Chess camps for 2026

What do kids learn in a chess camp?

Of course, kids learn how to play chess but there are many more benefits and learnings gained in this kind of camp. Here’s a look at what kids learn: 

Chess fundamentals. Beginner chess camps teach basics like the board setup, basic rules, check and checkmate, then more advanced rules such as en passante and gambits. 

Strategy. Of course, most kids who go to chess camp aren’t rookie players. At more advanced camps like those at the top of the list above, they get professional tips and coaching. They’ll be taught the best opening strategies, defense, and mating, and will challenge themselves against players with similar skills and experience. Advanced camps will also have tournaments.  

Foresight and planning. Chess uses planning and forethought, critical skills with applications well beyond the chess board. Through gameplay, kids learn to mental map and consider multiple possibilities. The best chess players will think multiple moves ahead quicker all the time, a good skill to have in life, too, of course. 

Concentration and memory. Studies show that kids who play chess have significantly better visual memory and concentration skills. Of course, as with any camp, kids put away devices, also helpful.  

Calculated risks and other lessons. Kids who play chess regularly understand calculated risk and have a better understanding of risk, according to one study. Chess teaches kids about making sacrifices, how to consider net gains of decisions, and how to evaluate risk. They bridge the gap between risk aversion and recklessness. 

How to bridge logic and creative thinking. Chess exercises both the right and left sides of the brain. You consider logic and try to anticipate opponents’ moves, but you also use imagination. A study by researcher Robert Ferguson found that kids who play chess versus scored 13 percent higher in critical thinking than kids who play video games, and 35 percent higher in creative thinking.

Making friends. Kids improve social connections and have fun together. They interact with other players, chat casually, and find other things in common with other kids from their city. 

Related camps you might also like

Math camp will appeal to kids who like chess by improving kids’ abstract thinking and introducing advanced math skills.

Coding camps put math skills, planning, and forethought to practical use. Kids develop programming skills, think about practical logic, and learn problem-solving.

Other hands-on game-oriented camps include maker camps and video game design camps. 

Tips on how to find a good camp

Here are four key questions parents should ask camp leaders when researching camps:

What’s your experience both teaching chess and running a camp? You might also want to know if they have experience as professional players. In any case, running a kids’ camp is significantly different from teaching chess to other groups. 

Who is responsible for my child? Find out if teachers all have vulnerability sector checks, what training they have in discipline, and if you can contact them personally. 

What is the activity schedule? Ask if you can see the camp schedule and find out how much chess is played or taught in the camp, compared to other activities. 

How do they welcome new kids and make them comfortable? Find out if there is an orientation or how they welcome new or first-time campers. 

There’s a lot more detail in Our Kids’ ebook, 14 questions to ask camps.

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