New Castle County Summer Camps

American Karate Studio runs a full-day summer camp (9 AM–3 PM) for kids ages 5–12 at its Branmar Plaza location in North Wilmington. Days mix martial-arts instruction with outdoor games, team activities, books and board games, and a weekly life-skills seminar, rotating across the studio's four training floors. No prior karate experience or AKS membership required. Extended hours (7:30 AM–5:30 PM) are available for an added fee. Campers pack their own lunch and snacks. Camp runs eight individual weeks from mid-June through late August (no sessions the weeks of July 27 or August 3).

Good for: Active kids who like to move — martial arts plus games, team activities, and life-skills seminars. Open to non-members and beginners.

Themed weekly summer day camp at ASPIRA Academy in Newark for kids who have completed kindergarten through age 13. Hands-on themes (imagination explorers, dinosaur detectives, tropical adventures, sports challenges, creative building), enriching field trips, and splash days. Specific 2026 weeks confirmed at registration.

Good for: Ages 5-13 in Newark at Las Américas ASPIRA Academy (326 Ruthar Dr). Themed weeks (Dinosaur Detectives, Tropical Paradise, Wacky Olympics, Spotlight Superstars). Most 2026 weeks are already on a waitlist — only Week 10 (Aug 10-14) was still open at last check. If you're considering it, get on a waitlist now rather than wait to decide.

An intensive week-long summer piano program for students ages 10–18 at The Music School of Delaware in Wilmington, July 20–25, 2026. Pianists advance their skills through lessons and guest-artist masterclasses. Tuition $435.

Good for: Piano intensive at the Music School of Delaware (Wilmington campus). Full-day, one week in July, for pianists ages 10–18.

Historic crafts and pastimes — toymaking, gardening, dancing, cooking — at Hagley. Runs two weeks; ages 7–9.

Good for: Ages 7-9 at Hagley. A week of historic crafts — toymaking, gardening, period dance, cooking. Pick this for a kid drawn to "how things were made," not for STEM/tech-oriented kids (the STEAM Maker Camp is the other Hagley lane).

Inclusive weekly day camp for kids entering grades 1–8, plus specialty camps and teen programs (LIT, Teen Trips). Field trips, swim, and themed weeks; before/after care to 5:30 pm. Early childhood (ages 2–rising K) is separate.

Good for: Best if you want a camp where swim is daily, not optional, and an inclusion program is built in. Sits on 32 outdoor acres in Wilmington. Jewish values (kehillah, kavod, chesed, yosher) are part of the day — open to all families but worth knowing going in.

Summer horseback program at Wellspring Farm for ages 6–13 — unmounted and mounted lessons, crafts, and opportunities for families to observe sessions. Runs across roughly 10 summer weeks; weekly dates and pricing confirmed at registration.

Good for: Ages 6-13 beginner riders — no horse experience needed. Two mounted sessions every day (lessons, bareback, mounted games, trail rides) plus hands-on horsemanship (grooming, saddling, bathing, braiding). Friday is Family Day. The farm hits capacity every year with a waitlist — register early.

Girl Scouts of Chesapeake Bay runs day camps and mini camps for girls grades 1-8 at their Hockessin, DE site (Camp Country Center). Open to non-Girl Scouts. Activities focus on outdoor skills, archery, hiking, and STEM.

Good for: Grades 1-5 girls (and rising K who've completed kindergarten). 40+ acres in Hockessin with archery, hiking, and STEM — heaviest outdoor-time of any NCC camp at this price point. Theme weeks (Explore More Art/Games/Stories/Taking the Stage) determine which Girl Scout badge activities the camper works on. New this year: optional Thursday overnight at camp (+$50). You do NOT have to be a current Girl Scout to attend.

Delaware FC (DEFC North) summer soccer camps at the club's Smith Estate in Hockessin — Soccer & Swim camps run at North Star Swim Club in Newark — for ages 3–18. Full-day camps 9 a.m.–3 p.m.; Discovery is a half-day for ages 3–5 (9–11 a.m.); evening Elite Training clinics with Kyle Ellis (U11–U18); Girls/Boys Competitive weeks are for travel-team players (email the camp director to attend). June 15–August 14.

Good for: Ages 3-18 across multiple tracks — Discovery (3-5, half-day morning), full-day kids' camps, evening Elite Training for older U11-U18 players, plus travel-team-only Competitive weeks. The 3-5 morning option is rare for a soccer-only program in NCC. Some weeks include swim at North Star Swim Club.

Free five-week summer camp from First State Squash in Wilmington for grades 5–8 — squash group lessons, an elective, literacy classes, and field trips. Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m., July 8–August 8. Financial aid, transportation, and free meals available.

Good for: Grades 5-8 — FREE, full mornings, 5 weeks. Squash lessons + literacy classes + electives + field trips, with financial aid, transportation, and free meals. The strongest equity option in NCC summer camps for older kids.

Academic enrichment courses at Sanford School in Hockessin, run by Sanford (separate from the ESF day camps). Teen courses (grades 9–12) include creative writing, engineering, graphic design, digital photography, acting, and health; JumpStart grade-prep (grades 1–4) and "I Am Independent" (PreK–K) help younger kids get ready for the next grade. Most are 10-day (two-week) half-day courses, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. (teens) or 9 a.m.–noon.

Good for: PreK-12th grade academic-enrichment courses on the Sanford School campus. Teens (9-12) get serious electives like creative writing, engineering, graphic design, photography, acting. JumpStart (1-4) and "I Am Independent" (PreK-K) help kids prep for the coming grade. Two-week half-day format.

Themed weekly art camps for ages 6–12 at the Delaware Art Museum (a few run two weeks). Each week is a different studio focus — cartooning, sculpture, theater, animation. Daily times and per-week price confirmed at registration.

Good for: Ages 6-12 with themed studio weeks at the Delaware Art Museum — cartooning, sculpture, theater, animation. Pick this over a school art room camp if you want the museum's gallery access and real materials. Some weeks span two weeks for deeper work.

Day camp on Concord Pike in North Wilmington for ages 6–12, organized into four age-based “Nations.” Weekly themes; 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Jun 15–Aug 14, 2026.

Good for: Working-parent families who want a steady, full-day schedule and an age-grouped social pod for the whole summer.

Good for: Best for ages 12–15 ready to get on the water — canoe trips and paddling at Ashland Nature Center.

Day camp on the Caravel Academy campus in Bear for ages 5–14: themed weeks with sports, games, swim, field trips, and social-emotional learning. Day 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m.; before care from 7 a.m. and after care to 6 p.m. 9-week program beginning June 2026.

Good for: Kids who like variety — sports, swim, and field trips under one roof — and parents who need a long window with early drop-off and late pickup.

Ten weeks of art day camps at the Center for the Creative Arts in Yorklyn for grades K–9, in three grade bands (K–2, 3–5, 6–9) with separate morning and afternoon camps each week. Themes span drawing, painting, clay and wheel throwing, glass fusion, comics, theater, printmaking, fiber arts, and culinary arts. June 15–August 21 (no camp June 19). A $25 materials fee applies to some camps; ceramics pieces are ready 3–4 weeks after camp.

Good for: Grades K-9, ten weeks, AM/PM half-day slots — so you can do a half-day art week AND a half-day other-thing week. Real studio access: clay wheel, glass fusion, ceramics. Pick this over a school-based art camp if your kid wants serious studio work, not crafts.

Two summer programs at Centreville Layton School: an Academic Morning Program (transitional K–grade 8) with small-group reading, writing, and math support 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., and a Recreational Afternoon Program with games, technology, arts and crafts, science, and pool visits. Language and occupational therapy available in small groups.

Good for: Best if your child needs academic reinforcement over the summer — mornings (8:30-12:30) are real, structured reading/writing/math instruction with small groups, NOT camp games. Afternoons are recreation (gym, arts & crafts, twice-weekly swim at a local swim club). OT and Speech Therapy available for kids with an existing IEP or evaluation on file. Application-based (not open enrollment) with a May 16 deadline and an admissions review — plan ahead.

Weekly summer day camp at Christ Church Episcopal Preschool in Greenville for ages 2–5. Half day 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. or full day 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; eight weeks, June 22–August 14.

Good for: Ages 2-5 — preschool day camp at a small Greenville church-school. Half OR full-day option, 8 weeks straight Jun 22 - Aug 14. Pick this if you want consistent staffing all summer rather than rotating themed weeks.

Tech day camps at Code Ninjas in Hockessin for ages 5–14 — coding, robotics, Roblox, Minecraft, AI, cybersecurity, YouTube, and more. Eleven themed weeks, June 8–August 21. Each week offers a full-day option (9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. with lunch) and AM or PM half-day options. Extended care available 8–9 a.m. and 3:30–5 p.m.

Good for: Ages 5-14 for kids drawn to coding, Roblox, Minecraft, AI, or cybersecurity. 11 themed weeks with full-day OR AM/PM half-day options at the Hockessin studio. Lunch included on full days. Better than a generic STEM camp if your kid already likes computers.

Nature and science day camps at the Delaware Museum of Nature & Science. Half-day (ages 4–6, 9 a.m.–noon), full-day (ages 5–8, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.), and STEAM Workshops (ages 9–14, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.). Drop-in Tiny Explorers for ages 6 months–4 (with a caregiver) run Wednesdays & Thursdays, 9–10 a.m. Season Jun 8–Aug 21.

Good for: Science-curious kids at almost any age — half-day works for preschoolers and the STEAM workshops give older kids something meatier.

Good for: Best for ages 5–7 who like imaginative outdoor play at Ashland Nature Center.

HAC Summer Camp at the Hockessin Athletic Club: PAC II for ages 3 (by 12/31/25)–rising kindergartener, and PAC III (rising 1st grader–age 12) with Athletic and Exploration tracks. Daily swim, indoor gym, and Tweed’s Park; before care (7–9 a.m.) and after care (4–5:30 p.m.) included. Pizza Fridays. 10 themed weeks, Jun 8–Aug 14 (closed Jul 3).

Good for: Active kids who want to be moving all day, and parents who value daily swim plus a real before/after-care window.

Full-day summer camp at the Latin American Community Center in Wilmington for grades K–6 — STEM, arts, sports, and crafts. 6:45 a.m.–5:30 p.m. (designed for working families); breakfast, lunch, and snack included. June 15–August 18, 10 weeks. Purchase of Care accepted.

Good for: Grades K-6 — full-day with the longest hours in NCC (6:45 AM - 5:30 PM) and breakfast, lunch, and snack included. 10 weeks straight. Built for working families. Purchase of Care accepted. The widest-window low-cost option in NCC.

Good for: Ages 10-13 who like history and hands-on projects — a free week on New Castle's government (Revolution-era vs. today), capped by a group research project presented at the public library.

Summer EDGE sports camps at Salesianum School in Wilmington — single-sport and multi-sport weeks for kids roughly ages 5–18 (grades K–12). Most run mornings or 9 a.m.–3 p.m.; see each week for sport, age band, time, and price. (Salesianum also runs academic enrichment workshops and an AI Scholars program separately.)

Good for: Ages 5-18 with single-sport and multi-sport weeks. The Catholic-school setting means Salesianum-affiliated coaches, but camp is open to all. Most weeks are mornings or full-day. Strong fit for kids who want to try a sport without joining a year-round program.

Free summer program from the Choir School of Delaware for ages 10–18 — academic enrichment, music, and field trips. Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m., June 22–July 31. Daily transportation available.

Good for: Ages 10-18, FREE, with daily transportation. Academic enrichment + music + field trips, Mon-Fri 8 AM - 5 PM. Run by the Choir School of Delaware. The longest-day free program in NCC for older kids — built for working families who can't cover all summer.

Good for: Best for ages 9–12 who like old-fashioned outdoor adventure at Ashland Nature Center.

Good for: Best for ages 7–9 who like making art from nature at Ashland Nature Center.

Good for: Best for ages 9–12 who love fantasy and reptiles at Coverdale Farm Preserve.

Good for: Best for ages 9–12 who want to learn to paddle — canoeing basics at Ashland Nature Center.

Good for: Best for ages 5–7 who like to cook — farm-to-table cooking at Coverdale Farm Preserve.

Good for: Best for ages 7–9 curious about ecosystems — hands-on field science at Ashland Nature Center.

Good for: Best for ages 9–12 who like farm chores and challenges at Coverdale Farm Preserve.

Good for: Best for ages 7–9 who want to help with real farm work at Coverdale Farm Preserve.

Good for: Best for ages 9–12 interested in photography — shooting the outdoors at Ashland Nature Center.

Good for: Best for ages 5–7 who like building and making at Ashland Nature Center.

Teen art camps (ages 13–17) at the Delaware Art Museum — clay, glass fusing, illustration, creative writing, and theater (some run two weeks). Daily times and per-week price confirmed at registration.

Good for: Ages 13-17 at the Delaware Art Museum studio — real materials (clay, glass fusing) and adult-level disciplines (illustration, creative writing, theater). Pick this if your teen is past kids' art camps and ready for studio work. Some weeks span two weeks.

Weekly sports day camps at Tower Hill School in Wilmington for kids entering grades 1–9 (fall 2026). Each week is a different sport or multi-sport program; full-day weeks run 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m., half-day clinics 8:30–11:30 a.m. A $10 processing fee applies per registration.

Good for: Grades 1-9 weekly sports camps at Tower Hill's campus. Full-day OR half-day morning clinic — useful if you want flexibility week-to-week. Pick by sport interest; $10 processing fee per week.

Good for: Best for ages 5–7 just starting to explore nature — gentle outdoor discovery at Ashland Nature Center.

Good for: Best for ages 12–15 into field biology — counting and identifying species at Ashland Nature Center.

Good for: Best for ages 7–9 who like solving outdoor mysteries at Coverdale Farm Preserve.

Good for: Best for ages 7–9 who like hiking and trail adventures at Ashland Nature Center.

Good for: Best for ages 7–9 who love butterflies — helping in the butterfly house at Ashland Nature Center.

Good for: Best for ages 9–12 into stars and the night sky — an astronomy-themed week at Ashland Nature Center.

Good for: Best for ages 9–11 serious about farm life — an in-depth, hands-on farm week at Coverdale Farm Preserve.

Good for: Best for ages 9–12 learning to kayak at Ashland Nature Center.

Good for: Best for ages 5–7 who like splashing and creek exploring at Ashland Nature Center.

Good for: Best for ages 9–12 fascinated by insects at Ashland Nature Center.

Performing-arts day camp at Brandywine Center for Dance in North Wilmington for ages 3 and up — audition skills, character work, stage blocking, vocal coaching, choreography. Each week concludes with a mini Broadway show plus a swim party and excursions. Free extended day care included. $295/week (per Delaware Today's 2026 guide).

Good for: Ages 3+ for kids drawn to theater (not just dance). Each week is structured like a real Broadway prep: auditions, character work, blocking, vocals, ending in a mini show. Free extended-day care + a swim party included — the operational quality is unusual for a private-studio camp at $295/wk.

Good for: Best for ages 9–12 who want a high-energy outdoor week at Ashland Nature Center.

Good for: Best for ages 7–9 fascinated by birds and flight at Ashland Nature Center.

Good for: Best for ages 7–9 who like hiking and exploring at Coverdale Farm Preserve.

Good for: Best for ages 12–15 building leadership and outdoor skills at Ashland Nature Center.

Academic-enrichment summer camp in New Castle for Pre-K3 (potty-trained)–6th grade: reading, writing, math, and science with weekly clinics (dance, art, sports, STEM), Bible-based instruction, and Friday swim lessons. 7:30 a.m.–3 p.m. with complimentary pickup to 5:30 p.m. Jun 15–Aug 7 (closed Jun 19 & Jul 3).

Good for: Families who want academic enrichment over the summer and are comfortable with a Bible-based environment; Friday swim is a nice plus.