We know that many parents and caregivers are looking for summer camps and activities that are low- or no-cost. Each year Best Starts highlights affordable activities and camps available to King County kids and young people.
We will continually update this list so if you know of an activity or opportunity that should be included, send us a note at best.starts@kingcounty.gov.
Upcoming activities and summer camps
Clean Water Ambassadors Internship
When: July 7 to August 7, Monday – Friday, 9am to 3pm
Where: Downtown Seattle
Ages: Local high school youth at least 16 years old by July 7, 2026
About: A paid internship ($22 per hour) for a cohort of 12 high school youth offered by King County Wastewater Treatment Division and Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust. Interns will learn about local environmental issues and solutions and practice educating community members about these topics. We strongly encourage applicants who are new to exploring environmental topics, from diverse backgrounds, and feel comfortable communicating in English.
Seattle Youth Employment Program (SYEP) Internship Program
When: July 6 to August 18
Where: In the Seattle area in-person, virtual, or hybrid depending on the needs of the employer.
Ages: 16 to 24
About: A 6 to 8 week paid internship that matches your skills, career interests, and availability. Earn $21.30 per hour to intern with City departments, participating non-profit organizations, and local businesses.
Apply by May 4, 2026 at 5:00 pm.
Port of Seattle High School Internship Program
Ages: At least 16 years of age before the beginning of the internship
About: An 8 week paid, hybrid internship program to explore careers at the Port of Seattle in aviation, maritime, governance, skilled trades, and green jobs while learning skills in: Project Management, Public Speaking, Networking, Leadership & More.
Applications open May 4th – 17th!
Public Health Camp
When: August 3 to 7, 9am to 3:30pm
Where: King County Chinook Building (401 5th Avenue, Seattle)
Ages: Young people 16 and older
About: Learn about public health and explore STEAM career paths! This hands-on learning opportunity will immerse participants in the daily work of nurses, research scientists, epidemiologists, health educators and more. Lunch and snacks provided each day. See highlights from last year’s camp on the Public Health Insider blog.
Cost: Free
Complete the interest form by June 1!
Disc Northwest
When: June 22 to August 21, 9am to 3pm
Where: Multiple locations in and around Seattle
Ages: Kids in grades 3 through 12
About: Disc NW offers ultimate frisbee camps in and around Seattle for campers to develop their skills in Ultimate Frisbee, make new friendships, foster existing connections, and gain a greater understanding of the game.
Cost: The cost is a sliding scale. Participants can choose a fee based on household income.
iD Tech Camp
When: June 22 to August 14
Where: University of Washington
Ages: 7 to 18
About: Get a taste of collegiate life this summer through STEM camps held at the University of Washington that strike the perfect balance between skill development and summer fun. Children will work alongside new friends and learn from expert tech mentors – in coding, game dev, robotics, 3D printing, and more – while taking breaks in between to enjoy UW’s outdoor playing fields for ultimate frisbee, capture the flag, kickball, board games, and other activities!
Cost: Scholarships available. Without scholarship camp costs $1,149 or more.
Learn more and register! Apply for scholarships.
City-based camps
Cities in King County offer summer camps and activities for kids and teenagers covering a range of interests, from sports, to science, to culinary arts and more. Many camps include financial aid. Check out these city summer camps:
- City of Auburn Summer Camps
- City of Burien Youth and Teen Day Camps
- City of Federal Way Day Camps
- City of Issaquah Day Camps
- City of Kent Camps
- City of Maple Valley Day Camps
- City of Mercer Island Summer Camps
- City of Seattle Summer Camps
- City of Shoreline Camps
- City of Tukwila Summer Camps
Summer Activity Calendars and Organizations with ongoing activities
Check out these organizations and their calendars for drop-in activities, weekly clubs, or other ongoing activities.
The Arc of King County has a list of summer camps that are adaptive and sensory friendly for children and young people. Take a look at their list of camps!
- The Arc of King County provides a resource guide with activities and recreation sorted by city for children, youth, and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Aspiring Youth provides neurodivergent youth and young adults ages 5-18 with summer camps packed with adventure, creativity, and connection.
Ballard FC Foundation offers youth soccer camp July 6 – August 14 with financial aid, in locations around Seattle.
Bridges, a Seattle Alternative Peer Group, offers drop-in hours and supports that focus on recovery support and feature sober activities. Take a look at their website!
Communities of Rooted Brilliance works with young people who are immigrants and refugees to build community supports grounded in celebrating traditional customs. Check out their youth programming and the Refugee and Immigrant Youth Advisory Council.
DigiPen offers scholarships for their camps and offers free workshops throughout the year. Check out their calendar!
East African Community Services provides free culturally-centered out-of-school-time programming for K-12 youth at their Seattle and SeaTac campuses. Find upcoming afterschool and summer events!
Girl Scouts camps welcome campers to the outdoors through a variety of camp activities and experiences. Learn more!
Girl Scouts Beyond Bars focuses on creating community with girls who have parents who are incarcerated. Learn more.
Institute For Community Leadership, an organization focused on creating programming and supports to build a more just community with community, has Cultural Leadership Exchanges in the summertime.
J Camp – Stroum Jewish Community Center has about 60 camps to choose from. Learn more about their financial assistance!
Lambert House, which is an org dedicated to creating supports for LGBTQ+ youth, has ongoing activities, meet-ups, and workshops for young people throughout King County. Take a look at their events calendar!
Launch Learning – Every year, Launch offers 8 to 10 weeks of expanded-learning programming for children ages 3-12 from June to August. Launch’s Summer Program operates from 8am-6pm at select Launch sites across Seattle and Renton. Families may sign up for the number of weeks that meet their needs.
Rain City Rock Camp is open to young people and provides a space to grow and learn through music in day camps and workshops. Learn more!
Seattle Aquarium Beach Naturalist Program has educators stationed on beaches throughout King County at low tides to help visitors explore the intertidal zone. It’s a great activity for parents, caregivers, and organized programs to bring children of all ages to, and is completely free and no registration is required. Take a look at the map! Note: It is not a camp, so does not provide child care.
Sea Potential offers multiple programs and camps for young people, particularly BIPOC youth, between the ages of 12 and 18 that focus on marine life, beaches, sailing, and maritime careers.
Skyhawks Sports summer camps on Mercer Island – register! Camps throughout the summer focusing on basketball, track & field, baseball, soccer, volleyball, multi-sport, lacrosse and flag football.
Pierce County Skills Center – 2026 Summer School – Classes for incoming 9th through 12th graders. Earn .5 credits per session! Find additional information and dates.
Trans Families, which creates supports for gender-diverse families, hosts year-round activities, drop-in groups, and classes. Check out their programs page!
Treehouse provides resources to connect young people in foster care with enriching experiences! Learn more!
Urban ArtWorks supports young people in the arts. Check out their website and scroll down to learn about the mural apprentice program, Base Crew, and school-based programs.
The Vera Project offers classes and education in the arts for young people throughout the year! See their classes.
Washington PAVE offers camps during the summer and throughout the school year for kids age 1 to 18, young adults, and families. Explore the list of camps available across WA State, including camps that serve individuals with disabilities.
Wilderness Awareness School offers scholarships for their camps that help kids learn about wilderness, animals, plant identification, birds and more. Find more information!
Young Women Empowered offers a series of no cost camps open to young women, trans, and gender expansive young people ages 13-19. Some camps, as noted, are designed for BIPOC and Black youth. All are free to attend, meals and snacks are provided, and transportation can be arranged! See their camps and programs!
YMCA of Greater Seattle offers financial assistance for their day camps and overnight destination camps, Camp Colman and Camp Orkila. Learn more about their financial assistance options!
Other lists to explore
ParentMap provides a list of camps & creative activities to do in the Seattle, Eastside and South Sound areas.
Seattle’s Child Summer Camps and Classes Directory includes day camps, overnight camps, and specialty classes that match your child’s interests, schedule, and comfort level. Camps are available for kids of all ages – from toddler and preschool programs to teen summer programs.
Seattle Public Schools provides a list of Native Summer Camps and Programs. Some camps may have scholarship opportunities.
