Cherry Creek & Wash Park Summer Camps 2026
Cherry Creek and Wash Park have Denver's best summer camps in one area. Compare top programs from Denver Art Museum, Colorado Ballet, and more for 2026.
Cherry Creek and Wash Park represent the highest concentration of premium summer camp options in Denver. The combination of affluent demographics, proximity to major cultural institutions, and easy access to Denver's best parks creates a camp ecosystem unlike any other neighborhood in the city. Prices here run higher than average, but the quality and convenience are real.
Quick comparison: Cherry creek and wash park camps
| Camp | Location | Ages | Cost/Week | Best For | |, , , |, , , , , |, , , |, , , , , -|, , , , , | | Denver Art Museum Camps | 14th Ave & Bannock | 5-12 | $400-$450 | Museum-quality arts education | | Colorado Ballet Academy | Cherry Creek area | 3-12 | $200-$400 | Dance, themed sessions | | Premier Martial Arts | Wash Park | 5-12 | $200-$400 | Full-day martial arts | | JCC Denver Day Camp | East Denver | 3-15 | $350-$500 | Full-service day camp | | MY Denver Activities | Harvard Gulch/Cook Park | 5-18 | Free | Budget-friendly city programs |
The flagship institutions
Denver art museum (14th ave and bannock)
The Denver Art Museum sits at the edge of the Capitol Hill/Wash Park corridor and draws from the entire south Denver area. Their summer camps ($400-$450/week) are among the most thoughtfully designed arts programs in the city. Sessions like "Patterns and Prints" and "Art and Nature" are built around the museum's actual collection, not generic arts and crafts.
Each session runs Monday through Friday, typically 9 AM to 3 PM. Groups are small, usually 12 to 15 kids, with professional teaching artists leading the instruction. Kids spend time in the actual galleries, which is something most arts camps can't offer. The museum also has a cafeteria, so lunch logistics are simpler than at park-based programs.
Registration opens in January. Sessions sell out. Check our registration timeline guide so you don't miss the window. For more arts options beyond this neighborhood, see our Denver arts camps guide.
Colorado ballet academy
The Colorado Ballet Academy runs their summer camps from their Denver facility, serving the Cherry Creek and Wash Park neighborhoods. The themed sessions for ages 3-4 ($200/week, half-day) are particularly popular - "Superheroes!," "Mermaids and Pirates," and "Mythical Creatures" are designed to make dance accessible to kids who have never taken a class.
Older kids (ages 5-12) can enroll in longer sessions that include more technical instruction. The faculty are professional dancers and trained instructors, not college students working a summer job. The studio is climate-controlled and purpose-built for dance, which matters when outdoor temps hit 95 degrees in July.
Premier martial arts - wash park
Premier Martial Arts Summer Camps at Wash Park ($200-$400/week, ages 5-12) is one of the better martial arts programs in the city. Full-day format, structured curriculum, and a Wash Park location that is convenient for families in the neighborhood.
The camp blends martial arts instruction with traditional camp activities like games, team challenges, and outdoor time. Kids don't need prior martial arts experience. The full-day format (typically 8 AM to 5 PM) makes this one of the more practical options for working parents in the area. The price range depends on the specific session length and whether you're signing up for one week or multiple.
The park advantage
Wash Park itself is one of Denver's best parks, and several summer programs use it as their base. The park's combination of open space, tennis courts, and lake access makes it a natural hub for outdoor and sports programming. For a broader look at what's available across the city, see our complete Denver summer camps guide.
The Cherry Creek Trail runs through the area and connects to the broader Denver trail system. Some camps use this for biking and running activities. The park also has two lakes, a large playground, and a recreation center. If you're picking up a camper and want to let them burn off more energy, you won't run out of things to do.
MY denver activities in the area
Several MY Denver Activities locations serve the Cherry Creek/Wash Park corridor, including the Harvard Gulch and Cook Park locations. These free programs are the most affordable option for families in the neighborhood.
MY Denver programming is funded by the city's sales tax initiative, which means Denver residents can enroll at no cost. The programs aren't as specialized as the museum or ballet options, but they provide solid, supervised activity for kids during the day. Registration fills up, so don't treat "free" as "easy to get into."
Practical tips for cherry creek and wash park
Drive time from central Denver: Cherry Creek is roughly 10 minutes south of downtown via Speer Blvd. Wash Park is about the same. Morning drop-off traffic on University Blvd and Colorado Blvd can add 5 to 10 minutes during peak hours (7:45-8:30 AM).
Parking: Street parking around Wash Park is metered in some areas and time-limited in others. The Denver Art Museum has a parking garage, but it's not free. Budget a few extra dollars per day if you're driving to museum camps. Colorado Ballet has a dedicated lot, which is easier.
Nearby lunch spots: If you're doing half-day pickup, the Cherry Creek North shopping district has dozens of restaurants. Snooze (for breakfast/brunch) and True Food Kitchen are both family-friendly. Closer to Wash Park, the Old South Pearl Street corridor has Sushi Ronin and Kaos Pizza, both quick and casual.
What parents ask about cherry creek and wash park camps
It depends on what you're comparing. The Denver Art Museum camps at $400-$450/week are genuinely different from a $250/week general day camp. Your kid is working with professional artists in a world-class museum. Colorado Ballet is taught by professional dancers. You're paying for specialized instruction, not just supervision. For general day camp coverage, the MY Denver programs are free and solid.
Colorado Ballet accepts kids as young as 3 for their themed half-day sessions. Most other programs in the area start at age 5. For toddler-specific options across Denver, check our toddler camps guide.
Yes. MY Denver Activities at Harvard Gulch and Cook Park are free for Denver residents. Beyond that, the Cherry Creek School District sometimes runs summer enrichment programs at reduced rates. And Premier Martial Arts starts at $200/week for shorter sessions, which is below the neighborhood average. Part of the Denver Summer Camps 2026 Complete Guide.
Sources
Planning your kid's whole summer?
Don't piece it together one camp at a time. Tell us your weeks and kids' ages, and we'll build a week-by-week plan that fills every week — free, no account needed to start.
Related Articles
Gresham and East Portland Kids Programs: The Complete Guide for Outer SE Families
The 4:1 camp disparity between NE Portland and outer SE is real, but the programs that do exist in Gresham fill fast. Here are 20+ named camps with exact addresses, prices, and current enrollment status.
Montrose and Midtown Portland Kids Programs: The Local Parent's Real Guide
Portland's inner neighborhoods have some of the densest camp options in the city, but the good ones fill in February. Here's what's actually available, what it costs, and how to build a summer that doesn't require two hours of daily driving.
Portland Summer Camps Filling Up: What's Still Open in June
Portland summer camps are filling up faster than most years. Here is what our data shows about which programs still have open spots, which are on waitlist, and what actually moves the needle if you are scrambling right now.