Summer is right around the corner, and Wheeling is bursting with exciting activities for the whole family! Whether you’re looking to explore nature, get creative with hands-on crafts, or dive into new adventures, there’s something for everyone.
From sprinkler splashes to pottery ashes, here are some of the best ways to make this summer unforgettable!
Oglebay Institute
This summer, spark creativity and curiosity with Oglebay Institute’s exciting lineup of camps and classes for children from pre-K to 8th grade! From art and dance to nature exploration and performing arts, Oglebay’s programs offer something for every young adventurer.
Spots fill up fast, so don’t miss out. Click the link below to explore dates and details—if something catches your eye, sign up before it’s too late.
Explore more details with the online brochure: Oglebay Institute Summer Camps
Register here: Oglebay Institute Summer Camps
New This Year: Oglebay Institute is extending its summer programming past August 1. With many local schools starting later in the month, families now have even more opportunities to enjoy fun, enriching activities before the school year begins.
Stay tuned to their website and social media channels for exciting updates and newly added camp dates.
Challenger Learning Center
Do you have a budding scientist at home? Ignite their curiosity with a STEM-filled adventure at the Challenger Learning Center Summer Camp! Designed for students in Kindergarten through 8th grade, these exciting camps offer hands-on exploration, discovery, and out-of-this-world learning experiences.
Click the link for more information and registration: Challenger Learning Center Summer Camp
Dates: July 15-July 17(K-4)/ July 23-27 (Grade 5th -8th)
Ages: K-8th grade
Cost: $150 for K-4/ $300 for 5th-8th
YMCA- Camp “Y” Adventures
Important note: The YMCA is offering extended care into August due to the start date for Ohio County Schools.
Camp “Y” Adventures strives to offer your child a summer full of fun! From themed activities, to guest speakers and field trips- your child is sure to have a great time! Camp “Y” Adventures offers a wide variety of activities including theater, art, sports, science, swimming and nature.
Please visit the following link for more information: YMCA Camp Y Adventures
Dates: May 28th-August 15th
Extended Break Dates: August 18th-August 26th
important note: Extended break is a separate camp and is an extra fee for non CCRC participants.
Ages: 5-12 years old
Cost: Please call YMCA at (304) 242-8086 for pricing information.
Ohio County 4-H
Oglebay Zoo Camps
Spark curiosity and connect with wildlife.
The Good Zoo’s summer camps offer hands-on experiences like live animal encounters, interactive games, creative crafts, and outdoor adventures for children ages 4 and up.
Register early – space is limited.
Enjoy 10% off when you register by April 30, 2025.
Download Parents’ Guide
Online Registration & Full Camp Details
Camp Highlights by Age Group
Ages 4 – Entering 1st Grade
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Muddy Grubby (June 2–6) – Nature play, animal visits, and muddy fun
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Creepy Critters (June 23–27) – Meet snakes, bugs, and misunderstood creatures
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Where the Wild Things Are (July 14–18) – Explore habitats and cultures through crafts and animals
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Animals in Action (August 4–8) – Animal yoga, movement games, and creative exploration
Entering 2nd – 3rd Grade
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Keeping It Real (June 9–13) – Zookeeper roleplay, x-rays, animal training, and bug-tasting
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Get Your Game On (June 30 – July 3) – Zoo-themed trivia and survival challenges
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Play with the Animals (July 21–25) – Create enrichment, learn training techniques, and care for animals
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Dirty Filthy (August 11–15) – Scavenger hunts, shelter-building, and outdoor experiments
Entering 4th – 8th Grade
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Wild Work (June 16–20) – Learn zookeeping, animal care, and exhibit design
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ZSI: Zoo Scene Investigation (July 7–11) – Use forensic science to solve zoo mysteries
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Zoolympics (July 28 – August 1) – Discover animal adaptations through Olympic-style games
Before and aftercare, boxed lunches, and camp t-shirts are available as add-ons.
View full program descriptions, pricing, and individual registration links at:
https://oglebay.com/good-zoo/summer-camps/
For questions, contact the Zoo Education Department at 304-243-4164 or email dscott@oglebay.com.
Wheeling Park Day Camp
Get ready for a summer full of fun with the Wheeling Park day camp! Children will have the opportunity to enjoy swimming, scavenger hunts, kid olympics, carnival day, tie-dying, crafts, pedal boating, and miniature golf!
Website with more information: Wheeling Park Day Camp – Oglebay Website
Online brochure: Wheeling Park Day Camp Brochure
Dates: June-August 2025
Ages: Preschool- School-Age
Cost: Click link for pricing information Wheeling Park Day Camp
YWCA STEMpowerment Girls
FREE YWCA STEMpowerment Summer Academy, is a hands-on program designed to engage and empower young female students currently in 8th & 9th grade and entering 9th & 10th grade in exploring Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). This week-long residential academy at The Linsly School offers interactive STEM activities, group projects, mentorship, and career exploration. We aim to inspire young learners, especially those from underrepresented communities, to pursue STEM careers.
Apply here: STEMpowerment Application
Ohio County Library
The Ohio County Library schedule is jam packed with summer fun for kids of all ages! The OCPL is once again hosting a summer reading program! Children can earn tickets for prize drawings by participating in library programming. In addition to their regular programming, the OCPL has several special events and guests this summer. Please be sure to save these dates for extra fun at the OCPL!
May 31st from 1-3 P.M. Kickoff Carnival in the OCPL back parking lot! OCPL will have a blow-up slide, popcorn machine, face painting, balloon animals, games and prizes, and of course the opportunity to sign up for summer reading!
June 5th from 10-11 A.M. An alpaca is going to visit the library! Children will get to see an alpaca and create an alpaca craft.
June 12th at 6 P.M. “The Science of Rainbow Shadows”- This program, offered by the Smart Centre, will be an interactive investigation of colored shadows. Find out the colors that comprise white light and how the primary colors of light add and subtract to make different colors. Participants will walk through their own personal rainbow!
June 17th at 10:30 A.M. Storytime with Local Author: Adeline Schneid/Boggs- In lieu of our normal “Toddler Time,” join OCPL as we welcome local author, Adeline Boggs! Addie is the Media and Library Specialist at Woodsdale Elementary School. She published her children’s book “The Wonderfully Wild Ones” in 2019. Hear Addie read her story about three lions from West Virginia, and expect a matching craft and activity. Most excitingly, get to meet a real children’s book author! All ages welcome
June 26th at 6 P.M. “Color Your Backyard” with nature photographer Daniel Caron- Your backyard contains more colors than you can grasp in a box of Crayons! This program is about looking for that color with nature photographer Daniel Caron. When was the last time you experienced a colorful piece of nature that looked more painted than real?
July 10th and 17th at 1 P.M. “The Bug Lady”- Welcome to the world of Entomology! Become an entomologist for a day and perhaps love and respect the world of insects and arachnids for a lifetime! View live insects close up as you learn interesting facts about each. Enjoy the opportunity to hold those that are safe to do so!
July 23rd at 6 P.M. Campfire Sing-Along at the Schrader Center-Nothing gives the perfect summer feeling like a good ol’ bonfire! Participants will sing classic campfire songs and roast marshmallows.
July 31st from 6-8 P.M. OCPL End of Summer Reading Pool Party at Wheeling Park Pool!- Come celebrate another wonderful summer of reading! Bring your bathing suit and sunscreen for a FREE and fun evening with your library friends.
Beyond their summer activities, the OCPL also offers toddler time, tween activities and programs, preschool programming, and adult activities and events!
Check their website to stay up-to-date with their calendar of events: Ohio County Public Library Website
Dates: June-August
Ages: Toddler-Tween
Cost: Free of charge
The Highlands Sports Center
Lace up those shoes and get ready for sports adventures this summer at The Highlands Sports Center! The Highlands Sports Center is offering a variety of summer sports camps for children ages 5-14. Summer Sports Camps include: baseball, softball, basketball, flag football, volleyball, and soccer. Click the following link to explore more details! Highlands Sports Center Summer Sports Camps
Dates: Beginning in June, check the website for more information. Highlands Summer Sports Camp
Ages: Various camps ranging from age 5-14
Cost: See website for pricing information Highlands Summer Sports Camps
Grand Vue Adventure Leadership Camp
Get ready for a summer of exploration and fun at the Grand Adventure Leadership Camp! Campers will engage in hands-on activities that integrate learning skills in Math, Science, Social Studies, and Language Arts!
Click the link here to learn more! Grand Vue Website
Dates: June 23rd- August 8th
Ages: 5-12
Cost: Please check their website for pricing information: Grand Vue Website
Bethany Soccer Camps Residential Camps
Mon. July 7- Thurs. July 10
High School Boys Ages: 14-18
A competitive camp for high school Boys that emphasizes skill development, team tactics and conditioning. Training sessions are developmental and competitive, and many of the drills parallel those used by our successful collegiate coaches.
Sun. July 13 – Weds. July 16
High School Girls Ages: 14-18
Coaching and soccer instruction is specific to high school girls Games and tactics sessions are designed to accommodate male players who are serious about playing high school or competitive club soccer. Outstanding collegiate coaches are employed as counselors and the coaching staff.
Sun. July 20 to Weds. July 23
Youth Soccer Camp (ages 9-13)
This camp will provide daily training, scrimmages, opportunity to play four games and participate in team development activities including the Christy Challenge Cup. Coaches are encouraged to attend with their team/players. The camp will present players and coaches concentrated training with flexibility to work on “team specific” needs.
Camp Options
We offer a variety of training sessions and group instruction for players at different skill levels, can participate, from beginners to experienced players. View Services
With so much to explore, you and your family are sure to have a great summer filled with adventure and new experiences! We’re wishing you and your family a fantastic summer!
