From swimming adventures to campfire s’mores, nothing makes you smile quite like the nostalgia of a childhood summer. This year you can bring these magical memories to life for your kids at one of these action-packed summer camps in Knoxville TN.
With so many camps to choose from, the selection process can seem a little overwhelming. Thankfully, this comprehensive guide gives you the nitty-gritty on all the best camps to help you choose the perfect one.
Overnight Summer Camps: Knoxville TN Area
Camp Quest Smoky Mountains
Townsend, TN
(865) 226-9838
website
This secular Smoky Mountain overnight camp offers both educational and recreational activities, with an emphasis on free-thinking. The educational activities focus on critical thinking and scientific inquiry. Recreational options include swimming, hiking, campfires, arts and crafts, shows, group games, movie nights, and more. This camp is for kids ages 8-17.
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont
9275 Tremont Rd, Townsend, TN
(865) 448-6709
website
This facility offers a variety of nature-themed sleepaway camp opportunities for kids from ages 9-17. For kids ages 4-9, Tremont even hosts a parent-and-me overnight experience!
Camp Wesley Woods
329 Wesley Woods Road, Townsend, TN
(865) 448-2246
website
This faith-centered overnight camp provides opportunities for good old-fashioned fun and a variety of outdoor adventures. Special needs campers are also welcome.
Bridgemont Camp
3620 Katy Hollar Rd Sevierville, TN
(865) 453-8841
website
At Bridgemont, campers can grow in their Christian faith while enjoying a variety of group games, arts and crafts, outdoor activities, a 110-foot swinging bridge, and more.
This sleepaway camp also offers a girls-only week.
Smoky Mountain Christian Camp
157 Church Camp Rd, Tellico Plains, TN
(423) 261-2197
website
This God-centered adventure camp offers overnight experiences for kids in 1st through 12th grade. Activities include games, swimming, hiking, canoeing, rafting, ziplines, and much more!
Camp Smoky
3311 Camp Smoky Lane, Sevierville
(865) 436-5787
website
Campers will grow in their Baptist faith while enjoying a variety of recreational activities. Both day and overnight camps are available.
YMCA Camp Ocoee
111 Ymca Drive, Ocoee, TN 37361, USA
(423) 338-5588
website
At this fantastic overnight camp, kids will enjoy a wide variety of traditional camp activities including water sports, archery, hiking, fishing, arts and crafts, and much more!
YMCA Camp Widjiwagan
3308 Smith Springs Road, Antioch, TN, United States
(615) 360-2267
website
This unique program offers themed overnight camps including Star Wars, Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Minecraft and many more!
Smoky Mountain Adventure Camp
246 Incline Way, Cosby
(866) 876-CAMP
website
This adventure-packed overnight camp offers 1, 2, 3, and 4-week options. Activities include hiking, caving, rappelling, rock climbing, challenge courses, rafting, tubing, horseback riding, canoe trips, backpacking expeditions, and more! Programs are available for kids from ages 10-18.
Mixed-Activity Summer Day Camps Near Knoxville TN
4-H Summer Camps
214 4-H Lane, Greeneville, TN, United States
(423) 639-3811
website
4-H offers summer camps for kids in grades 4 – 12. Activities and educational topics include kayaking, swimming, wildlife, archery, fishing, hiking, ecology, photography, crafts, canoeing, talent shows, drama, soccer, softball, basketball, volleyball, low ropes, cookouts, and more!
Tate’s Day Camp
9215 Bob Gray Road, Knoxville
(865) 690-9208
website
To keep things fresh, this day camp features a weekly theme. Activities include arts and crafts, sports, games, singing, swimming, wall climbing, nature studies, marksmanship, woodworking, and much more!
Camp Tipton
933 Walker School Rd, Maryville
(865) 257-2288
website
As a ministry of the Chilhowee Baptist Association, this Christian-based day camp allows campers to further their relationship with Christ while enjoying a variety of recreational activities.
Knoxville Jewish Alliance Summer Camps
6800 Deane Hill Drive, Knoxville, TN, United States
(865) 690-6343
website
This camp serves kids in grades pre-k – 10. Camp activities include sports, arts, swimming, tennis, and more! All races, creeds, and religions are welcome.
Morning Star Child Development Center
10614 Flickenger Lane, Knoxville
(865) 671-0244
website
This fun day camp offers both full-time and part-time programs for kids ages 5-12. Activities include swimming, sports, outdoor play, and more!
Camp Webb
9800 Webb School Lane, Knoxville
(865) 291-3840
website
Hosted by the Webb School of Knoxville, these summer day camps provide campers with opportunities for learning and a variety of indoor and outdoor adventures.
Episcopal School of Knoxville Summer Camps
950 Episcopal School Way, Knoxville
(865) 777-9032
website
The Episcopal School of Knoxville offers a variety of camps to suit your needs including art camps, sports camps, STEAM camps, and more!
National Fitness Center
(865) 470 -3600
website
Offering 5 locations throughout Knoxville, this fun camp offers swimming, sports, arts and crafts, music, and so much more!
Parks and Recreation
Most local parks and recreation departments throughout the region are offering a variety of fun day camps with sports, crafts, and more.
Nature Summer Camps
UT Garden Summer Camps
2431 Joe Johnson Drive, Knoxville
(865) 974-7151
website
UT’s Garden Discovery Camp is a fun hands-on nature experience for kids ages 4 – 13. There are single-day sessions and week-long day camp sessions available, each with a different enchanting theme.
Ijams Nature Center
2915 Island Home Ave, Knoxville
(865) 577-4717
website
Week-long summer camp activities include nature study, hiking, caving, canoeing, arts and crafts, games, songs, educational programs, and much more! For kids ages 3-12 years old.
Science Summer Camps Near Knoxville
Zoo Knoxville
3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive, Knoxville
865-637-5331
website
Week-long zoology camps for kids ages 4-13. New themes are available every week throughout the summer.
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
88 River Rd, Gatlinburg
(865) 430-8808
website
Ripley’s Aquarium offers a variety of hands-on marine biology day camps to keep your kids learning throughout the summer.
Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge
461 West Outer Drive, Oak Ridge
(865) 482-1074
website
Summer camp topics include science, technology, engineering, art, and math. The camps allow kids to experience hands-on learning using a variety of themed activities.
Design Matters Camp
1715 Volunteer Blvd, Knoxville
(865) 974-5265
website
This exclusive camp, hosted by UT Knoxville, is perfect for high school students interested in design and architecture. There are both overnight and day camp options available.
Bricks for Kidz
9648 Kingston Pike, Knoxville
(865) 250-8560
website
Week-long summer camps focus on design and architecture with Lego. There is a fresh new theme each week.
Camp Invention
various locations in Knoxville and surrounding towns
(800) 968-4332
website
These fun STEM camps are geared towards kids in grades K – 6th. The camps are hosted by a variety of elementary schools throughout the local area and each camp lasts 1 week. These camps incorporate science, technology, engineering, and math using fun, hands-on, activities.
UT Volunteer Your Voice Summer Camp
UT, Knoxville
(865) 974-4641
website
This camp is specifically designed for kids with speech, language, and/or hearing disorders. The camp includes 2 half days on the UT campus and a 3-day camping trip in the Smoky Mountains. To best serve your kids, Volunteer Your Voice combines individualized treatment with traditional summer camp activities. The camp welcomes kids ages 8 – 15.
Shades of Development
various locations, Knoxville
website
This education-based day camp believes in hands-on, interest-lead learning experiences. The camps take place at various facilities throughout Knox County. Each week incorporates a fun theme and an optional off-site field trip related to the theme.
The Muse
516 North Beaman Street, Knoxville
(865) 594-1494
website
The Muse boasts 5-day themed camps focusing on different aspects of science and technology, including animals, robots, weather, and more!
Kids U
600 Henley Street Suite 313 Knoxville
(865) 974-0150
website
Hosted by UT Knoxville, these camps are for kids in grades 3-12. Topics include animals, computers, careers, discovery, sports, leadership, nature, photography, science, cooking, and more!
Knoxville Catholic High School
9245 Fox Lonas Road, Knoxville
(865) 560-0313
website
Knoxville Catholic offers a variety of academic and recreational day camps including math, robotics, writing, baseball, basketball, cheer, and much more!
Appalachian Institute of Creative Learning
1 (828) 782-3299
website
Offers overnight academic camps for thinkers and dreamers!
Dance and Gymnastics Summer Camps Near Knoxville TN
Angela Floyd Schools
6732 Jubilee Center Way, Knoxville
(865) 947-9894
website
This dance studio offers a variety of day camp options for all levels of experiences. Camps include cute themes like sparkle parties, under the sea, and more!
Van Metre School of Dance
215 West Broadway Avenue, Maryville
(865) 982-8463
website
Themed day camps are available for all skill levels.
Revolution Dance Gym Bugs
- 201 Sherway Road, Knoxville, TN, United States
- (865) 691-2671
- website
These 3-day dance camps boast a new theme each week. Each theme exposes campers to new styles of dance and music.
Gymnastics Counts
- 1824 Clydesdale St, Maryville
- (865) 984-6200
- website
In addition to gymnastics, this camp boats themed summer activities, arts and crafts, outdoor activities, and more!
The Little Gym
- 7240 Kingston Pike, Knoxville
- (865) 583-1166
- website
These 90 minutes mini-gymnastics camps, are hosted for kids ages 3-12 throughout the summer
Art and Music Camps
Arts & Fine Crafts Center
- 1127B Broadway Ave. Knoxville, TN 37917
- (865) 523-1401
- website
Mini summer camps offered in a variety of topics.
Liza Moz
- 1645 Downtown West Blvd. Knoxville TN 37919
- (865) 531-7329
- website
These mini-camps for ages 7+ include a variety of themed pottery painting, canvas painting, and glass painting projects.
Oak Ridge Junior Playhouse Theatre Camp
- Oak Ridge
- website
This interactive drama camp is for rising 4th graders through rising high school seniors and culminates in a showcase performance.
School of Rock
- 101 Sherlake Lane, Knoxville, TN, United States
- (865) 247-4038
- website
Week-long summer camps with a different fun theme each week, including classic rock, drum week, the ’90s and more!
Knoxville Museum of Art
- 1050 Worlds Fair Park Drive, Knoxville
- (865) 525-6101
- website
This museum offers a summer art academy designed to increase your child’s art skills, creativity, and self-confidence. Morning classes are offered for kids ages 3 – 12 and afternoon classes are offered for kids ages 13 and up.
AR Workshops
- 5442 Homberg Drive, Knoxville, TN, USA
- (865) 590-9017
- website
Kids will enjoy mini-camp classes on topics like knitting, wood crafts, and more! Classes are just 1.5 hours long.
Creative Art with Miss Shelley
- 9700 Kingston Pike, Knoxville
- (865) 440-3729
- website
These fun themed camps are 1 day a week for either 4 or 8 weeks. Topics include painting and clay work. One-time classes are also available.
212 Arts Studio
- 934 E Broadway Ave, Maryville
- (865) 983-4373
- website
Sports Camps
Topline Equestrian
- Farragut, TN, United States
- (321) 303-2105
- website
This exciting camp operates rain or shine and provides hands-on horse experiences for all experience levels.
Knoxville Racquet Club
- 5535 Lonas Drive, Knoxville
- (865) 588-1323
- website
Week-long camps offer tennis instruction and are geared towards kids ages 6 – 12
K2 Volleyball Club
- 2639 Topside Rd, Louisville
- (865) 982-8870
- website
These 2-day volleyball camps are offered for all experience levels. The camps are geared towards kids of all ages.
Cedar Bluff Racquet Club
- 701 Racquet Club Way, Knoxville
- (865) 690-5700
- website
This facility also offers 4-day Summer Fun Tennis Camps geared towards kids in 1st – 8th grades.
Knoxville Youth Athletics
- Knoxville, TN
- (865) 304-8381
- website
The camps are 2 days a week for 4 weeks and players can choose between track and field and cross country.
Concord Park Golf Course
- 10909 Northshore Drive, Knoxville
- 865-966-9103
- website
Golf camp is open to both beginning and advanced players.
Knoxville Christian Academy
- 529 Academy Way, Knoxville
- (865) 690-4721
- website
Themed camps include cooking, soccer, lacrosse, and football. Each camp is 4 days long.
Concord Sail Camp
- 11600 South Northshore Drive, Knoxville, TN, USA
- (865) 599-0820
- website
This water-centered camp teaches kids all about sailing. While all skill levels are welcome, all participants must be proficient swimmers.
Baton Twirling Camp
- UT, Knoxville
- (865) 579-0556
- website
This camp offers baton twirling lessons for kids in pre-k – high school. The skill level ranges from beginner to advanced.
Onsight Rock Gym
- 5335 Western Avenue, Knoxville
- 865-888-9123
- website
This rock climbing gym offers a variety of week-long camps throughout the summer. Each week has a different theme. For kids ages 4-17.
Young Mountain Equestrian Farm
- 705 Harold Dr. Maryville, TN 37803
- (865) 363-3444
- websites
Week-long camps are available for beginning, intermediate, and advanced riders.
Ice Skating Camp
- Ice Chalet, Knoxville
- (865) 588-1858
- website
Choose from 1-7 consecutive weeks of skating lessons, or opt to do just 1 day a week for 7 weeks. Lessons are for beginning and intermediate skaters.
Olympic Arrow Archery Club
- 11501 Parkside Drive, Knoxville
- website
Week-long archery summer camps for kids ages 10-15.
H3 Sports
- 200 Center Park Drive, Knoxville
- (865) 389-5998
- website
Available sports include baseball, softball, football, flag football, rugby, basketball, golf, track, and field.
University of Tennessee Sports Camps
- various locations, Knoxville
- (865) 974-0600
- website
Sports camps are available for baseball, basketball, golf, football, soccer, softball, swimming, diving, volleyball, tennis, and rowing.
Diamond All Stars Cheerleading
- 600 Business Park Lane, Knoxville, TN, United States
- 865-250-6808
- website
Competitive cheerleading for all ages, with summer camps and seasonal clinics also available.
Awesome DIY Summer Camp Ideas
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Erica has lived in East TN for over 10 years. She enjoys exploring this gorgeous region with her husband and 3 lively children. As a former teacher turned homeschool mom, she loves finding fun and affordable activities the entire family will love, especially if they cultivate a love for learning!
Can we update the Oak Ridge Playhouse camp description to show that it is for rising fourth grades and up?
Thanks!
Done. Thanks for the update. 🙂