Wilmington's city summer camps, nature camps at Halyburton Park, the Legion, Robert Strange and Northside pools and the Northside Splash Pad, with 2026 dates.
Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Camp details come from the city’s seasonal camps page and pool details from its pools page. 2027 dates are not out yet; each 2026 date says so.
Summer 2027 starts for New Hanover County Schools students after the last day of school, Friday, June 4, 2027 (district calendar). The city runs low-cost day camps at two community centers and nature camps at Halyburton Park, and oversees three public pools and one splash pad. Registration for the 2027 day camps is posted in March and is in person only.
Who to call
- Davis Center at Maides Park: 910-341-7867
- MLK Community Center: 910-341-7866
- Halyburton Park nature camps: Andy Fairbanks, 910-341-0075
- Legion and Robert Strange pools (YMCA): Ed Caplan, aquatics manager, 910-251-8196, ext. 224
- Earl Jackson Pool (NSEA Swim): 910-833-5455
- City recreation office: 910-341-7855
City day camps
| Camp (2026) | Where | Dates | Hours | Ages | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Davis Center Summer Camp | 1101 Manly Ave. | June 15 to Aug. 3 | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. | 6 to 12 | $20 a week |
| MLK Center Summer Camp | 401 S. Eighth St. | June 15 to Aug. 3 | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. | 7 to 11 and 12 to 14 | $30 a week |
| Wilmington Changemakers Teen Camp | Davis Center | July 20-24 | 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | 13 to 17 | Free |
Both seven-week camps include field trips, arts and crafts, pool trips and sports, and both close the week of July 4 and on Juneteenth, June 19. Registration is in person only; the Davis Center says 2027 registration dates will be posted in March 2027. If a camp is full, the city has an interest form on its seasonal camps page. The free Changemakers camp lets teens earn up to 15 volunteer hours.
Nature camps at Halyburton Park
Halyburton Park, 4099 S. 17th St., ran three weeklong morning camps in 2026, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.:
- Tiny Trailblazers, ages 5 to 6, June 22-26, $125.
- Junior Naturalist, ages 7 to 8, July 6-10, $125.
- Eco-Explorers, ages 9 to 12, July 27-31, $250.
Register online through the city’s WebTrac system; password help is at 910-341-7855.
Pools and the splash pad
The city’s pools page lists three public pools:
| Pool | Address | Run by | Hours listed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legion Pool | 2131 Carolina Beach Road | YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina | Summer: daily, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (2027 schedule not yet posted) |
| Robert Strange Pool | 410 S. 10th St. | YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina | Summer: daily, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (2027 schedule not yet posted) |
| Earl Jackson (Northside) Pool | 750 Bess St. | NSEA Swim | Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed Mondays |
The two YMCA pools were closed for winter when we checked. Admission fees are on the YMCA’s website, the city says. The Northside Splash Pad, 750 Bess St. at Northside Park, is the city’s only splash pad on its parks amenities list; it was also closed for winter.
More summer ideas
- Children’s Museum of Wilmington, 116 Orange St., opens Mondays from Memorial Day to Labor Day, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (website).
- Wilmington Railroad Museum summer hours, Memorial Day to Labor Day: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday (website).
- Fourth of July: the city’s fireworks are on our Fourth of July fireworks page.
- Parks with playgrounds and restrooms: our kids’ activities guide.
What this means for you
- Mark March on the calendar: city day camps register in person, and the city keeps an interest list when they are full.
- Camps close the week of July 4 and on Juneteenth; plan child care for those days.
- Hurricane season runs through the summer; see hurricane prep.
Related: Memorial Day, Father’s Day and Labor Day.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the City of Wilmington summer camp?
In 2026 the Davis Center camp cost $20 a week for ages 6 to 12, and the MLK Center camp $30 a week for ages 7 to 14. Both registered in person only.
What public pools are in Wilmington, NC?
The city has three: Legion Pool, 2131 Carolina Beach Road, and Robert Strange Pool, 410 S. 10th St., both managed by the YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina, and Earl Jackson (Northside) Pool, 750 Bess St., managed by NSEA Swim.
Is there a splash pad in Wilmington?
Yes. The Northside Splash Pad is at 750 Bess St., next to Earl Jackson Pool at Northside Park. It closes for winter.
Are there nature camps at Halyburton Park?
Yes. In 2026 the city ran Tiny Trailblazers for ages 5 to 6, Junior Naturalist for ages 7 to 8 and Eco-Explorers for ages 9 to 12, each a weeklong morning camp.
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