Summer Camps in Tampa 2026: Complete Guide for Families

Summer in Tampa is long, hot, and best survived with a plan. The good news is Tampa Bay has camps for nearly any kid: marine biologists, future coders, theater kids, athletes, and the ones who just want to make a mess and swim. The catch is timing. The best camps open registration in winter and the most popular ones sell out, so book early.

Below is a category-by-category rundown of verified camp providers across Tampa, Clearwater, St. Pete, Brandon, and Wesley Chapel. Camp prices and session dates change every year, so where a price isn't confirmed for 2026, plan to check the provider's site for current rates and dates.

Science & museum camps

MOSI: STEAM Camps

Engineering, coding, robotics, marine biology, cooking science, and video-game coding, led by certified teachers with planetarium access. Roughly $99–$333 per week depending on the camp; paid extended care available.
Ages: 4–17 (by grade) · Location: 4801 E Fowler Ave, Tampa · mosi.org

The Florida Aquarium: Summer AquaCamps

Weekly aquatic and science themes, animal encounters, and field trips, from AquaTots up through full-day travel camps, with a SCUBA certification option and camp sleepover for older kids.
Ages: 3–18 · Location: 701 Channelside Dr, Tampa · flaquarium.org · Check site for 2026 pricing.

Glazer Children's Museum: Camp Imagination

Themed play-based weeks with museum exhibit access, snacks, and a camp t-shirt, including a few neurodiversity-affirming weeks.
Ages: grades K–5 · Location: 110 W Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa · glazermuseum.org · Check site for 2026 pricing.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium: Marine Science Camps

Snorkeling, kayaking, and animal interactions with rescued dolphins, sea turtles, and otters, led by Coast Guard-certified captains; half- and full-day options plus advanced marine biology.
Ages: young kids through high school · Location: 249 Windward Passage, Clearwater · cmaquarium.org · Check site for 2026 pricing.

Tampa Museum of Art: Summer Art Camp

Art-making in the education center and galleries, with themed weeks including ceramics, digital art, and photography. 2026 half-day camps run about $220 ($175 for members); ceramics about $250 ($200 members).
Ages: 6–17 · Location: 120 W Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa · tampamuseum.org

YMCA day camps

Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA: Summer Day Camp

ACA-accredited day camp with arts and crafts, STEM, sports, swimming, and group games, plus new half-day options for 2026. Free supervision 7am–6pm around the 9am–4pm camp day; a small per-week down payment holds your spot.
Ages: 6+ (kindergarten completed) · Locations: New Tampa, North Brandon, South Tampa, Plant City, Spurlino, Camp Cristina, and more · tampaymca.org/letscamp

YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg: Summer Day Camp

Y curriculum with STEM, literacy, field trips, and swimming. 2026 rates run about $250/week ($190 for members) plus a registration fee.
Ages: school-age · Locations: multiple St. Petersburg sites · stpeteymca.org

STEM & coding camps

iD Tech at USF

Coding, Minecraft modding, game development (Roblox, Unreal Engine), robotics and BattleBots, 3D printing, and AI, with day and overnight options. 2026 sessions start around $1,079.
Ages: 7–17 · Location: USF, 4202 E Fowler Ave, Tampa · idtech.com

Code Ninjas: Tampa area

Robotics, Roblox, Minecraft, and coding camps in week-long, half-day AM/PM blocks, at franchise locations including Carrollwood, Wesley Chapel, and Trinity. Confirm the specific location, address, and current pricing on the locator, since franchise sites vary.
Ages: 5–14 · codeninjas.com

Nature camp

Brooker Creek Preserve: Nature Day Camp

A long-running, science-based nature camp focused on amphibians and reptiles, set on an 8,300-acre Pinellas preserve. Check the site for the age range, dates, and price.
Location: Tarpon Springs / NE Pinellas · brookercreekpreserve.org

Sports camps

University of Tampa Spartans Sports Camps

Coach-run camps in baseball, basketball, volleyball, lacrosse, soccer, softball, and swimming.
Ages: roughly 5–17 · Location: University of Tampa, downtown · tampaspartans.com

Jesuit High School Sports Camps

One-week camps led by varsity coaches in baseball, basketball, football, lacrosse, soccer, and more.
Ages: elementary–middle school · Location: Jesuit High School, Tampa · jesuittampa.org

Berkeley Prep Summer Sports Camps

Tennis, pickleball, flag football, soccer, basketball, lacrosse, jiu-jitsu, rock climbing, swimming and diving, golf, and track.
Location: Berkeley Prep, Town 'n' Country · berkeleyprep.org

Performing arts

Patel Conservatory at the Straz Center

Music, theater, and dance camps, including full musical-theater productions. Production camps are premium (well over $1,000), but many shorter, more affordable week-long camps exist, and financial aid is available.
Ages: as young as 5 through college · Location: Straz Center, 1010 N W.C. MacInnes Pl, Tampa · strazcenter.org

Animal & specialty camps

ZooTampa at Lowry Park: Summer Camps

Animal-focused day camps, 9am–4pm. These fill fast. Recent summers sold out with a waitlist, so register early.
Location: Lowry Park, Tampa · zootampa.org

Brandon Academy: Summer Camp

Half-day AM/PM and full-day camps spanning sports, ceramics, improv, woodworking, and cooking.
Ages: entering grades K–12 · Location: Brandon · brandon-academy.com

Great Explorations Children's Museum: Summer Camp

Themed weekly camps mixing museum playtime and activities for younger kids. Confirm the current grade range, dates, and price.
Location: 1925 4th St N, St. Petersburg · greatex.org

Budget-friendly options

Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation

Traditional, teen, specialty, and adaptive recreation camps at county rec centers, including Brandon Park & Rec (502 E Sadie St). Low cost; register through your local rec center. hcfl.gov

City of Tampa Parks & Recreation

Three-day to one-week camps, half or full day, with specialties in visual and theater arts, sports, and aquatics. Registration typically opens in spring. tampa.gov/parks-and-recreation

How to lock in a camp

• Register early. Many camps open in January–February, and the most popular ones (ZooTampa, museum camps) sell out. Members usually get first access.
• Confirm current pricing and dates. Both change yearly; treat any price here as a ballpark and verify on the provider's site.
• Ask about extended care. YMCA and museum camps often include or offer before- and after-care, which can make or break a work schedule.
• Check what's included. Lunch, snacks, t-shirts, and field-trip costs vary by camp.

Plan the rest of summer

Pair camp weeks with our free things to do in Tampa for the off days, and dig into the camp host venues with our MOSI, Florida Aquarium, and ZooTampa guides.