Summer in Valrico means 10-12 weeks of kids at home, afternoon thunderstorms, and the eternal question: what are we going to do all summer? Fortunately, the Valrico, Brandon, and FishHawk area has a solid lineup of summer camps that keep kids active, engaged, and out of the house without breaking the bank.

Here's a practical guide to the summer camp options available in 2026, organized by type so you can find what fits your family.

Parks and Recreation Day Camps

Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation Summer Camps

Hillsborough County runs affordable day camps at several recreation centers in and near Valrico. These are some of the best-value camps in the area.

Bloomingdale Community Center (1301 Natures Way Blvd, Valrico) The Bloomingdale center runs a full-day summer camp for kids ages 6-12. Activities include sports, arts and crafts, swimming, field trips, and outdoor games. The staff-to-camper ratio is reasonable, and the facility is well-maintained.

FishHawk Community Center (Lithia) Similar programming to Bloomingdale but located within the FishHawk community. This camp is popular with FishHawk families and fills up fast.

Cost: Typically $100-$150 per week, which is among the most affordable options in the area. Registration opens in early spring and popular sessions sell out quickly.

Best for: Families who need full-day coverage at a reasonable price. These camps are general-purpose -- your kids will do a little of everything.

City of Plant City Recreation Camps

Plant City is a short drive north and runs its own summer camp program. If you live in northern Valrico, this can be closer than some Brandon options.

Sports Camps

FishHawk Sporting Club / Local League Camps

Youth sports leagues in the FishHawk and Valrico area typically offer week-long skills camps during the summer. These are usually sport-specific:

• Soccer: FishHawk FC and local travel clubs run summer training camps for ages 5-15. Sessions focus on skill development rather than competition. Expect $100-$200 per week.
• Baseball/Softball: Brandon-area youth baseball leagues offer hitting camps, pitching clinics, and all-skills weeks. Check with Greater Brandon Little League and FishHawk Baseball for schedules.
• Basketball: Several AAU programs and private trainers in the Brandon area run summer basketball camps. Prices vary widely ($75-$300 per week depending on the program).

Swimming Programs

Given that it's Florida, swim camps are everywhere:

Newsome High School Swim Camps: Newsome's swimming program -- coming off a historic 21-1 season in 2025 -- typically runs summer clinics for middle and elementary-age swimmers. Great way to build skills and get exposure to the high school program.

YMCA Swim Programs: The YMCA of Greater Tampa offers swim lessons and aquatic camps at several locations. The Camp Cristina branch is particularly popular with east Hillsborough families.

Private Swim Schools: Goldfish Swim School and British Swim School operate facilities accessible from Valrico with summer-intensive programs for all skill levels.

Martial Arts and Gymnastics

Martial arts studios along the SR-60 corridor in Brandon (ATA, Tiger Rock, and independent dojos) run summer day camps that combine martial arts instruction with games, field trips, and team-building activities. These tend to run $150-$250 per week.

Gymnastics camps are available through local gymnastics centers in Brandon and Riverview, typically for ages 4-12.

Arts and Creative Camps

Painting with a Twist (Brandon)

While primarily known for adult events, Painting with a Twist in Brandon runs kids' summer workshops and camps. Sessions are usually half-day and focus on painting projects. Good option for creative kids who'd rather hold a brush than a baseball bat.

Music and Theater Camps

Stageworks Theatre (Tampa) runs summer youth theater programs that are accessible from Valrico. Kids learn acting, stagecraft, and typically produce a performance at the end of the session. Ages 7-17, with sessions running $200-$400 for multi-week programs.

School of Rock (Brandon) offers summer camps for aspiring musicians ages 7-17. Kids form bands, learn songs, and perform a live show. Sessions run about $400-$500 per week -- pricier, but the experience is unique.

Private music teachers in the Valrico area often offer summer intensives for piano, guitar, drums, and voice. Check local listings and Facebook groups for recommendations.

Church-Based Camps

Several churches in the Valrico and Brandon area run summer programs, often at lower cost than private camps:

Bell Shoals Church (Brandon) runs one of the largest VBS (Vacation Bible School) programs in east Hillsborough County every summer. VBS is typically free and runs for one week in June, with evening or morning sessions. It's primarily for elementary-age kids.

FishHawk Fellowship Church offers summer programming including day camps and VBS. The FishHawk location is convenient for families in southern Valrico and Lithia.

Idlewild Baptist Church (Lutz/Tampa) runs Camp Idlewild, a larger-scale summer camp program with full-day options, sports, water activities, and faith-based programming. It's a longer drive from Valrico but popular enough that families make the commute.

Cost: VBS is almost always free. Church-run day camps typically charge $50-$150 per week, making them among the most affordable options.

Note: Most church camps welcome families of all faiths. Expect some religious content integrated into the programming.

Specialty and Academic Camps

Code Ninjas (Brandon)

Code Ninjas runs summer camps focused on coding, game development, and robotics for kids ages 5-14. Sessions are typically one week long and include project-based learning where kids build actual games or apps. Cost runs $200-$350 per week.

Best for: Tech-interested kids who'd rather build a video game than play one.

Mathnasium (Brandon/Riverview)

Mathnasium offers summer math programs to keep kids sharp during the break. This isn't a traditional camp -- it's more of a tutoring/enrichment program -- but it's worth mentioning for families who want to avoid the "summer slide" in math skills.

MOSI (Museum of Science and Industry)

MOSI in Tampa runs extensive summer camp programs focused on science, engineering, and technology. Programs are organized by age (5-7, 8-10, 11-14) and cover topics like robotics, marine biology, space exploration, and chemistry. MOSI camps are among the best STEM camp options in the Tampa Bay area.

Cost: $200-$350 per week. MOSI members get discounts.

Commute: About 25 minutes from Valrico.

What to Know Before Registering

1. Register early. The best camps fill up by March or April. Don't wait until school lets out to start looking. If you're reading this in June 2026, some sessions may already be full -- but check for cancellation spots.

2. Check the schedule carefully. Most camps don't cover the full summer. You'll likely need to string together 2-3 different camps to cover June through August. Build in a week or two of downtime so your kids don't burn out.

3. Ask about the staff. What's the counselor-to-camper ratio? Are staff background-checked? What's the cancellation policy for weather (thunderstorms are a daily reality in Florida summers)?

4. Pack smart. Sunscreen, water bottle, change of clothes, and closed-toe shoes are standard requirements for most outdoor camps. Label everything.

5. Budget realistically. A full summer of camps can easily run $1,500-$3,000 per child. Mix in some free VBS weeks and county recreation camps to keep costs manageable.

6. Consider your child's interests, not just your schedule. A kid who hates sports will be miserable at an all-day athletic camp, even if the hours are convenient for your work schedule. Match the camp to the kid.

FAQ

What's the cheapest summer camp option in Valrico? Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation camps at the Bloomingdale Community Center are among the most affordable at around $100-$150 per week. Free VBS programs at local churches are the lowest-cost option for one-week sessions.

Are there any overnight camps near Valrico? Most camps in the immediate Valrico/Brandon area are day camps. For overnight camp experiences, look at Camp Cristina (YMCA), Camp Wewa (north of Orlando), or various Boy Scout/Girl Scout camps around the region.

When do summer camp registrations open? Most camps open registration between January and March. Popular programs -- especially county recreation camps and MOSI -- can fill up within days of opening. Set calendar reminders.

What do kids need to bring to summer camp? Standard packing list: sunscreen, water bottle, lunch/snacks (unless provided), change of clothes, closed-toe shoes, and a swimsuit/towel for camps with water activities. Label everything with your child's name.

Are there camps for teens in the Valrico area? Options thin out after age 13. School of Rock, MOSI, Code Ninjas, and some sports camps accept teens. Hillsborough County also offers volunteer/counselor-in-training programs at recreation centers for ages 14-16, which builds work experience.

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New to Valrico and need to get settled before camp season? Browse Valrico neighborhoods or search homes for sale. Call Barrett Henry at (813) 733-7907 for help finding the right neighborhood for your family.