Recreation Camps
Recreation camps invite participants to play, explore and build friendships. Day camps also provide critical childcare to support working families.
Summer Camps
Registration for summer camps opens at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, April 16 for people who live within Vancouver city limits and at 7 a.m. on Thursday, April 17 for everyone else. If you are interested in a camp that is already full, you may join a wait list to be notified if space becomes available. Our recreation scholarship is available to eligible Vancouver residents.
Youth Day Camps and Aftercare – Ages 6-10
Every day is a new opportunity to spark curiosity! Each week campers participate in action packed adventures including sports, outdoor games, crafts, swimming, water activities and visits from special guests. Activities are centered on weekly themes. Aftercare is available for an additional fee.
Marshall Community Center Day Camp (1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd.)
Camp Cost per Session: $214 Vancouver resident/$268 Non-resident
Aftercare Cost per Session: $50 Vancouver Resident/$63 Non-resident
Drop-off opens at 8 a.m. There are structured activities from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with pick-up by 4:30 p.m. Aftercare is available from 4:30-5:30 p.m. for an additional fee. There is a 1:8 staff-to-child ratio and campers may walk up to 1.5-miles during the day to visit local parks.
Campers must be enrolled in the corresponding week of camp to attend aftercare. Activities include coloring, board games, Lego, large games (Jenga, checkers, Connect Four) and playground time. Staff ratios at Aftercare are 1:15.
There are nine summer day camp sessions available at Marshall Community Center with weekly camp themes:
- Week 1: Summer’s Back | June 23-27
- Week 2: Color Craze | June 30-July 3
- Week 3: ARTic Blast | July 7-11
- Week 4: Lego Imagination | July 14-18
- Week 5: Heroes in Training | July 21-25
- Week 6: Outdoor Wonder | July 28-Aug. 1
- Week 7: Buggin’ Out | Aug. 4-8
- Week 8: Spirit Week | Aug. 11-15
- Week 9: Splashtacular | Aug. 18-22
Fircrest Elementary School Day Camp (12001 NE 9th St.)
Camp Cost per Session: $214 Vancouver resident/$268 Non-resident
Aftercare Cost per Session: $50 Vancouver Resident/$63 Non-resident
Drop-off opens at 8 a.m. There are structured activities from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with pick-up by 4:30 p.m. Aftercare is available from 4:30-5:30 p.m. for an additional fee. There is a 1:8 staff-to-child ratio and campers may walk up to 1.5-miles during the day to visit local parks.
Campers must be enrolled in the corresponding week of camp to attend aftercare. Activities include coloring, board games, Lego, large games (Jenga, checkers, Connect Four) and playground time. Staff ratios at Aftercare are 1:15.
There are eight summer day camp sessions available at Fircrest Elementary School with weekly camp themes:
- Week 1: Gameshow Mania | June 23-27
- Week 2: Movin’ and Groovin’ | June 30-July 3
- Week 3: Shark Week | July 7-11
- Week 4: Mission Impossible | July 14-18
- Week 5: Once Upon a Camp | July 21-25
- Week 6: Carnival Creators | July 28-Aug. 1
- Week 7: Camp’s Got Talent | Aug. 4-8
- Week 8: Wacky and Wonderful | Aug. 11-15
Access to Recreation Camp – Ages 13+
Access to Recreation (ATR) camp is for people with cognitive and developmental disabilities. This camp is focused on summer fun and building social connections. Campers play games, stay active, make crafts, participate in water play, watch movies and much more.
Access to Recreation Camp at Ogden Elementary School (3200 NE 86th Ave.)
Cost per Session: $264 Vancouver resident/$330 Non-resident.
Camp runs from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Campers will be divided into groups of 10 with 2 staff for indoor activities. The groups will combine for larger outdoor activities. In addition to daily activities, camp will also feature special guest visitors including clowns, balloon artists and the snow cone truck!
There are six ATR day camp sessions available at Ogden Elementary School with weekly camp themes:
- Week 1: Wild, Wild West | June 30-July 3
- Week 2: Robot Rally | July 7-11
- Week 3: Global Explorers | July 14-18
- Week 4: Animal Kingdom | July 21-25
- Week 5: Medieval Times | July 28-Aug. 1
- Week 6: Music Fest | Aug. 4-8
Summer Playgrounds Camps – Ages 6-11
The Summer Playgrounds program offers free lunch and supervised day camp activities for children ages 6-11 at convenient neighborhood sites throughout the summer. Summer Playgrounds is open to families who live in certain school boundaries, where access to the program will have the greatest community benefit.
Summer Playgrounds at Crestline Elementary School (13003 SE 7th St.)
There is no cost to attend Summer Playgrounds, but advanced weekly registration is required.
Summer Playgrounds camps run Monday-Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Enjoy supervised games, playground time, crafts and sports every week! Lunch is provided by Share Vancouver and the USDA Summer Meals Program.
Crestline Summer Playgrounds is open to children who live in the Crestline Elementary School boundary.
USDA Summer Meals Program
Free lunches will be provided to children on scheduled program days through Summer Playgrounds. For lunch times or questions, please contact Share at 360-553-8064.
Children (18 or under) who are members of food stamp households or TANF assistance units are automatically eligible to receive free meal benefits at eligible program sites. The Unites States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600.
Summer Playgrounds at Evergreen Park (3500 E Fourth Plain Blvd.)
There is no cost to attend Summer Playgrounds, but advanced weekly registration is required.
Summer Playgrounds camps run Monday-Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Enjoy supervised games, playground time, crafts and sports every week! Lunch is provided by Share Vancouver and the USDA Summer Meals Program.
Evergreen Summer Playgrounds is open to children who live in the Harney, King and Roosevelt Elementary School boundaries.
USDA Summer Meals Program
Free lunches will be provided to children on scheduled program days through Summer Playgrounds. For lunch times or questions, please contact Share at 360-553-8064.
Children (18 or under) who are members of food stamp households or TANF assistance units are automatically eligible to receive free meal benefits at eligible program sites. The Unites States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600.
Summer Playgrounds at Hough Elementary School (1900 Daniels St.)
There is no cost to attend Summer Playgrounds, but advanced weekly registration is required.
Summer Playgrounds camps run Monday-Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Enjoy supervised games, playground time, crafts and sports every week! Lunch is provided by Share Vancouver and the USDA Summer Meals Program.
Hough Summer Playgrounds is open to children who live in the Hough School boundary.
USDA Summer Meals Program
Free lunches will be provided to children on scheduled program days through Summer Playgrounds. For lunch times or questions, please contact Share at 360-553-8064.
Children (18 or under) who are members of food stamp households or TANF assistance units are automatically eligible to receive free meal benefits at eligible program sites. The Unites States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600.
Partner Camps – Ages Vary
We partner with local organizations to provide additional summer camp opportunities in Vancouver. Since these camps are operated by partners, they do not qualify for the resident fee discount and are not eligible for Everybody Plays scholarship funds. You will register directly through the partner hosting the camp.
Chess Wizards at Firstenburg Community Center (700 NE 136th Ave.)
Open to ages 5-12. Chess Wizards is a premier chess education company providing fun, informative and challenging chess lessons to students. Chess Wizards teaches important life concepts, like how to win graciously and accept defeat with dignity and sportsmanship. Students will be divided into groups according to their chess experience. At the end of this session, each student will have had the chance to participate in a mini-chess tournament.
UK International Soccer Camp at Marshall Park (1015 E McLoughlin Blvd.)
Open to ages 7-14. UK International Soccer offers development programs led by professional international coaches. Under the guidance of our coaches, every player, from beginner to advanced, is provided with the best possible soccer experience.
Jordan Kent’s Just Kids Skills Camp at Fisher Basin Park (601 SE 192nd Ave.)
Open to ages 6-12. Jordan Kent’s Just Kids Skills Camps offers beginning to intermediate fundamental training in football, soccer, and basketball. Campers participate in agility training, wacky games, daily life skills talks and nutrition education to develop a love for their sport in a positive and exciting setting.
Skyhawks Sports Camps (locations vary)
Open to ages 4-14. Skyhawks offers exciting, high-energy sports clinics, and camps for ages 4 to 14. Choose from soccer, volleyball, multi-sport, pickleball and more. Camps are available at Firstenburg Community Center, Marshall Park, LeRoy Haagen Park and Fisher Basin Park.
Journey to STEAM at Firstenburg Community Center (700 NE 136th Ave.)
Open to ages 7-12. In this dynamic program, participants embark on a journey of discovery, exploring fundamental engineering principles through hands-on projects, problem-solving challenges, and collaborative activities. From designing and constructing structures to experimenting with gears and mechanisms, LEGO Engineers empowers students to unleash their imagination, develop critical thinking skills, and cultivate a passion for engineering. Join us and ignite the engineer within!
USTA PNW RecTennis at Fisher Basin Park (601 SE 192nd Ave.)
Open to ages 5-12. USTA PNW’s RecTennis camp is the perfect way for kids to stay active, make friends, and have fun during the summer. We provide age-appropriate nets, racquets, and balls to help build self-confidence within the game. We use fun games to develop the ABCs of tennis (agility, balance and coordination) while also introducing proper technique that will enable these young players to rally. As players progress, they will focus on the fundamentals necessary to serve and rally using a game-based curriculum and continue to develop the athletic skills essential to the sport.
Beginners are welcome, no experience is necessary to enroll. Scholarships are available and all equipment is provided.
General Camp Information
- Refund requests must be made 4 weeks prior to the start of each week of camp.
- All camp waitlists will be cleared on July 1. If you wish to go back on any camp waitlist they will be available July 2.
- Registrations are first come, first served. No age exceptions will be given.
- Registration deadline is 9 a.m. on Thursday the week prior to the start of camp.
- After registering you will receive an email from ePACT to fill out your child’s participant information form. This form must be completed before attending camp. We partner with ePACT Network to provide an efficient and secure way to manage participant information.
- Youth Day Camps:
- Parents may drop-off as early as 8 a.m. and pick-up by 4:30 p.m. Structured activities are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Aftercare is available from 4:30-5:30 p.m. for an additional fee. Campers must be enrolled in the corresponding week of camp to attend aftercare.
- All youth day camps walk up to 1.5 miles to local parks.
- Bring lunch, snack, water bottle, backpack, towel and swimsuit unless otherwise stated.
- Field trips are subject to change without notice.
Paying for Camps
Payment plans are available to make summer camps more affordable and accessible for families. The payment plan option must be selected at the time of registration.
- A 15% initial payment is due at the time of registration.
- A credit card is required to be saved to your account and will be charged each Friday, beginning May 9.
- Final payment is due 2 weeks before the start date of each week of camp.
- If a scheduled payment declines, you will be contacted and have 3 days to make the missed payment and update your credit card information for future payments. If you do not do so within 3 days of being notified, the participant will be withdrawn from each week of camp that the payment failed for and refunded any payments made to date minus the $5 processing fee per week.
- If payment information changes it is your responsibility to update with Vancouver Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services.
For more information, review the Payment Plan Frequently Asked Questions.
The Everybody Plays! scholarship covers 50% of tuition costs for all eligible and participating children and adults with disabilities within the qualifying household. If you are eligible, your household will automatically receive the scholarship benefit when registering for recreation programs. Your primary address must be within Vancouver city limits to qualify. Once the scholarship is awarded, you will not have to reapply during the calendar year.
Ongoing Sports Clinics
Soccer Shots Premier Program
Soccer Shots offers three core programs to meet the developmental needs of children ages 2 to 8. It’s way more than just learning the game of soccer. Soccer Shots aims to build character, skills and confidence while also having a whole lot of fun. They’re committed to providing safe, positive experiences through the game of soccer. It’s the reason parents trust Soccer Shots. Each of their three core programs teaches the right skills at the right age.
Youth Sports Garden
Youth Sports Garden classes help young kids ages 3-5 learn a new sport and build some of the fundamentals that go along with the sport. Classes are fun and will have your child moving the entire time.