Monday, March 9 at 12 pm for Non-MMSD Residents
Important Updates for MSCR Summer Camp & Summer Program 2026 Registration!
In 2026, MSCR will be shifting Summer Camp registration earlier in the spring to Monday, February 23 and all other summer program registration later on Monday, April 6. These updates are designed to help you and your family plan for summer activities more effectively. The biggest change and impact is that Summer Camp registration will begin before the printed Summer 2026 Program Guide is mailed to households. The Summer Camp Guide will be released online and with limited printed copies on Friday, February 13.
New and Separate Dates for Registration:
- February 13 – Summer Camp Guide available online; limited printed copies available at MSCR sites, MMSD schools, public libraries
- February 23 – Summer Camp Registration Begins for MMSD Residents (Non-Residents begin on Monday, March 9)
- March 29 – MSCR Summer Program Guide (including Camp information) print version mailed to households
- April 6 – Summer Program Registration Begins for MMSD Residents (Non-Residents begin on Monday, April 20)
Key Reasons for the New Timeline:
- Earlier Planning for Youth Summer Camps: Moving Summer Camp registration to Monday, February 23 helps MSCR align closer with the registration dates of other popular summer camps in the Madison area, giving families an earlier opportunity to secure their child’s summer plans.
- Logical Timeline for Adult and Youth Summer Programs: By shifting Summer Program registration to Monday, April 6, the registration date occurs after MMSD’s Spring Break and the start of MSCR’s Spring activities, allowing you to focus on summer planning after settling into spring activities and routines.
- Phased Planning for Smoother Registration: By creating separate registration dates for Camps (Monday, February 23) and Programs (Monday, April 6), we ease the demand on our registration system and staff and allow you to focus your attention on registering for one type of program at a time.
Fee Assistance Process
MSCR is committed to ensuring all individuals have access to our programs. Fee assistance is available for eligible participants. For the best chance of enrolling in your program choices, please submit your fee assistance form and completed registration form before the first day of registration date, please submit your fee assistance application no later than Friday, February 20, 2026 for Summer Camps and April 3, 2026 for Summer Programs. Fee assistance applications must accompany the registration form and are accepted and processed as they are received throughout the spring and summer based on camp and program availability.
Don’t Wait for your Paper Guide to Register for Camp!
Please note the changes in how you will access the Summer Camp information:
- Online only Summer Camp Guide Available Friday, February 13: The English and Spanish digital Summer Camp guide will be available on our website starting Friday, February 13. This online guide, available in both English and Spanish, contains all necessary details on camp offerings and registration. This is your primary resource for camp planning and registration on February 23.
- Limited Print Camp Guides in February: MSCR will produce a limited print run of the Summer Camp guide. The February printed Summer Camp guide will be available at ALL MSCR sites & MMSD schools, public libraries, and community organizations.
MSCR Camp Availability
While some camps are highly popular and fill quickly, many other MSCR camps do have space throughout the entire summer! We strongly encourage you to review the digital guide and register on Monday, February 23 to secure your spot in your top choice, but remember that the vast majority of our camps will have availability after day one of registration.
Q: When does Summer Camp Registration start?
A: Registration for MMSD residents begins on February 23, 2026, at 12pm. Non-resident registration begins on March 9, 2026, at 12pm.
Q: When does Summer Program Registration start?
A: Registration for MMSD residents begins on April 6, 2026, at 12pm. Non-resident registration begins on April 20, 2026, at 12pm.
Q: Why are the Summer Camp and Summer Program registration dates separated now?
A: This change is twofold: 1) It allows MSCR Camp registration to start earlier (February 23), better aligning with other popular regional camps. The shift moves registration for other summer activities later to allow more time to plan summer activities. 2) It streamlines your planning by allowing you to focus first on securing Camps and then later on Programs (like swimming lessons or art classes), reducing the stress of having to decide on everything on the same day. Separating the two registration decreases demand on our registration system and staff on the opening days of registration
Q: Why is Camp registration not even earlier in the year?
A: MSCR cannot finalize and confirm school building availability for all our camp locations until the school district confirms summer school locations and/or maintenance schedules after winter break. Therefore, late February is the earliest that MSCR can hold summer camp registration.
Q: When will the Summer Camp Guide be available?
A: The full digital Summer Camp guide (English and Spanish) will be available online on February 13, 2026. This is your primary resource for registration.
Q: Will I still get the Summer Program Guide mailed to my house?
A: Yes, a printed version of the combined Summer Program Guide (including Camp information) will be mailed to households and distributed at MMSD schools, public libraries and other community locations starting March 29, 2026.
