Looking for the best list of Martha’s Vineyard summer camps for 2023? I’ve got you covered!

If you’re a seasonal resident or regular visitor, like me, you’ll know Martha’s Vineyard is an incredible place to spend the summer. I also know that my kids get bored of the beach  eventually! 

There’s no shortage of things to do on Martha’s Vineyard with kids, but if you’re there all summer, consider signing up for camp. Summer camps on Martha’s Vineyard give kids a chance to explore activities and environments they may not get to experience anywhere else, all while building their confidence and social skills 

Enrol your kids in camp and start dreaming about the long lunches and beach walks you’ll enjoy while they’re having fun and making new friends!

1. The Farm Institute Summer Camp

Ages 4-17. There is a Wee Farmers program for 2-4 year olds but adults must stay.

If you love the outdoors and getting your hands dirty, this farm camp in Katama is for you. Activities include caring for and feeding farm animals, planting and watering veggies and flowers, cooking seasonal foods, games, songs and farm-themed arts and crafts. 

2. Sassafras Earth Education Summer Camp

Ages: children entering first grade and up

An outdoor, screen-free curriculum with a strong emphasis on social justice. This summer camp in Aquinnah provides a safe space for youth to hear the truth and express themselves.

Activities include exploring woods and streams, building campsites, making fires, forts, and fairy houses, moving through the forest like wild animals, listening for bird language, carving and crafting, identifying plants and wild edibles

3. Mass Audubon Felix Neck Fern and Feather Summer Camp

Ages 5-14

Activities include hiking, kayaking, snorkelling, outdoor games, wildlife observations, stories, crafts, camp song and even an overnight camping experience! Learn about nature and the local environment through trail explorations on this 350-acre wildlife sanctuary in Edgartown.

My kids love watching the live barn-owl camera in the Felix Neck Nature Center and paddling their toes in Sengekontacket Pond! One of the most popular Martha’s Vineyard summer camps – this one books up really quickly.

4. Misty Meadows Summer Camp

Ages 7-11

Aimed at those newer to horsemanship, this camp helps children develop their riding and horse care skills and their ability to understand, interpret and adjust to how horses see the world. Misty Meadows state of the art Equine Learning Center is based in West Tisbury

5. Arrowhead Farm Summer Camp

Ages 4-14

This West Tisbury summer pony camp has a jam-packed program including mounted instruction, lessons in horse care, creative horse crafts and games on horseback. Plus, there’s an open house for parents at the end of each week.

6. White Stone Equestrian Summer Camp

Ages 4+

This camp has programs for beginners and more experienced riders, as well as a special “Barn Rats” program (4 week commitment) for those who spend a month or more on Martha’s Vineyard during the summer.

Programs include daily riding lessons and instruction on handling, tacking, grooming and bathing the horses as well as games and shows throughout the summer.

7. SailMV Summer Program

Ages 8+

SailMV offers Sailing and Windsurfing programs at Martha’s Vineyard Sailing Camp park in Oak Bluffs. Children will learn a huge range of skills from being able to identify the various parts of a boat, board or sail to staying afloat if you capsize!

Depending on previous experience and the class selected, the schedule will also include assessing the weather, rigging a dinghy, knots, racing rules, anchoring, being towed and general boat care. 

8. Island Spirit Kayak Kids Summer Adventure Tours 

Ages 6-14 

Located on Sengekontacket Pond, just off the Edgartown Oak Bluffs road, this is a one week (Mon-Thurs) program running from 9am to 11am each day. Single day sessions are also available.

Kids will explore canals, search for shellfish, observe endangered bird life, and try out kayaks and paddle boards. They will learn skills like paddle technique, water safety, wildlife, ecology, and conservation

9. MV Sharks Summer drop-in clinics

Ages 5-13

Located at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School (Edgartown Vineyard Haven Road) these clinics run Monday to Thursday from 9-12. Learn baseball skills from some of the best college coaches and players in the country. Danny Hegarty 2019/2021 Shark pitcher from the University of Kansas will be heading up all drop-in clinics in 2023.  He will be joined by Shark coaches and players on the 2023 MV Sharks roster.  

10. Action Karate Summer Camp

Ages 6+

Inside Airport Fitness in West Tisbury, you’ll find Action Karate. During their one-week summer camps, kids will learn about positive mental attitude, goal-setting and self discipline through martial arts and warrior challenges. 

11. Vineyard Family Tennis Summer Camp

Ages 7+

This popular Martha’s Vineyard summer camp is located in Oak Bluffs and runs weekly. You can choose to do a morning session (9-12), an afternoon session (1-3) or stay for the full day.

Build a solid foundation of tennis fundamentals with USPTA/USPTR Certified Instructors. There are daily drills, games and match play as well as t-shirts, prizes and additional activities like Soccer, Ping Pong, Basketball & Pickleball.

12. Sense of Wonder Summer Camp

Ages 7-12

The perfect camp for budding artists and creators, each week of this Vineyard Haven-based summer camp has a different theme. Explore Sculpture, collage, ceramics, drawing, painting, dance and even puppetry!

Special guests from the world of arts and culture will be dropping in to give workshops, performances and demonstrations. 

13. Featherstone Center for the Arts Summer Art Camp

Ages 3 to teens

This camp in Oak Bluffs has a different theme each week. Explore the relationship between art and nature, learn about inspirational artists, create sculptures and prints or improve your photography with expert instructors. Camps are also tailored for specific age groups.

14. Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse Summer Stars Theater Camp

Ages 8-14

Explore the magic of Theater and Art! This camp in Vineyard Haven focuses on creating theater and exploring artistic expression through original play-making, music, movement, improvisation, character development and performance. On Fridays, watch the campers perform at the Tisbury Amphitheater

15. Martha’s Vineyard Film Society Young Filmmakers Camp

Ages 11-14

This is a 5 day camp taking place just once during the summer (Jul 31st). Children will learn video camera use, interviewing skills, musical video, creating public service announcements, and editing of video content.

They will create programs to be aired on MVTV and will take home a DVD copy of their work. The camp is based at Featherstone Center for the Arts in Oak Bluffs and is one of  the most unique Martha’s Vineyard summer camps

16. Rise Vineyard Performing Arts Summer Program

Ages 7+

Students can take ballet, contemporary, jazz, and tap at this Vineyard Haven studio . Acrobatics and hip hop are also on offer.

The Rise Vineyard Performing Arts missions is to instil positivity, challenge potential and create inspiration for its dancers both on and off stage.

17. The Yard Summer Program

Kids take part in fun, active dance classes that build skill and technique as well as encouraging individual artistic expression. They will get to connect with professional dancers in residence at The Yard’s campus in Chilmark

18. Circuit Arts Children’s Theatre Summer Camp

Ages 6-14

Campers will take classes in music, theater, dance and movement, improvisation, and design and tech. The camp is offered in two-week sessions and each session will produce its own original live show. Located at the Martha’s Vineyard Charter School in West Tisbury

19. Martha’s Vineyard Adventure Camp

Ages 7-13

There is so much to choose from at this mixed activities camp! Mountain biking, rope courses, kayaking, land sports, climbing walls, and beach adventures are just some of the experiences on offer. Children will also get to enjoy nature hikes, tidal pool explorations, orienteering adventures, frisbee golf, crafts, and friendly competitions.

20. Camp Jabberwocky

All ages

This extraordinary camp experience offers children and adults with a wide range of disabilities the chance to enjoy the summer in a small family-like community – living together and enjoying jam-packed days filled with adventurous activities and experiences that are safe, empowering, exciting and fun. Located in Vineyard Haven

21. Vineyard Montessori Summer Camp

Ages 2.9 to 7

Children will enjoy gardening, water play, story time, music and movement, yoga, STEM projects, Art and Nature Exploration at this Vineyard Haven summer camp.

The focus is on being outdoors and campers will develop their cooperation skills and independence. This is one of the few summer camps on Martha’s Vineyard for very young children but fills up very quickly.

22. Martha’s Vineyard YMCA Summer Camp

Ages entering Kindergarten to 12

Each week at this camp has a different theme and activities include sports & games, swimming, arts & crafts, archery, wellness, journaling & reflection, nature & hiking, beach trips and lots more. The YMCA is located in Vineyard Haven, on the Edgartown Vineyard Haven Road

23. Martha’s Vineyard Boys and Girls Club Camp Kindness Summer Camp

Ages entering first grade and up

A mixed activity camp in Edgartown. Children will get involved in sports , games, arts and creative activities as well as field trips to the beach, movies and more.

I love bringing my kids to the playground at the Boys and Girls Club. There are play structures for all ages and the sand-covered ground provides an ideal soft landing/falling surface for daredevils!

24. Plum Hill School Summer Camp

Ages 4-10

This Waldorf-inspired camp takes place entirely outdoors, whatever the weather!  Campers will enjoy themed weeks such as Flowers & Bees, Farming, Music, Natural Dyeing, Puppetry, Storytelling and more. Enjoy a fun and nurturing environment that fosters imagination, creativity, community, and love and respect for the natural world. 

25. Island Children’s School Summer Camp

Ages 3-6

The philosophy of this school focuses on creating an environment that will help students develop social, emotional, physical and cognitive skills. Daily activities include creative arts activities, music, movement, outdoor time, gardening and nature walks.

Located in West Tisbury, camp runs in 2 sessions, either July 3rd to 27th or July 31st to August 17th. Contact the school by email for more information about the summer program. 

Things to do on Martha’s Vineyard with Kids

If you miss out on a summer camp place this year or are looking for some more kid-friendly activities on Martha’s Vineyard, these are some of our favorite things to do as a family:

• Visit one of the many playgrounds on Martha’s Vineyard
• Catch the brass ring on the Flying Horses Carousel
• Win some tickets at Ryan’s amusement arcade
• Battle scurvy pirates on the high-seas with Pirate Adventures Martha’s Vineyard (We have done this multiple times – it’s my favorite family activity on Martha’s Vineyard!)
• Go to Mad Martha’s for ice cream
• Take the ferry to Chappaquidick 
• Visit Edgartown Lighthouse
• Spend the day on State Beach (the water is great for kids here – gentle waves)
• Explore Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary
• Kayak Sengekontacket Pond
• Shop for games, toys and books at Edgartown Books or Rainy Day
• Get blueberry scones at Espresso Love
• Jump off Jaws bridge (for older kids or young-at-heart adults)
• Catch a movie at Edgartown Cinemas
• Visit with furry friends at Island Alpaca 
• Climb to the Top of Gay Head Lighthouse
• Marvel at the stunning views at Gay Head cliffs
• Spend the day at Martha’s Vineyard Museum
• Have pancakes for breakfast at the Black Dog Tavern
• Visit the Edgartown Fire Museum 
• Play mini-golf at The Cove
• Take a Jaws movie tour

If you find yourself on Martha’s Vineyard on a rainy day, here’s a great list of indoor activities on the island to help keep everyone happy

Wrap up: When to book your Martha’s Vineyard Summer Camps Experience

Martha’s Vineyard summer camp offers a unique experience for children of all ages. From outdoor adventures to creative arts and sports, there really is something for everyone. Camps begin opening for registration around the end of January each year and they book up FAST.

All but two of the camps on this list had their registrations open by February so it’s best to know your summer plans by then. Most camps run in July and August with some offering weeks in June. Bookmark this list for next year and check in early.

Follow Martha’s Vineyard with kids on Instagram where you will find the most up to date summer camp information (plus links to book) in the story highlights