With summer vacation still a month away, parents in Kaunas are already racing to secure spots in day camps for their children – especially those offering structure, discipline, and even military-style programming.
Camp organisers report a surge in popularity for camps featuring strict routines, uniforms, and activities like paintball. According to Kristina Abrutienė, head of the Stovyklų mugė (Camp Fair) portal, these types of camps are filling up quickly.
There’s a clear trend – parents are choosing camps where discipline is integrated. “It’s about structure, uniforms, games like paintball, and a strict routine,” Abrutienė said.
Camps focused on education are also in high demand. The Girstutis swimming pool is hosting a camp all summer, and available slots are already disappearing fast.
“Busy children are safe children. If a child isn’t occupied, it’s a recipe for trouble,” said Agnė Jakubauskienė, project manager at the swimming academy. “Our prices have gone up slightly, but so have our costs – food, rent, and educational activities have all become more expensive.”
At the STEAM camp based in Kaunas Fortress’s Seventh Fort, demand is high but capacity is limited. Only about 10% of interested children are accepted, according to director Vladimiras Orlovas.
“These kinds of camps require specialised labs, tailored programs, and qualified staff – it’s not something you can put together easily,” Orlovas said.
Kaunas city officials are helping families access summer activities by funding placements for more than 4,000 children. Once registration opened on Wednesday, the most popular spots – including swimming and STEAM camps – were claimed almost instantly.
“By 10:30 a.m., we still had about 500 places available, but the most in-demand camps were already full,” said Ona Gucevičienė, head of the Kaunas municipality’s education department. In total, 142 different camps will be funded, along with additional free activities.
Although camps abroad remain an option, fewer parents appear interested this year, possibly due to cost. A week-long international camp can cost around 800 euros. Even in Lithuania, prices vary widely.
“Of course, if you’re looking for something more prestigious – camps run by celebrities or public figures – those start at 400 to 500 euros. But you can still find weeklong overnight camps in Lithuania for around 150 euros,” Abrutienė said.
Language-learning camps are also gaining popularity, while some employers are stepping in to support working parents. More large companies are now offering in-house day camps for their employees’ children, contributing to the evolving landscape of summer childcare and enrichment.
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