Summer Camps

We are happy to offer a variety of camps throughout the summer months! Our day camps are in conjunction with Alachua County Public Schools Calendar. Please choose your camp below for specific information and registration dates.

How to register: 

  • Online: see the registration button for each of the camps, see below. 
  • In-person at the PRCA Administrative Office located at Thomas Center Building B, 3rd Floor, 306 NE Sixth Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32601; Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (see registration dates below)

Registration dates opens as follows:

  • City residents only beginning Monday, March 2
  • Resident and non-city resident beginning Monday, March 16

Waiting List

To ensure we maintain high quality programming and adequate ratios of campers to counselors, there are limited spots available and registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis. In the event that a program becomes full, you can add your child(ren) to our Waiting List by following the usual registration process online or at the Thomas Center. There is no charge for being added to the Waiting List and we cannot guarantee a spot to those on the Waiting List. If and when a spot becomes available, Waiting List participants will be called in order of registration received. If selected from the Waiting List, a timely response and payment is required in order to secure the spot.

Scholarships

Adventures in Play and Teen Life Summer Day Camp Scholarships are available for individuals and families who meet financial eligibility guidelines. Families who qualify for free lunch, receive government benefits (SNAP, TANF), or qualify by income based on federal poverty guidelines are eligible. Scholarships cover the full cost of summer camp city resident fees. Eligible individuals not selected for a scholarship will be offered a 50% reduced rate discount. These individuals will be notified of their eligibility and must register their child for the program and pay the remaining program fees if they wish to register for summer camp. 

A complete Scholarship Application Form and supporting documents must be submitted in order to determine eligibility for any scholarship. A separate scholarship application must be filled out for each child. Applicants may only apply for one program site.

Applications open Monday, January 19, 2026 and must be submitted in person by Friday, February 20by 5 p.m. at:

PRCA Administrative Office
Thomas Center
306 NE Sixth Ave., Bldg B., 3rd Floor
Gainesville, FL 32601
(Open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.)

 Reduced Rate Discounts

The City of Gainesville offers a 50% reduced rate discount to all families who meet financial eligibility guidelines (qualify for free/reduced lunch, receive government SNAP or TANF, or qualify by income based on federal poverty guidelines. The reduced rate covers 50% of city resident fees ($32.03 weekly). Families may apply for a reduced rate discount on Adventures in Play and Teen Life Summer Day Camp at any time outside of the scholarship period by bringing their proof of financial eligibility supporting documents to the Thomas Center, PRCA Administrative Offices.

For questions or additional information, please call 352-334-5067 or email rec@gainesvillefl.gov  

Adventures in Play Summer Day Camp

The child must have completed kindergarten during the 2025-2026 school year and be entering 1st through 5th grades. If the child has completed the 5th grade, they must attend our teen camp.

Locations:

  • Albert "Ray" Massey Recreation Center, 1001 NW 34th Street
    Register Now
  • Eastside Community Center, 2841 E. University Avenue
    Register Now
  • Clarence R. Kelly Center, 1701 NE 8th Avenue

    Pick-up/Drop-off Only: 
     The Clarence R. Kelly Center will serve as a drop-off and pick-up site with reduced hours. Participants must be dropped off between 7:45-8:00 a.m. and picked up between 4:45-5:00 p.m. They will then be transported to the Eastside Community Center for daily programming. 

    Register Now

Registration closes the Friday before camp, regardless of the enrollment status. If camp is filled, you may sign up for our waiting list. Under-registered sessions may be canceled with a full refund.

Camp Dates and Times: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Eight one-week-sessions: Monday, June 8 through Friday, July 31, 2026; there will be no camp on Friday, June 19 and Friday, July 3 in observance of Juneteenth and July Fourth holidays.

Themes for 2026:

Week 1 –  Aloha Summer - Monday, June 8 through Friday, June 12
Week 2 –  Passport to Fun - Monday, June 15 through Thursday, June 18 (No camp Friday, June 19)
Week 3 –  Tournament of Champions - Monday, June 22 through Friday, June 26
Week 4 –  Time Travelers - Monday, June 29 through Thursday, July 2 (No camp Friday, July 3)
Week 5 –  Wild West - Monday, July 6 through Friday, July 10
Week 6 –  Splish Splash - Monday, July 13 through Friday, July 17
Week 7 –  Superhero Training Camp - Monday, July 20 through Friday, July 24
Week 8 –  Moovin' and Groovin' - Monday, July 27 through Friday, July 31

Registration fee per week:  $64.05 for city residents; $80.06 for non-city residents *Proof of residency (GRU bill or voter ID) is required at time of registration. 

Teen Life Summer Day Camp

The child must have completed 5th grade during the 2025 - 2026 school year and be entering 6th through 8th grade.  If they’ve completed the 8th grade, they are not eligible to enroll in this camp.

Location: T.B. McPherson Recreation Center, 1717 SE 15th Street

 Register Now

Registration closes the Friday before camp, regardless of the enrollment status. If camp is filled, you may sign up for our waitlist. Under-registered sessions may be cancelled with a full refund.

Camp Dates and Times: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Eight, one-week-sessions: Monday, June 8 through Friday, July 31, 2026; there will be no camp on Friday, June 19 and Friday, July 3 in observance of Juneteenth and July Fourth holidays.

Themes for 2026:

Week 1 –  Aloha Summer - Monday, June 8 through Friday, June 12
Week 2 –  Passport to Fun - Monday, June 15 through Thursday, June 18, (No camp Friday, June 19)
Week 3 –  Tournament of Champions - Monday, June 22 through Friday, June 26
Week 4 –  Time Travelers - Monday, June 29 through Thursday, July 2 (No camp Friday, July 3)
Week 5 –  Wild West - Monday, July 6 through Friday, July 10
Week 6 –  Splish Splash - Monday, July 13 through Friday, July 17
Week 7 –  Superhero Training Camp - Monday, July 20 through Friday, July 24
Week 8 –  Moovin' and Groovin' - Monday, July 27 through Friday, July 31

Registration fee per week:  $64.05 for city residents; $80.06 for non-city residents *Proof of residency (GRU bill or voter ID) is required at time of registration. 

Earth Academy Day Camp

Earth Academy Day Camp:
Five, one-week-sessions
June 9-June 27 and July 14-25

Earth Academy Day Camp awakens your child’s innate curiosity while encouraging an environmental ethic and appreciation of the natural world!

Registration Dates for Summer 2025

  • Summer Camp registration opens Saturday, March 1 at 9 a.m. for city residents.
  • Summer Camp registration opens for all on Friday, March 8 at 9 a.m.
  • Summer Camp registration closes Monday, June 2 at 11:59 p.m. 

Space is limited and registration is first-come, first-served basis. Registration closes one week prior to camp regardless of the enrollment status. If camp is filled, you may sign up for our waiting list. Under-registered sessions may be canceled with a full refund.

Camp hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Five adventure-packed sessions held at Morningside Nature Center

Learn more about Earth Academy Day Camp online, call 352-393-8240 or email earthacademy@gainesvillefl.gov.

Earth Academy Junior Naturalist Program

Rising 7-12 graders are eligible to apply for the Junior Naturalist Program. Junior Naturalists volunteer from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for one-week camp sessions and assist with camp activities. Additional volunteer opportunities are available for special events and programs throughout the year.

  • In order to participate, candidates must complete an application each year. Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance into the program. Applicants will be interviewed and successful candidates must attend an orientation to participate in the program.
  • Junior Naturalists who have volunteered at least one week in a previous summer are eligible to volunteer for spring break camp. New Junior Naturalists applications are not accepted in the spring.

For more information, please call 352-393-8240 or email earthacademy@gainesvillefl.gov.

Questions?

Email: rec@gainesvillefl.gov

Phone: 352-334-5067

Hours:

Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Forms & Documents

2026 Scholarship Application Packet
(PDF, 1MB)

Now Hiring!

Interested in joining out team? The City of Gainesville is seeking an innovative, forward thinking, fun and flexible individual with the right combination of education and experience to fill a Summer Camp Counselor position. Apply online now or come check out our Hiring Event.

 

When: Saturday, March 14, 2026, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.*
Where: Old Library Building, 222 E. University Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32601
What to Bring:

  • Valid Florida driver’s license or U.S. Passport
  • Social security card or Birth Certificate
  • Proof of highest education
  • Current First Aid/CPR/AED certificate

Apply in advance or on location. Employment offers will be made onsite. *Final interviews begin promptly at 1 p.m.

 

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