Summer Camps
The Children's Trust of Alachua County is proud to fund summer camps all over the county to provide children with safe and fun experiences during summer break.
The Children’s Trust summer camp scholarships are available for low- and middle-income children so they can have access to quality summer camp opportunities. The Children’s Trust wants to see scholarships are received by those who can most benefit and might not otherwise be able to participate in these experiences.
To qualify for a Children’s Trust scholarship children must:
- Live in Alachua County.
- Be entering Kindergarten through 12th grade in the 2026-2027 school year.
- Meet one or more of the following scholarship criteria:
- Family at or below 300% of 2026 federal poverty guidelines (see below)
- Family receiving SNAP benefits
- Child is in foster care, voluntary formal kinship care, or under case management supervision
|
Persons in Family/Household |
300% of Poverty Guidelines |
|
2 |
$64,920 |
|
3 |
$81,960 |
|
4 |
$99,000 |
|
5 |
$116,040 |
|
6 |
$133,080 |
|
7 |
$150,120 |
|
8 |
$167,160 |
For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $17,040 for each additional person.
Explore our list of funded Summer Camps for 2026 below. Contact camps directly for availability and to learn how to apply.
I AM STEM
I AM STEM Camp focuses on leveraging the development of community-based partnerships to increase access, equity, and diversity of high-quality informal STEM programs. This comprehensive enrichment summer camp targets populations who are underrepresented in STEM fields, with goals of improving their interests, identity, and engagement in STEM. Our program embraces participants’ cultural practices and meet the specific needs of communities and interests of the youth and families served. The I AM STEM curriculum integrates technology, engineering, and mathematics instruction into science. All activities have clear learning goals, and provide opportunities for children to engage in scientific phenomena while supporting their learning.
Grades: K-12
Contact: 352-372-1004
Aces In Motion
Aces in Motion (AIM) Summer Camp is a FREE, seven-week, full-day program designed for middle and high school students. Running from June 8 – 26 and July 13 – July 31, 2026, AIM operates Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, serving 32 students.
The camp blends sports, STEM, social-emotional learning, and college/career readiness, ensuring students grow academically, socially, and physically. Highlights include daily tennis instruction, sports competitions, field trips, STEM activities, enrichment programs, college tours, and mental health support. With a 1:4 staff ratio, free meals, and on-site counseling, AIM provides a safe, engaging summer experience for youth.
Grades: 6-12
Contact: 352-758-2435
Just For Us Education
Camp Just for Us is a vital in-person summer program designed to address the specific needs of the Residence Oakview communities in Alachua County. Responding directly to requests from residents and school administrators, the camp provides a safe, familiar, and supportive environment for elementary, middle, and high school students. The program focuses on delivering targeted in-person remediation in core subjects like math and reading, alongside daily academic support for assignments and projects, to address educational challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Beyond academics, Camp Just for Us offers a rich array of in-person enrichment activities, fostering a well-rounded experience for participants. The camp's in-person location within the community's existing school facilities eliminates the need for parents to arrange transportation outside their neighborhood, making it a valuable resource for local families.
Lem's Place: K-5
Oakview: K-5
Waldo: K-12
Howard Bishop: 6-9
Mebane: K-5
Contact: (352) 756- 2365 or justforusedu@gmail.com
Gainesville Circus Center
Gainesville Circus Center summer camps allow students to explore circus arts through acrobatic dance, theater, prop making and more. Students learn the fundamentals of gymnastics, aerial acrobatics, juggling, clowning, theater and prop making. Weekly field trips to our satellite school provide opportunities for flying trapeze, equestrian trick-riding and extensive play! Students share the skills they learned with friends and family at weekly camp showcases, which are free and open to the public.
Grades: K-8
Contact: 352-316-0682
Traveling Art Camp
Art is the journey. Creativity is the destination.
Join Traveling Art Camp for a creative summer retreat where young artists dive deep into painting, watercolor, pottery, mosaics, jewelry design, and miniature worlds inspired by global art and culture. Each day is filled with hands-on artmaking and mindful creative practices—encouraging focus, expression, and artistic growth in a calm, inspiring space. Make Art. Live Creatively. Explore the World.
June 1, 2026-August 7, 2026, Monday-Friday, 8:30AM-5:30PM.
Two locations: Celebration United Methodist Church and Meizon Church
Grades: K-9
Contact: 858-692-7303
Girls Place
Girls Place offers trauma-informed, strengths-based, positive youth development programming during the summer months for girls ages 5-14. Through our Summer Day Camp, we provide structure and opportunities for girls to develop skills and a sense of belonging.
Our ACHIEVE, Athletics, and BrainPower programs further enrich their summer experience by fostering growth and learning. Additionally, collaboration with community partners enhances the girls’ experience, providing opportunities to educate, engage, and empower them each week.
As a result, girls develop into independent women who embrace diversity, express their ideas, rise above obstacles, enhance their communities, and lead those around them.
Grades: K-9
Contact: 352-373-4475
Community Impact Corporation
The CIC Summer Camp is an educational, fun enriched, engaging 10-week day camp for rising kindergarten (at least 5 years old) through 12th grade. The CIC Summer Camp will assist children/youth with continuing academic achievements past the school year, by using integrative curricula through STEAM, enhancement of cultural and social skills, enrichment and recreational activities aimed at providing children with a full array of supportive learning activities (including field trips) provided by caring and competent staff in a safe and supportive environment. We will reinforce Reading and Math in collaboration with the Alachua County School Board.
Grades: K-12
Contact: 352-264-0006
Boys & Girls Club
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida (BGCNF) operates the Project STEAM Extreme + L (Literacy) Program at the Northwest Boys & Girls Club, located at 2661 NW 51st Street, Gainesville, FL 32606. and the Woodland Park Boys & Girls Club, located at 331 SE 20th Pl., Gainesville, FL 32641. The program aims to enhance academic performance and personal development among students in grades 1-12 at the Northwest Club and grades 1-5 at the Woodland Park Club.
BGCNF provides students with programming from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., five days a week for 28 days. The program's goals are to improve students' skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math (STEAM), and Literacy (L) through a combination of academic and enrichment activities. Lunch and snacks are served daily. In addition, the sites offer The Programs offer Adult Family programs at the beginning and end of Summer Camp.
Northwest Club
Grades: 1-12
Contact: 352-373-6639
Woodland Park
Grades: 1-12
Contact: 352-377-8003
Deeper Purpose
Deeper Purpose has been doing summer camps since 2012. We are prepared to, again, receive 60 plus summer campers at our facilities this summer. We will operate camp every day that the students of Alachua County are out for summer, from the first day after their last day of school, until the day before they return. We will offer full day services for 8.5 hours as well as offer before & after care. This year's camp will focus around health & fitness, sports, adventure & culinary classes
Grades: K-8
Contact: 386-454-5300
Camp Makerie
Camp Makerie is a story-driven building camp for creative kids excited to work with a team of peers to conquer villains, build out adventures, and create life long memories and friendships. We offer Arts/STEM based programming with a large dose of camp magic and ridiculous over the top fun! We also have a large Free Choice Activity schedule where campers get to choose their own activites and a campus wide water day each week!
Grades: K-12
Contact: 352-339-5102
The Concrete Rose Foundation
The Roses in Bloom Summer Camp provides a structured and engaging program designed to foster academic enrichment, leadership development, and personal growth.
Through a combination of literacy support. STEM activities, cultural enrichment, and recreational programming, campers will develop critical skills in a safe and nurturing environment.
Grades: 6-12
Contact: 305-741-4522
IGB (I Gotcha Back) Education
The IGB Summer Enrichment Camp is designed to empower students through engaging, hands-on learning experiences that build leadership development, financial literacy, and essential life skills. Participants strengthen decision-making, teamwork, and communication abilities while gaining practical knowledge in money management, goal setting, and responsible financial habits. The program fosters confidence, critical thinking, and personal growth in a supportive, enriching environment.
Grades: K-6
Contact: 352-664-8534
Kids Count in Alachua County
Kids Count Summer Camp provides elementary school students from Rawlings and Metcalfe Elementary Schools. Summer Camp provides a safe and nurturing environment where they participate in a variety of engaging academic, enrichment, and recreational activities. Learning is made fun through with a focus on literacy and STEAM activities. Daily field trips are designed to enrich student vocabulary and imagination while exposing students to new areas in their community.
Grades: 1-6
Contact: 352-363-1504
Behavior Bricks
Camp Shine in Alachua County is a dedicated program designed to provide a safe, inclusive, and enriching environment for children and youth with special needs. Our mission is to offer a supportive and engaging summer experience that promotes personal growth, social interaction, academic enrichment and life skills development.
Grades: K-12
Contact: 352-448-9701
University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine
Next Gen Vet Camp is a hands-on, immersive STEAM summer program designed to introduce low-to middle-income students to veterinary medicine and related careers. The program bridges opportunity gaps by providing engaging educational experiences, mentorship, and career exploration in animal health, science, and art. Through interactive, project-based learning and youth-led mentorship, students build practical STEAM skills, gain exposure to STEM and healthcare careers, and develop confidence in their potential. The camp is financially accessible and focused on inspiring and empowering students to pursue future pathways in animal science and healthcare.
Grades: 10-12
Contact: 352-294-8494
Mirror Image Leadership Academy
The Summer Academy is the summer programming of Mirror Image Leadership Academy, which is integrated with the Extended Day (after-school), and yearlong School Year Academy, which focus on helping our scholars discover the leader within. MILA Summer Academy serves as the culminating experience for scholars. It runs Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and includes leadership development curriculum, team buildings exercises, and daily exposure trips. It continues the Mirror Image True Leader Model and provides immersive local, nationa, and international experiences. We aim to help reverse loss learning, and encourage engagement in a safe, supportive, and stable environment while building leaders with positive self image, prupose, faith, character, and work ethic.
Grades: 7-9
Contact: 352-204-0072
Limitless Adventures
Limitless Adventures is an inclusive summer camp, specially designed for children who may need a little more time and attention. We offer a low staff-to-camper ratio and sensory accommodations while providing a fun, interactive summer camp experience! Our program is designed to support each childs sensory needs and behavior interventions through positive peer interactions and social-emotional learning. Our overarching goal is to create a robust, safe, and structured summer camp for special learners in Alachua County.
Grades: K-6
Contact: 352-234-4576
Star Center Theatre
Star Center Theatre’s Summer Arts Camp provides a dynamic and welcoming experience where youth explore the performing arts through acting, singing, dance, and technical theater. Designed for students grades K-12, our camp fosters creativity, confidence, and collaboration in a safe and nurturing environment. Through engaging workshops, hands-on activities, and live performances, campers develop artistic skills while enhancing literacy, social-emotional learning, and teamwork.
We are committed to ensuring that children from all backgrounds have the opportunity to participate. Our experienced instructors and mentors guide students through an enriching curriculum that culminates in a final showcase for families and the community. By providing scholarships and partnering with local organizations, we make the arts accessible to all.
For over 25 years, Star Center Theatre has been a leader in youth arts programming in Alachua County. Our Summer Arts Camp continues this tradition, empowering the next generation of artists and leaders using the power of the arts.
Grades: K-12
Contact: 352-378-3311
Hagios Early Learning Center
The Hagios Literacy Summer Camp is a comprehensive, fun-filled program designed to prevent summer learning loss and to foster a love of reading in elementary-aged children through engaging activities and small group instruction, ultimately aiming to improve reading fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension skills while creating a positive and supporting learning environment.
Grades: K-7
Contact: 352-260-4477
Greater Duval Neighborhood Association
Summer Sling is a seven-week program that helps 20 students develop a plan for after high school while building leadership skills among their peers. High-school-age children are given the chance to see different career opportunities that will provide them with a living wage. We take them to visit several colleges, universities, alternative programs and to job sites that only require a high school diploma. We will have 13 youths selected for the core Summer Sling and 7 high school participants who will have an opportunity to shadow on some of those career job sites and work as interns and peer mentors for the Summer Sling, directing the 13 Summer Sling core group. The children also learn about civic engagement and have conversations with several city officials about civic duties and careers in politics. As a group, we learn about conflict resolution, teamwork, and decision-making skills for career options. This program is free and targets low-income participants and those with special needs.
Grades: 7-12
Contact: 352-441-8072
Williams Temple Church of God in Christ
Williams Temple Scholars of Excellence Summer Camp, established in July 2017, is a STEM-focused program for Alachua County youth. Partnering with the University of Florida and local community-based organizations, we offer a range of interactive activities, including field trips and exposure to cutting-edge STEM research. This year’s theme is "Food: Farm to Table," where participants will explore topics such as the plant cycle, sustainable food engineering, and farming. An art component is also included to bridge science and artistic expression. Located in NW Gainesville, our camp is easily accessible to students from the Northeast and Southeast sections of the city.
