2026 Summer Camps in the Great Lakes Bay Region: Fun, learning, and adventure for kids of all ages

With freezing temps still in the forecast and snow dusting the ground, it might feel too early to think about summer camps and classes. But, there’s no time like the present to start planning for warmer weather and exciting ways to keep your kids busy once school lets out.

Chippewa Nature Center Nature Day Camp programs

The Chippewa Nature Center offers a variety of programs to fit every schedule and budget for kids 3 to 17.

Programs for ages 3 to 5 introduce young campers to nature through sensory activities and guided outdoor play. Camps for ages 5 to 7 emphasize discovering local plants and animals through hiking, pond studies, and wildlife observation.

For ages 7 to 9, camps focus on exploration and creativity, blending outdoor adventure with nature-based crafts and imaginative activities. Camps for ages 9 to 12 build outdoor skills and teamwork through more advanced experiences, including survival skills, STEM activities, and environmental challenges.

Older youth, ages 11 to 17, can participate in leadership and adventure-based programs, including trips and extended outdoor experiences designed to build independence and teamwork.

Weekly sessions run throughout the summer, with a variety of specialty and short-duration camps also available. Registration is now open online, or contact the Center 

Greater Midland North and Coleman Family Centers

Families looking ahead to summer childcare and enrichment can now plan for the 2026 camp season at Greater Midland’s North and Coleman Family Centers. Both programs offer full-day camps for children entering grades 1 through 12, packed with games, sports, arts and crafts, nature activities, field trips, and plenty of fun.

The North Family Center Summer Camp will run June 1 through Aug. 21, operating Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Weekly cost is $165.

Before and after-care options are available from 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 5:30 p.m. Registration is open with forms available for pickup and drop-off in person at the center. For more information, call 989-689-7770.

The Coleman Family Center Summer Camp will run from June 1 through Sept. 8, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the same weekly rate of $165. Extended care is available from 6:30 to 9 a.m. and 4–6 p.m. For details, families can call 989-465-2079.

DHHS assistance and limited scholarships are available at both locations.

Camp Y at the YMCA Bay City

Registration is now open for Camp Y. Day camps for children ages 5 to 12, featuring weekly themes designed to encourage exploration, creativity, and active play. The program offers a mix of hands-on activities, games, and outdoor experiences throughout the summer.

Camps run weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Weekly fees are $200 for Y members and $225 for community members.

YMCA of Saginaw summer day camp lineup

The YMCA of Saginaw has open registration for this year’s series of themed summer camp days. Kids ages 5 to 14 are invited to learn and enjoy all the YMCA has to offer.

Camps will run from June 15 through Aug. 14, with sessions held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Weekly rates are $125 for Y members and $150 for nonmembers for basic camps, and $175 for members and $200 for nonmembers for premium camps.

The Health Careers Summer Camp, open to ages 11 to 14, is a premium offering and will include exposure to medical careers, basic first aid, and medical tools, in partnership with MyMichigan Health.

All camps will incorporate a mix of educational activities, creative projects, and physical exercise, including gym time and swimming, in a supervised setting.

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Great Lakes Bay Region summer sessions

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Great Lakes Bay Region will host summer sessions across multiple sites in Bay and Saginaw counties, providing children and teens with safe, supervised activities from June through mid-August.

Bay County sites:

• Bay City Club – June 9 through Aug. 14, Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., 300 W. Lafayette, Bay City. (989-892-6723)
  
• Essexville Club – June 16 through Aug. 14, Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., 612 W. Borton, Essexville. (989-460-2496)
  
• Pinconning Club – June 9 through Aug. 14, Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., 201 North Street, Pinconning. (989-879-7047)
  

Saginaw County sites:

• KidsCampus Club – June 16 through Aug. 14, Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., 1781 Fordney Street, Saginaw. (989-776-6176)
  
• Teen Center – June 16 through Aug. 14, Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., 1781 Fordney Street, Saginaw. (989-776-6176)
  
• Stone Club – June 16 through Aug. 14, Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., 1006 State Street, Saginaw. (989-399-5100)
  

SVSU Summer Camps

Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) is offering a wide range of summer camps for K-12 students, designed to combine learning, creativity, and fun on a college campus. Programs span athletics, STEM, and the arts, giving students hands-on experiences while exploring new interests.

Athletics/Sports Camps – Students can participate in football, baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, softball, tennis, track, soccer, and cheerleading. Camps range from short skills clinics to multi-day youth sessions, providing instruction from SVSU coaches and staff.

STEM Camps – SVSU’s STEM@SVSU programs offer project-based learning and real-world problem-solving for ages 5-14. Options include SMEKplus Littles for ages 5 to 6, Junior Camp for ages 7-10, and Senior Camp for ages 11-14, providing students with exposure to science, technology, engineering, and math in interactive, hands-on settings.

Art Camps – Hosted at the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum, summer art camp is available for ages 8-18. Students spend a week exploring various artistic techniques under the guidance of skilled instructors, fostering creativity and self-expression.

These are just a handful of camps available across the area. For a more detailed list visit Great Lakes Bay Parents.