The 5 Best Summer Camps

Summer vacation opens the door to new adventures, friendships and opportunities for children to discover their interests. In Steamboat Springs, summer camps offer everything from outdoor exploration and environmental science to performing arts, sports and creative learning. The Best of the Boat 2026 showcases summer camp programs that keep young people active, engaged and learning while providing families with enriching options during the school break.

Boys & Girls Club of Steamboat Springs

The Boys & Girls Club of Steamboat Springs offers summer day camps for children and teens ages 5-18, combining recreation with educational enrichment and personal development. Activities include arts and crafts, STEM projects, sports, literacy support, field trips and leadership workshops. Designed to provide affordable summer care for working families, the program emphasizes positive peer relationships, healthy activities and opportunities to maintain academic skills outside the classroom.

BookTrails

Reading and outdoor adventure come together at BookTrails, where summer camps combine literacy education with exploration of the natural world. Based at the organization's Reading Ranch in Steamboat Springs, the programs engage elementary and middle school students through storytelling, creative writing, environmental science and hands-on wilderness activities. Campers also explore survival skills and literature-inspired adventures, building connections between reading, creativity and outdoor discovery.

Yampatika

Yampatika introduces young campers to the natural environment of the Yampa Valley through hands-on science and outdoor exploration. Operating from the Environmental Learning Center at Legacy Ranch and surrounding public lands, its summer nature camps serve children from prekindergarten through middle school. Professional environmental educators guide activities such as wildlife tracking, stream ecology, forest exploration, hiking and conservation projects, encouraging curiosity about local ecosystems.

Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School and Camp

Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School and Camp brings young artists together for immersive summer training on its historic 75-acre campus in Strawberry Park. Recognized as the nation's oldest continuously operating performing arts camp, the program offers instruction in theater, dance, musical theater, creative writing, equestrian arts and fine art. Middle school, high school and college-age participants work with professional instructors and guest artists through workshops, studio sessions and live performances presented during the summer.

Summer Camp || City of Steamboat Springs

The City of Steamboat Springs Parks and Recreation Department provides licensed summer day camps for school-age children through programs including ASPIRE and Camp Link. Camp activities feature swimming trips, outdoor recreation, sports, arts and crafts, park visits and regional field trips. Designed around physical activity, social development and community exploration, the programs offer structured summer care while giving children opportunities to enjoy recreational experiences throughout the Yampa Valley.

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