Cleveland and Akron: who runs camps, in their own words
Three operators on this page print next summer’s year: the zoo prints an opening day, Hiram House prints session dates, and the Scout reservation prints a payment timeline. The other lines print last season’s year or none, and are labelled.
Listed, not checked. We have not visited, inspected, rated or endorsed any camp named on this page, and a camp being named here says nothing about how it is run. Each fact is the operator’s or the agency’s own wording, with a link to the page it came from. Read the questions to ask and put them to the camp yourself.
What do Cleveland Metroparks, the zoos and Summit Metro Parks print?
Campers ages 5-14 can spend their summer days at the Zoo participating in fun and educational activities with experienced camp counselors.(clevelandmetroparks.com)no year in this line Age groups are based on the camper's age as of June 7, 2027(clevelandmetroparks.com)the line prints 2027
Registration
2027 Summer Day Camp Registration opens February 1, 2027!(clevelandmetroparks.com)the line prints 2027
All prices are for the full week, Monday through Friday, unless otherwise noted:(clevelandmetroparks.com)no year in this line Full Day Camp (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) Member: $269 Non-Member: $298(clevelandmetroparks.com)no year in this line Half Day Camp (9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) Member: $189 Non-Member: $209(clevelandmetroparks.com)no year in this line
Before and after care
Before Care (early drop-off begins at 7:30 a.m.): $38(clevelandmetroparks.com)no year in this line After Care (late pick-up ends at 6:00 p.m.): $42(clevelandmetroparks.com)no year in this line
Help paying
2027 Summer Day Camp Scholarship Applications are now open.(clevelandmetroparks.com)the line prints 2027
Refunds
Program fees are non-refundable.(clevelandmetroparks.com)no year in this line If Cleveland Metroparks Zoo finds it necessary to cancel a program, a refund or internal education program credit will be issued.(clevelandmetroparks.com)no year in this line
The registration line, the age cut-off and the scholarship line all print the coming season’s year. The price lines print no year, and we do not assign one. The holiday-week line on the page reads Holiday Week camp runs Tuesday - Friday (July 6-9. No camp Monday, July 5)(clevelandmetroparks.com), again with no year. Our suggestion: confirm the price on the zoo’s page before you budget.
There are opportunities for children ages 3 to 17, with over 80 different camp opportunities throughout Cleveland Metroparks.(clevelandmetroparks.com)no year in this line
Season on the page
All 2026 Summer Nature Camps can be found on our registration page.(clevelandmetroparks.com)the line prints 2026
Before registration day
you MUST create an account prior to registration.(clevelandmetroparks.com)no year in this line
How many sessions
Families are encouraged to register for no more than two camp sessions per child to allow other families the opportunity to participate in summer nature camps.(clevelandmetroparks.com)no year in this line
Help paying
Yes, camp scholarships are available to help cover the cost of Cleveland Metroparks Summer Nature Camps. Individuals who receive aid in the form of SNAP, Medicaid, or the National School Lunch Program - CEP and are residents of Cuyahoga County or Hinckley Township are eligible.(clevelandmetroparks.com)no year in this line Scholarship applications have closed for the 2026 season.(clevelandmetroparks.com)the line prints 2026 Your non-refundable $10 copay is required by May 5th(clevelandmetroparks.com)no year in this line
Discounts
No, Cleveland Metroparks does not offer any discounts on summer nature camps, but scholarships may be available.(clevelandmetroparks.com)no year in this line
Refunds
Camp fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.(clevelandmetroparks.com)no year in this line
Late pick-up
a late fee of $5 per camper for every 15-minute interval past the pick-up time may be charged to your account.(clevelandmetroparks.com)no year in this line
The lines quoted print last season’s year or none. We found no registration date for the coming season on the page.
ZooCamp is a great way for children ages 6 through 16 to learn about zoo animals, animal behaviors and wildlife in general.(akronzoo.org)no year in this line Children MUST have completed kindergarten by June 2026 to participate in these camps.(akronzoo.org)the line prints 2026
Registration
Registrations can only be done online at this time.(akronzoo.org)no year in this line
Refunds and changes
If the cancellation occurs two or more weeks before the first day of the camp, a 50% refund will be issued.(akronzoo.org)no year in this line There is a $10 service charge for any changes made to the original registration.(akronzoo.org)no year in this line The zoo reserves the right to cancel any camp with insufficient registrations. In the event this happens, a full refund will be issued.(akronzoo.org)no year in this line
The kindergarten line prints last season’s year. No price was in the page text we read.
Beginning January 2026, all program registration will be online. Registration will now open at 8:30 a.m. on the first day of the month prior to the program.(summitmetroparks.org)the line prints 2026
We did not find a summer camp page for Summit Metro Parks; the page we read prints this rule for its programs in general. Our suggestion: ask Summit Metro Parks when registration opens for the program you want.
For children ages 5*–14 (*Campers must have completed kindergarten)(clevelandymca.org)no year in this line
Weekly rate
Weekly Rate Member: $245/week Non-Member: $250/week(clevelandymca.org)no year in this line There is a $25 registration fee per child. Each week of summer day camp requires a $25 deposit, which is applied towards tuition. Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable.(clevelandymca.org)no year in this line
Help paying
Scholarship awards may cover up to 95% of camp fees for those who qualify and are determined using several factors, including annual household income, the number of adults in the home, and the number of dependents.(clevelandymca.org)no year in this line The YMCA financial assistance program for childcare operates on a sliding fee scale(clevelandymca.org)no year in this line Publicly funded childcare participants are welcome(clevelandymca.org)no year in this line
The rate lines print no year. The ratio is the YMCA’s own statement about itself. The Ohio ratio rule quoted on this site is for approved day camps (what that means).
Camp Curiosity: Summer Day Camps 2026(greatscience.com)the line prints 2026 Dates: Week-long sessions June 1 - August 7, 2026(greatscience.com)the line prints 2026 Campers entering grades K - 8 in fall 2026(greatscience.com)the line prints 2026
Price lines
Grades K-2, 3-6, 4-6: $350 per week ($325 members).(greatscience.com)no year in this line Grades 6-8: $400 per week ($375 members)(greatscience.com)no year in this line
Help paying
Interested in discounts and scholarship opportunities? Visit our "Camp FAQ" page for payment information, cancellation/refund policies, and volunteer opportunities!(greatscience.com)no year in this line
The title, the session dates and the grade line print last season’s year; the other quoted lines print none. We found nothing on the page for the coming season.
What do Hiram House Camp and Camp Christopher print?
For kids ages 7–12, our Summer Day Camp provides an unparalleled opportunity to relish outdoor recreation and forge deep connections with nature.(hiramhousecamp.org)no year in this line Summer 2027 Day Camp Schedule Our Day Camp program is organized into four 2-week sessions and one 1-week “Summer Kickoff” session.(hiramhousecamp.org)the line prints 2027 2027 Session Dates Session 1: June 7th – June 11th (1 Week)(hiramhousecamp.org)the line prints 2027
Day camp price lines
1 Session (2 Weeks) $885(hiramhousecamp.org)no year in this line A $100 non-refundable deposit is required per camper, per session. Session 1 Only (1 week) is available for $500.(hiramhousecamp.org)no year in this line Full Summer (All 5 Sessions) $4,040(hiramhousecamp.org)no year in this line
Overnight camp
Summer 2027 Overnight Schedule An immersive 6-day, 5-night adventure for boys and girls aged 7-14.(hiramhousecamp.org)the line prints 2027 The 2027 Sessions Session 1: June 13th – June 18th(hiramhousecamp.org)the line prints 2027
The cost for Before & After Camp Care is $15.00 per hour.(hiramhousecamp.org)no year in this line Before Camp Care runs from 8:00 am – 9:00 am (drop-off begins at 8:00 am), and After Camp Care runs from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm (final pick-up at 6:00 pm).(hiramhousecamp.org)no year in this line
Registration
Be the first to receive session announcements, dates, and early registration access for the 2027 season!(hiramhousecamp.org)the line prints 2027
Help paying
As part of our historical mission, Hiram House offers Camperships (financial aid) to families who qualify.(hiramhousecamp.org)no year in this line
Refunds
Cancellations made at least 30 days prior to the session start date will receive a full refund (minus the deposit). Within 30 days of the start date, refunds are only issued for documented medical reasons.(hiramhousecamp.org)no year in this line Camp fees are non-refundable and non-transferable, but we understand that unexpected situations can arise.(hiramhousecamp.org)no year in this line
Forms
All medical forms and immunization records must be uploaded to your CampBrain account 30 days prior to your child’s first day of camp.(hiramhousecamp.org)no year in this line
The camp’s own statements about itself
Yes, all Hiram House Camps are accredited by the American Camp Association.(hiramhousecamp.org)no year in this line We maintain a strict 8:1 camper-to-staff ratio.(hiramhousecamp.org)no year in this line
The schedule headings print the coming season’s year; the price lines under them print no year. The camp prints refund terms in three places, all quoted above. Our suggestion: ask which applies to your session. The accreditation and ratio lines are the camp’s own statements. We could not check them against the American Camp Association, whose site refuses automated readers (accreditation).
Camp
Camp Christopher (Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland)
Traditional Camp for ages 7-16(ccdocle.org)no year in this line Traditional Camp for ages 5-12(ccdocle.org)no year in this line Special Needs Camp for ages 5-21(ccdocle.org)no year in this line
Registration
2026 Youth and Adult Public Programs Registration is now OPEN(ccdocle.org)the line prints 2026
Help paying
Camp Christopher Scholarship Fund(ccdocle.org)no year in this line
The page prints more than one traditional session, with different age ranges; two are quoted. The scholarship fund is a menu label on the page; we did not read its terms.
Two more camps describe themselves as serving campers with disabilities: Camp Cheerful and Akron Rotary Camp. Their own wording is on the disabilities and medical needs page.
2027 Registration Timeline & Payment Schedule(beaumontscoutreservation.org)the line prints 2027 August 2026 – January 31, 2027 Reserve your unit's place at Beaumont for Summer Camp 2027. $200 unit deposit required.(beaumontscoutreservation.org)the line prints 2026 and 2027
Per-Scout deposit
February 1 – February 11, 2027 A $100 non-refundable deposit per Scout is due.(beaumontscoutreservation.org)the line prints 2027
Early rate cut-off
Full payment must be received by April 26, 2027 to qualify for the Early Bird rate.(beaumontscoutreservation.org)the line prints 2027
The timeline’s first line, quoted above, is about reserving a unit’s place. We found nothing on the page about a family registering on its own.
What does the registration law say about city and park-district programs?
The registration statute’s fifth exemption: (5) A program that provides activities for children who are five years of age or older and is operated by any county, township, municipal corporation, township park district created under section 511.18 of the Revised Code, park district created under section 1545.04 of the Revised Code, or joint recreation district established under section 755.04 of the Revised Code.(codes.ohio.gov, effective January 1, 2025) A program that fits those words is not asked to register, so its absence from the state’s list is not a warning sign. Whether a given operator’s program fits, or registers anyway, is a question for that operator. The registration page has all five exemptions.
Pages we could not read, so they are not here. Leaving a camp out says nothing about the camp.
Camp Wise (Mandel Jewish Community Center): campwise.org refused our reader, so nothing from it is quoted.
Lake Metroparks: the registration page we read showed winter programs only.
Cleveland Museum of Natural History and the Akron Area YMCA: no camp page was found at the addresses we tried.
Private and for-profit camps: not covered at all.
Six women in summer dresses, books and papers in hand, gathered around a man in a white T-shirt beside a clapboard building.The record’s description: Camp Ebenezer (Holmes Co., Ohio): caption: Doris Gunden, Eunice Hartman, Dorothy Schrock, Martha Kanagy, Margaret Troyer, Mark Yoder, Tillie Yoder," 1949. HM4-110, Photo 69(Wikimedia Commons)Photo: Mennonite Church USA Archives. Rights line on the file page: The uploading organization may have various reasons for determining that no known copyright restrictions exist(Wikimedia Commons)The place and year are in the record’s description above. It is not a camp named on this site.
.jpg){kind=link}