Door County Summer Camps: The Complete Family Guide

Ephraim Yacht Club Sailing Lessons

Summer 2026 brings over a dozen enriching programs to Door County's peninsula—from sailing and nature exploration to music performance and creative writing.

Registration windows are now open or opening soon for most programs, with several camps already filling fast. Camp Zion's Jr. High Girls and Sr. High I sessions are already waitlisted, while Ephraim Yacht Club opens registration on February 14, 2026. This guide covers every major youth program with confirmed 2026 dates, pricing, and registration deadlines to help families plan their Door County summer.

Door County offers an exceptional diversity of experiences: 13 major organizations serve children ages 4-18 across outdoor adventure, water sports, nature education, visual arts, performing arts, and music. Most programs offer scholarships or tiered pricing, making these experiences accessible to families at various income levels.

Outdoor adventure and general day camps

Door County YMCA Summer Camps

The YMCA operates Door County's largest day camp system, serving ages 4-12 across multiple locations with programming running June 9 through August 22, 2026.

Registration Timeline:

• Members: March 10, 2026 at 5:00 AM

• General Public: March 12, 2026 at 5:00 AM

• $40 registration fee (includes key FOB; $15 refund if returned)

Adventure Camp (Ages 4-5, pre-K/K) operates from Kress Youth Activity Center in Sturgeon Bay, Monday-Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM with free extended care (6:30-8:00 AM and 4:00-5:30 PM). Pricing runs $220/week for members, $255/week for community. Free breakfast, lunch, and snacks are provided through the Summer Foods Program.

Traveler Camp (Ages 6-7) and Navigator Camp (Ages 8+) operate from Sturgeon Bay locations with similar scheduling and benefits.

Camp in the Park at Otumba Park offers a half-day outdoor program for ages 7-12, Monday through Thursday, featuring organized games and weekly walking field trips to local businesses.

Trekkers Camp at the Jackie & Steve Kane Center in Fish Creek serves ages 7-12 near Peninsula State Park, with hiking, beach swimming, and outdoor recreation. This Northern Door location operates Monday through Thursday.

The Leaders in Training (L.I.T.) program accepts applications from students in grade 7 and up, with decisions announced by June 1.

Contact Phone Fish Creek (Kane Center) 920-868-3660 Sturgeon Bay Program Center 920-743-4949 Youth Activity Center 920-818-0796

Website: doorcountyymca.org/camps

Camp Zion (Overnight Christian Camp)

Celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2026, Camp Zion in Ellison Bay offers residential summer camp experiences with registration already open—and filling quickly.

Session Dates Grades Price Primary (Co-ed) June 21-25 Entering Gr. 2-3 $395 Junior Girls June 28-July 3 Entering Gr. 4-6 $495 Jr. High (Co-ed) July 5-10 Entering Gr. 7-8 $495 - GIRLS WAITLISTED Junior Boys July 12-17 Entering Gr. 4-6 $495 Sr. High I (Co-ed) July 19-24 Entering Gr. 9-12 $495 - WAITLISTED Sr. High 2.0 (Co-ed) July 26-31 Entering Gr. 9-12 $495 Pre-Camp (K-1 + Parent) July 31-Aug 3 Entering Gr. K-1 $495 total Father/Son Outpost Aug 7-9 Gr. 4-12 w/adult $153 student / $180 adult

New for 2026: The Father/Son Up-North Outpost weekend introduces outdoor survival skills including fire-building, compass navigation, knot tying, shelter construction, and campfire cooking under the theme "Courage, Strength, and Joy."

Bus transportation is available from Zion, IL (Christ Community Church) for $35 round trip, departing 6:30 AM. Balance payments are due June 1 and must be received by June 15. A $20 canteen credit applies when campers bring a friend who registers within one week.

Contact: 920-854-2790 | office@campzion.com | campzion.com

Sailing and maritime programs

Ephraim Yacht Club Sailing Lessons

One of the Midwest's oldest youth sailing programs, with 60+ years of operation and 18+ US Sailing certified instructors serving over 225 students annually.

Registration opens February 14, 2026 at campscui.active.com/orgs/EphraimYachtClub

2026 Sessions run June 2 through August 15:

• Sessions A1-E2: Two-week courses (June 2-August 8)

• Session F: One-week courses only (August 11-15)

• Late registration fee of $25 applies if registering less than 2 weeks before class start

Pricing:

• Two-week courses: $475

• One-week courses: $240

• Family Membership: $250/year (required)

• Family Initiation Fee: $200 (one-time, new members)

• Student Membership: $85/student (no initiation fee)

Youth programs (ages 7-17) progress through Beginner 1 (Optimists/Flying Scots), Beginner 2 (RS Tera), Intermediate (420s with racing introduction), and Advanced (Flying Scots, Skipper's License focus). Additional offerings include Intro to Racing, Advanced Racing Tactics, and Adventure Sailing for all skill levels.

The Aaron R. Moore Scholarship Fund supports Door County year-round residents ages 7-16; contact scholarship@eyc.org before July 1.

Contact: 920-854-7107 | education@eyc.org | eyc.org

Sail Training Foundation / Sturgeon Bay Yacht Club

Operating since 1952, this nonprofit provides affordable sailing instruction without requiring yacht club membership. Programs include Optimist Pram (ages 8-13), Flying Junior, International 420, and racing tracks.

Note: The organization's website is currently experiencing technical issues. Contact directly at 920-322-7299 for 2026 schedules and registration. Located at 600 Nautical Dr, Sturgeon Bay. The organization maintains a 97% Charity Navigator rating.

Door County Maritime Museum Summer Camp

Registration is now open for the 2026 Ocean Exploration Camp, a STEAM-focused program emphasizing marine science.

Dates: July 7-11, 2026, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM daily Ages: Rising 5th, 6th, and 7th graders Capacity: 25 campers maximum

Tiered pricing (honor system):

Tier Price Description Tier A $240 Full operational cost Tier B $170 Partially subsidized Tier C $90 Maximum subsidy for financial need

Curriculum covers ocean ecology, coral reef biology, conservation challenges, and the impact of land use on oceans. Optional preserved animal dissection is offered with alternate activities available.

Register at forms.gle/35wWWLQTS6hkUA1s7

Contact: 920-743-5958 | astromeyer@dcmm.org | dcmm.org

Nature education and outdoor learning

The Ridges Sanctuary Backpack Adventure Camp

This Baileys Harbor nature sanctuary offers six weeks of half-day programming (Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM) with no camp during the July 4th week.

Registration Timeline:

• Members: March 2, 2026

• Public: March 4, 2026

• Forms due by June 2

Pricing: Members $200/week | Public $215/week

Week Dates Ages 4-6 Theme Ages 7-11 Theme 1 June 22-26 Critters Club Trail Trekkers 2 June 29-July 3 Springing Sprouts Orchid Observers 3 July 6-10 Nature Detectives Boreal Pioneers 4 July 13-17 Happy Hikers Mucky Ducks 5 July 20-24 Tiny Twigs Ridges Rangers 6 July 27-31 Climbing Caterpillars Mighty Monarchs

Each child receives a Ridges Adventure Pack to use and keep. Friday "Fun Days" feature beach activities. Class sizes are limited to 15 campers (ages 4-6) or 16 campers (ages 7-11).

Contact: 920-839-2802 | anna@ridgessanctuary.org | ridgessanctuary.org/summer-camps

Crossroads at Big Creek

Rather than traditional week-long camps, Crossroads offers free year-round drop-in programming. The Junior Nature Club serves preschoolers (ages 3+) with family programs on Wednesday mornings. Science Saturdays, Environmental Exploration sessions, and Wandering Wednesdays naturalist-led hikes are available throughout summer.

Collins Learning Center hours: Monday-Friday 9:30 AM-3:30 PM, Saturday 1:00-4:00 PM. Trails are open daily, free of charge.

Contact: 920-746-5895 | crossroadsatbigcreek.org

Door County Horsemanship

Registration is currently open for a variety of 2026 horse camp formats in Sturgeon Bay, from single-day experiences to 4-day intensives.

Summer 2026 Sessions:

Date Camp Format Ages June 22 Foundations of Horsemanship 3-day, 9AM-1PM 7+ June 29 Horsemanship Hero's Day 1-day, 9AM-3PM 7+ July 13 Junior Horsemanship Academy 4-day, 9AM-3PM 7+ July 17 Summer Fun Day / Trail Discovery 1-day, 9AM-3PM 7+ July 25 Glitter Groom & Ride Mini Half-day, 10AM-12:30PM 4-8 Aug 3 Ranch Rider Immersion 4-day, 9AM-3PM 7+ (Advanced) Aug 17 Ranch Rider Intensive 3-day, 9AM-1PM 7+ (Advanced) Aug 24 Confidence & Connection 3-day, 9AM-1PM 7+ Aug 29 Glitter Groom & Ride Mini Half-day, 10AM-12:30PM 4-8

The Tiny Tot Mini Camps (ages 4-8) offer shorter sessions designed for younger riders. Advanced camps require comfort riding independently at all gaits.

Contact: doorcountyhorsemanship.com | 3320 Park Dr, Sturgeon Bay

Arts and creative programs

Peninsula School of Art (PenArt) Youth Summer Studios

Located in Fish Creek, PenArt offers 4-day workshops (Tuesday-Friday) running mid-June through mid-August for ages 4-17.

Age groups: 4-6, 7-9, 10-12, and 13-17

Disciplines: Drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, and sculpture

Class sizes: Maximum 12 students (8 for ceramics with potter's wheels)

Registration is currently open online or by phone. The Kathryn A. Doerr Young Artists Fund provides 100% tuition coverage for full-time residents of Door and Kewaunee counties.

Contact: 920-868-3455 | peninsulaschoolofart.org

Birch Creek Music Performance Center

This prestigious Egg Harbor music academy offers residential two-week sessions for students entering grade 7 through graduating grade 12. Registration is open with applications reviewed on a rolling basis beginning February 1, 2026.

2026 Session Dates:

Session Dates Percussion, Steel Pan & World Music June 14-27, 2026 Symphony June 28-July 11, 2026 Big Band Jazz I July 12-25, 2026 Big Band Jazz II July 26-August 8, 2026

Tuition: $2,300 plus $100 application fee (refundable if not accepted)

New for 2026: The Percussion session now features a Composition Track for aspiring composers.

The student-to-faculty ratio is 2:1. Big Band Jazz sessions are directed by Jeff Campbell, Chair of Jazz Studies at Eastman School of Music. Auditions are required, with video submissions accepted. Over half of academy students receive partial scholarships, including 14 Guyette Named Percussion Scholarships.

Contact: 920-868-3763 | Registrar@BirchCreek.org | birchcreek.org

Rogue Theater Youth Camp

This Sturgeon Bay theater company offers summer camps for ages 9-15, culminating in a full-scale performance. Students learn acting, costume design, set building, improvisation, and backstage management.

2026 Status: Program information is not yet posted as of February 2026. Contact the theater directly for updates.

Contact: 920-818-0816 | 1roguetheater@gmail.com | roguetheater.org

Write On, Door County Kids WOW! Creative Camp

Located on a 59-acre Fish Creek campus, Write On offers week-long creative writing camps led by published authors.

2026 Sessions:

• Session 1: June 22-26, 2026 (Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8)

• Session 2: July 13-17, 2026 (Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8)

Estimated pricing: ~$175 per session (members receive 10% discount)

Sessions run Monday-Friday mornings. Students craft personal essays, short stories, and poems, with a Friday showcase for family and friends. Class sizes range from 5-14 students.

Contact: 920-868-1457 | writeondoorcounty.org

Registration timeline at a glance

Organization Registration Opens Price Range Camp Zion NOW OPEN (sessions filling) $395-$495 Door County Horsemanship NOW OPEN Varies by camp DCMM Summer Camp NOW OPEN $90-$240 (tiered) Birch Creek Music NOW OPEN (rolling from Feb 1) $2,300 PenArt Youth Studios NOW OPEN Varies by workshop Ephraim Yacht Club February 14, 2026 $240-$475 + membership The Ridges Sanctuary March 2 (members) / March 4 (public) $200-$215/week Door County YMCA March 10 (members) / March 12 (public) $220-$255/week Write On, Door County Details announced January 2026 ~$175/session Rogue Theater TBD - Contact directly TBD

Conclusion

Door County's 2026 summer programming offers exceptional breadth—from the $90 tiered-pricing STEAM camp at the Maritime Museum to the $2,300 elite Birch Creek music residency, families can find programs matching nearly any interest and budget. The standout action item: register for Camp Zion and Ephraim Yacht Club immediately, as both programs fill within days of opening. For nature-focused families, The Ridges Sanctuary's March registration window offers excellent value at $200-215 per week. Parents seeking maximum flexibility will appreciate the YMCA's extended care hours (6:30 AM-5:30 PM) and Crossroads' free drop-in model.

Key gaps to note: Door County Adventure Center has paused traditional summer camps, Sail Training Foundation requires a phone call due to website issues, and Rogue Theater's 2026 schedule remains unpublished. Every organization except Adventure Center offers some form of scholarship or financial assistance—don't hesitate to inquire.