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Ultimate Summer Camp Guide

The Mom-Approved Summer Camp List 2022

A cheat-sheet camp guide for parents of young children

Ahh Summer! Daydreaming about it we picture the sun shining, birds chirping, and lazy days at the pool or beach.  But let’s face it: As parents of preschoolers, the reality of summer is much different! It’s a time when the kids are out of school and off their regular routines. We end up desperately trying to fill each minute of those ten long weeks with stimulating activities to keep the kids engaged while avoiding the dreaded “summer learning loss.”

As a mom of two active boys, I wanted to get the jump on summer scheduling so that I can feel confident knowing that our summer will be well balanced with learning, fun, and plenty of activities to wear them out by nightfall.  In North Texas, we’re incredibly blessed to have such a wide variety of summer camp options, but at the same time, the amount of choices can be incredibly overwhelming.  I’ve spent countless hours doing deep dives into summer camp websites and exploring options to come up with this list of Mom-approved summer camps (many of which, my own children will be taking part in).  Allow me to spare you the time, trouble, and excel spreadsheets; you’re welcome!

ALL-IN-ONE CAMPS

Alcuin School – (Ages 18months – 14yrs)

Runs June 6 – July 15

https://www.alcuinschool.org/school-life/alcuin-summer

Highlights: (Camps for children under 3 are reserved for students who are enrolling in the fall), Camps ages 3-14 are open to all students inside and outside the Alcuin community, week-long camps with a variety of in-depth themes and STEM camps led by Play-Well TEKnologies

Children’s Learning Adventure – (Ages 6 weeks – 12yrs)

Runs May 31 – August 12

https://join.childrenslearningadventure.com/main/summer-camp/

Highlights: All ages, flexible scheduling allows you to select and pay for only the days and weeks you want to attend, classes rotate daily for a variety of activities plus outside vendors and weekly themes

JCC Camps – (Ages 2-Grade 9)

Runs June 7 – August 5

https://jdallascamps.org/

Highlights: Extended hours for working parents, longer 3-5 week camp blocks to help you fill your summer, camps themed around activities and age groups, like a sleep-away camp without the overnight stay

Xplor Preschool Camps – (Ages 5-12)

Runs June 6 – August 5

https://www.xplorpreschool.com/camp/summer-camp/

Highlights: Extended hours for working parents, multiple locations, activity blocks provide variety for students throughout the day

YMCA Camps – (Ages 3-12)

Runs May 31 – August 4

https://www.ymcadallas.org/youth_development/summer_camps/day_camps

Highlights: Extended hours for working parents, multiple locations, indoor and outdoor preferences, weekly themes

DROP-OFF CAMPS FOR ITTY BITTIES

Freedom Church Mother’s Day Out – (Ages 3 months – Graduated 4th graders)

Runs  June 20 – July 29

https://www.mothersdayout.org/

Highlights: Daily and weekly registration options, different theme each week, 9:00am-2:30pm Monday-Friday with extended care options, children grouped by age

Kids Garden Club – (Ages 18 months – 6yrs)

Runs May 16 – September 9

https://kgcdallas.com/drop-off-camps/

Highlights: two day, three day, and five day options from 9-11:30am or 9am-1pm, snack and lunch included in price, during each session children rotate to different rooms for themed activities which change each week of camp, (despite the name this is exclusively an indoor camp)

BILINGUAL OPTION

Spanish Schoolhouse – (Ages 3-8)

Runs June 1 – July 29 

https://spanishschoolhouse.com/programs/summercamp

Highlights: two week-long blocks with two day through five day options and academic day or extended day hours, full immersion programming to introduce your child to the Spanish language

FOR THE OUTDOORSY TYPE

Heard Museum – (Ages 5-12)

Runs June 13 – July 8

https://www.heardmuseum.org/summer-nature-camps/

Highlights: Weeklong outdoor camps in McKinney, TX, choose from several camp-theme options, Single day mini-camps available for ages 6-11

Heritage Farmstead Museum – (Kids entering Kindergarten – Grade 6)

Runs June 6 – July 29

https://www.heritagefarmstead.org/summer-camps/

Highlights: weeklong camps from 9am-1pm, Choose from farm-based Pioneer Camp or Creek Camp

Dallas Zoo Wild Adventures Camps – (Kids entering Kindergarten – Grade 3)

Runs June 6 – August 5

https://www.dallaszoo.com/programs-and-events/youth-programs/wild-adventures-camps

Highlights: Unique camp setting, single day, extended day, and weeklong options, 3 camp theme options to choose from

FOR THE ACTIVE CHILD

ASI Gymnastics – (Ages 3-14)

Runs with local school district calendar

https://asigymnastics.com/summer-camp/

Highlights: Kids will stay incredibly active with lots of gym time, games, crafts and team-building exercises, single day, half day, full day, and weekly options you can work into any schedule

KidStrong Camps – (Ages 3-8)

Runs May 31 – August 9

https://www.kidstrong.com/westplanocamps

Highlights: weeklong camps run 9am-2:30pm, variety of locations, choose from Superhero, Ninja, and Confidence + Leadership camp themes, activities are structured around growing mind, body, and character 

PowerKenpo Camps – (Ages 4-Teens)

Runs June 6 – August 12

https://www.powerkenpo.com/camps

Highlights: Karate, Parkour, or Karate+Parkour themes, purchase single day or week-long options

Texas Dynamix Plano – (Ages 4-12)

Runs May 31 – August 5

https://app.iclasspro.com/portal/texasdynamixplano/camps/1

Highlights: Week-long camps from 8am-2pm or 8am-5pm, Along with gymnastics campers will engage in different activities based on weekly themes, bounce house, outdoor time, and even water play

FOR THE ARTSY KID

J’s Art Studio (Ages 5-13)

Runs June 6 – August 5

http://www.jsartstudio.com//index.php?cID=147

Highlights: weeklong 3 hour sessions with morning or afternoon options, a variety of themes throughout the summer, sessions incorporate use of a variety of art mediums

Kid Art Dallas – (Ages 3-12)

Runs May 30 – August 20

https://campscui.active.com/orgs/KidArt#/selectSessions/3108841

Highlights: week-long short sessions 10am-Noon or 3-5pm and single day Saturday sessions, grouped by age, themes change weekly 

Lakewood Conservatory of Fine Arts – (Ages 5-15)

Runs May 31 – August 12

https://lakewoodconservatory.com/camps/

Highlights: single day and week-long options, variety of camp styles to choose from in varying forms of fine arts including piano, drums, music, singing, art, Lego, and cooking

North Texas Performing Arts – (Ages 5-13)

Runs June 6 – August 5

https://ntpa.org/camps/

Highlights: week-long camps in half day and full day options, different themes for each timeslot in a weekly session

FOR THE STEM ENTHUSIAST

Club SciKidz – (PreK – Grade 7)

Runs June 27 – July 25

https://www.clubscikidzdallas.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAu62QBhC7ARIsALXijXS2C1kQnoUrlXJzelkiJuJHYKFch3ojEk0XHdZbrcW34evZy9NQA8AaAkYZEALw_wcB

Highlights: small group sizes, weeklong camps with full day and half day options, variety of themes and locations

Destination Science – (Ages 5-11)

Runs June 20-July 22

https://destinationscience.org/find-your-camp-results/?location=Plano+%28JPS%29%2C+TX+75075

Highlights: variety of locations, 3 themes to select from, 9am-3pm Monday thru Friday, outdoor time is included in daily curriculum 

About The Author

Kristin Merron is a boy-mom of two, William (4.5) and Benjamin (19 months), who resides in Carrollton, TX with her husband Matt.  Originally from Chicago, IL she moved to Dallas, TX in 2011. She has a professional background in Communications and has worked as a full-time mom, a part-time mom, a work-from-home mom, and is now navigating life as a stay-at-home mom.  She joined CECPTA in November 2019 and is part of the PURPLE and RED playgroups. She enjoys family bike rides, binge-worthy shows, board games, travel, and exploring new places in and around DFW with her children and husband.

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