As the school year winds down, families are shifting their focus to summer planning. Albany Parks & Recreation has officially opened registration for Camp Albany, providing local youth with a vibrant, structured environment to keep them active, social, and engaged all summer long.
Running from July 6 through August 21, the camp offers specialized programs tailored across three distinct age groups to ensure an age-appropriate experience.
Tailored Camp Brackets and Themes
Each camp group features a balanced blend of hands-on STEM experiments, creative arts and crafts, team-building group games, and essential outdoor play.
- Mini Explorers (Ages 3–4): A perfect introduction to camp, running Thursdays and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Maple Lawn (1950 Salem Ave SE). The cost is $69 (in-city) or $90 (out-of-city) per week. Weekly themes include Amazing Artists, DINO-mite Adventures, Dirt Detectives, and Ooey Gooey Creations. (Campers must be potty-trained).
- Little Explorers (Ages 4–6): Designed for kids ages 4 to 6 (4-year-olds must be entering kindergarten), this group meets Monday through Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Maple Lawn. The cost is $144 (in-city) or $188 (out-of-city) per week.
- Junior Explorers (Ages 7–11): This full-week program runs Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Periwinkle Elementary (2196 21st Ave SE). The cost is $238 (in-city) or $309 (out-of-city) per week.
The rotating themes for both the Little and Junior Explorers include Science Sleuths, Kitchen Creations, Lights, Camera, Game On!, Mystery Masterminds, Nature Navigators, Summer in the Spotlight, and Into the Wild.
Maximum Flexibility for Working Parents
Recognizing that summer logistics can be tough to juggle, Albany Parks & Recreation has introduced several major “parent-friendly” updates for the 2026 season to add ultimate flexibility:
- Flexible Payment Plans: Spreading out the cost of summer camp is now easier. For both Little Explorers and Junior Explorers, families can opt into a payment plan by paying just 25% of the program fee upfront. The remaining balance is split into equal monthly installments, with the final balance due 15 business days before the registered camp week begins.
- Flexible Pickup Options (Extended Care): If you need extra time after the camp day ends, afternoon extended care is available from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. For Little Explorers, extended care runs Monday–Wednesday for $29 per camper, per week. For Junior Explorers, it runs Monday–Friday for $38 per camper, per week.
- Flexible Dates (Junior Explorers Only): If you don’t need a full week of camp, parents can register their Junior Explorers at a daily rate of $53 (in-city) or $69 (out-of-city). This allows families to pick and choose exact dates that fit their summer travel and work calendars.
How to Register and Scholarship Options
Spaces for individual thematic weeks are limited and expected to fill quickly. Registration can be completed entirely online through the official department portal.
- Where to Register: Visit albanyparksandrecreation.org to view individual schedules, safety guidelines, and complete registration. For direct questions, families can call 541-917-7777.
- Financial Assistance: To ensure camp remains accessible to all neighborhood youth, full scholarships are available courtesy of local support from ATI. Families can find financial aid requirements and application forms directly on the main department website.
