Westerville, Ohio · Summer 2026
25+ camps from Otterbein University sports to YWCA licensed day camp, BMX, Nike lacrosse & tennis, equestrian, STEM, and Westerville youth sports leagues. Here's everything before spots fill.
Browse All Ohio Camps →Westerville is one of the few Columbus suburbs with a Division III liberal arts college at its center — and that changes what summer camp looks like here. Otterbein University hosts Nike-branded lacrosse and tennis camps, residential music experiences, Division I–caliber equestrian training at the Austin E. Knowlton Center, and multiple college-coached sport camps (basketball, volleyball, soccer) all running across campus from June through August.
The baseline options: The City of Westerville Parks & Rec Summer Day Camp runs May 26 through August 14 with age-grouped programming (Nut Camps for ages 3–5, Berry Camps for 6+, Teen Fun Club for teens), weekly field trips, and swimming twice weekly at the Community Center and Highlands Park Aquatic Center — $120–$190/week. The YWCA Kids Place program runs at two Westerville elementary schools (McVay and Whittier) with a 9-week DCY-licensed camp at $290/week, with scholarships available.
For specialty camps, Westerville also has a sanctioned BMX track at Alum Creek South Park (one of the few in the Columbus metro), a Learn to Row program through Westerville Crew at Hoover Reservoir, and three solid STEM camps (Robot Academy, Classroom Antics, and Camp Invention) running back-to-back in late July. The Carnell Tate Youth Football Camp in June adds an Ohio State WR connection that's hard to find elsewhere. Below is the full breakdown.
Coach Winters Basketball Camp at Otterbein frequently sells out — limited spots, and the camp has noted in past years that spots are gone within weeks of opening. Sandlot Camp Westerville opens to early-bird registration in spring. YWCA Kids Place opened March 2 — some weeks may already be filling. Check parks.westerville.org for Parks & Rec openings.
Westerville's general day camp options cover full working-parent hours across the whole summer, with multiple licensed providers and pricing tiers from $120 to $290/week.
Classic city day camp grouped by age: Nut Camps (ages 3–5), Berry Camps (6+), and Teen Fun Club (13–15). Weekly Friday field trips, swimming twice weekly at the Community Center and Highlands Park Aquatic Center. Heritage Kids Camp option combines outdoor day camp with the Kids Fun Club. One of the longest-running summer camp options in the Westerville area — $120–$190/week with $50 minimum due at registration per week per child.
$120–$190/week → Westerville Parks & Rec →Flexible outdoor summer program at park shelters across Westerville. Register for the full summer at a specific location and time; attend on the days that fit your schedule. Works well as a standalone option or combined with Nut Camp via the Heritage Kids Camp package — so parents don't need to coordinate two separate registrations. Included with full-summer registration.
Included with registration → Westerville Parks & Rec →Nine-week DCY-licensed full-day camp at McVay Elementary School. All-inclusive with expert staff; one of the longest daily coverage windows in Westerville (7 AM–6 PM). Scholarships available — registration opened March 2, 2026. A reliable option for working parents who need coverage through the end of July. $290/week + $50 one-time reservation fee + $75 one-time activity fee (max $150/family).
$290/week → YWCA Kids Place →Same YWCA Kids Place program at a second Westerville location — Whittier Elementary at 130 E. Walnut Street. DCY licensed, expert staff, scholarships available. Useful if McVay is geographically inconvenient or if your child's school circle is in this area. Same pricing: $290/week + fees, family activity fee cap at $150.
$290/week → YWCA Kids Place →Low-competition structured activity camp at Central College Christian Schools, run by licensed teachers and coaches. Field trips included. The camp's philosophy is explicit: competition should be fun, not a pressure cooker — a meaningful differentiator for kids who get burned out by hyper-competitive sports camps. $230/week; early drop-off add-on $25/week. Six weeks available, so you can pick the stretch that fits.
$230/week → Sandlot Camp Westerville →One of the more unusual camp offerings in the Columbus metro — Westerville has a sanctioned BMX track at Alum Creek South Park, and the city runs a structured summer camp around it. Kids get bike inspection/maintenance, helmet fitting, road safety basics, BMX track skills, bike games, and daily races. USA BMX membership included with camp registration, which means kids can participate in sanctioned practices and races after camp ends. ~$170 residents / ~$185 non-residents.
~$170–$185 → Westerville Parks & Rec →Westerville has three distinct STEM camps running in concentrated weeks in July — all within a few miles of each other, with different age targets and approaches.
Design, build, and program LEGO robots; 3D modeling and printing; BattleBot competitions, Robot Wars, and Jousting challenges. Jr Camp (ages 5–9) and Sr Camp (ages 10–14) run in parallel at Westerville Christian Church. The BattleBot format is genuinely competitive — kids design robots to battle other campers' robots, which is a different engagement level than just following a build guide. ~$190–$400 depending on session length.
~$190–$400 → Robot Academy Westerville →Half-day sessions at First Presbyterian Church with four distinct tracks by age: Morning — Minecraft & Bots, LEGO Bots (ages 7–9); Minecraft Coding, VEX IQ Robotics (ages 10–14). Afternoon — Game Builders, Bricks & Blocks (ages 8–11); Game Design, Minecraft Animation (ages 10–14). You can mix and match morning and afternoon for full-day coverage. Sibling discount $10. Strong local Columbus reputation. $265 half-day / $510 full-day (5-day week).
$265 half-day · $510 full-day → Classroom Antics →National Inventors Hall of Fame curriculum with four STEM modules: Fur-ensics (robotic capybara forensic science), Make Waves (entrepreneurship & physics), Space Morphers (rocketry & planetary exploration), and The Infringers (community problem-solving with inventor mentorship). Grades 7–9 can enroll as Leaders-in-Training at reduced cost ($195). Payment plans available. $295 campers.
$295 campers · $195 LiT → Camp Invention →Otterbein University's campus is the anchor of Westerville's specialty camp calendar. College-coached programs, Nike partnerships, and real athletic facilities make these among the best-value sport camps in the Columbus metro.
All Abilities and Goalie Skills tracks with an 8:1 camper-to-instructor ratio. Directed by Colin Hartnett (Otterbein Men's Lacrosse Head Coach) with his full coaching staff. Focus on stick skills, position training, and game application. Nike jersey included. Overnight option adds lodging and meals. Probably the most accessible college-campus lacrosse camp experience in the Westerville area. Extended Day $489; Overnight $589.
$489 Extended Day · $589 Overnight → Nike Boys Lacrosse →Four age divisions: Youth (8–11), Middle School (12–13), High School (14–18), and Goalie (8–18). Directed by Brooke Delara (Otterbein Women's Lacrosse Head Coach), 1:10 staff-to-camper ratio. Reversible Nike jersey included. One of the more complete girls lacrosse camp offerings in Central Ohio — the four-division structure means skill-level matching is better than single-division camps. Extended Day $499; Overnight $599.
$499 Extended Day · $599 Overnight → Nike Girls Lacrosse →5–6 hours of daily on-court instruction evaluated and grouped by skill level (beginner/intermediate/advanced). Indoor courts available for rain days so instruction continues regardless of weather — a practical detail that matters for a full week of camp. Nike t-shirt and prizes included. Session 3 is HS Girls only (ages 13–18). Three sessions means flexible scheduling for families with travel or conflicting weeks. $719/session.
$719/session → Nike Tennis Camp →Skills-based basketball camp at Otterbein's Rike Center. Daily lunch, camp t-shirt, camp ball, and prizes all included — which is notably more value-added than most standalone sport camps. Three sessions across the summer with strong demand: this camp has noted limited spots in past years and frequently sells out. Sessions 1 & 2: $345 (5 days); Session 3: $305 (4 days).
$305–$345 → Coach Winters Basketball Camp →All-skills volleyball instruction led by Head Coach Monica Wright. Wide age range (grades 1–9) so younger siblings can often attend alongside older ones. T-shirt and lunch included in Session 2 ($230). Good entry point for girls interested in volleyball who aren't yet in competitive club — all skill levels genuinely welcome.
$230 → Monica Wright Volleyball Camp →About 1,000 ball touches per daily session — individual technical development focus with games built in. Director: Jason Griffiths. Coed, so no need to split siblings. Three weeks available across the summer; early bird pricing (before April 1) drops $205/week to $160/week — meaningful if you book ahead. Multi-week discounts available: 2 weeks $345, 3 weeks $480.
$160–$205/week (early bird available) → Otterbein Soccer Camp →Three-day introduction to six sports: volleyball, basketball, track & field, softball (wiffle ball), tennis/pickleball, and soccer — all on Otterbein's campus. Designed for girls who want to sample multiple sports without committing to a single-sport intensive. T-shirt and lunch included. 10% early discount available before March 15 (may still apply). $200 total for 3 days.
$200 → Girls Power Up All Sports Camp →Single-day high-energy football camp featuring Ohio State WR Carnell Tate and FlexWork coaches at Westerville North HS (Jim McCann Stadium). Skill stations grouped by age for appropriate instruction. Limited-edition camp t-shirt and team photo included. A good one-day experience for football-interested kids who want an Ohio State connection without the commitment of a multi-week camp. Scaled pricing by age group.
Scaled pricing → Carnell Tate Football Camp →Westerville's Otterbein University adds two genuinely uncommon camp offerings for the Columbus area: an accredited equestrian program and a residential high school music experience.
IEA-format weeks for experienced youth riders at the Austin E. Knowlton Center for Equine Science — one of the few accredited equine science programs in Ohio. End-of-week horse show on Fridays gives kids a performance goal for the week. Important note: no beginner camps are offered in 2026, so this is strictly for riders who are already in lessons or competing. $525/week.
$525/week → Otterbein Equestrian Camp →Residential music intensive for high schoolers on Otterbein's campus. One-on-one instrumental or vocal lessons plus group sessions in improvisation, music theory, ear training, music technology, and music history. Accepts all instruments and voice. Audition required (YouTube or mp3 submission). For serious young musicians who want college-level musical instruction before actually being in college — this is the real deal. Contact [email protected] for pricing.
Contact for pricing → Otterbein Music Experience →Sweeping and sculling rowing instruction plus coxswain training at Hoover Reservoir. Land-based and water-based sessions across 2 weeks. No prior experience required — open to all schools, not just Westerville. For $250/session, it's a legitimately rare sport in the Columbus metro (few suburban rowing programs at this level). Kids who complete Learn to Row can continue with the competitive team for just $100 additional. Three session windows across the summer.
$250/session → Westerville Crew Learn to Row →Lini tracks camp deadlines, registration windows, and your kids' summer schedules so you don't have to. Get early access — free.
Get early access →Westerville's youth sports infrastructure is deep — WYBSL has been running baseball and softball since 1951, and the city's Parks & Rec program adds basketball, flag football, and BMX to the mix.
One of Central Ohio's most established youth baseball organizations, running since 1951 with 1,500+ athletes per year. Six age divisions from Tee-Ball (4–6) through 18U. Playing age determined by age as of April 30. Family discount: 3rd+ player pays only the fields fee. In-person open houses at Westerville Community Center or register online. $70–$118 + $24 fields fee.
$70–$118 + fields fee → WYBSL Baseball →Girls softball divisions from 8U Coach Pitch through 17U. Age determined as of April 30. Friend requests honored in 8U Coach Pitch and 17U Softball — so you can request to be placed with a teammate or neighbor. Late registration after March 23 adds $30 per player. Same WYBSL infrastructure and field network as baseball. $97–$113 + $24 fields fee.
$97–$113 + fields fee → WYBSL Softball →Recreational basketball leagues through Westerville Parks & Recreation with eight age/grade divisions: Pee Wee, 3rd grade, 4th–6th girls, 4th/5th boys, 6th boys, 7th/8th boys, Freshman/Sophomore, and Junior/Senior. Schedules and standings available through QuickScores. Contact Steve Baxter (Sports Program Manager) for current season details and pricing.
Contact for pricing → Jr. Cavs Basketball →Coed flag football leagues in partnership with the NFL for youth in 1st through 8th grade. Sunday games and practices in April and May. Good entry point for football-interested kids who aren't ready for contact sports — the NFL partnership means structured programming and quality equipment standards. Part of Westerville Parks & Recreation's youth athletics umbrella. Contact Parks & Rec for current pricing.
Contact for pricing → NFL Flag Football →Year-round swim instruction in a heated indoor pool (90°F) at 714 N. State St. Eight progressive levels from Parent & Tot through advanced, plus Swim Club, Swim Team, Adaptive Swim, and Fast Track programs. 4:1 student-to-instructor ratio. Makeup lessons and sibling discounts available. The combination of Swim Club and competitive Swim Team pathway makes this more than a basic swim school — it's a multi-year progression. $125/month (1x/week, 4:1 ratio); $240/month (2x/week); $355/month (3x/week).
From $125/month → Aqua-Tots Westerville →Competitive youth rowing team based at Hoover Reservoir with U14/15 and Juniors (grades 6–12) divisions. Spring, summer, and fall seasons. Open to all schools, not just Westerville. No prior experience required to start — the Learn to Row summer camp feeds directly into the competitive team. Rare sport in the Columbus metro with real race competition. Contact [email protected] for pricing.
Contact for pricing → Westerville Crew Juniors →The City of Westerville Parks & Recreation Summer Day Camp is the most established full-day option — running May 26 through August 14, grouped by age (Nut Camps ages 3–5, Berry Camps 6+, Teen Fun Club 13–15), with weekly field trips and swimming twice weekly. $120–$190/week. The YWCA Kids Place Summer Day Camp (at McVay or Whittier Elementary) is the top licensed alternative — DCY-licensed, 9 weeks June 1–July 31, $290/week, with scholarships available and 7 AM–6 PM coverage for working parents.
Otterbein University sits in central Westerville, hosting Nike-branded lacrosse and tennis camps, a residential music experience, equestrian training at the Austin E. Knowlton Center, and multiple college-coached sport camps — all on campus. No other Columbus suburb has a residential liberal arts college running this range of programming. Westerville also has a sanctioned BMX track (one of few in the metro) and Westerville Crew's competitive rowing program at Hoover Reservoir — two genuinely rare specialty options for the area.
Yes — three distinct programs run in concentrated July weeks. Robot Academy LEGO Robotics MegaCamp (July 27–31) at Westerville Christian Church covers LEGO robotics, 3D printing, and BattleBot competitions for ages 4–14. Classroom Antics STEAM Camps (July 27–31) at First Presbyterian Church runs Minecraft & Bots, VEX IQ Robotics, and Game Design tracks for ages 7–14 ($265 half-day / $510 full-day). Camp Invention: Spark (July 13–17) at Central College Christian School covers robotics, rocketry, and entrepreneurship for grades 1–6 ($295).
Yes. Westerville Parks & Rec's Nut Camp (ages 3–5) is the most accessible starting point — weekly field trips, swimming twice weekly, extended care included, $120–$190/week. YWCA Kids Place accepts Kindergarten through grade 7 with scholarships available. Robot Academy's Jr Camp starts at age 5. Sandlot Camp Westerville accepts ages 8–13. Aqua-Tots Swim School serves children from 4 months through 12 years year-round in a heated 90°F indoor pool.
Westerville Youth Baseball & Softball League (WYBSL) is the primary provider — over 1,500 athletes per year since 1951, with divisions from Tee-Ball (ages 4–6) through 18U baseball and 17U softball ($70–$118 + fields fee). Westerville Parks & Rec runs Jr. Cavs recreational basketball (Pee Wee through high school) and NFL Flag Football (1st–8th grade, coed). Aqua-Tots Swim School offers year-round lessons in a heated indoor pool. Westerville Crew Juniors competes in competitive rowing at Hoover Reservoir (grades 6–12, open to all schools).
Lini sends you reminders before registration fills, tracks your kids' schedules, and keeps the whole family organized — so summer actually feels like summer.
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