2026 Camps Guide

By VOICE-TRIBUNE

Now is the time of year when calendars start filling up, which makes it the perfect time to think about camps! Whether your child is curious, creative, athletic, or all of the above, these local camps will keep them busy and engaged. Many programs are already opening registration, answering questions, and filling spots, so reaching out early can make all the difference. This guide is here to help families explore options, connect with organizers, and confidently enroll before programs are full. 

Children in the Dell returns to Yew Dell Botanical Gardens for summer 2026, inviting families to explore the gardens through curiosity, creativity and play. This long-running, much-loved program offers a relaxed, drop-in experience designed to spark a sense of wonder in young visitors while encouraging meaningful connections with nature. 

Held on Saturdays in June and July*Children in the Dell features hands-on, informal activities inspired by the many creatures that call Yew Dell home. From birds and pollinators to imaginative garden dwellers like fairies, each week offers a new lens through which children can explore the landscape. Activities are thoughtfully designed to blend education with discovery, giving families the freedom to participate at their own pace while wandering the gardens together. 

Whether it’s observing insects up close, creating nature-inspired art, or learning how wildlife and plants depend on one another, Children in the Dell encourages kids to look more closely at the world around them — and to see the gardens in a whole new way. Families are welcome to return week after week, as activities rotate, bringing fresh experiences throughout the summer. 

Best of all, Children in the Dell is included with general admission, making it an easy and accessible way to spend a summer morning immersed in nature. Join us at Yew Dell Botanical Gardens and discover why this program continues to inspire generations of garden explorers. 

*There will be no program on July 4, grounds are closed. 

Summer Starts at the Y 

When school lets out, the adventure begins at YMCA Camp Piomingo and YMCA Summer Day Camps—where kids discover confidence, friendships, and unforgettable summer memories. 

Nestled along the Ohio River in Brandenburg, YMCA Camp Piomingo offers the magic of traditional overnight camp with archery, zip lines, horseback riding, swimming, and campfires under the stars. It’s a place where children unplug and grow through hands-on experiences in nature—all in a safe, supportive environment led by caring, trained staff. Construction will begin this spring on the only Watch Tower at a YMCA camp in the U.S. This 360-degree scenic overlook will give campers a unique place to build confidence as they climb more than 40 feet to the observation deck. The Watch Tower will also have a giant swing and will be a new focal point for adventure and reflection. 

For families looking for daytime fun closer to home, YMCA Summer Day Camps provide weekly adventures filled with games, crafts, physical activities, swimming, and field trips. Campers build social skills, stay active, and explore new interests—all while returning home each afternoon with stories to tell. 

For kids who thrive outdoors, Camp Honor Bright is our all-outdoor summer day camp experience located in So. Indiana. From hiking and outdoor exploration to team challenges and nature-based learning, Camp Honor Bright gives campers the freedom to roam, play, and connect with the natural world every day—rain or shine. Campers swim weekly with their summer pass to the Jeffersonville Aquatic Center. 

At the Y, summer is about more than fun. It’s about building character, confidence, and a lifelong love of being active. Camps are open to Y members and non-members, with financial assistance available. 

The Parklands Outdoor Adventure Day Camps 

At The Parklands’ Outdoor Adventure Day Camps, learning leaps off the page and into the creek! Designed for curious kids who love to explore, our camps blend hands-on science investigations with outdoor adventure—creating a place where your child can engage with nature, build confidence, and enjoy being a kid. 

Campers spend their days exploring the forests and waterways of The Parklands of Floyds Fork. Each program balances learning with exploration through immersive outdoor experiences. Depending on the season and age group, activities can include hiking nature trails, creek-walking, fishing or kayaking on Floyds Fork, archery, biking, games, science experiments, and more. From building dams to seine-net fishing and discovering crawfish up close, campers connect with nature in meaningful, memorable ways. 

What truly sets our camps apart is our staff. Our counselors are knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and committed to creating a fun, safe, and engaging experience for every camper, turning everyday discoveries into moments they remember. 

This year, we are offering Spring Break Camp (Apr. 6–10, 2026), Summer Camp (choose from 8 weeks June–July 2026), Fall Break Camp (Sept. 28–Oct. 2, 2026), and Winter Break Camp (Dec. 21–30, 2026). 

Camps are open to grades K–6, with summer sessions for grades 7–9. Rates are discounted for Members of The Parklands, and scholarships may be available for students attending Title I schools. 

Learn more and register at theparklands.org. 

Join us this summer at The Louisville Ballet School for camps and classes for all ages! With half-day camps for our 3-5 year olds to full-day extended care camps for ages 6-18, be sure to visit thelouisvilleballetschool.org for more information!

Learn about theatre. Play games. Make new friends. Have a blast! 

StageOne Academy summer camps encourage students of all ages and abilities to explore and practice the fundamentals – and the fun – of theatre! Choose from a variety of experiences to fit your child’s interest. 

• 2- and 3-Week Performance Camps: James & the Giant Peach Jr, School of Rock: The Musical - Young Actors Edition, Mean Girls Jr, and 101 Dalmatians KIDS. 

• Theme Weeks: From secret agents to time travel to a Jedi Academy and Disney characters, there’s something for everyone! 

• Drama Skills Camps: Playwriting labs, improv, and audition skills. Plus, music theatre featuring Wicked and a special advanced skills class that focuses on Shakespeare. 

With a hands-on, encouraging approach to theatre arts, StageOne Academy serves as a dynamic space for students – ages 5 to 18 – to learn and grow. Each session ends with a sharing, and multi-week performance camps culminate in a production with sets, props, and costumes on our stage at Walden Theatre! 

Led by local professional artists and educators, our camps are designed to meet students exactly where they are – whether this is their first performance opportunity or they’re a seasoned veteran of the stage. 

All camps are located at Walden Theatre on StageOne’s campus, 1123 Payne Street. Visit www.stageone.org/summer-camp for a list of camps and registration details. 

Give your young artist a summer they’ll never forget at Whet Your Palette, now celebrating our 14th year of enriching young minds through creativity and fun. 

Flexible options. Families can build the schedule that works best for them 

• Morning, midday, afternoon sessions at 9am, 12noon & 3pm 

• Combine all three for a full-day experience - 

• By day or by week. ($29 per day/session, $104-115 per week/session) 

• Sibling & All-Day Discounts 

This year’s Summer Art Camps feature a fun lineup of themed weeks designed to spark imagination and confidence in every child. Artists can journey through Amazing Animals Art, tinker and invent in S.T.E.A.M. Makers, or build big ideas in Cardboard Creations and Game Art Quest. Kids who love stories and fantasy will be enchanted by Fairy Hollow, Harry Potter Art, and Disney’s Magic Kingdoms–inspired creations, while young creators with big feelings and energy can dive into Messy Masterpieces, Lost Things (found-objects), and faith-based Art For His Glory. 

Each camp includes painting and a variety of mixed-media projects, with brand-new activities every year so returning campers are always surprised and excited. In a warm, encouraging studio environment, children are guided by experienced instructors who help them explore color, texture, storytelling, and imagination while building real art skills. Whether your child joins us for a single day of creative play or a full week of deep-dive art adventures, Whet Your Palette is the perfect place to make friends, make memories, and make art all summer long.