These eight sleepaway summer camps near Dallas-Fort Worth are full of adventure, friendships, and life lessons.
Sharing secrets over the campfire, facing your fears on the high-ropes course, learning new activities like archery or paintballing—it’s all part of what makes summer camp so much fun.
I loved going to sleepaway camps as a child, and now, I’m excited for my kids to experience them too. From outdoor adventures to life lessons, entertainment to new friendships, summer camps are an important staple in any kid’s life.
Luckily for parents in North Texas, you don’t have to go into debt or send your kid across the country to find the perfect overnight summer camp. There are plenty of cool summer camps near Dallas-Fort Worth that offer peace-of-mind for worried parents without sacrificing any of the fun for kids.
1. Pine Cove
Ages: 2nd-12th grade (entering)
Dates: Various sessions from May 24 to Aug. 1
Location: Tyler, Texas, about 100 miles east of DFW
Price: Starting at $1,499 for one week
If you want a Christian-focused camp, Pine Cove is a great choice, filled with fun adventures for elementary through high school students. Choose from a one-week or two-week overnight camp, where kids will go swimming, ride zip lines, learn archery, play team sports, do skits, and have daily Bible studies and worship sessions based on their age group.
To keep campers comfortable, all the cabins have A/C and private indoor bathrooms. This popular camp is sure to be a fan-favorite among kids!
2. Camp Carter
Ages: 7-17 years old
Dates: Various sessions from June 14 to July 17
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Price: Starting at $895 for YMCA members
If your kids have enjoyed YMCA day camps, then they will love this overnight camp hosted by the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth. Daily activities at Camp Carter include challenges, STEAM activities, aquatics groups, evening programs, and more.
Campers will love trying their hand at horseback riding, archery, and canoeing, all while learning leadership skills and building lasting friendships.
3. Sky Ranch
Ages: 1st-9th grade (entering)
Dates: Various sessions from May 24 to Aug. 8
Location: Van, Texas, about 90 miles from DFW
Price: Starting at $1,574
Sky Ranch has so many fun activities that your camper will cherish every minute! There are swimming sports, ziplines, horseback riding, paintball, water slides, challenge courses, and so much more. Campers will also learn about independence, friendship, leadership, and Christian values.
It’s so much fun, kids will want to return year after year!
4. Camp Summit
Ages: 6-99 years old
Dates: Various sessions from May 26 to August 7
Location: Paradise, TX (about 45 miles northwest of DFW)
Price: Starting at $2,300
Yes, you read those ages right—Camp Summit offers a summer camp experience for individuals with disabilities of all ages. Campers are grouped by age and offered different sessions year-round, with youth options available in the summer.
There are always no more than two campers for each staff member, so the trained staff can provide a worthwhile experience, regardless of physical challenges, developmental delays, dual-sensory impairments, or multiple disabilities campers have.
Adapted activities include traditional summer camp options like archery, swimming, a ropes course, games, and arts and crafts. This is the perfect choice for kids (and adults!) with different needs who still want to enjoy an amazing summer camp experience.
5. Camp Fire Camp El Tesoro
Ages: 1st-12th grade (entering)
Dates: Various sessions from June to July 24
Location: Granbury, Texas
Prices: Starting at $640
The sleepaway program at Camp Fire Camp El Tesoro teaches kids new skills in a fun environment. Go canoeing, try archery, or challenge yourself on the high ropes course. There are also dance classes, skits, photography, woodshop, and other special interest activities, as well as classic camping activities like horseback riding and fishing.
Campers will play games, have cabin dance parties, participate in sports and yard games, and enjoy free swimming time. In the evenings, your kids might enjoy movie nights, stargazing, and night hikes. There are also options for 13-day camp and counselor-in-training camps for juniors and seniors in high school.
6. Camp Grady Spruce
Ages: 7-16 years old
Dates: Various sessions from May 31 to August. 1
Location: Graford, Texas (120 west of Dallas)
Price: Starting at $1,095
Water skiing, sailing, rock climbing, horseback riding, canoeing, shooting BB guns, and making arts and crafts are just some of the many activities campers can do at Camp Grady Spruce, part of the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas.
Each week revolves around a different camp theme, from color wars to superheroes, Wild West to fantasy, so there is always something new to explore that reiterates the camp’s core values of respect, caring, responsibility, and honesty. For even more camp fun, you can sign up campers for two- or three-week sessions instead of one week.
7. Camp Copass
Ages: 3rd-12th grade (completed)
Dates: Various sessions from June 29 to July 24
Location: Denton, Texas
Price: Starting at $330
This Christian camp offers everything from canoeing, ropes courses, and sand volleyball to inspirational programs and Bible studies. Choose your camp based on grade (there are different sessions based on 6-12th graders and 3rd-6th graders), where your kids will enjoy games, worship sessions, and outdoor activities they’ll never forget.
Camp Copass is a great, affordable option for families who want their kids to get the whole summer camp experience on a budget.
8. Kidventure Overnight Camp
Ages: 8-16 years old
Dates: Various sessions from June 29 to August. 3
Location: Rocksprings, TX (325 southwest of DFW)
Price: Starting at $1,670
OK, technically, Kidventure Overnight Camp isn’t close to DFW, but it could be a great option for your family because they offer free transportation from Dallas. Here, campers will enjoy a mix of social events, adventure, and character-driven activities to learn leadership skills and gain confidence.
Each kid will be part of a camp “tribe” during their session, where they’ll learn about team-building on the Gladiator course, while stand-up paddleboarding or kayaking together. Campers will challenge each other, have fun, and build lifelong memories here. Options include six- and nine-day camps.
