If you start looking to enroll your children in summer camps toward the end of the school year, you are already too late.

There is high demand for youth programming for the kiddos during the summer months, and many parents sign them up starting in early spring before spots fill up.

Most structured summer programming in the region falls into three categories: school-based programs, municipal recreation offerings and private camps.

Many programs require advance registration, have limited capacity and may not yet have finalized 2026 schedules.

Families in Regional School Units 73 and 9 have a mix of school-based, municipal and private summer camp options in 2026, though offerings remain limited and schedules vary by provider.

The Franklin County Children’s Task Force will offer the 21st Century Kids Summer Program from June 22 to July 30, Monday through Thursday from noon to 4 p.m.

Locations include Spruce Mountain High School in Jay for RSU 73 and Kineowatha Park in Wilton for RSU 9, based in Farmington. The program serves school-age children, with eligibility varying by district.

Programming focuses on academic support, enrichment and recreation. Meals and snacks are typically included. Call 207-778-6960 or 207-778-1523 for information.

Wilton Parks and Recreation: 90 High St, Wilton; municipal summer programming at Kineowatha Park, including swimming, sports and outdoor activities. 207-645-4825.

Farmington Recreation Department: Seasonal youth programs at multiple locations, including sports and activity-based offerings that vary each year. 207-778-3464.

Western Maine Play Museum: 561 Main St., Wilton; offers day camps for children ages 5 to 12, typically running from about 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Programs emphasize hands-on learning, creative play and themed activities. While the camp structure is established, specific 2026 session dates have not been posted. 207-645-3555.

Denmark Arts Center: 50 W. Main St., Denmark; phone: 207-452-2412; June 29; July 6; July 13; July 20 — art focus (7-12); marbling (11-15); dance/music (pre-K); musical theatre (7+)

Mahoosuc Kids Association: 19 Crescent Lane, Bethel; Director Amy Connell and Assistant Director Jenn Evans; email [email protected] or [email protected]. Performing Arts, STEM, soccer, nature and +8 weeks of Adventure Awaits. Dates are pending.

Maine River Runners ‘Paddles Up’ Adventure Camp: 66 Mayville Road, Bethel; 802-734-3099. Campers will dip their toes into paddling lakes and rivers in the Western Maine region. Your camper will gain technical skills to be more confident and capable of navigating moving water with kayaks and stand up paddleboards. They combine paddling on the water, learning about ecology and adventure based activities in and around Bethel, Maine. Pay by the day or for the week.

Mornings at the Museum at Bethel Historical Society: 10 Broad St, Bethel; Thursday mornings in July, a series of free hands-on activities for children ages 5-10. Email Director Rosemary Laban at [email protected].

Bethel Arts and Music Summer Art Camp: at Museums of the Bethel Historical Society, 10 Broad St., Bethel. A weeklong celebration of creativity, imagination, and community. Local teaching artists lead hands-on projects that engage kids in nature journaling, sculpture, basketmaking, and more — encouraging self-expression and exploration through the arts. Dates pending, one week in August, Monday-Friday.

Rangeley Region Guide’s & Sportsmen’s Association Junior Summer Guides Program: Six sessions through the month of July, teaching kids mammal and insect identification, fly fishing, hiking and more. The camp is held in Oquossoc. Pre-registration through their website is required to attend.

Rangeley Lakes Regional School STEAM Camp: Program offers art projects, science experiments, design challenges and more. For kids kindergarten through fifth grade. July 27 through Aug. 1 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The program costs $195 with discounts available for multiple children. Sign up through their website.

Stratton Summer Camp: Hosted by the town’s recreation department; registration is open. Kids from 1st to 8th grade are welcome to sign up, separated into similar age groups. The camp will have kids doing activities at Stratton Elementary as well as at Cathedral Pines Campground for water-based activities like kayaking and paddleboarding and other outdoor activities. The camp runs from July 6 to Aug. 13, 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Parents can register their kids on the town’s website.

Maine Mountain Children’s House Summer Program: 36 Salem Road, Kingfield. Registration is open for a nature-based Montessori summer program. Activities will include outside play, art projects, gardening and more. The group will take trips to local nature trails and will participate in outdoor story hours with the Webster Library in Kingfield. The camp will run from July 7 to Aug. 13 for the toddler program, and July 6 to Aug. 13 for their primary program. Visit their website for more information and to register.

OVERNIGHT CAMPS

• Camp Good News: 413 Campground Road in Livermore Falls, offers both overnight and day camp programs. Sessions are generally held weekly from late June through mid-August. Junior camp serves ages 8 to 13, with teen programming for ages 14 to 17. Activities include: swimming, boating, fishing, archery, sports, crafts and outdoor recreation. The program is faith based. 207-897-3221.

• Camp Kawanhee: 58 Kawanhee Lane, Weld, is an overnight boys camp near Mt. Blue State Park. The camp offers sports, woodworking, swimming and other hands-on activities. Registration for the summer season is open through their website. Their full summer session lasts between June 21 and Aug. 8 for the full season, with shorter terms available.

• Camp Somerset: 11 Somerset Lane, Smithfield, is an overnight camp for girls. Kids will engage in activities outside, skiing, playing lacrosse and learning archery, among other activities. The camp runs from June 25 to Aug. 11 for a full summer with shorter terms available as well. Register online on their website. 

• Camp Winnebago: 19 Echo Lake Road, Fayette, is a traditional overnight camp for boys, typically ages 8 to 15. Activities include: athletics and team sports; waterfront activities, including swimming and boating; outdoor skills and campcraft; arts, crafts and recreational programming. This is a residential camp with cabin-based living where the campers are grouped by age. There is an emphasis on independence, teamwork and outdoor experience. 207-685-4918.

• Camp CenterStage: 295 Maple Lane, Livermore, is an overnight arts-based camp beginning its 17th season this summer. Activities include: Singing, dancing and theater studio sessions; workshops, mentor groups and creative arts; swimming, hiking, games and themed camp days. The age-based cabins are shared between campers, counselors and CITs or LITs. Experiences include visits to local farms, programs with senior groups, visits to Camp Sunshine in Casco and activities with Livermore Public Library. Visit www.campcenterstage.org/ for more information.

• University of Maine 4-H camp & Learning Center at Bryant Pond: 17 Conservation Lane, P.O. Box 188, Bryant Pond. The weekly routine for most programs includes path-specific outdoor skills development, cooling swims, and canoeing at our beautiful waterfront, hiking to the top of Mt. Christopher, team-building on our ropes course, and learning basic survival and outdoor safety skills. Everyone looks forward to Thursday night campfire, a fun-filled evening of skits, songs, stories, and laughs. Unless otherwise noted, programs are one week (Sunday through Friday). Visit the program’s website for more information.

• Deepwood Farm: 84 Parsonage Hill Road, Albany Township, has many opportunities for young horse lovers who want to find themselves surrounded by horses and horse people. Three-day camps and 5-day camps through the summer cater to different levels of riding. Intermediate campers are expected to be able to walk and trot, saddle and bridle by themselves. Advanced campers should be solid in walk, trot, and canter. All camps have the option for day campers and overnight campers who wish to come for a full stay at Deepwood Farm. Visit the program’s website for more information.

• Gould Academy Summer camp: Elite teams: Train like an athlete: physical training, sports psychology, and performance nutrition. Plus many, many more. One is a ski camp in France. Visit www.gouldacademy.org/summer for more information.