SUMMER CAMPS!

July 6-10, July 13-17
August 3-7, August 10-14
9am - 3pm*, Monday - Friday
theARTScentered
1007 East Mill Plain Blvd
Vancouver, WA 98663

 

Get ready for a summer full of curiosity, creativity, and play!

Columbia Play Project Summer Camps invite kids to build, imagine, experiment, and collaborate through hands-on activities designed for all kinds of learners. We’re committed to inclusive, welcoming play spaces where every child can explore, create, and feel at home.

*Columbia Play Project will not be offering before- or after-care for summer 2026

REGISTER TODAY!
REGISTER TODAY!

weekly sessions

Weekly sessions for grade levels 1-3 and 4-5
$495 per camper, per week

Week 1: JuLY 6-10
LEGO INVENTORS: Build It, Spin It, Solve It

Dream it, build it, test it! Campers dive into hands-on engineering as they design imaginative LEGO worlds, create spinning tops and fidgets, experiment with balance and motion, and explore artistry with LEGO. Through playful challenges, kids strengthen problem-solving, spatial reasoning, and perseverance.

Week 2: JuLY 13-17
City Nature Explorers: Backyard ecosystems

Nature is everywhere—even in the city! Campers investigate the hidden world of urban ecosystems by exploring gardens, observing insects and plants under a microscope, and discovering how living things depend on each other. Through outdoor adventures and creative projects, children build scientific inquiry skills and a deeper understanding of habitats, pollination, and environmental stewardship.

Week 3: AUGUST 3-7
potion Lab: colorful chemistry in action

Mix, fizz, and wow! Campers become junior chemists as they create bubbling potions, design sun-powered prints, and explore how ingredients transform through simple chemical reactions. Along the way, they’ll build observation skills, practice predicting outcomes, and discover how science explains the magic we see around us everyday.

Week 4: AUGUST 10-14
Art & Color Lab

Campers will step into a vibrant world of creativity as they experiment with different mediums, learn brush techniques, and discover how colors mix to create new shades. They’ll collaborate on a large-scale mural, explore still-life drawing outdoors, and use observation and science to capture the world around them.

register for camp!
register for camp!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Click the registration button to view all camp weeks in Zeffy. Scroll to find your desired week and select the correct age group before registering.

  • Yes! Each week is a completely different theme.

  • Item

    • Water bottle

    • Snack and lunch

    • Weather-appropriate clothing (we go outside!)

    • Anything your child needs to feel comfortable and supported.

  • Details will be emailed after registration, including timing and authorized pick-up guidelines.

    Camp is held at theARTScentered
    1007 East Mill Plain Blvd. Vancouver, WA 98663

    Camp hours at 9am-3pm.

    We will not offer before- or after-care in 2026.

  • Yes. Each camp/week runs with two cohorts: Grades 1–3 and Grades 4–5. Campers explore the same weekly themes, with activities adapted for each group.

    Younger campers receive more guidance and play-based exploration, while older campers engage in more complex challenges and greater independence.

    There will be natural overlap and shared moments throughout the day, but campers are encouraged to participate in activities specifically designed for their cohort.

  • Use your best judgment based on your child’s comfort level and experience. If you’re unsure, reach out. We’re happy to help place them.

  • Yes. Our programs are designed to be flexible and welcoming, with multiple ways for children to participate and engage.

    To help ensure a safe and positive experience for all campers, we ask that children attending camp are able to:

    • Participate in a group setting with a consistent routine

    • Follow basic directions from staff

    • Use the restroom independently

    • Manage personal needs (such as eating, dressing, and transitions) with minimal assistance

    If your child has specific needs or you’re unsure if our camp is the right fit, we encourage you to reach out—we’re happy to talk with you.

  • We understand that plans change, and we aim to be as flexible as possible while ensuring camp quality for all families.

    Contact us if you have questions.

    Cancellations by Families

    • Full refund (minus processing fees) if canceled at least 14 days before the first day of the registered camp week

    • 50% refund if canceled 7–13 days before the camp week

    • No refunds within 7 days of the camp start date

    Transfers & Changes

    • Camp registrations may be transferred to another week or camper (if space is available) at no cost up to 7 days before the session begins.

    Missed Days

    • We are unable to offer refunds or credits for missed camp days due to illness, vacation, or other personal reasons

    Camp Cancellations by Columbia Play Project

    • If we must cancel a session, families will receive a full refund or the option to transfer to another week

  • We recommend joining the waitlist through Zeffy or selecting another week. Spots can open up!

  • Camps are led by trained Columbia Play Project staff who specialize in play-based learning and early childhood development.

    Every Columbia Play Project staff is subject to and expected to pass a background check.