 2027 schedule is expected in late January, with registration planned for mid/late February. Other camps set their own calendars, so check the programs you actually want. Provider source
Which programs should I look at for a child under five?
Start with SCOR, Brilliant Summer and SPARC. Their reviewed programs included options from age three at SCOR and age four at Brilliant Summer and SPARC. Check the chosen 2027 session’s minimum age, hours and any readiness requirements; the youngest age in a provider’s catalog does not apply to every camp.
How do I tell whether a camp covers a working day?
Compare drop-off, pickup, lunch supervision and extended care together. VMFA’s reviewed 2026 camps, for example, used half-day sessions with separate lunchtime conditions. Two appealing sessions on the same day may still leave a gap in supervision. Ask for the full 2027 day before booking.
What should I include when comparing camp prices?
Compare the total cost for the hours you need: tuition, any required membership or registration fee, extended care, meals and transport. SCOR’s reviewed camp page includes a membership requirement, for example. Use each provider’s published 2027 prices when available; this guide does not carry old fees forward as current quotes. Provider source
Are all these camps inside Richmond city?
The guide covers the wider Richmond area, including nearby Henrico, Chesterfield, Midlothian and Atlee-area programs. Some providers use several schools, studios or meeting points. Confirm the exact 2027 venue before judging the drive; a provider’s office address may differ from your camp’s drop-off location.
How we chose these camps
We chose 20 distinct providers with a clear Richmond-area connection, a specific program strength and enough published information to help a family take the next step. Our shortlist covers different interests, age groups and settings; entries are alphabetical.
“Best” reflects MyKidCamp’s editorial judgment about those program strengths. We researched official provider pages and catalogs, and show our sources with each entry. The guide is a researched shortlist, with age and schedule details tied to the material we reviewed.
Inclusion is free and independent of MyKidCamp’s optional paid provider subscriptions. A camp’s decision to share the badge or link to the article does not affect its place here.
Turn the guide into your family’s shortlist
Choose three programs with your child, then compare the actual 2027 session: age group, day length, travel, total price and registration terms. A great activity still needs to fit the week you’re trying to plan.
Use the provider links for the latest schedules, or explore the wider Richmond camp directory for more choices.
Explore Richmond-area camp listings
Found something that needs correcting? Email MyKidCamp with the provider name, detail and a source.
