South Denver Summer Camps 2026
South Denver summer camps 2026: 7+ programs from $150-$660/week in Englewood, Cherry Hills, and Greenwood Village. Compare schedules and register now.
The south Denver corridor, including Englewood, Cherry Hills Village, Greenwood Village, and the Tech Center area, has a different camp market than the rest of the metro. The demographics skew toward higher-income families, which means more premium programs and fewer of the city-run free options. But there are still good values here if you know where to look.
Key Takeaways
- South Denver camps range from $150 to $660 per week, with premium private school programs at the top and municipal rec options at the bottom.
- Colorado Academy, Camp Galileo, and Wings Over the Rockies all offer extended care for working parents.
- The average cost of summer day camp nationwide reached $396 per week in 2025 (American Camp Association, 2025).
- Cherry Hills and Greenwood Village lack dedicated camp programs, so most families drive 10-15 minutes to nearby providers.
- Free and faith-based options like Totus Tuus fill schedule gaps on a budget.
How does south denver's camp market compare?
South Denver's camp pricing ranges from roughly $150 per week at Englewood Parks and Recreation to $660 per week for Colorado Academy's Sunshine program. The national average for summer day camp was $396 per week in 2025, according to the (American Camp Association, 2025). That puts most south Denver premium options 30-65% above the national average, while the municipal programs sit well below it.
| Camp | Ages | Cost/Week | Extended Care | Known For | |, , , |, , , |, , , , , -|, , , , , , , -|, , , , , -| | Colorado Academy - Sunshine | 3-6 | $410-$660 | Yes | Premium early childhood on private school campus | | Colorado Academy - Rainbow | 6-12 | $375-$575 | Yes | Academics + recreation, polished facility | | Colorado Academy - Traditional | 6-12 | $540 | Yes | Classic day camp, strong outdoor programming | | Camp Galileo (Platt Park) | 5-10 | $489-$659 | Yes | STEM + creativity, national brand | | Wings Over the Rockies | 6-14 | $399 | Yes | Aviation STEM at a real airport | | Englewood Parks & Rec | Varies | ~$150-$250 | Varies | Best local value option | | Totus Tuus (All Souls) | 6-18 | Free | No | Catholic faith formation, one week only |
Citation Capsule: South Denver's premium camp market is shaped by its demographics. While the national average summer day camp costs $396 per week (American Camp Association, 2025), south Denver's private programs range from $375 to $660 per week, reflecting the corridor's higher-income family base.
What are the best premium camps in south denver?
Premium programs dominate south Denver's camp landscape, with Colorado Academy operating three distinct camps across a single private school campus. Nationally, about 27% of summer camps are run by private schools or independent organizations (American Camp Association, 2025). In south Denver, that share is notably higher.
Colorado academy summer programs
Colorado Academy is a private K-12 school in southwest Denver, and their summer programs are among the most polished in the metro. The campus is beautiful, the facilities are excellent, and the programming reflects the school's academic culture.
- Sunshine Day Camp - Ages 3-6, $410-$660/week, extended care available
- Rainbow Day Camp - Ages 6-12, $375-$575/week, extended care available
- Traditional Summer Day Camp - Ages 6-12, $540/week, extended care available
These are not cheap, but they are high-quality. The extended care option makes them practical for working parents who want a premium experience.
A few things worth knowing about Colorado Academy camps: the campus is on South Pierce Street near Belleview, so it's accessible from both Englewood and Lakewood. The Sunshine program for ages 3-6 is one of the youngest-starting camps in south Denver, which matters if you have a preschooler. You don't need to be a Colorado Academy student to attend. Many families use the summer camps as a way to test the school before applying for admission.
Camp galileo: Platt park (Englewood)
Camp Galileo's Platt Park location serves the Englewood/south Denver area. $489-$659/week with extended care. The Galileo curriculum (STEM meets creativity) is consistent across locations, so this is a reliable choice if you are already familiar with the brand.
Galileo runs weekly themed sessions where kids build projects, from engineering challenges to art installations. The age range is 5-10, which means this works well for elementary schoolers but not for middle school kids. Extended care stretches the day from about 8 AM to 6 PM. The Platt Park location is convenient for families near Broadway and Evans, but parking can be tight during drop-off.
Wings over the rockies: Exploration of flight (Centennial airport)
The Wings Over the Rockies Exploration of Flight camp at Centennial Airport is technically in Englewood/Centennial but serves the entire south Denver area. $399/week with extended care. Aviation and aerospace STEM in a real airport environment. One of the most distinctive programs in the metro.
Kids at this camp aren't watching videos about airplanes. They're walking through hangars, learning about flight mechanics from actual pilots, and in some sessions, getting introductory flight time. For kids who are obsessed with aviation or space, there's nothing else like it in the Denver metro. The facility is at Centennial Airport off Arapahoe Road, easy to reach from I-25. With STEM camps growing at roughly 15% year-over-year nationally (American Camp Association, 2025), specialized aviation programs like this one stand out for their hands-on approach.
What are the most affordable south denver camp options?
Families don't have to pay $400+ per week for quality camp programming. Englewood's municipal recreation programs run $150-$250 per week, roughly 40-60% less than private alternatives. According to the (National Recreation and Park Association, 2024), municipal recreation departments serve over 300 million visits annually, making them one of the most accessible summer options in the country.
Englewood Parks and Recreation - Englewood runs several summer programs through their parks and recreation department at rates significantly below the private programs. Expect to pay roughly $150-$250/week depending on the program. These camps use Englewood's rec center facilities and local parks. Programming is solid if less specialized than the private options. Check englewoodco.gov for current offerings and register early, because the low price point means high demand.
Totus Tuus @ All Souls Parish (Englewood) - Free Catholic faith formation camp. Ages 6-18. Week-long, morning sessions. This is not a full-summer program, but it's a useful free week to build into a patchwork schedule. Open to all families, not just parish members.
Citation Capsule: Municipal recreation programs offer the most affordable camp option in south Denver. Englewood Parks and Recreation camps cost $150-$250 per week, 40-60% less than private alternatives, while the (National Recreation and Park Association, 2024) reports that public recreation departments serve over 300 million visits annually.
Which south denver camps work best for working parents?
Extended care availability is the deciding factor for working parents, and three south Denver programs, Colorado Academy, Camp Galileo, and Wings Over the Rockies, all offer it. The (Afterschool Alliance, 2023) found that 24.6 million children participate in afterschool or extended-day programs, confirming how critical these hours are for dual-income families.
If you need full-day coverage with before- and after-care, Colorado Academy, Camp Galileo, and Wings Over the Rockies all offer extended care. Colorado Academy has the earliest drop-off (around 7:30 AM) and latest pickup (around 5:30-6 PM), making it the most practical option for parents with standard office hours.
The Englewood rec programs vary in schedule. Some are full-day, others are half-day. Check the specific session details before assuming you'll have coverage until 5 PM.
If you work in the Tech Center or DTC area, the south Denver camps are conveniently located for a quick drop-off on your commute down I-25 or Santa Fe. Colorado Academy and Wings Over the Rockies are both within 10 minutes of the I-25/Belleview interchange. That commute proximity makes a real difference when you're doing daily drop-off and pickup across a 9-week summer.
extended care options across Denver
What is missing from south denver's camp landscape?
The south Denver corridor does not have a strong free city program network the way central Denver does. MY Denver Activities is a Denver city program, not available in Englewood or Greenwood Village. The (City of Denver, 2025) provides free recreation access to Denver residents ages 5-18, but that boundary excludes most south Denver suburbs.
Families in this area who need affordable options have fewer choices than families in Denver proper. For ideas, see our free and low-cost camps guide.
The best strategy for south Denver families on a budget: use the Centennial programs (which are just a few miles further south) for sports and outdoor camps, and the Lakewood rec center camps for affordable full-day coverage. This "border strategy" takes advantage of the fact that south Denver sits at the intersection of multiple municipal boundaries, each with its own rec department pricing. You're not limited to Englewood's offerings.
Citation Capsule: South Denver suburbs lack the free camp access available to Denver city residents. The MY Denver Activities program provides free recreation access to Denver residents ages 5-18 (City of Denver, 2025), but families in Englewood, Cherry Hills, and Greenwood Village are excluded from this benefit.
What should parents know before choosing a south denver camp?
Registration timing matters in south Denver. Colorado Academy families get early access, and Englewood rec camps fill fast because of their low price point. The (American Camp Association, 2025) reports that 40% of popular camp programs reach capacity before April. Don't wait if you've found a program that fits.
No. The summer camps are open to any family, regardless of school enrollment. Many families use summer camp as a first look at the school. That said, CA families do get early registration access, so don't wait until April if you're an outside family.
Very few camps operate directly in Cherry Hills or Greenwood Village proper. Most families in those areas drive to Colorado Academy (southwest), Camp Galileo in Platt Park (north), or the Centennial/Highlands Ranch programs (south). The commute is short in any direction, usually 10-15 minutes.
This is a gap. Most south Denver camps cap out at age 10-12. Wings Over the Rockies goes up to 14, and Totus Tuus accepts ages up to 18. For older teens, you're better off looking at the Denver-wide camps by age guide or considering programs in central Denver or Littleton that serve the 13-17 age range.
Frequently asked questions
How much do south denver summer camps cost in 2026?
South Denver camp costs range from free (Totus Tuus faith camp) to $660 per week (Colorado Academy Sunshine). Municipal programs through Englewood Parks and Recreation run $150-$250 per week. The national average for summer day camp is $396 per week (American Camp Association, 2025), placing most south Denver private programs above the national benchmark.
Which south denver camps offer extended care for working parents?
Three south Denver programs offer extended care: Colorado Academy (drop-off from 7:30 AM, pickup until 5:30-6 PM), Camp Galileo (approximately 8 AM to 6 PM), and Wings Over the Rockies. Colorado Academy provides the widest coverage window. Englewood rec programs vary by session, so confirm hours before registering.
Are there free summer camps in south denver?
Free options are limited compared to Denver proper. Totus Tuus at All Souls Parish in Englewood is a free, one-week Catholic faith camp for ages 6-18, open to all families. MY Denver Activities provides free recreation for Denver residents ages 5-18, but it does not extend to Englewood, Cherry Hills, or Greenwood Village. See our free and low-cost guide for more options.
What ages do south denver summer camps serve?
Most south Denver camps serve elementary-age children (ages 5-12). Colorado Academy's Sunshine program starts at age 3, one of the youngest entry points in the area. Wings Over the Rockies extends to age 14. For teens 13-17, options are limited in south Denver, and families typically look to Denver-wide teen programs.
When should i register for south denver summer camps?
Register as early as possible. The (American Camp Association, 2025) reports that 40% of popular camp programs reach capacity before April. Colorado Academy gives current families early registration access, and Englewood rec camps fill quickly because of their lower price point. Check our registration dates guide for specific deadlines. Part of the Denver Summer Camps 2026 Complete Guide.
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