Summer Camps in Antioch, Hermitage, and Bellevue (2026 Guide)

Antioch, Hermitage, and Bellevue — three distinct communities around Nashville — are collectively home to some of the most underrated summer camp destinations in Middle Tennessee. YMCA Camp Widjiwagan alone offers 40 programs, from themed day camps for 6-year-olds to week-long overnight adventures for teens. Add in Nashville Shores' junior lifeguard training and two Ford Ice Centers running Preds Hockey School, and you've got more options within 20-30 minutes of downtown than most Nashville neighborhoods can claim.

YMCA Camp Widjiwagan: 40 Programs in Antioch (2026)

Located at 3088 Smith Springs Rd in Antioch, YMCA Camp Widjiwagan is one of Nashville's true hidden gems. The YMCA-run camp sits on a rural property and runs programs from late May through August. Unlike most camps, Widjiwagan is not built around a single activity — the catalog spans outdoor survival, fine arts, animals, sports, and themed adventures, alongside a full overnight residential program. Day camps run Monday through Friday; overnight camps begin Sunday afternoon and end Friday evening.

Pack Day Camps for Young Kids (Ages 6-13)

Pack day camps are Widjiwagan's weekday commuter option ($475/week), dividing kids into age-based groups that rotate through outdoor, arts, and team programming. These five-day Monday–Friday sessions are the natural starting point for kids not yet ready for overnight.

• Bears Pack — Ages 6–7
• Bobcats Pack — Ages 8–9
• Eagles Pack — Ages 10–11
• Wolves Pack — Ages 12–13

Themed Day Camps (Ages 6-13)

One-week themed camps ($495/week) built around specific interests — all Monday through Friday. Options span skills, animals, and pop-culture themes:

• Nature Explorers — Ages 6–10 — outdoor wildlife and plant identification
• Farm Camp — Ages 8–11 — real animal care and farm chores
• Art Explosion — Ages 8–13 — painting, drawing, and mixed media
• Sports Camp — Ages 9–13 — multi-sport games and skill-building
• Pirate Camp — Ages 6–8
• Dino Hunters — Ages 6–8
• Princess Camp — Ages 6–8
• Super Hero Training Camp — Ages 6–8
• Pony Camp — Ages 6–7 (ranch program)

Overnight Village Camps (Ages 6-15)

Widjiwagan's village system is where the camp really shines. Kids progress through age-specific overnight programs: Widjiwagan: Voyager Village ($590, ages 6-8) is the youngest overnight option; Widjiwagan: Frontier Village ($1,225, ages 7-8), Widjiwagan: Explorer Village ($1,225, ages 9-10), and Widjiwagan: Adventure Village ($1,225, ages 11-12) carry kids through middle childhood. Widjiwagan: Pioneer Village ($1,225, ages 13-15) and Widjiwagan: Teen Extreme ($1,225, ages 13-15) round out the older end.

Fandom Overnight Camps (Ages 9-15)

The themed overnight camps are perennially the first to sell out. Widjiwagan: Harry Potter Camp, Widjiwagan: Star Wars Camp, Widjiwagan: Percy Jackson Camp, Widjiwagan: Pokemon Camp, and Widjiwagan: Minecraft Camp all run at $1,225 for ages 9-15. Older kids looking to grow into leadership roles can apply to Widjiwagan: L.I.T. (Leaders in Training) ($950, ages 14-15) or Widjiwagan: Counselors In Training (CIT) ($2,200, age 16) — CIT is a two-week residential program where participants work alongside staff and stay on property over the weekend.

Water Camps: Nashville Shores Junior Lifeguard (2026)

Nashville Shores Junior Lifeguard Camp ($199-$399/week, ages 8-14) is one of the few Nashville-area programs that teaches real lifesaving skills, not just recreational swimming. Located at 4001 Bell Road in Hermitage, the camp runs half-day sessions (8 AM-noon, $199) and full-day sessions (8 AM-4 PM, $399) for rising 3rd through 8th graders. Campers learn CPR, water rescue techniques, and get behind-the-scenes waterpark access at Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort. Season passholders and returning campers get a small discount. Registration opens December 15 and sessions fill quickly — this is one to put on your calendar early.

Ice Hockey: Ford Ice Centers in Antioch and Bellevue (2026)

The Nashville Predators run their official hockey school at two Ford Ice Centers in this area. At Ford Ice Center Antioch (5264 Hickory Hollow Pkwy, July 13-17): Preds Hockey School: O'Reilly Group ($575, ages 6-8), Preds Hockey School: Forsberg Group ($650, ages 9-11), and Preds Hockey School: Josi Group ($650, ages 12-14). At Ford Ice Center Bellevue (7638 Hwy 70 S, June 22-26): Preds Hockey School: O'Reilly Group ($575, ages 6-8), Preds Hockey School: Forsberg Group ($650, ages 9-12), and Preds Hockey School: Knight Group ($650, girls only, ages 9-14). Goalies can train in the Preds Goaltending Camp: Saros Group ($700, ages 8-12) or Rinne Group ($700, ages 12-17), both at Bellevue in late July. Kids should have completed at least one beginner skating program before registering.

YMCA Day Camps: Donelson-Hermitage and Bellevue (2026)

YMCA Mid-Tennessee runs general day camp programs at two locations in this area. YMCA Center Day Camp – Donelson-Hermitage ($185-$215/week, ages 5-12) is at 3001 Lebanon Pike in Nashville. YMCA Center Day Camp – Bellevue ($225-$275/week, ages 5-12) is at 8101 Highway 100. Both run May 26 through late July or August 7, Monday-Friday, 9 AM-4 PM, for kids who have completed kindergarten. Note that schedules vary by location — Bellevue runs through August 7 while Donelson-Hermitage ends July 31. Programs include a mix of swimming, sports, arts, and field trips — a solid, flexible option if you need weekly summer coverage without committing to a specialty camp.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is YMCA Camp Widjiwagan from downtown Nashville?

About 20 minutes southeast via I-24 to Bell Road. The address is 3088 Smith Springs Rd, Antioch, TN 37013. Morning drop-off traffic on this route is generally manageable compared to commutes heading north or west.

Does Widjiwagan offer financial assistance for families?

Yes. YMCA Camp Widjiwagan offers financial assistance through the YMCA Send A Kid To Camp Campaign. Families can apply at campwidji.org/register/scholarships — the 2026 application opens October 15. Awards are based on household need and are available for both day camps and overnight camps.

Is there a minimum skill level for the Preds Hockey School camps?

Yes — kids should have completed at least one beginner-level skating program (the Predators site specifies a Continue to Play-level program) before registering. These are development camps for skaters who already have some ice time, not programs for absolute first-timers.

What's the youngest age for YMCA Center Day Camp?

Age 5 — but kids must have completed kindergarten before the summer session starts. Both the Donelson-Hermitage and Bellevue YMCA locations follow the same eligibility rule. Camp runs May 26 through August 7.

When does Nashville Shores Junior Lifeguard registration open?

Registration opens December 15 each year. Sessions fill fast — the program consistently sells out before spring. If you want a spot for summer 2026, set a reminder for mid-December and register the day it opens.

Does Widjiwagan offer bus pickup from Nashville?

Yes. Widjiwagan runs a bus program from multiple Nashville-area pickup locations for day campers ($100/week add-on). Stops include Brentwood, Franklin, Mt. Juliet, and several Nashville neighborhoods — full routes at campwidji.org/register/bus-information. Important: bus service covers sessions 1–10 (late May through July 31) only. The final August session (August 3–7) is car rider only with no bus service. Book at the same time you register — spots are limited.