Summer Camps

Columbus Recreation and Parks offers multiple financial aid assistance packages for families for the majority of our camps. The amount of assistance varies depending on how you qualify.

To apply, fill out the Financial Assistance Request Form online, available here.

Forms can also be submitted via:

Mail
Camps
Columbus Recreation and Parks Department
1111 E. Broad St. Columbus, OH 43205

Fax
 614-645-0686

Proof of Eligibility

• Copy of current Medicaid, CareSource or Molina insurance card
• Copy of current EPPICard
• Copy of the most recent federal income tax return (scale based on HUD Section 8 guidelines)

PLAY Scholarships

PLAY Scholarships can be used to cover the cost of one week of summer camp, per eligible participant, up to $100 or a portion of the fees for one class. Campers are allowed only one PLAY Scholarship per session.

A completed PLAY application and proof of eligibility should be submitted when registering for camp or class.

For further information or questions visit your closest community center or contact us.

PLAY Scholarships do not apply to CRPD Fitness Camp.

For information on eligibility requirements, please visit PLAY Scholarships.

Columbus Recreation and Parks Department encourages participation by a diverse population and accommodates people with varying abilities and learning styles. Inclusion support staff develop accommodation plans to support campers with, but not limited to, developmental and learning disabilities, physical disabilities, sensory challenges, autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome and emotional challenges.

Please complete this request form immediately after registration is complete.

Outdoor Recreation Summer Camps

Online: Begins Thursday, Feb. 23, at 7 p.m.

In-person registration: Thursday, Feb. 23, from 7-7:45 p.m. at Wyandot Lodge, 3228 Indian Village Road, 43221.
Note: Registration fills up quickly for the Outdoor Recreation camps so registering online is the preferred option for getting registered for camp.

Community Recreation, Therapeutic Recreation, Arts, Sports and Most Other Camps*

Online and in-person registration opens on Tuesday, Feb. 28, at 7 p.m.

*Registration dates and times for some camps will vary. Specific details can be found on Activenet.

Registration Fees*

• Sessions 0, 1, 3, 5-8: $100 / Non-resident $120
• Sessions 2 & 4: $80 / Non-resident $96 

*Standard fees for community center camps and several others. Fees for many camps, including Specialty, Outdoor Recreation and more, will vary. 

Camp Hours

7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

Breakfast, lunch and snack provided, except where otherwise noted. 

• Payment is required for registration and can be made in full, or you can choose to have automatic payments charged to the credit card on file between April 10-May 26.
• All camp fees must be paid prior to June 12. If you wish to pay by credit card, a card on file is required at time of registration. You also have the option to pay in-person at your local community center prior to the withdrawal dates. Contact the center for more information.
• Registrations received in the mail will not be processed until after the Feb. 28 registration date. Some camps will be full after the first day of registration. Do not send checks, credit card information or money orders with mail-in registration.
• Payment can be made by check or credit card at any community center.
• Additional information will be emailed. To ensure that the information is received, please provide an updated email address on your Activenet account under the camper’s name. To change a camper’s email, choose “Change Information about Family/Friends” under Personal Information.

Please Remember

• Checks, credit cards (VISA, MasterCard or Discover) and cash are accepted.
• All fees must be paid on or before the first day of camp.
• If your check is returned, you will be charged a $25 fee, payable upon notice to the City of Columbus.
• Campers must be the required age by the first day of camp.

To receive a refund, a request must be made using this online form. For a full refund, complete the form at least 10 business days prior to the camp session.

• Requests received five to 10 business days prior to camp session will receive a 50 percent refund.
• Requests received less than five business days prior to camp session will not receive a refund.
• Refunds take six to eight weeks to process.
• A $15 processing fee will be assessed for each refund request.

To ensure the best experience for campers, all camps enroll a maximum number of participants.

• If a camp is full, there is an option to be added to the waiting list.
• If successfully enrolled in another program, a camper will not be charged additional fees to be placed on the waiting list for the “full” camp during the same transaction.
• If a camper is added to the “full” camp waiting list only, a $2 fee will be charged per transaction.

Campers on the waiting list will be notified by phone if an opening becomes available.