summer camp

noun

plural summer camps

1

: a camp (see camp entry 1 sense 1d) for children or adolescents that operates during the summer and that often provides lodging for stays of days or weeks

… traditional summer camps—where your child rides a horse, paddles a canoe, reads a compass, and roasts s'mores around a campfire …

—David Lansing

… summer camp is about campfires, trail hikes and goofy skits. It's a chance to meet kids from different cities and to learn to sleep through the snores of cabin mates.

—Emily Seftel

also : such a camp that provides instruction of a specified kind

went to an arts summer camp

compare day camp

2

: an online usually educational program for children or adolescents offered during the summer

… a virtual summer camp offering free classes in everything from slime-making to dinosaurs to make-your-own Lego movies. Kids aged five through 18 can create their own schedule, with hour-long classes five days a week for each session.

—Lisa Milbrand

Examples of summer camp in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While Children First hosts summer camps every year, organizers said adding robotics programming gave students an opportunity many had never experienced before. —Alexa Liacko, CBS News, 15 June 2026

Traditionally, sleepaway summer camps have been places to connect with nature, make boondoggle bracelets, and shower in your swimsuit. —Brendan Cosgrove, Fortune, 15 June 2026

Today, its dark timber buildings and mossy patina give it the vibe of a 1970s summer camp lovingly suspended in amber. —David Amsden, Travel + Leisure, 10 June 2026

The gym will continue with a strong preschool and recreational program, the North County Gymnastics competitive team, open gym time, kids night outs, birthday parties and summer camps. —Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2026

The services include offering a hot meal, developmental programming, mental health services, a summer camp, and more, all for free, Rodriguez said. —Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026

The most infectiously joyous of awards shows, the Tonys often feel like a summer camp reunion — make that a theater camp reunion — except with tuxedoes and gowns replacing the shorts and tees. —ABC News, 8 June 2026

Veterans’ centers, summer camps, boat launches and garbage pickup could all be impacted. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 June 2026

Broader debate over the charity Kars4Kids has rejected the ruling, arguing on its website that the court overlooked evidence showing that donations support mentoring programs, educational assistance, summer camps and grants to nonprofit organizations, including some in California. —Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 6 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for summer camp

• firedamp
• amp
• champ
• clamp
• cramp
• damp
• gamp
• lamp
• ramp
• samp
• scamp
• stamp