Recreation Day Camp
Recreation Day Camp offers a variety of recreational activities for children aged 5–11. They will enjoy a wide variety of sports, games, arts and crafts, guest speakers and more! This fun program keeps children outdoors and active all summer!
New in 2026, children aged 3–5 may participate in a Preschool Recreation Day Camp! Both preschool weeks (June 1 – 5 & June 22 – 26) are at Iron Horse Park. See the spring issue of News & Events for more details!
2026 Recreation Day Camp Information:
Week-long camps June 1 – August 7, 9 a.m. – noon
Forest Field Park OR Iron Horse Park
Resident camp registration begins online Monday, March 2, at 10 a.m. Nonresident camp registration begins online Monday, March 9, at 10 a.m. Phone registration will begin one day later.
Jump on the summer camp fast track! In an effort to improve your camp registration experience, we have created a way for you to fill out the required camp forms PRIOR to the first day of camp registration. This will make your camp registration go faster, and decrease the chance that your child will be placed on a camp waiting list.
Week 1: June 1 – 5, Soak up the Sun!
Fee/week: $75 residents, $90 nonresidents
Kick off summer with all things sunshine! Each day will include “get to know you” icebreakers to ensure everyone feels welcome! Special activities include a naturalist-led weather program, UV-bead friendship bracelets and other bright, summer-themed projects to help new friends connect.
Week 1 will be held exclusively at Forest Field Park.
Week 2: June 8 – 12, Color Explosion!
Fee/week: $75 residents, $90 nonresidents
Get ready for a week bursting with color and creativity! Campers will dive into painting projects, tie-dye masterpieces, and other messy, hands-on art activities. Campers will also compete with different teams for color-filled games and challenges that are sure to make a splash!
Week 3: June 15 – 18, Craft & Create Week (No camp June 19)
Fee/week: $60 residents, $75 nonresidents
This week, we will focus on more in-depth craft options and will include some mess-making opportunities! Campers will create musical instruments and explore the sounds of nature. We will play cooperative, team-building games.
Week 4: June 22 – 26, Fossil Finders
Fee/week: $75 residents, $90 nonresidents
Uncover the wonders of the prehistoric world! Campers will create “rawr-some” dinosaur crafts and embark on dino-themed games such as a dino stomp obstacle course, pretending to dodge meteors, lava and other dinosaurs! Special activities this week will include a fossil scavenger hunt and a naturalist presentation about fossils. Campers will also make their own fossils.
Week 4 will be held exclusively at Forest Field Park.
Week 5: June 29 – July 2, Slime & Splash (No camp July 3)
Fee/week: $60 residents, $75 nonresidents
Things are about to get slimy, squishy and soaked! Campers will dive into a week full of gooey slime experiments and playful water games. From mixing up colorful slime creations to cooling off with splashing challenges, this camp is all about messy fun and staying cool under the sun!
Week 6: July 6 – 10, Backyard Biologists
Fee/week: $75 residents, $90 nonresidents
Explore your community’s BIG backyard with RDC! Discover the wonders of nature with plant- and animal-themed crafts, playful games and guided hikes through the park. This week’s special activities will include a naturalist presentation with a hands-on lesson about our local wildlife and learning about ecological responsibility.
Week 7: July 13 – 17, Explorer Expedition
Fee/week: $75 residents, $90 nonresidents
Campers will learn to navigate trails, compete in fun survivor-themed challenges and create their own nature patches. Exploring the wonders of nature through hands-on activities while exploring new places will lead to meaningful memories that last for years!
Week 8: July 20 – 24, Silly Science Experiments!
Fee/week: $75 residents, $90 nonresidents
Prepare to get messy and explore a variety of exciting textures, from making different kinds of slime to making crafts that grow and giant bubbles. With a blend of learning and play, this week aims to turn curiosity into discoveries and make friends along the way.
Week 9: July 27 – 31, Super Soaked Sports
Fee/week: $75 residents, $90 nonresidents
Campers will stay active and cool as they play classic games like dodgeball and kickball with a splashy twist. From sponge dodgeball to slip-n-slide kickball, it’s all about big splashes and even bigger smiles! Crafts will be sports-themed and/or involve getting wet!
Week 10: August 3 – 7, Summer’s Last Splash!
Fee/week: $75 residents, $90 nonresidents
This is the ‘best of the best’ week! Celebrate the last week of summer with our favorite camp games, including the best water games to cool off! Our crafts will focus on preserving our summer memories: tie-dye t-shirts, picture frames and friendship bracelets.
Week 10 will be held exclusively at Forest Field Park.
Additional camp information:
Daily Sign-In & Sign-Out
We take strict precautions in accepting and releasing children from the program. Please inform counselors of any changes. Daily sign-in and sign-out is required. If you would like your child to walk home after camp, please contact us in advance to fill out the proper paperwork.
Snacks
Snacks will not be provided at RDC. Participants may not bring snacks from home.
Inclement Weather
Camp will not be held in inclement weather, such as heavy rain or storms. If inclement weather occurs after camp begins, please return to the park to pick up your children. Cancellations will be posted on the top of the Park District’s home page. Opt-in for text alerts when you register to receive weather cancellations via text message. Recreation Day Camp is weather-dependent; you will receive a refund for any canceled days at the end of the week.
Medication
Staff is permitted to perform only basic first aid. They are also authorized to dispense some types of prescription or nonprescription medication. Rule 5101:2-18-15 (4) 2 of the Ohio Administrative Code states that a child day camp shall set its own policy regarding whether to administer prescription or nonprescription medications. If your child requires medication during camp hours, you must complete additional required forms. If your child carries an epi-pen, complete additional required forms.
Discipline
Review our summer camp discipline process.
Registration Deadline
The last day to make registration changes is noon the Monday prior to your camper’s start date.
Cancellation Policy
If a camp is canceled by the Park District, you will receive a full refund. If your child can no longer attend a camp, you may cancel seven days prior to the camp’s start date to receive a full refund as household credit or back to the original payment method. Cancellations made less than seven days prior to the camp’s start date will be offered a 50% household credit. Cancellations made during or after the camp are not eligible for a refund.
All participants must be independent in the six activities of daily living: using the restroom, eating, bathing, dressing, transferring (i.e. walking) and continence. If your child requires an accommodation to participate, please let us know when you register.