A virtual summer camp takes all the best parts of a traditional summer camp – fun activities, great camp counselors, and making new friends – and transfers them online. Virtual summer camps are a great way to add a bit of structure to your camper’s summer without (or in addition to) sending them to expensive sleepaway camps.

Campers enrolled in Varsity Tutors’ summer camps cover everything from the reaches of outer space to the complexities of code to the wonders of weather. Campers will create, explore, and engage with groups of 6-9 of their peers in sessions guided by one of Varsity Tutors’ expert instructors.

Making virtual summer camps fun is all about interactivity. After all, even educational summer camps are meant to be fun! A good virtual summer camp will be more than just an instructor lecturing a group of students or having them work alone on school-like projects. Varsity Tutors instructors create engaging, fun experiences by blending on and offline activities to make sessions that get campers moving, learning, and collaborating. Campers will enjoy working with their peers to solve puzzles and make creations of all types, whether they’re recreating ancient petroglyphs, simulating storm fronts, or decoding hidden messages.

Online summer camps offer learners the opportunity to immerse in subjects they’re passionate about while making like-minded friends from across the country. While traditional summer camps can come with a prohibitive price tag or the need for nights away from home, an online summer camp can be a cost-effective and convenient way for your child to learn, socialize, and explore from the comfort of home on a schedule that works for the whole family.

Because online summer camps aren’t limited based on where you are, campers can also have experiences via video that they might not otherwise get to have, whether that’s exploring an archaeological site to see how archaeologists work or seeing into the eye of a hurricane to explore the awesome power of nature. They get to do this alongside other campers with similar interests from all over the world and with expert instructors there to guide them every step of the way.

Online summer camps make it easy for parents to provide their learners with engaging, interactive learning experiences from home. Students simply need to log in to their virtual summer camp from a computer or tablet and they’ll be connected with an expert instructor and new friends from around the world. For hands-on projects, summer camp supply lists are sent out well in advance and focus on easy-to-obtain household items so that online summer campers can enjoy innovative projects and parents can enjoy convenient setup.

Online summer camps also feature online and offline after-camp challenges, providing families with the option to engage in outdoor activities related to the camp theme and giving campers extra opportunities to explore their favorite subject further.

Simply put, with basic household supplies and an internet-connected device, any learner can attend an immersive and engaging online summer camp experience.

There’s no one right age for every kid to go to summer camp. That’s partially because every child is different and partially because there are so many different kinds of summer camp out there! While sleepaway camps are best for kids 8+ (although some kids as young as 6 or 7 can enjoy them too), part time, virtual summer camps can be a great solution for families who want to provide some structure for younger kids or who want their camper of any age to be able to experience a variety of summer activities without breaking the bank.

Yes, although not every summer camp is right for every camper. Summer camps are a great way to provide structure for your child and to allow them to meet lifelong friends. The best way to choose a summer camp is to look for something that they are interested in exploring in a format that’s right for them.

For campers who are either not old enough for sleepaway camp or families who want a little extra fun in their summer without breaking the bank, online summer camp (aka virtual summer camp) is a great option. In Varsity Tutors’ virtual summer camps, campers will explore everything from dinosaur discovery to coding creativity for two hours a day over the course of a week. Led by qualified instructors and filled with both on- and offline activities, these camps get kids learning, collaborating, and (most importantly) having fun!