The Waco Buzz Presents

2026 Waco Summer Camp Guide

Everything I could find, verified and sorted, so you don't have to spend two hours in Google rabbit holes. Bookmark this one.

Updated April 2026 · 15+ camps covered · Ages 3–18

Every spring I get a flood of questions about summer camps in Waco. Which ones are worth it? What's the age range? Are there still spots left? So this year I decided to put it all in one place.

I went through every camp I could find in the area, checked the details, and organized them by category. Prices, dates, and links are as current as I could get them. When in doubt, always verify directly with the camp before you register, since things can change.

One note: Basin Climbing & Fitness is our featured partner this year, and they earned it. If you've got a kid who hasn't tried climbing, this summer is a good time to start. More on them below.

Sam Harper, Publisher

🧗
Featured Partner
Basin Climbing & Fitness
⭐ Top Pick for 2026

Rock climbing camp for ages 6–13.
All indoors. Air-conditioned.

Kids climbing at Basin Climbing and Fitness in Waco

Basin runs week-long youth camps all summer: bouldering, top-rope technique, knot-tying, and a whole lot of problem-solving. Four days a week, with morning and "Littles" sessions. The gym is fully air-conditioned, which matters in a Waco July.

Kids who come in nervous about heights leave with a skill they'll want to show everyone. That's the thing about climbing. It builds confidence in a really tangible way.

6–13
Ages covered
4 days
Per week
$225
Per session
100%
Indoors & A/C
2026 Sample Sessions
Session 6
July 13–16
9:00 a.m. start · Ages 6–13
Session 7
July 20–23
9:00 a.m. start · Ages 6–13
Register at Basin Climbing →
Youth camp session at Basin Climbing Waco Climbing wall at Basin Climbing and Fitness
🌿
Sustainable Agriculture & Farm Life
Get Outside & Get Your Hands Dirty

World Hunger Relief Farm Camp

Farm life · Animals · Sustainable agriculture
Farm

A working farm experience for kids roughly ages 5–12. They're outside every day caring for livestock, gardening, composting, and learning hands-on what it means to grow food. Not a themed experience. An actual farm.

Registration is open now and weeks fill fast. Waco ISD families can ask about scholarships and sibling discounts directly via email.

Ages
~5–12 (K–7th)
Format
Full-day, outdoors
2026 Weeks
→ Week 1: May 26–30
→ Week 2: June 2–6
→ Week 3: June 9–13
→ Week 4: June 16–20
Register Now →

MCC Highlander Ranch Equestrian Camp

Horseback riding · Horsemanship · Western & English
Equestrian

Riding lessons, horse anatomy, and daily stable work near Bosqueville. Good option for kids who've been asking about horses. Ages typically 7–15, but verify on the site for exact brackets.

Ages
~7–15
Location
Bosqueville area
Details & Registration →
🐻
Baylor Athletics Camps
NCAA Division I Coaching Staff

📅 Mark your calendar: April 14, 2026 is when general registration opens for Baylor athletics camps. Basketball and volleyball tend to fill quickly once that portal goes live.

Scott Drew Basketball Camps

Boys' basketball · Skills & character development
Baylor

Coached by the Baylor Men's Basketball staff. Multiple sessions from day camps to advanced options. Heavy on fundamentals, drills, and team play inside Foster Pavilion.

Location
Foster Pavilion, Baylor
Dates
Multiple June/July sessions
baylorbears.com/camps →

Nicki Collen Basketball Camps

Co-ed youth basketball · Ages 6–14
Baylor

Girls' and co-ed youth basketball from the Lady Bears coaching staff. High-rep skills work in a fun environment. "Little Bears" options for younger kids, plus advanced clinics for older players.

2026 Example Session
→ Day Camp: June 22–25, 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. · Ages 6–14
Register Here →

Baylor Volleyball: The Baylor Bundle

Residential mega-camp · All-Skills + Position training
Baylor

Six days on campus, living in the dorms, two on-court sessions most days. Players are placed by skill level and experience. For incoming 5th through 12th graders of all ability levels.

Historically runs early-to-mid July. Verify current 2026 dates on the camp site before registering.

Ages
Incoming 5th–12th grade
Format
6-day residential
View Camp Details →

Thompson Baseball Academy at Baylor

Baseball skills · Youth through high school
Baylor

Hitting, fielding, and throwing mechanics at Baylor Ballpark. A real college-field experience. Youth Skills Session 1 runs June 8–10, 9:00 a.m.–noon.

Session 1
June 8–10, 9am–noon
Location
Baylor Ballpark
baylorbears.com/camps →

254 Tennis Camp at Hurd Tennis Center

High-intensity junior tennis · Ages 9–18
Baylor

Six hours of instruction per day, college-style match play, and optional on-campus housing. This is the serious tennis option in Waco for players who want to level up, not just hit around.

Session 2
June 7–11 (Sun–Thu)
Price
~$680–$725
Register via ActiveKids →

RGIII Football Academy

Football fundamentals · Grades 9–12 & JC prospects · McLane Stadium
Baylor

Waco's own Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III is back at McLane Stadium for a one-day football academy coached by RGIII, Coach Aranda, and the Baylor Football staff. Campers get on-field work on fundamentals and skills, plus classroom sessions led by RGIII himself.

At $50 per session, this is one of the best deals on this entire list for a high school player who wants real college-level coaching for a day.

Date
Saturday, June 6, 2026
Price
$50
Hours
8:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Location
McLane Stadium
Register via ActiveKids →
⛸️
Adventure & Active
Keep Them Moving

Skate Waco Summer Camps

Roller skating · Ages ~5–12 · Waco & Bellmead
Active

Five sessions spread across the summer, alternating between the Waco and Bellmead rinks. Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Older kids can stay for the afternoon public session.

Kids learn 20+ skate skills, play classic rink games, and have arcade time built in. Around $200 per week, with sibling discounts.

2026 Summer Schedule
→ Camp 1: June 8–12 (Waco)
→ Camp 2: June 22–26 (Bellmead)
→ Camp 3: July 6–10 (Waco)
→ Camp 4: July 20–24 (Bellmead)
→ Camp 5: August 3–7 (Waco)
All sessions open now →
🦁
STEM, Animals & Academic
Curious Minds

Cameron Park Zoo Camp

Animals · Conservation · Ages 3–14
STEM

Registration opened February 2 at 8:00 a.m. and historically sells out the same day. Check for waitlist availability now.

Themed camps grouped by age, with behind-the-scenes access, zookeeper talks, and hands-on activities. The 12–14 group gets a Thursday overnight at the Zoo.

2026 Age Groups & Themes
→ Zoo Tales — Ages 3–4 · Half-day
→ Habitat Heroes — Ages 5–6 · Full-day
→ Amazing Animals — Ages 7–8 · Full-day
→ Back from the Brink — Ages 9–11 · Full-day
→ Explore Waco — Ages 12–14 · Full-day + Thursday overnight
Check for Waitlist Openings →

Summit School Waco Summer Camps

Nature · Outdoor skills · STEM themes
Nature

On a 35-acre wooded campus in Waco. Fort-building, scavenger hunts, bird watching, creek exploration, and real unstructured outdoor time. "The Great Outdoors" week (June 9–12) was already waitlisted. Check the site for other openings.

summitwaco.org/camp →

Mayborn Museum Discovery Programs

Museum-based STEM & history · Baylor campus
STEM

Weekly drop-in programs and special summer offerings including the Design Den tinkering space and the historic village. Check their events calendar closer to summer for specific 2026 camp-style weeks.

See Programs →

Therapy Group of Waco: Camp Read

Reading fluency · Pre-K through 3rd grade
Academic

Small-group work on reading fluency, decoding, and comprehension for younger kids. Two sessions per week, 2 hours each. Homework is an intentional part of the program.

Early bird registration opens at noon on a date announced via their website and social media. Watch for it.

therapygroupofwaco.com →
🎭
Fine Arts & Performance
The Creative Kids

Waco Civic Theatre Summer Camps

Theatre · Musical performance · Acting · Ages 4–14
Theatre

Performance-focused sessions that build toward a musical or showcase at the end. Varies by week and age group. Check civictheatre.org for the full 2026 lineup.

civictheatre.org →

Baylor Music Camps

Band · Orchestra · Piano · Organ · Middle & high school
Music

Residential camps on Baylor's campus for middle and high school musicians. Ensemble rehearsals, sectionals, and performances. Instrumental intensives for serious musicians.

music.baylor.edu/camps →

St. Paul's Episcopal Art Camp

Visual arts · Clay, painting, mixed media
Visual Arts

Clay, painting, and multi-day mixed media projects at St. Paul's Episcopal School. Good hands-on option for kids who love making things.

speswaco.org →
🏊
Multi-Activity
YMCA of Central Texas

YMCA Youth & Specialty Camps

Multi-activity · Weekly specialty themes · May 26–Aug 17
YMCA

The longest season on this list: May 26 through August 17 across multiple Greater Waco locations. Half-day and full-day options, with a different specialty focus each week.

Specialty themes include Art Lab, eSports, Cooking, Basketball, Soccer, Cake Decorating, Gymnastics, and more. Good option if you need flexible coverage across the whole summer.

ymcaCTX.org/camp →

⏰ Register Before You Miss Out

📋
World Hunger Relief Farm Camp is open now. Space is limited and weeks fill up. Don't wait on this one.
📅
Baylor Athletics Camps open general registration on April 14, 2026. Basketball and volleyball tend to fill the same day.
🦁
Cameron Park Zoo Camp registration opened February 2 and historically sells out that morning. Check for waitlist spots now.

Keep Reading

© 2026 Waco Buzz LLC.
Report abusePrivacy policyTerms of use
beehiivPowered by beehiiv