Your 2026 Summer Programs Guide

Your 2026 Summer Programs Guide

From art to sports to engineering, these local camps offer fun and education for the child in your life.

Photo by Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast

Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast

Grades K5-12

Campers have the opportunity to explore nature, play sports, learn about STEM and performing arts, and more with the Girl Scouts. Campers can choose between overnight options or day camps. Camp Alice Chester in East Troy provides the classic summer camp experience, complete with activities like swimming, boating, arts and crafts, and more. Counselor-in-training sessions are available to teens. Whichever option a camper chooses, all Girl Scout experiences are designed to help campers build confidence, dream big and make lasting friendships. 

Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design

Grades 9-12

Do you know a budding young artist or designer? MIAD’s Summer Pre-College programs offer teens the chance to jumpstart their creative journey. Over the last two years, MIAD has seen record-breaking enrollment in its summer programs, which offer both residential and commuter options, and include meals during sessions.The Core Studio Concepts program is built for beginning or intermediate students, who choose two disciplines to study, such as painting, graphic design or photography. Advanced Studio Concepts allows students to focus on one area of study, earning college credit while deepening their skills and portfolio. 

Milwaukee Bucks

Ages 7-14

If you’ve got a young basketball fan dreaming of the big leagues, the Milwaukee Bucks Summer Camps offer a slam-dunk way to spend the time off school. Held from early June through August, the camps welcome boys and girls ages 7–14 for four- or five-day sessions designed for all skill levels. Campers are grouped by ability to ensure maximum playing time while building fundamentals like ball handling, passing and shooting through drills and team scrimmages. Beyond skill development, the experience includes special appearances from Bango and other fun surprises. Each participant goes home with a practice jersey, basketball and a ticket to a 2026–27 Bucks regular-season game. 

Photo courtesy of Milwaukee Bucks

Milwaukee School of Engineering

Grades K-12

Are you looking for a summer experience that sparks curiosity and builds real skills for your young student? MSOE programs offer hands-on STEM learning experiences aimed at students as young as kindergarten, all the way through 12th grade. For older high school students interested in exploring an engineering education, MSOE offers an immersive weeklong academic camp with activities designed around the school’s majors. Students work directly with MSOE faculty and staff, getting a feel for college-level study and a better grasp on their academic interests and strengths. For young learners, MSOE hosts day camps at the WE Energies STEM Center where students dive into engineering design, robotics and science activities that make complex concepts fun and accessible.

Photo by Getty Images

The cover of the February 2026 issue of Milwaukee Magazine

This story is part of Milwaukee Magazine’s February 2026 issue.

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