Adaptive & Specialized Recreation Camps ensure every child has the opportunity to experience the joy of summer camp. Designed for youth ages 6–17 with mobility impairments and a variety of sensory needs, these inclusive programs feature customized activities, supportive environments, 

and outdoor adventures like biking, hiking, and recreation. Every camper is empowered to explore, connect, build confidence, and create lasting summer memories.

Mini Camps for kiddos aged 3-6 facilitate learning, individuality, passion, and fun for our youngest Tacoma residents. Campers engage for three-hour sessions that encourage trying a new sport, becoming a superhero or astronaut for a week, inspiring future artists, and providing fun with a Wacky Water Camp. 

Sports Camps keep kids active all summer long at parks and facilities across Tacoma. From soccer and basketball to skimboarding, pickleball, golf, volleyball, baseball, tennis, flag football, and multi-sport camps. Programs are available for a wide range of ages and skill levels, with half-day and full-day camp options designed to build confidence, coordination, teamwork, and fun through active play.

Babysitter Camps are designed to prepare students ages 11-16 to be safe when they’re home alone, watching younger siblings, or babysitting. The instructor-led class is filled with fun games and role-playing exercises. Students learn tips to manage behavior that will help them stay in control of themselves and the children in their care. Participants will learn rescue skills to respond to choking and practice CPR.

Art, Dance, and Theater Camps for youth ages 3-18 include everything from cartooning and outdoor art to songwriting, improv theatre, cooking, ballet, pop star dance, and themed dance camps. These creative summer camps give kids and teens space to move, make, perform, imagine, and express themselves. Campers can explore visual arts, music, theatre, dance, and hands-on creative projects while building confidence, trying new skills, and having fun with other young artists.

STEM Camps provide a dive into the creative and fun world of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) for youth ages 5-14.  

Nature Camp at Tacoma Nature Center allows children to explore natural spaces through nature hikes, interactive games, and outdoor activities focused on the world around them.

Imaginative Play Camps are designed for youth ages 6-12 as they embark on a journey through fantastical lands! Kids will decorate hobby horses with wings, scales, fiery horns, and glowing eyes. Learn to gallop like unicorns, leap like griffins, and swirl like dragons in playful jousts and obstacle courses.

For teenagers ready to take the next step, the Counselors in Training (CIT) program transforms 13–15-year-olds into emerging leaders. Over nine weeks, participants build job-readiness skills, gain hands-on field experience, and earn Red Cross First Aid/CPR and Food Handler certifications, setting them on a path to futures as recreational leaders in our community.

Camp STAR is a week-long camp at STAR Center for ages 4-6 with themed games, arts & crafts, science experiments, food crafts, and scavenger hunts. There is play time in Treetops and the Sprayground with weather permitting.

Day Camps at Norpoint, Titlow, and Wapato provide a traditional all-day camp experience for youth ages 5-12.

creating opportunities for every child