Summer is right around the corner in Akron, with students, teachers and parents just waiting for the final school bells to ring. And summer means summer camps — there are dozens throughout the area.
Below is a select offering of programs available for free throughout the city. Full lists can be found through the city’s Recreation and Parks department or the county’s 211 website.
Akron Public Schools offers a range of summer programming for students, some of which are open to any student while others depend on grade levels.
Parents interested in registering students for APS Summer Experience programs must create an account through SchoolJoy. Instructions on how to register can be found here. If you need assistance or have questions, call 330-761-3067 or email email expandedlearning@apslearns.org.
Here are highlights of Akron Public Schools’ summer offerings. You can check out the full list, broken down by schools, here.
Did we miss a free summer camp in the Akron area? Email Signal Akron Education Reporter Andrew Keiper at andrew@signalakron.org to add to our list.
Bridge to Kindergarten
APS offers the Bridge to Kindergarten Summer Academy through Project GRAD for families entering kindergarten. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 1:20 p.m. at Schumacher CLC.
“The program focuses on strengthening kindergarten readiness skills, including reading, math, social, physical, and motor development for the students and offers Parents as Partners workshops and events for parents and caregivers,” the program description reads.
Camp Invention
Students can take advantage of Camp Invention, a district program offered at a number of its elementary schools. The enrichment program runs Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and is available for students in kindergarten through sixth grade.
Importantly, interested parents are urged NOT to register for Camp Invention through SchoolJoy. Instead, paper registration forms are available at the schools, or parents can email tstarks@apslearns.org to register.
Camp Invention is offered at the following Community Learning Centers:
- David Hill
- Hatton
- Helen Arnold
- Hyre
- King
- McEbright
- Pfieffer
- Sam Salem
Gilby’s Garden Club
If your child has a green thumb, register them to join Gilby’s Garden Club. The program runs Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Parents must register for this program through SchoolJoy; it’s held off school property at Akron Cooperative Garden (743 Gaylan Dr.).
YMCA Safety Around Water
The district is advertising the YMCA’s water-safety classes for students in third through fifth grade. Lessons will include exercises to help kids adjust to being in the water and build skills to help them if they unexpectedly wind up wet.
Swimsuits are provided and space is limited, so registration is on a first come, first served basis. The class includes six free swim lessons from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the University of Akron (382 Carroll St.).
Registration through SchoolJoy and a swim waiver must be submitted before June 20. The dates of the program are July 28, 29 and 31 and Aug. 4, 5 and 6.
Akron Inner City Soccer Club
If your student is an aspiring footballer, the Akron Inner City Soccer Club offers a free camp on Monday through Friday evenings in June and July.
Interested parents can find more information on the club’s website here or through the local 211 service here.
YMCA day camps
YMCAs throughout Summit County offer day camps for teens throughout the summer. There are dozens of locations to choose from, and interested students and parents can find their local YMCA through the county’s 211 service.
Camps through the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Garden Camp Day Camp 2025 | Ages 8-12 | Aug. 4-6
Learn all about the art, science, and joy of gardening at the Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center.
This free three-day camp will allow campers to explore the wonders of gardening, learn how to create a successful and sustainable garden and start thinking about food systems and food justice. Campers will learn about the entire gardening process and experience local food production in the Cuyahoga Valley.
Daily drop off at 8:45 a.m. Pick up at 3 p.m.
Junior Ranger Day Camp (JRDC) — Ages 6 to 12
JRDC campers will learn about our national park through play and work toward earning their official CVNP Jr. Ranger badge.
Week 1 — July 21-26
Outdoor Adventure
Junior Rangers will learn how to use a map & compass, tie knots, and discover the importance of Leave No Trace. They’ll also learn how to set up different types of campsite shelters and how to stay safe outdoors. Highlights include outdoor cooking, pond exploration, and crafting art in nature!
Week 2 — July 28 to Aug. 1
Explore
Junior Rangers will explore what makes the National Park Service so diverse. They’ll discover other national parks while comparing their resources to what Cuyahoga Valley has to offer. Highlights include pond studies, hikes in the forest, learning about bats, tree investigations and an encounter with a volcano.
Daily drop off at 8:45 a.m. Pick up at 3 p.m. Junior Ranger campers must pack their lunches. Snacks will be provided.
Crooked River Exploration Camp (CREC) — Ages 6 to 12
CREC is focused on serving the Old Brooklyn neighborhood of Cleveland. Each CREC session is a 3-day experience learning about and exploring the natural world in our community and national park.
Session 1 — June 11-13
Campers will explore the Cleveland Metroparks at the Brookside Reservation, make new friends, and engage in a variety of hands-on learning activities. Camp also includes field trips to the Great Lakes Science Center and to Virginia Kendall Ledges to discover CVNP’s impressive rock formations!
Session 2 — July 16-18
Campers will explore Cleveland Metroparks at the Brookside Reservation, take a field trip to the newly renovated Cleveland Museum of Natural History for a live animal program and planetarium show and visit a local farm in CVNP to pick blueberries.
While in CVNP, they’ll also go to the visitor center to meet rangers and learn more about the park’s history.
Session 3 — Aug. 13-15
This water-themed camp will begin at a local Brooklyn shelter, where campers will engage in games, team-building activities, and journaling. Camp field trips include visits to the Cleveland Aquarium and CVNP. While in the national park, campers will go creek-walking and learn about CVNP’s diverse aquatic ecosystem.
Daily drop off at 9 a.m.. Pick up at 3 p.m.. The camp will cover expenses for lunch, snacks and transportation during the program.
Financial aid is available for JRDC and CREC. To learn more about summer camps and register, simply set up a CampBrain account or use your existing login.