Summer is fast approaching and although some of you sent in cheques, registrations and health forms in between power outages and snow storms this winter the rest of us didn’t have faith that summer would ever get here. The truth is, summer is fast approaching and camp is a great option for parents and children. Whether you need full time child care or you are looking for part time, week-long experiences, here are a few camps to consider. For a quick look at some of my favourite camps check out Boston Camp Guide over at Mommy Nearest.
Preschool age
While most preschools run throughout the summer, some children need a change of scene or have outgrown summers at preschool. Here are a few camps for 3-5 year olds.
Scout Camp at the Oak Square YMCA
Hyde Park YMCA Camp
Other YMCA Camps have day camps as well some starting at age 5 and others at age 3. Check the website for more details.
Tennis Academy at Harvard is a great program for children of all ages. The program starts with Tennis Tykes who are 4-6 years old. Tykes have a wonderful coach to student ratio as well so that they can learn tennis and have fun in a safe environment.
Boston Ballet Children’s Summer Program has sessions for 3-4 year olds called Ballet Stories. Available at the North Shore Studio, Boston Studio, and Newton Studio. The program is 2 days a week for 2 hours each day.
Some of the LINX Camps are offered for 3-5 year olds. The Peewees have a 1-5 counselor to camper ratio.
Arts Camps
For the theatrical ones in your family there is the Watertown Children’s Theater Summer program. WCT’s has several programs for Kindergarteners to 9th Graders. The day runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Arsenal Arts Summer
For your visual artists starting in Kindergarten up through 9th grade, classes at Arsenal Arts run from 9 to 12 and again from 1 to 4 with the option of supervised lunch if you need your child to stay all day. From puppets to wheel throwing there are classes for everyone who likes to create art.
Create with Lego, fiber, wood and more mediums at the Eliot School in Jamaica Plain. From ages 6 to 14. Classes run from 9-12 and 12:30 to 3:30 with the option of early drop off and extended day.
Fashion Camp, Fiber Camp and Quilt Camp are a child’s dream come true and parents are shocked at what their children can learn to do with the guidance of the staff at Gather Here. Ages and dates vary by session.
Sports Camp
As mentioned above, Tennis Academy at Harvard is a great program for your future Tennis pro.
For your soccer pro, check out Crimson Soccer Academy, FC Barcelona Camp, or Boston Breakers Soccer camp.
Most gymnastics academies run a summer program. Check out your local gym or sign up for camp at the best known local gym: Brestyans. Camp runs from 8:20 to 1:00 or to 4:00.
Experienced or new fencers can put on a mask and grab a weapon at Olympia Fencing Center for camp. Children ages 6-12 are welcome to join Summer fencing.
Your Ballerina or Ballerino can enjoy the beautiful studios and excellent teachers at The Boston Ballet School for their summer programs. Auditions are over for the Summer Dance Program (ages 10+) but spots are still available for the Summer Dance Workshop which is a two week program in Boston, North Shore or Newton for ages 8-14.
A little of Everything
LINX Camps have a little bit of everything from sports, to performance, to science. There are general camp options, swimming lessons and specialty camps as well.
Concord Academy Camp is a traditional day camp with something for everyone.
SummerTime at Fayerweather is a weekly summer program that runs for three weeks for children entering Kindergarten through 8th grade.
The Park School offers several summer programs including creative arts, and traditional summer camp as well.
The Shady Hill School also offers a traditional summer camp program as does Buckingham Browne and Nichols.
Mass Audubon offers many summer programs for your nature loving child. These tend to fill up fast so you might not get a spot now, but you can browse the site to see what is still available or mark it in your calendar for next time.
MeadowBrook Day Camp another traditional day camp with the option of day trips for teens, a lunch program and extended day.
RunningBrook offers both a traditional camp as well as a new four week visual arts camp.
Thank you so much for mentioning our Summer Camp in your guide – looking forward to seeing you again!