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

All children’s summer camps in Kerr County confirmed their campers were safe, according to the county sheriff’s office. — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 17 July 2026

Leach replaces Esperanza interim coach Nick Heinle, who took the helm for JP Presley in late June just before the start of summer camp. — Dan Albano, Oc Register, 17 July 2026

The flooding comes just over a year after devastating July Fourth floods killed 130 people, including children and counselors at a summer camp. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 17 July 2026

While North Carolina might have more, this Alabama town is also home to many beloved summer camps Southerners attended growing up including DeSoto, Alpine, and Skyline. — Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 16 July 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