Cheap camps: Free and Cheap Summer Camps Near Houston | MommyPoppins

Free and Cheap Summer Camps in Los Angeles | MommyPoppins

Summer camp can be a great way to keep Los Angeles-area kids busy and even intellectually and creatively stimulated through those long summer months—but rarely is it cheap. Amazingly, we came up with a list of summer camps in Los Angeles that won’t destroy your budget, and some of them are even (gasp) free. Check out these summer camps with your kids, tweens, and teens now as spots will fill up before you know it.

You may want to browse great STEM camps and musical theater camps, too! Find even more options in our Los Angeles Summer Camp Guide, or browse our Camp Directory of listings by interest, age, and area.

Decisions about where and when to hold a few of the free and inexpensive camps this year are being made extremely late, as funding and resources are more scarce than ever. We continue to update this post as new information becomes available, but be sure to call a camp’s office for the latest information.

Free Summer Camps for LA Kids

Free and Almost Free Summer Day Camp

Parks in Long Beach
The city of Long Beach hosts Free Summer Fun Days at most of its public parks, with six hours of structured fun offered on a drop-in basis. Taking advantage of this resource means calling each local park for its specific schedule, but a family could piece together a whole lot of camp (and a nice tour of Long Beach) for free. However, the city offers an almost free camp, as well. This traditionally structured day camp for kids ages 5-12 runs from 9am-4pm at several locations, for the low cost of about $30 a week. Parents can register online for summer camp as soon as spring camp has passed. You can also register in person at any of the 5 park locations where camp is offered.

Local Community and Rec Centers

Various locations
Several towns and cities in the Los Angeles area have local rec centers with free programs for the immediate community. These programs may not always be framed as summer camp—often, in fact, they run year-round—but they are essential for local working families. Virginia Park, for example, serves local families in Santa Monica with free after-school and summer enrichment for kids. Throughout the LA area, there are also recreation centers run by the county that offer free summer programs; check the county camp website to find one near you. And while not all of the camps run by a local recreation center will be free, those that charge are still significantly cheaper than commercial camps.

Girls Who Code

Various locations
Granted this free camp opportunity caters to a very select few, but it is nonetheless an amazing free opportunity: rising sophomore, junior, and senior girls—trans, cis, and non-binary students—can qualify for one of two programs this summer. Final application deadlines are in late March, so it takes planning, but for the right camper this program is a game-changer. No prior computer science experience is required.

Apple Camp

Various locations
If your kid can’t let go of his screen for outdoor excitement, why fight it? This camp is just three, 90-minute sessions at your local Apple store, but your kid might pick up some useful tech tips (and bonus, you can hit the mall food court on the way home). This isn’t a drop-off opportunity, however: Apple makes it very clear that all campers must have a parent or legal guardian on-site for the duration of Apple Camp. With free wifi and often a Starbucks within eyeshot, of course, that’s not much of a sacrifice. Campers must be between the ages of 8 and 12. Some summers the camp is virtual only; check with your local store for this summer’s options.

LA Kids through the City of LA Parks and Recreation

Various locations — This program is currently on hold for 2022, but check with LA Kids, as the program may do something at the last moment.
Want a free camp for your kid aged 5 to 17 this summer? Look no further than the LA Parks system. The Department of Recreation and Parks, through the LA Kids program, has offered free programs and activities to youth ages 5-17 since 1996. It’s not just giving the kids a few balls and telling them to get some fresh air, either. In addition to an emphasis on health and fitness, the camps focus on the arts, drama, martial arts, dance, music, gymnastics, self-defense, skateboarding, sewing, science, and creative play. How’s that for comprehensive? Each year approximately 125,000 youths participate in classes and activities led by quality instructors in their fields.

RELATED: Online STEM Camps With Early-Bird Discounts and Special Offers

Camp Hollywoodland is a great first summer sleepaway camp for girls. Photo courtesy of Camp Hollywoodland

Cheap Summer Camps around LA

City of LA Parks and Recreation

Various locations
The Department of Recreation and Parks offers day camps at 120 Parks and Recreation Centers across the city of LA. It’s a fabulous program, and camp runs about $200 a week (or less) for a full day of camp 5 days a week, complete with lunch and snacks. The staff at all the camps that we’ve come across are amazing; combining indoor and outdoor activities with plenty of sports, arts and crafts, games, and outings for kids ages 5-12. Older kids can even return as CITs (counselors in training). These programs fill up fast so keep an eye on your local park and recreation center to see when registration starts. Kids can be registered online or in person.

Los Angeles Boys & Girls Club

East Los Angeles
Each summer the Boys & Girls Club of LA offers an activity-filled summer camp option that’s priced on a sliding scale—depending on your family income, prices can range from $45 to $200 per week. Kids get access to games, computers, field trips, dance instruction, ceramics, STEM classes, and even field trips. The camp is held from 7:30am to 6pm, but the day is full; there’s also baseball and swimming if you give the okay. You will also need to release your kids’ school records.

Camp Hollywoodland

Hollywood Hills
Called the best-kept secret in Los Angeles, this girls’ sleep-away camp just under the Hollywood sign has swimming, a climbing wall, outdoor living skills, nature awareness, field trips, and themed programs that include meals, lodging, snacks, equipment, and supervision. During the course of the day, campers choose activities by cabin groups, age groups, and individually. All activities are taught by trained and experienced staff. Weekly sessions begin Monday morning and end Friday evening. Girls 6 -14 years old are divided into cabin groups with a 3 year age span. Each cabin has between two and three counselors who sleep in the cabins with their campers. A separate Camper Leadership Development (CLD) Program is available for girls 15-17 years of age. While it’s a little pricier than the day camp options, this is still a steal for sleepaway camp!

Check with Griffith Park Boys’ Camp all year for special weekend camps, too. Photo courtesy of the camp

Griffith Park Boys’ Camp

Griffith Park
Operating since 1924, this boys’ sleep-away camp is a 10-acre facility you probably didn’t know existed. The grounds (which are close enough for a last-minute rescue, but know that will cost you part or all of your fee) have 16 bungalow-style cabins that sleep 10 and (to your son’s great relief) are air-conditioned and heated. The four bathroom/shower bungalows have hot and cold running water year-round, and the main lodge/dining hall has a wood-burning fireplace and a full-service kitchen. But your kid will be more excited by the 30 ft. rock climbing wall, high ropes challenge course, archery range, and miles of hiking trails. Boys ages 7-14 can sign up; spots are held for low-income applicants, too.

Moorpark Teaching Zoo

Moorpark
Got an elementary school kid who loves animals? America’s Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College has a Junior Safari Summer Camp for kids 1st through 6th grade. Kids can interact with the Zoo’s animal collection while participating in science-based learning experiences. Campers can attend full-day (8:30am to 4pm), early-bird half-day (8:30am to noon), or night owl half-day (12:30pm to 4pm). There’s even a counselor training program for teens 14-17, but note that this is a chance to work with kids, not animals.

YMCA

Various locations
While the Y has overnight camps, its day camps can offer almost all of the benefits of traditional camp—new experiences, skill-building, a sense of community, and lasting friendships—while allowing campers to return home each afternoon. YMCAs offer day camps for elementary school children, but some have offerings for preschoolers and teens, too. Chances are good there’s a Y day camp near you, as there are more than 1,850 across the country. This summer there are more than 20 camps in the LA area alone! Prices vary but are usually discounted for members.

Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles Summer Camp

Long Beach, Altadena
With day camp locations in Long Beach and Altadena, and an overnight program in Frazier Park, the Girl Scouts camps offer classic camp activities, including crafts, games, and campfires that provide opportunities for girls to discover, connect, and take action in ways that build their courage, confidence, and character.  Depending on location, girls can swim, try their hands at archery, challenge themselves on a ropes course or climbing towers, learn marine science, and more. Financial aid “Camperships” are available for campers whose family financial circumstances might otherwise prevent them from attending camp.

Camp Invention 

West Los Angeles
The next generation of engineers, inventors, and scientists will love this camp, which features robot building, a superhero-themed challenge to build a device to retrieve stolen ideas, and island survival tools. The camp is for five days for kids from kindergarten to 6th grade and is from 9am to 3:30pm. A leader-in-training program for kids in grades 7th through 9th may also be available but space is limited.

Vacation Bible School

Various locations
If your family is comfortable with a little religious curriculum in your summer camp experience, VBS is a very affordable solution. Many local churches across the county offer Vacation Bible School programs, which vary in religious content and price, of course. Any given church may only do a week or two of VBS, but that week may cost as little as $20. Check with your local church to see if they offer a summer camp.

Originally published February 2019, updated annually.

Affordable Kids Summer Camp in Pittsburgh. Romp n’ Roll

Are you searching for a summer camp for kids in Pittsburgh that is affordable? Camps that offer camping, outdoor adventure, and more certainly sound fun to your child but are often overpriced. Romp n’ Roll offers kids summer camps that are just as fun and much more affordable. Better yet, our camps focus on both play and learning. All of our activities are enrichment based, helping young children hone important developmental skills.

All of our camp instructors are trained and certified kid instructors. Every child will receive optimal attention and be encouraged to participate in activities and socialize with other campers. Whether your child is a social butterfly or a bit more shy, they’ll feel comfortable and accepted. Rompy approved activities include gym class, art and crafts, music lessons, and more.

Inquire Now at the Romp n’ Roll in Pittsburgh

Don’t wait until summer to enroll your child, as it’s highly likely spaces will fill up quickly! Inquire now about our action-packed summer camps and we will be happy to fill you in on all of the details. Never visited Romp n’ Roll before? We invite you to enroll your child in a trial class before committing to summer camp.

Have questions about our Camps & Events?

Contact Romp n’ Roll Pittsburgh East and we will get back to you shortly.

We host events all year round!

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Upcoming events and camps for kids in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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What Parent’s Say

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Schedule your trial class at Romp n’ Roll Pittsburgh East to see what all the fun is about!
Events, camps and specialty classes not included in trial class offerings

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More Reasons To Choose Romp n’ Roll Pittsburgh East

Welcoming Atmosphere

Our bright, whimsical facilities were thoughtfully crafted to stimulate and engage little ones while keeping them safe. An abundance of colorful vinyl foam in the design makes things comfortable and easy to clean. Babies, toddlers, and preschoolers have a blast on our age-appropriate gym equipment

Social Interaction

Little ones can socialize with other children and learn valuable life skills from each other. Our classes and activities are designed to foster independence, build confidence, and nurture creativity among kids between the ages of 3 months through 5 years old; providing peer-to-peer interaction that’s vital to their growth.

Growth & Development

Our play-based curriculum developed from extensive research and our own experiences. Our developmentally appropriate art, music, and movement classes and activities build physical and cognitive skills during these important formative years-but all kids know is that they’re having fun!

Parent-Child Connection

Based on our research, we discovered that little ones progress most effectively when they’re in the presence of parents and loved ones who express excitement and pride for their achievements. Our classes are parent-friendly, so they can take part in positive, shared fun with their child.

Birthday Parties

They make the mess. We clean it up.

Want to create lasting memories for your child’s birthday, without any of the stress of cleaning and planning? Allow our team to handle it! From providing paper and online invitations, to leading age-appropriate games and activities, to cleaning up… we do it all!

Birthday Party Packages

Perfect bday party ♡ everything was easy and the kids had a blast and the staff were wonderful!

— ,

Posted November 20th 2022 on facebook

Very pleasant and friendly environment

— Tianna,

Posted November 15th 2022 on google

Great friendly staff, clean, fun activities and equipment for the kiddos ! My son absolutely loves it here! I appreciate how all the staff takes time to learn and know about all the kids, it makes me comfortable to send my child here knowing he’s welcomed and cared for.

— Kaylin Thornhill,

Posted November 11th 2022 on google

We enjoy our times at Rompy, and although schedule is sometimes not the most compatible with naps, we love coming and the warm experiences we have there every time. We have been coming for the past year!
Thank you!

— Anna Gushchin,

Posted October 19th 2022 on google

It was a great balance of structured play and free time. My son burned a lot of energy climbing and sliding and dancing. I was happy to see him have so much fun. It was a nice, diverse group as well.

— Sara Difiore,

Posted October 2nd 2022 on google

Clean, inviting atmosphere with energetic teachers!

— Erin Herrman,

Posted September 27th 2022 on google

My grandson has a blast here!

— ,

Posted September 6th 2022 on facebook

Grandson’s first birthday party was held there. Very pleasant experience. Kids enjoyed jumping around in the play area as well as the events such as when the boatloads of bubbles were released all around them. Also you don’t have to try to find parking on the street since there was adequate off-street parking at the …

— E Ganesh Seshadri,

Posted September 4th 2022 on google

We came here for an event and I’m glad I did. I didn’t know this place existed. My son and daughter had a great time playing on the slide, jungle gym and other play items.
They enjoyed the songs and of course the bubble play at the end. There is parking if you go up the side of the building, I didn’t see it until I w…

— Kenesha Travis,

Posted September 2nd 2022 on google

Clean facility, fun and knowledgeable staff, and lots of play equipment!

— Sarah Mangan,

Posted August 7th 2022 on google

Excellent service, super clean. They made it very easy for to enjoy our sons bday party. Highly recommend the place and we will be sure to reserve this spot in the future

— Shyam Nair,

Posted August 3rd 2022 on google

I brought my 2.5 year old here on a whim one afternoon for their $10 open gym free play. The gym is clean, bright and perfect for little ones. Lots of equipment, toys and fun. We enjoyed it so much we came back for a tumble tunes trial class. Upon arrival, the workers explained they are a membership-based program and o…

— Raphaela Granata,

Posted July 27th 2022 on google

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Posted June 30th 2022 on facebook

The environment is clean and perfect for individual and group play. My daughter had such a fun time! Also, the staff is extremely friendly and helpful!

— Brenda Crosby,

Posted June 4th 2022 on google

We attended a friend’s birthday over the weekend and it was so magical! There was free play, scheduled pizza and cake time, then really fun activities that kept all the kids (and adults) engaged. My 3 kids (6, 4, 2) had a blast and came home tired and happy. Don’t forget your socks!

— Shannon Allen,

Posted May 31st 2022 on google

Love the staff and the atmosphere. Feels like family. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

— Alexis Ruberto,

Posted April 21st 2022 on google

Hidden gem! Kids loved it. Fun and safe and so great to have an option for kiddos under 5. Would definitely go back!

— Rejina Kaplan,

Posted March 25th 2022 on google

Amazing ! Clean and welcoming ! Our 2 year old has a blast, is safe, learns social skills and begs to come back! Absolutely incredible place

— Tom Duer,

Posted March 14th 2022 on google

Great atmosphere for kids, wonderful staff and the equipment is always clean

— Chelsea Batko,

Posted February 9th 2022 on google

Highly recommend bringing your kids here! The staff was friendly, polite and accommodating. The play area was clean, huge, safe, and tons of fun things for kids of many ages to engage in.

— Leigh Ann Aiken,

Posted February 5th 2022 on google

Inexpensive children’s camps on the Black Sea, prices 2022

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