Des Moines Parent Summer Camp Fair
Join us for the fourth year of the Des Moines Parent Summer Camp Fair on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at the Valley Community Center in West Des Moines. This event is a FREE event for families to learn about spring and summer programming in the Des Moines, Iowa area. In addition, we will offer a sensory-friendly hour during the last hour of the event.
Every spring parents and families begin researching and planning what their children will do during the Summer months. Everything from summer camps to fun events and activities. This is a 1-day event that brings all of these options under one roof. Families will attend, learn about their options, register, have fun, and more.
The entire day is free! Each vendor offers a free activity, there will be free programming throughout the day, explore everything the Valley Community Center has to offer, and have some fun taking pictures with our fun backdrop, the first 100 families (ONE per family) will receive a FREE swag bag.
Sensory-Friendly Hour
In 2024 we introduced a Sensory-Friendly Hour which was a huge hit! It will be back again in 2025. This hour will be held from Noon to 1 p.m. Huge thanks to Midwest Autism & Therapy Centers for sponsoring. Midwest is an early-intervention Autism therapy provider with centers throughout Iowa and Minnesota. We specialize in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, behavior assessments, and pre-academic development for children ages 2-5 on the Autism Spectrum.
Some details you can expect when attending Sensory-Friendly Time:
- Lights will be dimmed and special music will be playing.
- A map will be created and released before the event for families to better plan before they arrive. Look back here for the final map!
- Fun arrows and movement activities are taped to the ground to guide families through vendors.
- Calming space
- All vendors will have an activity at their booths that is sensory-friendly.
2025 Vendors
Vendor spots are NOW OPEN! We only have 34 spots available and all these slots filled up last year. Make sure you are the first to claim your booth for the 2025 Des Moines Parent Summer Camp Fair.
Current 2025 Vendors:
- City of Clive Leisure Services
- Des Moines Art Center
- Des Moines Menace
- Midwest Autism & Therapy Centers
- True Roots Chiropractic
- The Brenton Arboretum
- Steve & Kate’s Camp
- YMCA of Greater Des Moines
- Camp Wesley Woods of Iowa
- Muddy Boots Forest Camp
Interested in being a vendor? We have a couple of packages and offer payment plans to help work with all budgets. Email ehuiatt@desmoinesparent.com for details.
2025 Free Programming Schedule
We are thrilled to offer FREE programming for children and families during the Des Moines Parent Summer Camp Fair. Details will be released closer to the date. Would you like to offer a free program and/or class for during the event? Let us know!
2023 Des Moines Parent Summer Camp Fair Re-Cap
Please Note: The Des Moines Parent Summer Camp Fair is sponsored by the Valley Community Center and will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 15th. Registration is NOT required and it is a free event.
