Find the Perfect Summer Camp in Onslow County: 2026 Edition

June 3, 2026

Jacksonville Recreation & Parks: Voyager Camp & Base Day Camp

The City of Jacksonville Recreation & Parks Department has refreshed its summer day camp lineup for 2026, and it is one of the most affordable, well-rounded options in the county. Camps are staffed by qualified team members who hold first aid and CPR certifications and have passed background checks, with a 1:16 staff-to-student ratio. Activities include arts and crafts and field trips to recreational, cultural, and educational venues around the area.

This year you can choose between two camp styles. Voyager Camp is the full-day, extended-hours option (7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.), perfect for working parents, and Base Day Camp runs a shorter 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. day at a lower price point.

Registration opens: March 2, 2026 for city residents; March 16, 2026 for non-city residents

2026 Session Dates:

Session 1: June 15 – June 26 (closed June 19)
Session 2: June 29 – July 10 (closed July 3)
Session 3: July 13 – July 24
Session 4: July 27 – August 7

Locations, Ages & Fees:

Voyager Camp at Commons Recreation Center, ages 9–11 — $120 resident / $170 non-resident
Voyager Camp at Commons Middle School, ages 6–8 — $120 resident / $170 non-resident
Voyager Camp at Northwoods Recreation Center, ages 6–11 — $120 resident / $170 non-resident
Teen Voyager Camp at Jack Amyette Recreation Center, ages 12–15 — $120 resident / $170 non-resident
Base Day Camp at Parkwood Elementary School, ages 6–11 — $70 resident / $105 non-resident

Good to know: If you have more than two children enrolled, each additional child after the second is half price. Camp locations are subject to change.

Learn more and register: jacksonvillenc.gov/437/Summer-Day-Camp or call the administrative office at 910-938-5312.

Camp Sturgeon at Sturgeon City

If your child loves science, nature, and getting their hands dirty, Camp Sturgeon is hard to beat. Located right in downtown Jacksonville, Sturgeon City offers a different themed week all summer long, rooted in environmental and STEAM education. Camp runs weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and children are grouped by the grade they are entering in fall 2026.

One exciting new addition for 2026 is The Idea Factory, a middle-school entrepreneurship camp offered in partnership with the Coastal Carolina Community College Small Business Center. Campers identify a real-world problem, develop a product or service, and pitch it in a Shark Tank-style finale, earning a REAL Entrepreneurship Certificate of Completion along the way. It is a wonderful option for the budding business-minded teen in your life.

Cost: $250 per week for Grades 1–6; $300 per week for Grades 7–8. A $30 nonrefundable deposit is required at registration.

2026 Weekly Themes:

June 8–12 — Wonders of Our Backyard (Grades 1–6)
June 15–19 — Oceanic Explorations (Grades 1–6)
June 22–26 — Space and Flight Scientists (Grades 1–6)
June 29–July 1 — Chemical Connections (Grades 1–6, three-day week, $150)
July 6–10 — Inventors Lab (Grades 1–6) and Marine Science Academy (Grades 7–8)
July 13–17 — Our Powerful Planet (Grades 1–6) and The Idea Factory (Grades 7–8)
July 20–24 — Amazing Animals (Grades 1–6)
July 27–31 — The Daily Discovery Camp (Grades 1–6)
August 3–7 — The Ultimate Build-It Week (Grades 1–6)

A note on availability: Several weeks are already sold out, especially the Grades 1–3 groups, so check current openings and join the waitlist for any full weeks by emailing info@sturgeoncity.org with your child’s name, a contact number, and email.

Learn more and register: sturgeoncity.org/camp-sturgeon-summer-camp

alt text: Hands-on science and nature exploration at a STEAM-focused summer camp.

Zing Zumm STEAMWork Summer Camps

Zing Zumm Children’s Museum of Jacksonville brings back its popular STEAMWork Summer Camps in 2026, designed for younger learners. Held at the Montessori Children’s School (714 Bates St, Jacksonville), each week is packed with daily STEAM challenges, creative art projects, team-building outdoor play, interactive STEAM stations, sensory play, and special community guests. It is a joyful, imaginative fit for children roughly ages 5–10.

Scholarships available: Because Zing Zumm believes play is for everyone, the museum offers a limited number of camp scholarships provided by Jones Onslow Electric Membership Corporation. If cost is a barrier for your family, this is a wonderful resource worth asking about.

Ages: Approximately 5–10

Location: Montessori Children’s School, 714 Bates St, Jacksonville, NC 28540

Learn more and register: zingzumm.org/camps Full 2026 dates, weekly themes, and pricing are being finalized, so check the page or sign up for the museum’s newsletter to be the first to know when registration opens.

Onslow County Parks & Recreation: Kids Camp

For families who live outside the city limits, or who simply prefer a county-run option, Onslow County Parks & Recreation offers Kids Camp each summer. During camp, children take part in age-appropriate games, arts and crafts, group challenges, and recreational activities that encourage creativity, teamwork, and physical activity. The camp also helps prevent summer learning loss by keeping kids engaged with hands-on activities and social interaction in a welcoming, supportive setting.

Registration: Sign-up typically opens in spring through the RecDesk online system, ahead of summer. Spots are limited and tend to go quickly.

Learn more and register: onslow.recdesk.com or call 910-347-5332. Confirm the 2026 dates, ages, and fees directly on RecDesk, as details are posted closer to summer.

For Our Military Families: MCCS Camp Lejeune School Age Care

Onslow County is proud to be home to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River, and we know that summer planning looks a little different for military families, especially during PCS season or a deployment. If you are a military family, Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) offers School Age Care summer camps right on base for children in kindergarten through age 12, along with youth sports, teen programs, and seasonal spring, summer, and winter camps.

How to get started: Military families must register and submit a Request for Care through MilitaryChildCare.com before processing through the local enrollment office. If you are new to the area or navigating an unexpected change in your family’s schedule, this is a reliable, military-aware option close to home.

Learn more: lejeunenewriver.usmc-mccs.org and MilitaryChildCare.com. One Place is always here to help military families connect to the right care, too, whether on base or in the community.

A Few More Places to Look

Onslow County’s camp scene grows every year, and a few more options are worth keeping on your radar as the season approaches:

Brigade Boys & Girls Club summer programming, which focuses on character, leadership, and connecting kids with their peers.
The New River YMCA and other local childcare providers, which often add summer care options as the season nears.
Faith-based and sports camps offered by local churches, leagues, and organizations throughout the summer.

When a camp’s details are not yet posted, a quick call or a follow on social media is the fastest way to catch registration the moment it opens.

How to Choose the Right Camp for Your Child

With so many great choices, the right camp comes down to your family’s needs. As you compare options, it can help to ask yourself a few simple questions:

What are my child’s interests? A nature lover and a future entrepreneur may thrive in very different rooms.
What hours do I need? Full-day, extended-care camps support working parents, while half-day camps can be a gentler fit for younger children.
What is our budget, and do we qualify for help? Scholarships, sibling discounts, and financial assistance can make camp far more affordable than it first appears.
How does my child handle new settings? A shorter session or a familiar location can ease first-time camp jitters.

There is no single right answer, only the right answer for your child this summer. And remember, camp is about more than filling the hours. The best camps give children a chance to build confidence, make friends, try something new, and keep growing while school is out.