The Ultimate Guide to El Paso’s Best Summer Camps & Programs

School will be out soon, the desert sun is blazing, and the phrase “I’m bored” is echoing through households all over El Paso. If you’re a parent looking to keep your kids active, curious, and off their screens this summer, you’ve got way more options than you might think. From art camps to basketball clinics, and even chances to explore conservation efforts, El Paso is packed with programs designed to keep kids of all ages engaged and inspired.

We’ve rounded up some of the best summer activities across the city, complete with links so you can explore what works best for your family and get those registrations in before spots fill up.

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Arts & Creativity Camps

• Creative Kids – Project ABLE
  If you’ve got a young artist on your hands, this is a dream camp. Creative Kids provides studio-quality experiences where students can dive into painting, digital art, sculpture, and more. They work with real artists in professional settings, perfect for kids who take their creativity seriously.

• El Paso Museum of Art – Summer Art School
  Each weeklong session explores a different medium, from comic illustration to clay sculpting. Classes are age-specific and taught by experienced teaching artists, making this a great way to try something new while building real skills.

• Mexican American Cultural Center – MÁS QUE MUROS Muralism Camp
  This unique mural-making camp teaches kids how to use public art as a storytelling tool. Through hands-on workshops, students learn everything from design to execution and may even help paint a real wall in the city.

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Educational & Museum-Based Programs

• El Paso Museum of History – “Banned Histories” Summer Camp
  A two-week camp for older teens (ages 14–18) that explores the stories often left out of textbooks. With field trips, creative projects, and historical deep-dives, it’s perfect for budding historians or future activists.

• El Paso Museum of Archaeology – Advanced Archaeology Camp
  Kids ages 13–15 get to explore how archaeologists dig up history, literally. This hands-on camp includes excavation simulations, artifact handling, and lessons in preservation. Super interactive and great for science-minded kids.

• TecH2O Learning Center – Summer Discovery Series
  Part museum, part science lab. This center offers free summer workshops on water conservation, desert ecosystems, and sustainability. It’s a hidden gem for curious minds and a great indoor option during heat waves.

Sports & Adventure Camps

• YMCA of El Paso – Summer Day Camp
  A classic camp experience with a little bit of everything—swimming, sports, STEM projects, and team-building activities. Camps are open to kids as young as 4, with some programs for teens too. Financial assistance is available for qualifying families.

• UTEP Mini Miner Basketball Camp
  Run by UTEP’s coaching staff and players, this camp teaches basketball fundamentals with a focus on teamwork and confidence. Great for younger kids who want to learn the game or get their first taste of college-level coaching.

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Conservation & Nature Experiences

• Conservation Guardians Summer Camp – Conservation Society of El Paso
  This camp offers weeklong sessions for kids ages 7–12, focusing on themes like pollinators and our connection to wildlife. Activities include hands-on projects, nature exploration, and learning about local ecosystems. Scholarships are available for eligible families, making it an accessible option for many. For more details and registration, visit their official page.

Free & Low-Cost Programs

• El Paso Public Library – Summer Reading Club
  The library’s summer reading program is more than just books. Each branch has weekly events like puppet shows, storytimes, crafts, and coding workshops. All free, and some even come with prizes for reading milestones.

• El Paso Parks & Recreation – Club Rec Summer Camp
  An affordable and local option with activities ranging from sports and field trips to arts and crafts. Programs are held at community rec centers across the city for ages 6–14. Spots go fast, so jump on this one quickly.

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Whether your kid wants to dig for artifacts, splash in a pool, paint a mural, or just make new friends, El Paso has something for everyone this summer. And with so many programs spread across the city, there’s bound to be one near you. Just don’t wait too long, many of these camps fill up fast! Be sure to go check out this article Iris wrote about El Paso's BOOST Program to find Summer programs in EP even EASIER!