summer camp
noun
plural summer camps
1
: a camp (see camp entry 1 sense 1d) for children or adolescents that operates during the summer and that often provides lodging for stays of days or weeks
… traditional summer camps—where your child rides a horse, paddles a canoe, reads a compass, and roasts s'mores around a campfire …—
David Lansing
David Lansing… summer camp is about campfires, trail hikes and goofy skits. It's a chance to meet kids from different cities and to learn to sleep through the snores of cabin mates.—Emily Seftel
Emily Seftel
also
: such a camp that provides instruction of a specified kind
went to an arts summer camp
compare day camp
2
: an online usually educational program for children or adolescents offered during the summer
… a virtual summer camp offering free classes in everything from slime-making to dinosaurs to make-your-own Lego movies. Kids aged five through 18 can create their own schedule, with hour-long classes five days a week for each session.—Lisa Milbrand
Lisa MilbrandExamples of summer camp in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Kasheena McKee-Kimbrough enrolled her son, Kireh, in summer camp at ALM Sports Bradenton to help prepare him for voluntary prekindergarten in the fall, according to WTVG and Action News 5.
—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
3 July 2026
Children affected by the war are also attending summer camps such as those led by OneFamily, an organization that supports victims of terrorism and war and their families.
—
Amelie Botbol,
FOXNews.com,
2 July 2026
Fort Worth has been able to expand literacy services at summer camps this year because of a $330,000 donation from the Rainwater Charitable Foundation.
—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 July 2026
If, for example, your child wants to go to an expensive sports summer camp, encourage them to save a portion of the cost from their allowance or summer job.
—
ABC News,
30 June 2026
So far, the heat has forced the cancellation of outdoor activities such as summer camps and communities to open cooling centers.
—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
30 June 2026
The heat wave has already forced summer camps and other outdoor activities in the Midwest to be canceled, according to The Associated Press.
—
Scott Neuman,
NPR,
30 June 2026
At a time when loneliness and social isolation have become growing public health concerns, summer camp is not simply a summer pastime.
—
Lauren Barr,
New York Daily News,
29 June 2026
At a time when Americans disagree deeply over the meaning of citizenship, belonging and education, summer camps remain places where values and visions of America as inclusive or exclusive are communicated to young people.
—
Derek H. Alderman,
The Conversation,
26 June 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
3 July 2026
Children affected by the war are also attending summer camps such as those led by OneFamily, an organization that supports victims of terrorism and war and their families.
—
Amelie Botbol,
FOXNews.com,
2 July 2026
Fort Worth has been able to expand literacy services at summer camps this year because of a $330,000 donation from the Rainwater Charitable Foundation.
—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 July 2026
If, for example, your child wants to go to an expensive sports summer camp, encourage them to save a portion of the cost from their allowance or summer job.
—
ABC News,
30 June 2026
So far, the heat has forced the cancellation of outdoor activities such as summer camps and communities to open cooling centers.
—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
30 June 2026
The heat wave has already forced summer camps and other outdoor activities in the Midwest to be canceled, according to The Associated Press.
—
Scott Neuman,
NPR,
30 June 2026
At a time when loneliness and social isolation have become growing public health concerns, summer camp is not simply a summer pastime.
—
Lauren Barr,
New York Daily News,
29 June 2026
At a time when Americans disagree deeply over the meaning of citizenship, belonging and education, summer camps remain places where values and visions of America as inclusive or exclusive are communicated to young people.
—
Derek H. Alderman,
The Conversation,
26 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Summer camp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/summer%20camp. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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