Montessori Summer Day Camp in Traverse City
Grab your sunscreen, bring along your imagination, and get ready for a summer full of wonder, friendship, and unforgettable memories.
The 2026 Children’s House Summer Program offers a rich and engaging summer experience for children, running from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday, June 15, through Friday, August 21, totaling nine weeks.
The school will be closed July 3–10, 2026, for Independence Day and the Cherry Festival.
Registration for all summer camps will open to current and Fall 2026 school-year families only on Monday, January 5, at 12 pm. Summer camp availability is first-come, first-served. Program minimums must be met before confirming registrations.
Registration for the Elementary Summer Program opens to the public at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, January 23, at 12 pm.
Summer Programs 2026
A day camp embodying the values of respect, empowerment, challenge, authenticity, and joy. We hope you'll join us for Summer 2026.
Summer in Nido/YCC
This program is for year-round students only.
Our Nido/YCC program provides the consistency required by our youngest students with the perfect amount of outdoor fun!
Summer in Primary
This program is only for students enrolled in Fall 2026.
The Primary Program at The Children's House is the perfect blend of our prepared Montessori environments and a distinctive flavor of summer fun.
Summer Day Camp
The Discovery Grove Elementary 1st-3rd
Base Campers, ages 6 to 9 entering 1st through 3rd grade, will explore various themes through outdoor and indoor activities. Many weeks culminate with an excursion off campus.
Summer Day Camp
Excursions Camp: Elementary 4th-6th
Excursions Campers, ages 10 to 13 entering 4th through 8th grade, will explore various themes through outdoor and indoor activities. Many weeks culminate with an excursion off campus.
Registration opens Monday, January 5th at Noon for current families.
Remaining Elementary Camp spots will become available to the public on Friday, January 23rd at Noon.
Summer in Nido/YCC
Infants and toddlers 3 months - 3 years
The Nido and Young Children’s Community (YCC) Summer Program offers a consistent environment for our youngest students. Designed for currently enrolled, year-round students, the program follows established routines and includes regular outdoor time.
Throughout the summer session, children will participate in weekly school-wide themes. At the end of the year, the program will conclude with a campus picnic featuring freshly harvested produce. Lunch is provided daily for Nido and YCC students during summer camp. A minimum 8-week attendance is required for summer enrollment.
We look forward to a rewarding and engaging summer and hope your family will join us for this special season of learning and growth.
Nido/YCC 2026 Summer Rates:
Offering: 3 Full Days, 4 Full Days, 5 Full Days, 5 Half Days
For families enrolling in Fall 2026 Only - Minimum participation: 8 Weeks
5 Half Days (Mornings) 8:00-12:30: $378/week
3 Full days (M-W) 8:00-4:00: $396/week
4 Full days (M-Th) 8:00-4:00: $506/week
5 Full days 8:00-4:00: $579/week
Lunch:
Shared meal time is an important part of the Nido and YCC curriculum. Our school prepares a healthy and delicious lunch for all children old enough to eat solid food. Families will be billed in June for all summer program lunches based on total days of enrollment. The cost is $4.35/day.
Remaining Elementary Camp spots will become available to the public on Friday, January 23rd at Noon.
Summer Primary
Preschool 3-5-year-olds
Children’s House Kindergarteners will stay in Primary for the summer. Kindergarteners from other schools can enroll in our Elementary program.
Current students who are not enrolled for Fall 2026 may check on availability in early April by contacting Andrew Lutes at andrew@traversechildrenshouse.org.
The Primary Program at The Children’s House offers a rich and engaging summer experience that blends our prepared Montessori environments with the fun of a classic summer camp. Children will explore weekly school-wide themes and take part in special events designed by our guides, including occasional ice cream treats and a summer-end picnic featuring produce harvested from our on-campus gardens. All Primary students will participate in bike days. Students moving up in the fall will also have opportunities for Della Terra experiences and other carefully planned activities. Our lunch program will be available to Primary campers all summer long for an additional charge. An 8-week minimum registration is required for those who would like to participate.
This program balances hands-on learning, outdoor play, and community-building, providing a summer filled with creativity, exploration, and joyful connection. The Primary Summer Program is designed to be a memorable and meaningful way for your child to continue learning, growing, and connecting with friends.
Primary Weekly Session Rates:
Offering: 4 Full Days, 5 Full Days
For families enrolling in Fall 2026 Only - Minimum participation: 8 Weeks
5 Half Days (Mornings) 8:00-12:30: $276/week
4 Full days (M-Th) 8:00-4:00: $377/week
5 Full days 8:30-4:00: $424/week
Remaining Elementary Camp spots will become available to the public on Friday, January 23rd at Noon.
The Discovery Grove
Base Campers, ages 6 to 9 entering 1st through 3rd grade
The Discovery Grove is a nature-based program for lower elementary students ages 6–9 that engages children through a variety of weekly themes and hands-on activities, including outdoor exploration, creative crafting, Montessori-inspired learning, and visits from special guests. Each week combines on-campus experiences with off-campus excursions to help students discover new places, make new friends, and grow in creativity, confidence, and adventure.
Excursions and special activities may include trips to Della Terra, bike days, ice cream outings, and an end-of-the-year Harvest Picnic featuring food prepared from the campus garden that is cared for by both lower and upper elementary students throughout the school year. Lunch is available at the school for an additional charge. A minimum commitment of two weeks is required. Children who have completed kindergarten at TCH and are re-enrolling for the 2026-27 school year, will continue in the summer Primary program before moving up to lower elementary at TCH in the fall.
Elementary Weekly Session Rates:
Offering: 5 Full Days only
Open to the public on January 23rd at 12pm - Minimum participation: 2 Weeks (Non-consecutive is ok)
5 Full days 8:00-4:00: $424/week
Remaining Elementary Camp spots will become available to the public on Friday, January 23rd at Noon.
Excursions Camp
For children ages 9 to 13 entering 4th through 8th grade
Excursions Campers will spend several days each week exploring northern Michigan through hands-on, adventure-based experiences. Activities include kayaking, hiking, bike days, and a variety of off-campus excursions, as well as learning directly from local food producers through visits to their farms. Campers also engage in meaningful on-campus projects, enjoy community-building events such as ice cream socials, and participate in rotating weekly themes that guide exploration and learning. Together, these experiences ensure a summer full of enrichment, connection, and value.
Elementary Weekly Session Rates:
Offering: 5 Full Days only
Open to the public on January 23rd at 12pm - Minimum participation: 2 Weeks (Non-consecutive is ok)
5 Full days 8:00-4:00: $424/week
Remaining Elementary Camp spots will become available to the public on Friday, January 23rd at Noon.
Junior Counselor
For Junior High Alumni entering 9th to 11th grade
The Junior Counselor program offers students hands-on experience in leadership, job responsibility, time management, and working collaboratively with others. Closely working with lower elementary students here on campus provides a safe and supportive environment for developing interpersonal skills, values, and serves as a meaningful part of our TCH community.
2026 Billing Information
DEPOSIT
A $100 deposit per camper is due at the time of registration.
Payment of the deposit does not guarantee a spot.
CONFIRMATION
Once your registration is received, you will be sent a confirmation of your schedule, a supply list, and health/emergency forms to complete and return.
CANCELLATIONS & SCHEDULE CHANGES
Full tuition is refunded if cancellation or schedule changes are submitted in writing on or before May 22, 2026.
After May 22, neither tuition nor deposit will be refunded.
Schedule changes after May 22 will be accommodated based on availability.
LATE PAYMENT CHARGE
A $15/month fee is applied when a balance of $25 or more is not paid by the 11th of the month due.
RETURNED PAYMENT FEE
A $20 fee is assessed for checks or EFTs returned due to insufficient funds or invalid account numbers.
LATE PICK-UP FEE
A $50 fee is assessed when a child is picked up after the 4:00 PM closing time.