Keeping kids entertained and engaged during the summer does not have to wipe out your family’s bank account. From active summer day camps to creative arts camps, the programs below are free or affordable, many with need-based scholarships available. 

Searching for free events on the Main Line Parent Calendar is also a good resource for activities on long summer days.

Overwhelmed by the options? Attend the Main Line Camp Fair at Conestoga High School on January 21, 2026 for more ideas. Enjoy free admission and family-friendly activities while you meet with camp representatives. It can help you narrow down your search for summer camps in the Main Line and surrounding areas.

Affordable Arts and Culture Day Camps

Main Line Art Center

746 Panmure Road, Haverford, PA 19041

Main Line Art Center offers need-based scholarships for qualifying campers at their Summer Art Camp. With varying programs for kids between the ages of 5 and 16, kids can explore their creative side in a fun environment.

Wayne Art Center

413 Maplewood Avenue, Wayne, PA 19087

Wayne Art Center’s Summer Art Camp has varying themes throughout the summer, as well as half and full-day options for campers ages 4-17. The program offers need-based, partial, and full scholarships for students who submit an application to their Executive Director. 

Upper Merion Parks and Recreation – Consortium for the Arts

431 West Valley Forge Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406

The Consortium for the Arts sponsored by the Upper Merion Parks and Recreation Department offers art, musical theater, and 3D art programs for students entering grades 4–12. Discounted camp tuition is available for Upper Merion residents as well as for Community Passholders.

Fleisher Arts Memorial 

719 Catherine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Fleisher Arts Memorial offers art adventures for kids ages 5–18. Each week has a different theme, and campers are grouped by age so they can safely experiment with clay, paint, and other media that interest them. Limited tuition assistance is available upon application.

The Franklin Institute – Science in the Summer

Varying Locations

GSK Science in the Summer is a free summer science program for students in grades 2 through 6. The 2026 theme is Be A Chemist! Students participate in STEM activities exploring different branches of chemistry from cosmetic chemistry to water chemistry. 

GSK and The Franklin Institute partner with local host organizations such as Oxford, Avon Grove, and Conshohocken Free Libraries to provide this free program. Visit The Franklin Institute website to find a location near you.

Free or Low-Cost Active Day Camps

Upper Main Line YMCA

1416 Berwyn-Paoli Road, Berwyn PA 19312

The Upper Main Line YMCA offers a variety of summer camp options for kids ages 3–15 through Camp UMLY speciality camps and their day camps.Their programs include arts and humanities, sports, and specialty programs such as environmental education and tennis.  

No YMCA membership is needed, though a membership does get you an additional discount. With a qualifying application, financial assistance is offered for camp tuition as well as for a YMCA membership.

Riverbend Nature Camp

McKaig Nature Center, 889 Croton Road, Wayne, PA 19087
The Wetherill School, 1321 Beaumont Dr, Gladwyne, PA 19035

Riverbend Nature Camp Manager, Ken Guadagnino said, “Riverbend’s Nature Camps offer outdoor adventures with a focus on free play and fostering children’s connection with nature.” 

Activities for 4-13 year olds include arts and crafts, nature hikes, and field games, with weekly themes such as Riverbend Animals, Messy Science, and Summer Camp Classics. Tuition support is offered for families on SNAP/EBT programs. Other scholarships are available through sponsoring families and organizations such as One Little Earth and Lower Merion Township.  

Upper Merion Parks and Recreation – Adventure Day Camp

431 West Valley Forge Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406

Adventure Day Camp, sponsored by Upper Merion Parks and Recreation, is a six-week camp offering games, crafts, and sports for kids ages 5-13. Field trips can also be included in your child’s summer camp experience at an additional cost. 

Camp Beechtree offers a day camp for younger kids, ages 3–6. Discounted camp tuition is available for Upper Merion residents as well as for Community Passholders. 

Lower Merion Parks and Recreation – Playground Programs

Lower Merion Township, 75 E. Lancaster Ave. Ardmore, PA 19003

Lower Merion Parks and Recreation will publish their 2026 summer programs prior to the February 2026 registration date. Visit their website for more information regarding their six-week Playground Programs in parks in the Main Line area. Proof of Lower Merion residency will give you a discount on any enrollment fees.

Tredyffrin Township Summer Day Camp

1100 DuPortail Road, Berwyn, PA 19312

Tredyffrin Township offers a half-day summer day camp for kids ages 3½ to 12. This local day camp provides kids with activities such as arts and crafts, scavenger hunts, water activities, and more. Parents can choose to sign up their camper for all six weeks or one week at a time. Camp tuition is discounted for Tredyffrin Township residents.

JAB Camp

45 Haverford Road, Penn Wynne, PA 19096

JAB Camp uses basketball to teach kids ages 8–10 about diversity, community building, and communication. Scholarships are available to student athletes through the JAB CAMP Scholarship Fund. 

Free and Low-Cost Sleepaway Camps

Appel Farm Arts Camp

457 Shirley Road, P.O. Box 888, Elmer, NJ 08318

Appel Farm Arts Camp is a non-profit overnight arts camp for campers between the ages of 8 and 16. With one, two, or four-week sessions, campers can explore the arts based curriculum in a gender-affirming and welcoming environment. Their scholarship program, funded by donors such as OceanFirst Foundation, discounts tuition from 25%–100% upon qualifying application. 

Camp Conrad Weiser Overnight Camp

201 Cushion Peak Road, Reinholds, PA 17569

South Mountain YMCA Camp Conrad Weiser offers a one- and two-week sleepaway camp in the Poconos for campers in grades 2 through 11. From sports and arts, to nature programs, the camp offers a range of activities to satisfy the curiosity of all kids. Families have the option to select one of three tiers for their tuition cost, based on the honor system. An additional Financial Aid Program is offered for campers upon application. 

Camp Philly

Camp Speers, 143 Nichecronk Road, Dingmans Ferry, PA 18328

This one-week, low-cost overnight camp in the Poconos gives kids between the ages of 8 and 12 a chance to exert their independence and to explore the outdoors. The camp is sponsored by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and full scholarships are available for qualifying families.

Camp Rainbow

989 Clemmers Mill Road,  Schwenksville, PA 19473

Camp Rainbow, a non-profit organization, offers a one-week overnight camp on 18 acres along the Perkiomen Creek. From archery and boating, to traditional camp activities, Camp Rainbow gives Montgomery County Families a chance to send their kids to sleepaway camp at a low cost. The registration fee is based on participation in the Free or Reduced School Lunch Program.

Find Affordable Summer Camp Adventures

The idea of planning and paying for summer activities and camps for kids can be overwhelming. Utilize this guide to find budget-friendly summer programs for your family. Additional ways to give your children memorable summer experiences without overspending: register early, look for sibling discounts, and see if your employer offers a flexible spending account that can be used towards summer programs.

Lead photo courtesy of Riverbend Nature Camp.