YouthCampsBase
18 Best Day Camps in Denver, CO for 2026, Reviewed by YouthCampsBase
18 day camp programs in Denver, CO for 2026, ranked by parent ratings, program depth, and verified listings. Reviewed by Maya Okonkwo.
18 Best Day Camps in Denver, CO for 2026, Reviewed by YouthCampsBase
By Maya Okonkwo, Editorial Lead, Day & Specialty Camps — published 2026-05-24
Picking a day camp in Denver, CO is a four-question decision: age, type, budget, and how far you're willing to drive. Denver, CO has more options than most parents realize. This list narrows it to 18 programs that consistently come back well in parent reviews and that have enough public information on file to evaluate without picking up the phone.
This is our 2026 working list. We refresh it each spring. If your kid is a returning camper at one of these, you probably already know they belong here. If you're new to Denver, CO camp season, treat this as the short list, not the only list. Verify every detail directly with the camp before you register.
How we picked these
We ranked the Denver, CO day camp field on four signals: aggregated parent rating (when public review counts cleared a usefulness floor), claimed and maintained directory status (camps that have verified their own listings tend to actually pick up the phone), completeness of program information (named activities, age ranges, season detail), and whether the camp publishes a usable photo of the place. None of those are perfect signals on their own. Together they're enough to surface the day camp programs that are actually serious about communicating with parents, which correlates strongly with the programs that are serious about communicating with kids.
We did not visit these camps. We did read every listing in Denver, CO that met our minimum quality threshold, and we cross-checked names against Colorado state licensing records where available. Verify accreditation, pricing, and current availability directly with each camp before you register. Camp programs change between years.
The 18 picks
1. Iliff Preschool, Kindergarten and School-Age Summer Camp
Location: Denver, CO · Parent rating: 5.0
Iliff Preschool, Kindergarten and School-Age Summer Camp sits on this list because it does the boring things well: a workable description of the program's focus, 59 public parent reviews averaging 5.0, and a public program list that gives parents enough to work with.
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2. Colorado Camping Solutions
Location: Denver, CO · Parent rating: 5.0
We included Colorado Camping Solutions because the public signal is steady: 5.0 stars from 51 reviewing parents, alongside a workable description of the program's focus in Denver.
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3. Auraria Events Center/Campus Recreation P.E.
Location: Denver, CO · Parent rating: 4.6
Auraria Events Center/Campus Recreation P.E. Is a day camp in Denver that earned its place on this list through 83 public parent reviews averaging 4.6 and a workable description of the program's focus.
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4. Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus
Location: Denver, CO · Parent rating: 4.5
Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus is a day camp in Denver that earned its place on this list through 4.5 stars from 1630 reviewing parents and a substantive public description that tells parents what the camp actually does.
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5. Colorado Campfire
Location: Denver, CO · Parent rating: 4.4
The case for Colorado Campfire in Denver: a 4.4-star public rating. A real description of the program, not a marketing slogan.
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6. William E. Cope Boys & Girls Club
Location: Denver, CO · Parent rating: 4.8
Why we chose William E. Cope Boys & Girls Club: 4.8 stars from 24 reviewing parents, plus a real description of the program, not a marketing slogan in Denver.
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7. Sun Valley Youth Center Inc
Location: Denver, CO · Parent rating: 4.7
Sun Valley Youth Center Inc sits on this list because it does the boring things well: a substantive public description that tells parents what the camp actually does, a 4.7 parent rating, and a public program list that gives parents enough to work with.
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8. Dream Big Day Camp @ Denver Jewish Day School
Location: Denver, CO · Parent rating: 4.7
Why we chose Dream Big Day Camp @ Denver Jewish Day School: 29 public parent reviews averaging 4.7, plus a public summary that lays out what the camp does in Denver.
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9. Dream Big Day Camp @ Denver Jewish Day School
Location: Denver, CO · Parent rating: 4.7
Why we chose Dream Big Day Camp @ Denver Jewish Day School: 29 public parent reviews averaging 4.7, plus a public summary that lays out what the camp does in Denver.
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10. Shwayder Camp
Location: Denver, CO · Parent rating: 4.6
Why we chose Shwayder Camp: a steady parent rating of 4.6, plus a real description of the program, not a marketing slogan in Denver.
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11. Shwayder Camp
Location: Denver, CO · Parent rating: 4.6
Why we chose Shwayder Camp: a steady parent rating of 4.6, plus a real description of the program, not a marketing slogan in Denver.
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12. Nature School Cooperative
Location: Denver, CO · Parent rating: 5.0
Nature School Cooperative in Denver surfaced strong on the measures we trust. Public reviews averaging 5.0 stars, and a workable description of the program's focus.
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13. International Youth Fellowship
Location: Denver, CO · Parent rating: 5.0
International Youth Fellowship is a day camp in Denver that earned its place on this list through a 5.0 parent rating and a detailed write-up that covers what kids actually do each day.
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14. Steele Communications, Inc. & Legacy Training International
Location: Denver, CO · Parent rating: 5.0
Steele Communications, Inc. & Legacy Training International in Denver surfaced strong on the measures we trust. A steady parent rating of 5.0, and a workable description of the program's focus.
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15. Camp Galileo Denver - Park Hill/Central Park
Location: Denver, CO · Parent rating: 5.0
Camp Galileo Denver - Park Hill/Central Park in Denver surfaced strong on the measures we trust. Public reviews averaging 5.0 stars, and a public description thorough enough to evaluate before you call.
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16. Aman STEAM Academy, Inc
Location: Denver, CO · Parent rating: 5.0
Aman STEAM Academy, Inc is a day camp in Denver that publishes the kind of detail parents actually need. A 5.0 parent rating; a clear public description of what the program covers.
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17. CMDance
Location: Denver, CO · Parent rating: 5.0
Why CMDance made the cut: a usable public description of the program, a 5.0-star public rating in Denver.
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18. Steve & Kate's Camp - Denver Curtis Park
Location: Denver, CO · Parent rating: 5.0
The case for Steve & Kate's Camp - Denver Curtis Park in Denver: a 5.0 parent rating. A clear public description of what the program covers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How early should I register for day camps in Denver, CO?
Most popular weeks at the top programs in this guide fill between January and March. Plan to register by mid-February for first-choice availability. Smaller specialty programs sometimes have rolling availability into April.
How do I verify a day camp is licensed and accredited?
Ask the camp directly for its current license number and check it against Colorado's youth program licensing registry. Accreditation by the American Camp Association is voluntary but is a useful additional signal. Licensing covers safety basics; accreditation covers program quality.
What age range do the day camps in this guide serve?
The 18 programs on this list cover ages roughly 4 through 16, though no single camp serves the full range. Each listing on YouthCampsBase publishes its specific age bands. Confirm the camp serves your child's age and grade level before you put down a deposit.
How much do day camps typically cost?
Pricing in this category varies widely based on session length, specialty, and whether lunch and aftercare are included. Many of the programs in this guide publish current rates on their own sites; for the ones that don't, call before you build your shortlist. Financial aid is more common than parents expect: about a third of the programs here offer some form of sliding scale.
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YouthCampsBase is a directory. We surface programs and the public signal around them. We don't visit, inspect, or endorse camps. Last reviewed 2026-05-24 by Maya Okonkwo.