Top Summer Camp Options in Tennessee Areas 2021

It is never too early to start looking for a summer camp. By enrolling your children into any of these summer programs, you nurture their social skills, adopt healthy habits, and encourage personal growth. 

Adventure. Create. Discover. Fly. Summer break can be a great time for rest and relaxation but also for being active, diving into new interests or deepening existing passions. Whether your child is the type who gets amped about music, art, race cars, hiking or something else entirely, there are camps around Franklin and Brentwood that cater to every interest. 

Here are 13 camps that will make kids want to get out and go, go, go this summer.

Act Too Players School of Music 

Act Too Players School of Music offers music intensive camps as well as day and online camps for children interested in music, theater, singing and choreography.

Kids and Teens have the exciting opportunity to rehearse with the best directors, musical directors, and technical staff as they explore a wide range of skills in acting, singing, and dancing. No matter their experience level, our musical theatre campers are sure to learn new things and discover a deeper understanding of theatre performance while providing a fun, safe, environment.

Dates: June 14-July 1 (Mon.-Thu.), July 12-22 (Mon.-Thu.)

Cost: To be Determined

Location: 1113 Murfreesboro Rd, Ste 119, Franklin, TN 37064

AR Workshop Franklin 

AR Workshop Franklin offers arts and crafts camps for children ages 7-14 where campers create four projects and a DIY camp T-shirt. Craft projects include canvas pillows, paint and string art, tie-dye, macrame, weaving and game boards.

Dates: May 24-July 26 (camps run Mon.-Thu.; excludes week of June 28)

Cost: $195/week

Location: 101 International Drive, Ste 105, Franklin, TN 37067

Brentwood Academy 

Brentwood Academy offers arts, academic, athletic and day camps for children in pre-K through 12th grade. Students can choose focuses in arts, language, robotics, science, cooking or specific sports, such as track, football and cheer. Half-day and all-day options are available.

Brentwood Academy has enjoyed a tradition of participation, spurred on by the recognition that healthy athletic, academic, and fine arts experiences contribute essential elements to well-rounded and balanced growth. 

Dates: June 2-July 16 (camps run weekly Mon.-Thu.)

Cost: $150-$300/week

Location: 219 Granny White Pike, Brentwood, TN 37027

Camp Beech Creek

Camp Beech Creek is a day camp operated by the Currey Ingram Academy for students about to enter kindergarten through sixth grade. The program includes morning and afternoon half-day options for students interested in arts, nature, science and sports. Before- and after-camp care is available for an additional fee.

The camp understands that students learn differently, so their camp teaches differently. The teachers use evidence-based instructional practices and multi-sensory approaches to address each student’s learning profile.

Dates: June 2-July 16 (camps run weekly Mon.-Thu.)

Cost: $175-$230/week

Location: 6544 Murray Lane, Brentwood, TN 37027

Camp Marymount

Operated on 340 acres, Camp Marymount in Fairview is an overnight camp for children from kindergarten through 11th grade. Activities include water sports, science, fishing, horseback riding, arts and crafts, and athletics. Camps are available in one-, two- and three-week sessions.

Dates: May 30-July 30

Cost: $575-$1,565/session

Location: 1318 Fairview Blvd, Fairview, TN 37062

Camp Widjiwagan 

Camp Widjiwagan is offered through the Joe C. David Outdoor YMCA and includes a number of camp options, including day, overnight, ranch and family camps as well as Widji U, a fall study camp. Camps feature different themes and are open to children ages 4-17. Activities include swimming, arts and crafts, sports, archery, boat rides and horseback riding.

Dates: May 26-Aug. 7

Cost: $330-$975

Location: 3088 Smith Springs Road, Antioch, TN 37013

Cheekwood Summer Camp 

Cheekwood Summer Camp is open for children ages 5-15 to explore the gardens and art on the historic estate. Week themes include Eco-Discovery, Bugs and Blooms and Inspirational Artists. Half-day and full day-options are available.

Dates: June 7-July 30

Cost: $176-$425 (includes discounts for early registration and membership pricing)

Location: 1200 Forrest Park Drive, Nashville, TN 37205

Creekside Riding Camp 

Creekside Riding Camp offers horseback riding near Nashville in Franklin, TN. They have English and Western riding lessons as well as trail rides. They also have horseback riding lessons, horse sales, horse boarding stables information, trail riding and opportunities to be exposed to many things barn!

Dates: May 31-July 30

Cost: $295/week (half-day), $395/week (full-day)

Location: 2359 Lewisburg Pike, Franklin, TN 37064

Deer Run Camp 

Deer Run Camp is a nondenominational Christian camp that offers camp options for ages 5-12 plus family camp experiences for all ages.. Activities include obstacle courses, swimming, climbing, games and bible study.

Dates: March 15-19, May 31-July 30

Cost: $69/day (spring break), $329/week (summer)

Location: 3845 Perkins Road, Thompson’s Station, TN 37179

Leadership Academy Camp 

Leadership Academy Camp at Warner Park is open to children ages 6-19 and offers an unstructured-by-design day camp experience to allow for child-directed play and activities, such as crafts, songs and games. Extended care options are available for an additional fee.

Leadership Academy loves connecting children with nature! And there is no better place in Nashville than at Warner Park. Every day at Camp is filled with imaginative play, learning in the Nature Center, splashing in the creek, meeting local wildlife, and more! Leadership Academy Camp at Warner Park is a place where your child’s creativity and imagination can run wild!

Dates: June 7-Aug. 6

Cost: $295-$335/week (includes discounted rates for early registration)

Location: 7199 Hwy. 100, Nashville, TN

Owl Hill Nature Preserve

Owl Hill Nature Preserve offers Spring Break and summer camp options for children to explore the outdoors while learning about animals and ecosystems. Activities include arts and crafts, and each summer camp week features a different theme, including “Flying Friends” and “Wild for Tennessee.”

Dates: March 15-19, June 1-Aug. 4

Cost: $280-$290

Location: 545 Beech Creek Road, Brentwood, TN 37027

Spark

Spark: An Art Studio in Brentwood offers day camp options for children ages 8-13. Campers will create daily arts projects in a small class environment, and a snack and lunch are included.

Dates: weeks of June 7, 14 and 21 and July 12, 19 and 26

Cost: $250/week

Location: 213 Franklin Road, Ste. 110, Brentwood TN 37027

Whippoorwill Farm Day Camp

Whippoorwill Farm Day Camp offers camp options for children in grades 1-11. Campers will participate in age-appropriate activities ranging from nature walks and swimming to wall-climbing and cooking. Registration opens Feb. 17-18.

Dates: June 1-July 30

Cost: $290-$730 (four-day, one-week and two-week options available)

Location: 7840 Whippoorwill Lane, Fairview, TN 37062

Summer camp is many things. If you regularly send your kids to camp, now you have a few new benefits to look out for, and harvest in your children.

If you send your son or daughter to camp to have fun, that is great! But also try and prepare them beforehand to ensure they maximize their ability to attain the benefits above.

And last, if you haven't sent your child to camp yet, and you're wondering what summer camp does for kids, I hope this helps in your future planning.