Plainfield is one of the most underrated summer camp towns in the Indianapolis metro. The Richard A. Carlucci Recreation & Aquatic Center anchors the town's programming with 10 weeks of day camp and Splash Island swimming from May through July. Jameson Camp — 300 wooded acres of ACA-accredited overnight camp with sliding-scale financial aid — sits right on the edge of town. Hendricks County Parks runs its beloved nature camps (Tadpoles and Frogs) at McCloud Nature Park and W.S. Gibbs through summer. Add gymnastics, pottery, dance, and the Optimist Club's multi-sport complex and you've got a full summer without ever leaving Hendricks County.
⚠️ Register early: HCo Parks nature camps and Jameson Camp fill first. Plainfield Parks Splash Island day camp typically fills within weeks of opening.
🏕️ General Day Camps
Full-week, drop-off day camps with structured programming and extended care options.
⭐ Most Popular
Plainfield Parks — Summer Day Camp
Full-day camp at the Carlucci Recreation & Aquatic Center. 10 weekly sessions with swimming at Indoor Splash Island, field trips, games, crafts, and outdoor activities. Day passes available ($30–60). Before/aftercare add-on $40 each.
Register via Rec1 →
AYS Summer Days at Central Elementary
Seven themed weeks (Passport Around the World, Reptiles & Animals, Superheroes, Favorite Characters, Wizards, Super Science, Amazing Race) at Central Elementary. STEAM enrichment, field trips, social-emotional learning. 25% off for Plainfield faculty, 15% military/3+ kids. End-of-summer carnival.
Register at AYS Kids →
🌙 Overnight Camps
Traditional overnight experiences from one night to a full week — including ACA-accredited options with financial aid.
⭐ Standout — ACA Accredited
Jameson Camp — Summer Overnight Camp
Screen-free overnight camp on 300 wooded acres between Plainfield and Indianapolis. Modern A/C cabins, 1:5 staff ratio, roaming behavior specialists. Swimming, archery, canoeing, hiking, campfire, arts & crafts. Sliding-scale aid means cost is not a barrier — 5 sessions Sun–Fri.
Learn More + Register →
Camp Allendale — Overnight Camp (3rd–8th Grade)
Multi-day overnight camp through Plainfield Christian Church at Camp Allendale. Encounter Jesus through worship, games, and outdoor community. Financial assistance available. Prices increase April 1 — register now for savings.
Register at Church Center →
Camp Allendale — Overnight Mini-Camp (2nd Grade)
Perfect first overnight for kids entering 2nd grade — a one-night introduction to the full Camp Allendale experience through Plainfield Christian Church. Price increases April 1. Financial assistance available.
Register at Church Center →
Camp Allendale — Day Camp (1st Grade)
Age-appropriate single-day camp experience for kids entering 1st grade. Worship, games, and outdoor fun — a great intro for younger siblings who aren't ready for overnight yet. Financial assistance available.
Register at Church Center →
🌿 Nature Camps
Hendricks County Parks naturalist-led sessions at McCloud Nature Park and W.S. Gibbs — the best outdoor education in the western Indy suburbs.
⭐ Fills Fast — Register Now
Hendricks County Parks — Nature Camps (Tadpoles)
Parent-child nature exploration with HCo Parks naturalists. 4 themed sessions: Fishing Frenzy (Jun 10, Gibbs), Exploring Nature (Jun 24, McCloud), Water Warriors (Jul 8, McCloud), Get Messy! (Jul 22, McCloud). Hands-on activities, creek exploration, crafts, nature journaling. Registration opened March 1.
Register at HCo Parks →
⭐ Fills Fast — Register Now
Hendricks County Parks — Nature Camps (Frogs)
Drop-off nature camp for older kids with HCo Parks naturalists. Same 4 themes as Tadpoles (Fridays): Fishing Frenzy (Jun 12), Exploring Nature (Jun 26), Water Warriors (Jul 10), Get Messy! (Jul 24). Kids bring lunch. Hiking, creek exploration, hands-on outdoor games. Registration opened March 1.
Register at HCo Parks →
🎨 Specialty Camps (Gymnastics, Pottery, Dance)
Enrichment camps for kids who want to go deep on a passion — from clay-throwing to dance to tumbling.
Shooting Stars Gym-n-Learn Summer Camp
Preschool gymnastics camp with 30–60 min daily gymnastics plus water play, bouncy house, arts/crafts, outdoor play, and snacks. 4 themed weeks in June: Summer Fun, Splish Splash, Animal Adventures, Books are the Best! Water Play Wednesdays + Bouncehouse Fridays. $20 reg fee covers snacks, crafts, gym pass, t-shirt.
Register Now →
18 Themed Sessions
uPaint Pottery Studio — Summer Camp
Drop-off pottery painting camp on E. Main Street with 18 themed 90-minute sessions. Themes include Super uPaint Bros, Sugar Rush Clay Camp, Kooky Creatures, Shark Bite, and more. Multi-day packages available. Snack included. Great pickup activity for days off from other camps.
Register at uPaint →
Infinity Dance Academy — Summer Rec Session
Five-week summer recreational dance session on E. Main Street. Classes in PreK Dance, Ballet, Jazz, Tap, and Hip-Hop starting at age 3. Great for beginners or kids maintaining skills from the school year. $30 annual family registration fee. Classes Mon–Thu; register via Jackrabbit.
Register at Infinity Dance →
Breakthrough Basketball Essential Skills Camp
Three-day focused basketball skills camp at Capitol Sports Center. Scoring moves, ball handling, shooting, passing, footwork, and controlled scrimmages. Coach Sienne Ransom (Franklin College assistant, 10 yrs HS coaching). Limited to 60 players. 20% early registration discount.
Register at Breakthrough BB →
✝️ Faith-Based Programs (Vacation Bible School)
Free summer VBS options for preschool through elementary age kids at two Plainfield churches.
Free
Plainfield Christian Church — VBS
Annual Vacation Bible School Monday–Thursday mornings in early June. Games, worship, missions, and Bible lessons. Registration opens April 26, 2026. Held at 800 Dan Jones Road.
Register at Plainfield Christian →
Free
Plainfield United Methodist Church — VBS
Annual Vacation Bible School at Plainfield UMC on Simmons Street. Fun-filled week with games, worship, crafts, missions, and Bible lessons. Registration details typically posted April–May. Great no-cost option during the heart of summer.
Check Registration Dates →
⚽ Youth Sports Leagues
The Plainfield Optimist Club and Parks Department run a full multi-sport ecosystem out of the Barker Sports Complex — one of Hendricks County's best youth athletic facilities.
Plainfield Optimist Club — Recreational Soccer
U4–U13 recreational soccer at the Barker Sports Complex. Academy (U4–U6) introduces the game; U8–U13 play Saturday games. Select and Travel tiers available. Spring season runs March–May; fall season August–October. Uniform fee included.
Register at Optimist Club →
Plainfield Optimist Club — Baseball League
Spring youth baseball at Barker Sports Complex. Partnership with Indianapolis Indians includes Knot Hole membership. Dick's Sporting Goods equipment weekend and end-of-season Splash Island event. Practices begin March 9; opening weekend April 11.
Register at Optimist Club →
Plainfield Optimist Club — Girls Softball League
Six divisions from introductory 5/6-year-olds through 18U fast pitch at Barker Sports Complex. $15 sibling discount for 2nd/3rd child. Registration typically January–February for spring season.
Register at Optimist Club →
Plainfield Optimist Club — Football League
Youth tackle football for grades 1–6. Registration open through June 1. Evaluations Jun 1, practices begin Jul 13, games Aug 1–Sep 28 with end-of-season tournament. All games at Barker Sports Complex.
Register at Optimist Club →
Plainfield Optimist Club — Cheerleading
Youth sideline cheer at Clarks Creek Elementary, cheering at Optimist football games. Optional competition squad ($450 additional) with choreography camps. Late registration ($175) available through May 15. Awards ceremony Sep 30.
Register at Optimist Club →
Plainfield Junior Basketball League (PJBL)
Recreational basketball for K–12 Plainfield residents and students. Practices Mon–Thu at school gyms; games Sat–Sun. Emphasizes teamwork and sportsmanship. Run by Plainfield Parks & Rec. Call 317-839-2561 for registration details.
League Info →
Plainfield Parks — Swim Lessons at Splash Island
Group and private swim lessons at Indoor Splash Island inside the Carlucci Rec Center. 3–5 students per 45-min class, twice per week for 4-week sessions. Parent-Tot classes for infants. Private lessons available. Register via Rec1. Member pricing available.
Register via Rec1 →
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best summer day camps in Plainfield, Indiana?
Top day camps include Plainfield Parks Summer Day Camp at the Carlucci Recreation & Aquatic Center ($150–190/week with Splash Island swimming, 10 sessions May–Jul) and AYS Summer Days at Central Elementary (7 themed weeks, $200/week, grades K–8). For preschoolers, Shooting Stars Gym-n-Learn (ages 2–6, $42–60/week in June) is a local favorite. Hendricks County Parks nature camps (Tadpoles $15 and Frogs $30 per session) at McCloud Nature Park fill fast — register as soon as they open.
Are there overnight summer camps near Plainfield?
Jameson Camp is an ACA-accredited overnight camp on 300 wooded acres between Plainfield and Indianapolis ($725/week with sliding-scale financial aid down to $181). They offer 5 weekly sessions June 21–July 24 for ages 7–17. Camp Allendale through Plainfield Christian Church offers overnight options for 3rd–8th graders ($400–425, July 12–16), a mini overnight for 2nd graders ($95, one night), and a day camp for 1st graders ($50). Prices increase April 1.
What free summer programs are available in Plainfield?
Plainfield Christian Church VBS (Jun 2–5, 9 AM–Noon, free) and Plainfield UMC VBS (Jul 12–16, free) are both available for ages 4 through 5th grade. Hendricks County Parks nature camps are very affordable at $15 (Tadpoles, with parent) and $30 (Frogs, drop-off) per session. Jameson Camp's sliding-scale financial aid can bring $725/week overnight camp down to $181 for qualifying families.
When does summer camp registration open in Plainfield?
Most programs open registration in early spring. Hendricks County Parks nature camps opened March 1 and fill quickly. AYS Summer Days is already open. Plainfield Parks Splash Island day camp registers via Rec1 — check townofplainfield.com. Camp Allendale prices increase April 1, so register now for savings. Jameson Camp is open now. Plainfield Christian Church VBS opens April 26.
What sports leagues are available for kids in Plainfield?
The Plainfield Optimist Club runs soccer (ages 3–13), baseball (9U–13U), girls softball (ages 5–18, $108–125), tackle football (grades 1–6), and cheerleading (grades K–6) out of the Barker Sports Complex. The Plainfield Junior Basketball League (grades K–12) runs winters through Parks & Rec. Swim lessons run year-round at Indoor Splash Island. Breakthrough Basketball offers a focused 3-day skills camp July 7–9 at Capitol Sports Center ($204–255).
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