What ages does Smithsonian Summer Camp accept?

Smithsonian Summer Camp is open to children ages 5–14. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.

How much does Smithsonian Summer Camp cost?

Smithsonian Summer Camp publishes $495/week for the standard session. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.

What are Smithsonian Summer Camp's hours?

Smithsonian Summer Camp runs 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.

Who runs Smithsonian Summer Camp?

Smithsonian Summer Camp is operated by a university program. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.

Does Smithsonian Summer Camp provide lunch?

Smithsonian Summer Camp does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.

How does Smithsonian Summer Camp compare to other academic camps in Washington?

Smithsonian Summer Camp is one of 11 academic camps in Washington that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.

▌ Academic · Ages 5–14

Smithsonian Summer Camp

National Mall · $495/week

Smithsonian Summer Camp offers day programs for children in grades K-9, focusing on a wide range of academic and creative subjects inspired by the Smithsonia...

▌ Editor's read The Smithsonian Summer Camp, operated by Smithsonian Associates, offers day camp programs for children in grades K-9. The website, smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/camp/, loads successfully and details a variety of themed camps, including topics like 'Spy Camp,' 'Dino Detectives,' and 'Art Explorers.' The camp is not accredited by the American Camp Association. While specific staff-to-camper ratios are not published, the website states that all staff undergo background checks. Google reviews for 'Smithsonian Summer Camp' indicate a high level of satisfaction, with an average rating of 4.8 stars from over 100 reviews, praising the engaging activities and knowledgeable instructors. The camp is part of the Smithsonian Institution, a trust instrumentality of the United States, classifying its owner type as university/museum-affiliated.

⌬

University programRun by an academic institution

Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 5–14

Smithsonian Summer Camp sits in the upper-elementary to middle-school window where specialization starts to mean something. Kids in this band often want to go deeper on one thing rather than rotate through five, and many camps begin offering pre-CIT (counselor-in-training) tracks here. The right academic fit at this age depends on whether the child wants more autonomy or still wants the safety of a structured rhythm.

Facts & Credentials

Program type: Day camp
ACA accredited: Not verified
Established: Not listed
Operator: University program
Staff-to-camper ratio: Not listed

How we verify these →

Details

Category: Academic
Ages: 5–14
Hours: 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Address: 1100 Jefferson Dr SW, Washington, DC 20560
Phone: (202) 633-3030
Cost notes: USD. Non-member price is $495/week. Members pay $425/week. The week of June 29-July 2 is discounted to $396 for non-members and $340 for members due to the holiday.

Logistics

Lunch provided: No
Transportation: No
Financial aid: No
Setting: mixed

Frequently asked about Smithsonian Summer Camp

What ages does Smithsonian Summer Camp accept?: Smithsonian Summer Camp is open to children ages 5–14. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
How much does Smithsonian Summer Camp cost?: Smithsonian Summer Camp publishes $495/week for the standard session. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
What are Smithsonian Summer Camp's hours?: Smithsonian Summer Camp runs 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
Who runs Smithsonian Summer Camp?: Smithsonian Summer Camp is operated by a university program. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
Does Smithsonian Summer Camp provide lunch?: Smithsonian Summer Camp does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
How does Smithsonian Summer Camp compare to other academic camps in Washington?: Smithsonian Summer Camp is one of 11 academic camps in Washington that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.

Planning guides

Editorial checklists to use before you compare Smithsonian Summer Camp with other camps.

How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
STEM summer camps guide · Compare projects, staff fit, and age-readiness signals.
Financial aid and scholarship camps · Compare aid policies, discounts, and application timing.
Summer camp pricing in 2026 · Benchmark weekly cost before you commit a deposit.

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