Summer is just around the corner, and many families are busy planning for an unforgettable summer in the Des Moines metro. The 2026 Summer Camp Directory is full of fun-packed day camps in the Des Moines area. This directory will help guide you to plan the ultimate camp experience for your child. Whether your children are looking for a summer day camp, outdoor, hands-on experiences, outdoor explorations, science experiments, learning new skills, fun games, overnight camp, or a different theme each wee,k we have it for you in this guide! We are regularly adding a variety of summer camps weekly. Please contact me if you would like your camp added to the directory and/or featured listing.
Our Summer Camp Directory includes the following and many more:
- Des Moines Y Camp
- JA Biztown Summer Camp
- Camp Fire Heart of Iowa
- Blank Park Zoo
- West Des Moines Parks
- Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines
- Engman Camp Shalom
- Family Camps
- Theatre Arts Education
- Academic skills
- Musical Theater
Join us on Saturday, February 14, for the annual Des Moines Parent Summer Camp Fair sponsored and hosted at Paws & Pints from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. A day full of free fun for central Iowa families!
How to use the Summer Camp Directory
We have many, many summer camps happening in Des Moines and throughout central Iowa this summer. Below you will find different categories that camps fall under. Many will be under several different categories. Select a category, and it will direct you to a list of summer camps. You will find a snippet about the summer camp, a website with additional information to register {direct costs of camps}, an email, a phone number, and more.
- animals (8)
- Art (28)
- Autism (1)
- Dance (12)
- Education (46)
- Food (2)
- Medical Camp (4)
- Music (18)
- Nature (21)
- Outdoors (24)
- Parks & Recreation (9)
- Religious (5)
- Science (15)
- Special Needs (7)
- Sports (29)
- Theater (8)
- Therapy + Support (4)
- Virtual (5)
