It’s never too early to think about summer. There are family vacations to organize, and then there’s the issue of what to do with the rest of the time. Summer camp is an excellent option for many families, and day camps can be affordable and fun. Whether your kids are into art, nature, crafts or a little bit of everything there’s sure to be a program to keep them busy and happy all summer long.
For even more summer camp options, be sure to check out our Des Moines Summer Camp Guide.
Note: This is a working list, so check back often for new listings. If you know of a day camp that you would like to have included to this guide, please email the listing information to nicole@dsm4kids.com or leave a comment below.
dsm4kids does NOT host any summer camps. Please contact the specific venue or organization hosting the camp for additional information and to register.
Read on for some of our favorite summer day camps that are located in the Des Moines area:
Altoona Campus – Kids Club
Altoona Campus offers Summer Camp through their Kids Club program. Programming changes yearly and there’s always something new and fun. Plans for 2024 Summer Camp have not been released at post date. Registration typically opens mid-March.
Ankeny Community Schools – Summer Adventures Camp
Ankeny Community Schools offers Summer Adventures Camp as part of it’s before and after school year camps. With a different theme each week the day camp offers a safe, fun, high-quality, hands-on enrichment and summer of fun for campers. Registration is open February 8-May 15, 2024 (or until enrollment is full).
Blank Park Zoo – Summer Safari Camps
The Blank Park Zoo offers a number of camps throughout the summer for kids ages three through 7th grade. The zoo’s weekly Safari Camps are a great way to experience animals and all the Zoo has to offer including science experiments, crafts, and so much more. Pre-registration is required for all classes and must be received at least seven days before class starts. 2024 Registration is open.
Camp Fire Heart of Iowa
Camp Fire Heart of Iowa offers a wide variety of day camp programs throughout central Iowa. Whether your kids like creek stomping, bugs, or sports, they’ve got a summer camp for them. Camps are offered to kids in grades 1-10. 2024 Registration is open.
Climb Iowa
Summer camps engage campers in activities designed for learning climbing basics, promoting fitness and movement, and cultivating an environment of teamwork and respect. Climbers will participate in both climbing and non-climbing activities. 2024 Registration is open.
Des Moines Public Schools – Metro Kids
Metro Kids is a fee-based program that provides before and after care at elementary schools. Metro Kids also provides various programs during the summer from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM at nine schools in the district. Day campers go on field trips twice a week. Activities include swimming and excursions to popular local attractions. Finalized plans and registration for 2024 Summer Camp will be released at a later date.
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Botanical Garden camps allow children to explore the natural world through the lens of their favorite activities. Using the gardens as unique classrooms, children are inspired to create and explore with hands-on activities. Three- and five-day camps are designed for first- through fifth graders. 2024 Registration is open.
Engman Camp Shalom
Engman Camp Shalom is sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines and is a day camp where kids find fun and friendship, while also exploring their interests and discovering new experiences. Located in Waukee, programming is offered from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and is available for kids entering kindergarten through 7th grade. 2024 Registration is open.
Jester Park Equestrian Center
JPEC offers a number of Equestrian Camps throughout the summer. Equestrian camps are a wonderful way for a child to discover the world of horses. Classes are offered for beginner to intermediate riders. Kids as young as five can participate in their Tiny Tots programs. All other classes are for campers eight and up. 2024 Registration is open.
Johnston Community School District – Kids Connection
Kids Connection is available to Johnston students who will be in grades DK-5 in the fall, school year 2024-2025. Day care is available from 7:00 am to 5:30 pm and is located in the JCSD elementary buildings. Daily care includes breakfast, lunch, a snack, and fun, enriching activities. Registration opens on April 1, 2024.
Living History Farms
LHF’s outdoor day camp setting provides a fun and unique way for children entering kindergarten through 12th grade to experience day-to-day farm and town life from the years 1700 through 1900. History will come to life as campers fill their days with outdoor, hands-on activities, games, crafts and visits to Living History Farms’ historic sites. 2024 Registration is open.
Mighty Camps at Genesis
Genesis Health Clubs is committed to providing an educational and fun filled summer to youngsters ages 5-12. Children enrolled in Mighty Camp spend approximately three hours daily in sport-focused “Learn to Play Workshops.” The remainder of their time is spent engaged in other activities like STEAM, swimming, yoga, improv classes, character and life skills programming, and local field trips. Summer Camp is offered to both members and non-members. 2024 Registration is open at the Mills Civic location.
Polk County Conservation
Polk County Conservation offers a variety of summer camps for youth. Summer day camps are designed to encourage hands-on learning through outdoor explorations, activities, games, crafts, and more. Camps will be led by naturalists. Camps are for kids ages 6+. On-line Registration opens March 2, 2024 at 7:00 am.
Triad Gymnastics – Summer Kid Care
Triad offers full and half day summer kid care for kids ages 5-12 from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. Day campers go on three field trips each week including swimming every Wednesday. They also have gym time in their beautiful air-conditioned facility and age-appropriate themed activities. Summer camp registration opens on March 4, 2024.
Urbandale Community School District – Adventuretime
Through their Adventuretime Program, Urbandale Community School District offers summer programming for preschool through fifth-grade students. Day campers will have the opportunity to participate in crafts, games, literacy and math activities, science enrichment activities, team building, field trips, guest speakers, and weekly celebrations. Finalized plans and registration for 2024 Summer Camp will be released at a later date.
Warren County Conservation Board
Warren County Conservation Board Naturalists provide quality outdoor recreation, conservation and environmental education programs throughout the year. They also offer Summer Nature Day Camps that allow children to explore and enjoy nature up close. The camps are a week-long and are for four- to 15-year-olds. Summer camp registration opens on March 6, 2024.
Waukee Community School District – Summer Beyond the Bell
Waukee Community Schools provide summer programming through Beyond the Bell. This summer day camp keeps children active, encourages them to be creative, develop great friendships and have fun. Each week will have a theme with corresponding crafts, activities and field trips. Registration opens March 4, 2024.
West Des Moines Parks and Recreation
West Des Moines Parks and Recreation offers camps and classes to give children opportunities to participate in a wide variety of activities. A few of their offerings include Burnt Marshmallow Day camp for kids ages four to six years old; RP Summer Day Camp at the RecPlex for school aged kids ages five to 12 and Planet 7 a day camp for junior high students at Stillwell. Finalized plans and registration for 2024 Summer Camp will be released at a later date.
West Des Moines Public Schools – Kid West Summer Day Camp
Summer Day Camp is offered during the summer months for children who have completed grades K-6. Kids West Summer Day Camp offers many field trips during the week to help instill children with a curiosity about their world. Finalized plans and registration for 2024 Summer Camp will be released at a later date.
YMCA – Day Camps
Day Camps are offered through the Waukee Family YMCA and West Des Moines Christian Church. Y camps focus on three of the critical dimensions of children’s well-being: achievement, belonging and developing relationships while also having a fun, action-packed, safe summer! Financial assistance is available. 2024 Registration is open.
Additional Places to Find Summer Day Camps in Des Moines
Community Education Departments and Parks & Recreation Departments also offer summer day camps, clinics and classes throughout the summer. Be sure to check out what summer camps and classes that they offer.
What’s your favorite summer day camp for Des Moines kids? Let us know!
