Day camps are geared for schoolchildren. They offer activities in a larger social setting, usually in the children's home town or nearby and the children return home in the evenings. Day camps can be booked by the day or by the week, depending on the institution organizing them.

Format

Day camps often offer enrichment activities, such as art, music, science or sports, although many families use it as a substitute for daycare. Many families must enroll their children in day camps during the summer so that they have supervision during the day. Camps foster children's emotional, social, and physical and creative growth through a range of interactive activities and relationships with role model counselors. Generally camps focus on young children, typically ages 3–12, with the exception of specialized camps that aim to develop specific skill sets which attract campers up through adolescence.

Sports-focused day camps are ideal for younger athletes or for high-energy kids who need a positive outlet for their energy.

Day camps are less expensive than sleepaway camps (e.g., summer camp

Summer camp

Summer camp is a supervised program for children or teenagers conducted during the summer months in some countries. Children and adolescents who attend summer camp are known as campers....

s), because they do not entail as many meals or as much supervised time each day. Some day camps are located at the same site as a resident camp with the same resources and activities to serve local campers along with kids from abroad. Many day camps are located in city parks, sport complexes, schools or community centers such as a YMCA or Boy Scouts.