Join us this summer for fun, outdoor adventures on the shores of Lake Champlain. Each year, we offer a variety of summer camps packed with hands-on activities, learning from the lake, adventures, and more. These summer day camps are organized by age and each camp is focused on a specific subject, interest, or experience that connects to our region’s history, archaeology, or ecology. All our summer camps are pay-what-you-can. If you have any questions, contact us at camps@lcmm.org.
When you’re ready to register, use any of the “Register” buttons to sign up for a camp. If you wish to register for multiple camps or register more than one child, you must complete a registration form for each camp and each child. If the camp you would like to register for is full, you will be redirected to the waitlist.
Read about our safety measures, cancellation policies, and pay-what-you-can tuition.
2026 Summer Camps
The Fish Camp – Session A
June 22–June 26, 2026
Ages 6–9
$400 Tuition (Pay-What-You-Can)
Is your little one looking for a week of fish-tastic fun? This camp will give them a chance to dive into all things fishy! Campers will spend the week learning about fish, visiting a variety of fishing locations, and getting hooked on fishing. Activities include practicing casting, building our own fishing rod with supplies we forage in the forest, and checking out a variety of different fishing locations. This camp is always a fan favorite and we can’t wait to dive in!
Note: Sessions A and B of Fish Camp are duplicate experiences of the same camp. They are not a series or continuation; we just made more available due to popular demand! Campers may only register for one session to ensure that as many kids as possible are able to take part in the experience.
Kayak Building Camp
June 22–July 10, 2026
Ages 13–16
$2,950 Tuition (Pay-What-You-Can)
Learn woodworking and boat building this summer while crafting your very own kayak! Over the course of three weeks (Monday-Friday), join us each day at the Museum and build an expedition-ready sea kayak. Working alongside our expert boat builders, you will learn important techniques, become the master of essential woodworking tools, paint and decorate your kayak with your own design, and understand what is needed to keep a wooden boat afloat. And, of course, you get to keep the kayak!
Want to know more about the kayak? We will be building Chesapeake Light Craft Chesapeake 17 LTs. These kayaks can be used in our teen kayaking expedition, Champlain Discovery.
The Fish Camp – Session B
June 29–July 3, 2026
Ages 6–9
$400 Tuition (Pay-What-You-Can)
Is your little one looking for a week of fish-tastic fun? This camp will give them a chance to dive into all things fishy! Campers will spend the week learning about fish, visiting a variety of fishing locations, and getting hooked on fishing. Activities include practicing casting, building our own fishing rod with supplies we forage in the forest, and checking out a variety of different fishing locations. This camp is always a fan favorite and we can’t wait to dive in!
Note: Sessions A and B of Fish Camp are duplicate experiences of the same camp. They are not a series or continuation; we just made more available due to popular demand! Campers may only register for one session to ensure that as many kids as possible are able to take part in the experience.
Watershed Ecology Camp
July 6–July 10, 2026
Ages 10–14
$400 Tuition (Pay-What-You-Can)
Do you enjoy being outside and exploring natural areas? This camp will focus on the ecology of the Lake Champlain Watershed. Campers will have the opportunity to explore areas all over the watershed and learn about how they are interconnected. Activities will include hiking, canoeing, and snorkeling all over the Lake Champlain region! Campers will learn more about lake ecology and how water travels throughout our region to end up in Lake Champlain.
Underwater Exploration Camp
July 20–July 24, 2026
Ages 10–14
$400 Tuition (Pay-What-You-Can)
Have you ever wondered what lies under the surface of the water? Join us for a week of exploring several bodies of water in our region! Campers will get an introduction to snorkeling before starting exploration of various field sites. At some locations we’ll focus on ecology and the different species that call the water “home,” while at other locations we’ll look at human impacts on the underwater environment by learning about nautical archaeology.
Heavy Metal Mania Camp
July 27–July 31, 2026
Ages 10–14
$400 Tuition (Pay-What-You-Can)
Do you ever wonder “how was this made?” Do you want to be the person who made it? During this week-long sampler, campers will learn to pound iron, melt bronze, and shape copper; carrying on the traditions of the ancient art and craft of metalsmithing. This camp is a great chance to work with your hands and make your own objects and art out of metal. In between metal projects, campers will keep cool swimming in the lake.
Boats, Boats, Boats Camp
August 10–August 14, 2026
Ages 10–14
$400 Tuition (Pay-What-You-Can)
Calling all kids who have a need for adventure and a love of being on the water! Boats, Boats, Boats is five days of mini expeditions using the Museum’s fleet of boats. Each day will feature a different type of watercraft that we’ll use to travel to an exciting location to eat lunch, explore, and swim before boating back for the end of the camp day. Campers will be able to learn or practice their skill at sailing, rowing, canoeing, and kayaking.
Health & Safety
We are committed to a safe and healthy camp experience for all! Our team makes every effort to ensure a safe, positive, and enriching experience for all campers. We focus on safety and accident prevention. Our staff are trained and certified in CPR/First Aid to promptly respond in the unlikely event that an incident occurs.
Camp participants and their families, along with Lake Champlain Maritime Museum staff, are expected to follow all local, state, and national health and safety protocols regarding COVID-19. We ask that all participants not join their camp if they have Covid symptoms and/or test positive for Covid. Please be aware that if your child begins showing symptoms during the course of their camp they may be asked to leave the program for the health and safety of all participants.
Cancellations & Refunds
We understand life changes and sometimes you must cancel plans. If you cancel your camp registration 14 or more days prior to the first day of the camp session, you will receive a full refund of your total amount paid. If you need to cancel your registration after the 14 day mark, please keep in mind you may not receive a full refund. Before you register for camp, we ask you to review our full participation policies: Camp Participation Policies.
Pay-What-You-Can Tuition
We fundamentally believe that cost should not be a barrier for any child to have a wonderful summer on Lake Champlain. With that in mind, all camps at Lake Champlain Maritime Museum are Pay-What-You-Can! When reviewing this year’s camp schedule, you will see the Standard Tuition for each camp, which goes towards staff time, safety equipment, and the gear and supplies we need for these fun camps.
When you register for a camp, in the final payment section, you will again see the standard tuition for your selected camp. You will then be able to pay any amount towards tuition. Please pay what works best for your family and, if you can, help us make camps available to all. No matter what you pay, you will be registered for your camp.
If you are not attending camp but you would like to support our pay-what-you-can programs, please consider making a donation.