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
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
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
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.
