It’s almost summer! As kids count down the days until the end of the school year, parents often struggle to find ways to keep them occupied and entertained. Summer camps provide an opportunity for parents to take a break from the hectic pace and summer vacation plans while keeping kids active, engaged and learning.
During the school year, kids spend a good deal of time socializing with classmates. When home for the summer, many do not enjoy this same luxury due to lack of transportation or simply living in a more rural area. Summer camp provides kids with the opportunity to interact and develop meaningful relationships. Working with their peers allows children to develop new skills, challenge one another and, most importantly, have fun.
Most parents don’t enjoy hearing “I’m bored,” and bored kids might be more likely to seek refuge in a screen. Three months of constant screen time is unhealthy for kids, or anyone, for that matter. Summer camps eliminate boredom by providing fun, educational activities to keep kids mentally and physically active.
Summer camp themes are as varied as ice cream flavors. From theater and science to Christian, adventure and sports, they all accomplish the same goal—to provide children with the resources and opportunities they need to grow. While engaging with friends, campers also learn new skills, discover passions and find confidence.
Camp counselors play a significant role in kids’ lives at summer camps. Many are young adults still able to remember what it was like to be a kid at camp. Trained and vetted counselors serve as positive role models while guiding campers in growth.
Many adults would likely agree that some of their fondest childhood memories are those of sunny summer days spent with friends. Summer camps give kids the opportunity to create similar memories to cherish for the rest of their lives. Although your children may complain about missing out on screen time or even label summer camp as old-fashioned, one day they will look back and be grateful for the memories made.
Find a Local Summer Camp
Now is the time to consider registering for upcoming summer camps. For more opportunities in your area, visit chamber of commerce or city websites and social media pages.
Camp Invention
This weeklong program is led by qualified local educators and shows children in grades K–6 how to cultivate the mindset of an innovator. The education team works together with inductees to create a STEM curriculum that embraces hands-on learning. In this program, campers build confidence and work together to take on four exciting challenges, exploring innovation, creative problem solving and design, all while developing persistence and having a ton of fun!
Dates and locations:
Montgomery Independent School District—Montgomery July 17–20
First Baptist Church—Huntsville July 24–28
Camp Allen
Camp Allen’s mission is to provide a unique environment for young people to experience God, establish valuable relationships with their peers and counselors, and grow through various creative, safe and challenging opportunities. Each session is led by a priest, youth minister or other experienced adult dedicated to enriching and transforming the lives of young people. Offered to children in grades 3–10.
Dates and location:
Camp Allen—Navasota
Weeklong camps: June 4–August 5
Carolina Creek Summer Camp
At Carolina Creek summer camps, children will be guided through God’s word on building friendships, listening well, sharing, resolving conflicts, cooperation and earning trust. This camp is about getting close to a small group of friends, experiencing adventures, talking about the deeper things in life, making memories and coming home changed.
Carolina Creek offers four camp programs based on grade completed:
The W!LD (K–fifth grade)
Creekside (fifth–ninth grade)
Elevate (ninth–12th grade)
Family Camp (all ages)
Dates and location:
Carolina Creek—Huntsville
Weeklong camps: May 28–September 4
Navasota Theatre Alliance Summer Camps
The Youth Summer Theatre program offers two comprehensive camps, one for younger children and another for teens. The objective is to introduce and engage youths in all aspects of theater arts through immersive instruction in acting, lighting, sound, costuming, set construction and directing. The youth theater camps offer meaningful and thought-provoking experiences that build memories that last a lifetime and encourage participants to further pursue theater arts through volunteerism and formal public instruction. Each camp will end with a public performance.
Summer teen camp (ages 13–18)—Performance: June Mad!
Rising star camp (ages 8–12)—Performance: The Three Musketeers
Dates and location:
Navasota Theatre Alliance—Navasota
Summer teen camp: June 12–24
Rising star camp: June 26–30
