Camp · Community/Rec Center · Ages 5–12 · $5/week
Directory · United States · Iowa · Des Moines
▌ Community/Rec Center · Ages 5–12

Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp - Martin Luther King Jr. Park

Martin Luther King Jr. Park · $5/week

A summer day camp at Martin Luther King Jr. Park offering a variety of activities for children aged 5-12.

▌ Editor's read The Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp website loads successfully and provides information on their summer day camp programs. The camp is run by the City of Des Moines Parks and Recreation department, indicating a municipal-parks ownership type. The program is a day camp, offering activities, games, and field trips for children. The website states that all staff undergo background checks, which is a positive safety measure. While specific staff-to-camper ratios are not listed, the program is described as supervised. The camp is not accredited by the ACA. Google reviews for 'Des Moines Parks and Recreation' generally show a positive sentiment, with an average rating of 4.5 stars from over 1,000 reviews, often praising the variety of programs and well-maintained facilities. Social media handles found are @desmoinesparks on Instagram and DesMoinesParksandRec on Facebook.
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Parks-department programPublic, often subsidized
Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 5–12

Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp - Martin Luther King Jr. Park fits middle-elementary campers — old enough for skill-building to land, young enough that friend-group dynamics and counselor warmth still matter more than program rigor. Parents at this age band tend to prioritize a balanced rhythm of structured activity and unstructured play, which is the actual differentiator inside any given community/rec center program.

Facts & Credentials

Program type
Day camp
ACA accredited
Not verified
Established
Not listed
Operator
Municipal parks department
Staff-to-camper ratio
Not listed

How we verify these →

Details

  • Category: Community/Rec Center
  • Ages: 5–12
  • Hours: 9:30am-3:30pm
  • Address: 1650 Garfield Ave, Des Moines, IA 50316, USA
  • Phone: 515-237-1386
  • Email: [email protected]

Logistics

  • Lunch provided: No
  • Transportation: No
  • Financial aid: No
  • Setting: mixed

Frequently asked about Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp - Martin Luther King Jr. Park

What ages does Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp - Martin Luther King Jr. Park accept?
Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp - Martin Luther King Jr. Park is open to children ages 5–12. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
How much does Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp - Martin Luther King Jr. Park cost?
Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp - Martin Luther King Jr. Park publishes $5/week for the standard session. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
What are Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp - Martin Luther King Jr. Park's hours?
Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp - Martin Luther King Jr. Park runs 9:30am-3:30pm. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
Who runs Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp - Martin Luther King Jr. Park?
Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp - Martin Luther King Jr. Park is operated by the local parks department. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
Does Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp - Martin Luther King Jr. Park provide lunch?
Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp - Martin Luther King Jr. Park does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
How does Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp - Martin Luther King Jr. Park compare to other community/rec center camps in Des Moines?
Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp - Martin Luther King Jr. Park is one of 5 community/rec center camps in Des Moines that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.

Planning guides

Editorial checklists to use before you compare Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp - Martin Luther King Jr. Park with other camps.

Camps near here

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