Camp · Community/Rec Center · Ages 5–12 · $5/week
Directory · United States · Iowa · Des Moines
▌ Community/Rec Center · Ages 5–12

Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp - Columbus Park

Columbus Park · $5/week

A summer day camp at Columbus Park offering a variety of activities for children aged 5-12.

▌ Editor's read The Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp at Columbus Park is a day camp program for children aged 6-12, operated by the City of Des Moines. The website details activities such as games, crafts, field trips, and educational components, with a focus on social development. The camp runs from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday through Friday, with a weekly fee of $100 for residents and $125 for non-residents. The site states that all staff members undergo background checks and are trained in CPR and First Aid. While not ACA accredited, the camp benefits from municipal oversight. Google reviews for 'Des Moines Parks and Recreation' show a rating of 4.4 stars from 144 reviews, with many positive comments about the variety of activities and helpful staff. Social media handles are @desmoinesparks on Instagram and 'DesMoinesParksandRec' on Facebook.
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Parks-department programPublic, often subsidized
Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 5–12

Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp - Columbus Park fits middle-elementary campers — old enough for skill-building to land, young enough that friend-group dynamics and counselor warmth still matter more than program rigor. Parents at this age band tend to prioritize a balanced rhythm of structured activity and unstructured play, which is the actual differentiator inside any given community/rec center program.

Facts & Credentials

Program type
Day camp
ACA accredited
Not verified
Established
Not listed
Operator
Municipal parks department
Staff-to-camper ratio
Not listed

How we verify these →

Details

  • Category: Community/Rec Center
  • Ages: 5–12
  • Hours: 9:30am-3:30pm
  • Address: 1921 SE 1st St, Des Moines, IA 50315, USA
  • Phone: 515-237-1386
  • Email: [email protected]

Logistics

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

Frequently asked about Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp - Columbus Park

What ages does Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp - Columbus Park accept?
Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp - Columbus Park is open to children ages 5–12. 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 Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp - Columbus Park cost?
Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp - Columbus Park publishes $5/week for the standard session. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
What are Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp - Columbus Park's hours?
Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp - Columbus Park runs 9:30am-3:30pm. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
Who runs Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp - Columbus Park?
Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp - Columbus Park is operated by the local parks department. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
Does Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp - Columbus Park provide lunch?
Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp - Columbus Park 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 Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp - Columbus Park compare to other community/rec center camps in Des Moines?
Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp - Columbus Park is one of 5 community/rec center camps in Des Moines 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 Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp - Columbus Park with other camps.

Camps near here

Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp - Columbus Park.