Summer Fun and Learning for Youth

Kids, tweens, and teens, what are your plans for this summer? Are you interested in sports? Performing arts? Computer programming? Science? Do you need to catch up on some academic skills to get ready for the next school year?

There are many organizations in the Tucson area that offer low-cost or free summer programs for youth this summer. It’s never too early to begin looking into fun and educational summer programs!

You might start with these guides listing a variety of summer opportunities for youth:

• TucsonTopia Summer Fun Guide (Provides links to several animal camps, sports camps, performing arts camps, and more)
• This Is Tucson 2023 Summer Camp Guide (This Is Tucson's summer camp guide is a free, searchable listing of Tucson summer camps and day camps. Browse, search or filter local camps by topic, age, cost and location.)

And here is a selection of the museums, clubs, schools, and other organizations hosting youth programs in the Tucson area during Summer 2023:

• Tucson YMCA Summer Camps (A variety of day camps and overnight camps for ages 5-16, with tiered pricing for those in need of financial assistance)
• Tucson Village Farm’s Summer Camps (Numerous themed camps for kids and teens ages 5-18, including some teen adventure camps in Northern Arizona)
• Summer Camps at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (Summer camps at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum for youth and an option for adults to stay and work at the museum while children are attending camp.)
• Summer Art Camp at the Tucson Museum of Art (summer art classes for ages 5-13)
• The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures Summer Camp (1/2-day sessions for ages 6-12)
• Tucson Unified School District’s Community School Programs (Summer programs and camps offered by the Tucson Unified's Community School Programs.)
• Tucson Parks and Recreation Activities (Tucson Parks and Recreation offers arts and crafts, athletics, water fitness, and other summer classes and programs for all ages.)
• Cooking Summer Camps for Kids and Teens, opens a new window (Several sessions of cooking and fun for kids and teens ages 5 and up)
• Arts Express Theatre Summer Camps ("Triple threat" camps for youth ages 8-18 who are interested in dance, drama, and music. Youth rehearse for and then perform in a musical theater production at the end of camp.)
• Studio Arts Presents Summer Camp (Tuition-free three-week musical theater camp for youth that ends in a performance at the Berger Performing Arts Center)
• MOCA Tucson (MOCA will host three 1-week sessions of summer camp. This summer, campers will learn to make creature puppets using new and repurposed materials. Each camp cohort will produce a green-screen video, bringing their creations to life.)
• The Gaslight Theatre (Camp Sessions are available for kids, tweens, and teens.)

These links are all available in this staff list too!