Camps

Columbus Recreation and Parks Department encourages participation by a diverse population and accommodates people with varying abilities and learning styles. Inclusion support staff develop accommodation plans to support campers with, but not limited to, developmental and learning disabilities, physical disabilities, sensory challenges, autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome and emotional challenges.

Reasonable accommodations are provided to enable an individual’s successful participation in camps. Reasonable accommodations are individualized techniques and resources used to enhance program participation without fundamentally altering the program. Accommodations also help staff create an environment where all campers can have a safe, successful and enjoyable recreation experience. Accommodation requests are not required to participate in camp programs, however, all campers are required to meet the minimum participation guidelines and desired behavior expectations of the camp. One-on-one staffing is not provided, however, campers may bring their own support person, who must pass a criminal background check.

Please complete a request immediately after registration is complete.

How to access inclusion support services: 

1. Register for desired camp.
2. Contact Mary Beth Moore by email at mbmoore@columbus.gov and request an Inclusion, Accommodation and Special Needs Request Form.
3. Complete the form and email it to mbmoore@columbus.gov.
4. Once accepted, an inclusion support staff will contact you to discuss accommodation options.

REGISTRATION

Outdoor Recreation Camps

Online: Begins Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m.

In-person: Tuesday Feb. 25 from 7-7:45 p.m.

Community Recreation, Therapeutic Recreation, Arts, Sports and Most Other Camps*

Online: Begins Thursday, March 2 at 7 p.m.

In-person registration: Tuesday, March 2 from 7-7:45 p.m. 

*Registration dates and times for some camps will vary. Specific details can be found on Activenet.

Registration Fees*

• Sessions 1-4, 6-8: $90 / NR $108
• Sessions 0 & 5: $72 / NR $87 

*Standard fees for community center camps and several others. Fees for many camps, including Specialty, Outdoor Recreation and more, will vary. 

Camp Hours

7 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Breakfast, lunch and snack provided, except where otherwise noted. 

• Payment is required for registration. Payment can be made in full or with a $10 non-refundable deposit for each camp session.
• If a deposit is paid, the credit card on file will be charged the remaining balance one week prior to each registered session of camp. A reservation will not be made until the full payment or deposit has been received.
• Registration forms received in the mail will not be processed until after the March 2 registration date. Some camps will be full after the first day of registration. Do not send checks, credit card information or money orders with mail-in registration. Payment can be made by check or credit card at any community center.
• Additional information will be emailed. To ensure that the information is received, please provide an updated email address on your Activenet account under the camper’s name. To change a camper’s email, choose “Change Information about Family/Friends” under Personal Information.

Please Remember

• Checks, credit cards (VISA, MasterCard or Discover) and cash are accepted.
• All fees must be paid on or before the first day of camp.
• If your check is returned, you will be charged a $25 fee, payable upon notice to the City of Columbus.
• Campers must be the required age by the first day of camp.

Please be aware that the $10 deposit is non-refundable. The deposit can be transferred to another Community Recreation Camp if requested by May 24.

All other refund requests must be called in to 614-645-7000 at least 10 business days prior to camp session and followed up with an email (include camper’s name, camp name, session number, current address and reason for cancelation) to ambrown@columbus.gov before the refund can be processed.

• Requests received 6-10 business days prior to camp session will receive a 50% refund.
• Requests received 5 business days or less prior to camp session will not receive a refund.
• Refunds take 6-8 weeks to process.
• A $15 processing fee will be assessed for each refund request.

To ensure the best experience for campers, all camps enroll a maximum number of participants.

• If a camp is full, there is an option to be added to the waiting list.
• If successfully enrolled in another program, a camper will not be charged additional fees to be placed on the waiting list for the “full” camp during the same transaction.
• If a camper is added to the “full” camp waiting list only, a $2 fee will be charged per transaction.

Campers on the waiting list will be notified by phone if an opening becomes available.