Camp · Traditional Day Camp · Ages 6–12 · $5/week
Directory · United States · Iowa · Des Moines
▌ Traditional Day Camp · Ages 6–12

Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp

Des Moines · $5/week

Des Moines Parks and Recreation offers a variety of summer day camps for children with diverse activities.

▌ Editor's read The Des Moines Parks and Recreation summer camp program is a day camp offering a diverse range of activities for children, managed by the municipal parks department. The website, secure.rec1.com/IA/des-moines-parks-and-recreation/catalog, loads successfully and serves as a registration portal for various programs, including summer camps. There is no mention of ACA accreditation on the website, nor is it listed in the ACA directory. As a municipal program, specific state licensing information for individual camps is not readily available on the site. The program offers a wide array of themed camps, such as 'Camp Adventure,' 'Camp Explorer,' and specialized sports and arts camps, indicating a broad appeal. Google reviews for 'Des Moines Parks and Recreation' generally show a positive sentiment with a rating of 4.5 stars from over 1,000 reviews, often praising the variety of programs and well-maintained facilities, though specific camp reviews are less common. Social media handles include @desmoinesparks on Instagram and 'DesMoinesParksandRec' on Facebook, which showcase various park activities and events.
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Parks-department programPublic, often subsidized
Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 6–12

Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp 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 traditional day camp 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: Traditional Day Camp
  • Ages: 6–12
  • Hours: 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
  • Address: 1551 E Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50317
  • Phone: 515-237-1386
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Cost notes: $5 per week per child Weekly Participation Fee. Main camp is low-cost/free.

Logistics

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

Frequently asked about Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp

What ages does Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp accept?
Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp is open to children ages 6–12. 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 cost?
Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp 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's hours?
Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp runs 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.. 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?
Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp 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 provide lunch?
Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp 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 compare to other traditional day camp camps in Des Moines?
Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp is one of 21 traditional day camp 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 with other camps.

Camps near here

Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside Des Moines Parks and Recreation Summer Camp.