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

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

At this time of year, family calendars implode under the weight of school performances, sports tournaments, award ceremonies, teacher gifts, graduation traditions, summer camp forms and holiday travel plans. —Nina Bandelj, Chicago Tribune, 6 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

The defendants are alleged to have offered therapeutic behavioral services and psychotherapy to young adults and children who were attending summer camps, church groups and recreational programs, according to the source. —Laura Geller, CBS News, 4 June 2026

All proceeds from the sale of these works will go directly to the camp, a free, residential summer camp near Ferndale, serving youngsters 9-14, particularly those who are disadvantaged or at-risk. —Eric E. Harrison, Arkansas Online, 3 June 2026

Eight weeks of summer camp turned into 10 weeks of summer camp, which turned into some private lessons during the year in minor hockey and then into twice-a-week skates in recent summers. —Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 2 June 2026

That's not a bad thing—the Camp Snap 2 is just as affordable and easy to use as its forebear, and its display-free design continues, so kids can use it to preserve memories at summer camps and school events where smartphones and screen time are verboten. —Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 2 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