Summer can be a tough time for working parents without the means to pay for camps and activities. For children with disabilities or other special needs or circumstances that make extracurricular activities difficult, summer camp can seem almost impossible. But Oklahoma City has several non-profit camps with missions to reach these kids and give them unforgettable camp experiences. We’ve created a list of non-profit summer camps that are available for families with unique situations, often at little to no cost. Camp qualifications range from children with physical disabilities to children with a parent affected by cancer. We hope you’ll find the perfect camp for your children.
To see a comprehensive list of other summer camps throughout the Oklahoma City metro and beyond, be sure to check out our summer camp guide.
[Editor’s Note: This is a working list, so check back often for new listings. If you know of a non-profit summer camp that you would like to have included, please email the listing information to tips@metrofamilymagazine.com or leave a comment below.]
Ongoing
- Camp Tumbleweed at Dale Rogers Training Center (2501 N Utah Ave) is a day camp for youth with disabilities ages 13 – 21. It combines the traditional elements of a camp – field trips, crafts, and outdoor activities – with opportunities to develop independence and advocacy skills and start to learn about potential job opportunities after high school. 405-946-4489 ext. 506, drtc.org
- Camp Cavett offers a variety of camps for children ages 8-18 who are battling life-threatening and chronic illnesses. See website for details about camp offerings. 405-271-2271, cavettkids.org
- Make Promises Happen Camp at Central Oklahoma Camp & Conference Center provides camping experiences for persons with special needs and a variety of diverse groups. See website for dates and camp offerings. 405-282-2811, centralokcamp.org/make-promises-happen
- Angel Tree Camp at Oakridge Christian Camp provides a week of summer camp at no cost for children with an incarcerated parent. Trained camp counselors guide children through a week of adventure, friendship building and more. oakridgecamp.com/angeltree
- Oklahoma Youth Literacy Program’s Summer Enrichment Program (5517 NW 23rd St) features trained instructors to help kids improve life skills, reading, math, science, and more. The program will include field trips. For kids in grades pre-K – 9th grade. Before/aftercare & scholarships available. Registration, $75; weekly, $80. 7:35 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. 405-601-3055, okylpokc.org
- First Tee OKC empowers kids and teens through the game of golf with character building to uncover self-confidence and resilience. Programs are offered year-round and 4-day camps are available during the summer. firstteemetokc.org
- Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics offers free summer programs for middle and high school students including one-day math workshops for middle schoolers and a healthcare and medical workshop, an engineering workshop and Science in the Summer Lab Day for high school students. Learn more at ossm.edu.
- Peaceful Family Oklahoma offers a 3-day, camp-style program for kids ages 7 to 12 and a 2-day, camp-style program for teens ages 13 to 18 impacted by addiction in their families. The program includes evidence-based, trauma-informed activities. Learn more at peacefulfamilyok.org.
June 3-5
- FREE Summer Ballet Camp at Dancing for Eternity at Genesis Dance by Talia (118 SE 2nd St, Moore) teaches ballet technique and a choreographed dance. Participants will also partake in a worship dance class and a faith-based devotional. Preregister. Space is limited. For ages 8-12. The camp is free but donations will be gladly accepted. dancingforeternity.org/summer-camp
June 3-6 & June 10-13
- Reading Rangers Summer Day Camp at Heritage Hall School (1800 NW 122nd St) features reading remediation activities in the morning and an afternoon session about movie making. For kids in grades 2nd-4th. $800. 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. payneeducationcenter.org/reading-rangers-summer-day-camp/
June 3-July 26
- Freedom City offers an enriching summer camp experience with academic enrichment, career exploration, extracurricular activities and field trips. For ages 4 & up. Learn more at freedomcityokc.com/summer-program.
June 7-9
- Camp Erin Tulsa at Camp Loughridge (4900 W 71st St, Tulsa) is for kids ages 6-17 who have experienced the death of a loved one. Campers canoe, swim, play games, learn healthy ways to express their feelings and more. Free of charge. thegriefcenter.org
June 17-21
- OWL Camp is for kids ages 15-18 who are blind or vision impaired. Campers will enjoy activities such as rock-climbing, archery, horseback riding, swimming and kayaking. New activities are added every year to create a unique camper experience. Space is limited and camper spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Camp is free of charge. 232-4644, newviewoklahoma.org
June 17-22
- FREE University of Oklahoma Camp Kesem at Central Oklahoma Camp & Conference Cente (1 Twin Cedar Ln, Guthrie) is for children ages 6-16 whose parent or legal guardian has suffered from cancer. Provides campers with a fun, FREE week of summer camp allowing them the opportunity to escape the stress at home and just be kids. To apply, visit kesem.org/chapters/oklahoma
June 16-21
- FREE Wildlife Youth Camp at the OU Biological Station (OU Rd, Kingston) features the opportunity to explore careers in wildlife and fisheries management. For ages 14-16. Register by April 15. wildlifedepartment.com
June 22
- FREE Gerald McCoy Youth Football Camp at Energy FC Field at Taft Stadium (2501 N May Ave) for kids ages 8-18. Gerald and other NFL veterans will coach participants to learn fundamental skills and NFL-inspired drills. All participating campers will receive a t-shirt, post-camp lunch, and a goodie bag. Registration begins at 8 a.m.; camp, 9 a.m.-noon. https://GeraldMcCoyCamp2024.eventbrite.com
June 24-27
- Artsy Doodle Camp on the grounds of the Bethel Foundation (13003 N Western) for boys and girls ages 6-10 that want to learn to express their creative side. Campers will learn a creative dance, create a work of art and sample food from different cultures each day. Preregister in person. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 405-286-3700, bethelfoundation.org
June 2024
- FREE Safety Town at Sooner Mall (3301 W. Main St, Norman) teaches children ages 5 and 6 years old the importance of bicycle, fire and personal safety. Each Safety Town session consists of five 50-minute classes offered Monday – Friday at various times. normanok.gov/public-safety/police-department/community-outreach
- Shiloh Adventures Camp (698 NE 70th St) features a variety of sports, arts & music activities and more, all in a beautiful and natural environment. Open to disadvantaged kids, ages 8 – 17, who live in Oklahoma City and the surrounding area. Includes breakfast, lunch and snack for each camper. $50 a week per child. 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 405-858-7011, shilohcamp.org
June & July
- Rose State Kids College & Teen Scene (6500 SE 15th St, Midwest City) explores aerospace, geoscience, rockets, meteorology, chemistry, rocking climbing, movie making and so much more. Six camp options are available for kids in grades 1-12. Registration is a la carte by class, by the week or the whole summer. FREE-$200/week. 405-733-7488, rose.edu/kids
July 8-12
- French Immersion Summer Camp at All Soul’s Episcopal Church (6400 N Pennsylvania Ave). Elementary students will learn from native-speaking, highly trained French instructors through games, songs, films and other activities. No background in French is necessary. For kids ages 5 – 12. $125-$150. 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. afdokc.org/summer-camp
July 10-14
- New Hope Hope Heroes Jr. Summer Camp serves children ages 5-8 with a parent in prison. Children participate in swimming, boating, archery, games and arts and crafts while they interact with counselors who had similar experiences growing up. Camp emphasizes making healthy choices, self-determination and helping others. Request enrollment and more information online. 918-359-9024, newhopeoklahoma.org
July 15-19
- Kids Rock Camp at Britton Christian Church (922 NW 91 St) is a healthy lifestyle camp where kids learn how to healthy food on a budget. The camp incorporates exercise, arts and crafts and more. Open to boys and girls going into 3rd, 4th or 5th grade. Preregister. $25. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 405-286-3700, bethelfoundation.org
July 16-18
- Camp Courage at Calm Waters (501 N. Walker, Ste 140) features a free summer art camp that provides a safe and healing environment that allows children to express their feelings of loss and grief through art. For ages 6-12. Preregister. 8:30 a.m. – noon. Registration is $35. 405-841-4800, calmwaters.org/programs/camp-courage/
July 18-22
- Mighty Mouth Kids Camp (MMKC) is an evidence-based, research-tested intensive program for children ages 4-8 diagnosed with selective mutism and their families. Selective mutism is a severe anxiety disorder that leaves children physically unable to speak in public. MMKC – OKC is one of only a few programs of its kind in the country. selectivemutismokc.com/mighty-mouth-kids-camp-okc
July 19
- Hough Science Day Camp at OSU-OKC Campus, Science Lab Building features a fun day of scientific discovery. Explore careers in available in Oklahoma. The camp is best suited for middle school students interested in science, biology or math. To sign up, contact Pam Timmons at ptimmons@houghear.org or call 405-639-2873.
July 23-28
- New Hope Hope Heroes Summer Camp serves children ages 9-14 with a parent in prison. Children participate in swimming, boating, archery, games and arts and crafts while they interact with counselors who had similar experiences growing up. Camp emphasizes making healthy choices, self-determination and helping others. Request enrollment and more information online. 918-359-9024, newhopeoklahoma.org
