Summer is here already, and if you’re a parent you might be wondering how you’ll keep your little ones entertained and engaged over the next three months. Don’t worry—time hasn’t run out to get them into a great summer camp. Several Houston-area activities have ongoing registration throughout the summer, and there’s quite a crop to choose from with camps aimed at music, photography, gymnastics, foreign languages, chess and much more. Check out a few of them here!
YMCA Houston Offers Classic Summer Fun
The YMCA is the go-to summer camp stop for kids ages 5-15 looking to swim, try their hands at arts and crafts, play games, and just hang out with their friends. And the best part? The week-long, half-day and full-day camps, which run throughout until Aug. 22, are open to members and non-members alike. Depending on each family’s needs, kids can join for an entire summer of fun or parents can register their children for a week or two here or there. In other words, there are plenty of opportunities to get your kids into the mix.
Camps run from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. for full day and there are half-day times available as well. YMCA members enjoy a discounted rate over non-members. Those interested should check with their local facility for specific costs. People are welcome to sign up mid-week and start immediately, but registration for some Houston-area Y’s will be closing for the summer by mid-July so, again, it’s best to call your neighborhood facility to check availability.
What: Swimming, sports, arts & crafts, and more
Where: 58 locations throughout the Houston area
Contact Info: 713-659-5566; www.ymcahouston.org.
Ages: Varies by location
Dates: through Aug. 22
Time: 7 a.m.-6 p.m. (half days are also available)
Cost: Varies by location
Alley Theatre Play Makers Sets the Stage for Summer
If you’ve got a budding thespian in the family, a two-week summer camp put on by Houston’s famed Alley Theatre might be just the ticket – and the show is not yet sold out!
“We are filling up but there are still spots available,” said Zachary Bryant, education marketing coordinator for the Alley.
The camps are taught by trained and often degreed artists and give children the opportunity to collaborate and create their own play based on a book chosen for them and tailored to their age group.
“Our focus is to provide a theater learning experience as well as an educational social awareness experience,” Bryant said. “We base everything on a children’s book that the class reads together and it usually has an element of curriculum that the kids may have already experienced or that they may be approaching in school.”
Young thespians enjoying a day at the Alley Theatre’s summer program.
At the end of the two weeks, the kids will present a workshop to their parents and perform their play, with each child bringing their own role to life.
The camp, which will be held at Carnegie Vanguard High School at 1501 Taft, is open for Kindergarten-aged students through eighth graders with two-week sessions running through Aug. 8. Times are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at a cost of $575 per session. Last chance for registration is before the final session which begins July 28. There will be no camp the week of June 30-July 4.
What: Learn theater basics and perform in your own play
Where: Carnegie Vanguard High School, 1501 Taft
Contact Info: 713-315-5425; www.alleytheatre.org/PlayMakers.
Ages: 5-13
Date: through Aug. 9
Time: 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Cost: $575 per two-week session
Mad Science Camps Target Scientists In-Training
Calling all junior chemists, explorers and inventors! Mad Science Houston summer camps want you! With full-day and half-day camps available for kids ages 3-12 and with a variety of topics to explore and discover, there’s something to capture everyone’s interest. Children can choose from camps focusing on robots, outer space, nature, chemistry and more!
Little scientists get to work.
Enrollment will be happening all summer long, however, because the camps are held at several locations throughout Houston, parents should refer to the website to check individual programs’ locations, camp rates and times.
What: Participate in science experiments, build a robot or learn about super sleuthing
Where: See website
Contact Info: 713-663-7623; www.houston.madscience.org. Please see website for information regarding different options and dates, times, and cost.
Ages: 3-12
Ready to Rock?
Inspire Rock is offering several week-long rock climbing camps for children ages 6-17 through the end of July.
The Rock Solid Adventure Camp will focus on rock climbing techniques and character building, but participants will also have an opportunity to do arts and crafts, work on team building exercises, and take on an outdoor challenge course. Campers will also be treated to a day of bowling and a trip to Huntsville State Park for hiking and a scavenger hunt.
“It’s not just rock climbing. There’s a little bit of everything,” said Katie Hobson, office manager at Inspire Rock, 403 E. Louetta Rd. in Spring.
A camper reaching the apex of an indoor mountain.
Costs range from $295-$350, and the fee includes lunch, snacks, and field trips. The camps are set from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. but working parents can choose extended hours from 7:30 a.m. until 5-30 p.m. Week-long morning extended hours are $25; week-long afternoon extended hours come at a cost of $50.
For more information call 281-2887625 or log on to www.inspirerock.com/summercamp.html.
What: Rock climbing, field trips, arts & crafts
Where: 403 E. Louetta Rd. Spring, TX
Contact Info: 281-2887625; www.inspirerock.com/summercamp.html
Ages: 6-17
Dates: through July 25
Time: 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. (extended morning and afternoon hours also available)
Cost: $295-$350
Need More Options?
Several other camps are still registering participants in and around the Houston area. Here are a few more options to spice up your child’s summer:
Woodlands Fencing Academy Summer Camps
- What: Learn fencing techniques
- Where: 2227 Golden Rd. Ste. A, The Woodlands, TX
- Contact Info: 832-482-3138; www.woodlandsfencingacademy.com
- Ages: 9-12
- Dates: July 14-18; July 21-25; Aug. 18-22
- Time: 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
- Cost: $300/week
The Village School Summer Camp
- What: Arts, sports and educational classes
- Where: 13077 Westella
- Contact Info: 281-496-7900
- Ages: 3-12 years
- Dates: Through June 27
- Time: 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. (half-day sessions also available)
- Cost: $275/week
Crossing Borders
- What: Learn French, Spanish or Mandarin
- Where: 25602 Interstate 45 North Ste. 105, Spring, TX
- Contact Info: 281-465-0899; www.crossingborderslanguages.com
- Ages: 18 months – adults
- Dates: June 7 – Aug. 20
- Time: 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. (extended hours and half days also available)
- Cost: Varies (check website or call for more information)