Read our feature story on summer camps, Geek Out, in our May/June 2013 issue. Here are the ones we wanted to include, but just couldn’t fit in the print edition (scroll all the way down for special needs camps):
Photo Provided by Deer Valley Resort
MUSIC
Find Your Wild Side
Kids ages 7-18 can take part in this unique chance to learn Brazilian and Afro-Brazilian drumming, dance, song and culture. Kids get to bring home a T-shirt and homemade percussion instrument. A performance is held on the final day of the camp for friends and family members. June 17-21: Ages 7-12, June 24-28: Ages 13-18, SLC Arts Hub, 663 West 100 South, $60 per student scholarships are available, sambafogo.com
With the band
Just because school’s out doesn’t mean band class has to be. In “Da” Band with Al Badham, kids will learn new skills and even be in a 4th of July parade and concert. June 10–July 4, must have at least one year of jr. high-level concert band experience, $85. Imagination Place, 1155 E. 3300 South, SLC, 801-463-9067, imaginationplace.com
Find Rhythm
In partnership with the Utah Arts Alliance, Rhythms of Life Summer Camp gives kids a chance to participate in workshops, including drama, African and hip hop dance, drumming, painting, photography, frisbee, gardening, puppetry, sculpture, soccer, circus arts and more. June 10-14 through July 29-August 2, ages 8-12 $165 per week/ $1150 for all 8 weeks. 801-649-4420 Scholarships are available, drumbus.com
An early start
Jump start your kid’s musical education with a beginner’s exploration of music theory using the piano, along with fun rhythm and tonal activities, at Imagination Place’s Musical Bridge. June 17–Aug. 15, ages 4.5–7, $130. Imagination Place, 1155 E. 3300 South, SLC, 801-463-9067, imaginationplace.com
ART
Artwork up North
Cache Valley Center for the Arts is worth a trip north for its amazing productions. It’s also worth checking out for this year’s art camps, focusing on Polynesian, Latin American and African cultures. June 10–Aug. 8, ages 5–11, $90. Cache Valley Center for the Arts, 43 S. Main Street, Logan, 435-753-6518, centerforthearts.us
FANTASY/IMAGINATION
Potter Meets Holmes
With camps for Harry Potter, Angry Birds and Sherlock Holmes fans, Thanksgiving Point has offerings for just about anything your kid is into. June 3–Aug. 19, registration open until full, ages 4–18, single day $20–$175, multi-day $75–$175. Thanksgiving Point, 3003 N. Thanksgiving Way, Lehi, 801-768-2300, thanksgivingpoint.org
Mythical Creatures and Fantastic Fantasy
Explore ancient artifacts and search for mythical and magical creatures. Children in grades 4–6 will explore forests, animals, potions, mythical creatures and write in invisible ink to keep their secrets hidden at one of this summer’s Salt Lake County 4-H camps. Copperview Recreation Center, 8446 Harrison St in Midvale. July 15-19, $75 per child 385-468-4830, saltlakecounty4-h.org
SCIENCE/EDUCATION
Get slimy, gooey and gross
Kids can explore slimy, gooey and gross science while conducting experiments and getting your hands dirty at this Salt Lake County 4-H camp. Grades 1–3, Entheos Academy, 4710 W 6200 S, Kearns. July 15-19, $75 per child 801-417-5444, saltlakecounty4-h.org
CSI Spy
Learn how detectives use science to uncover crimes by solving the mystery of “The Murder of Professor Half Track” at one of this summer’s Salt Lake County 4-H camps. Use clues and attend Super Spy School to learn how to be a expert spy. Grades 4–6, Murray Park, 296 E Vine St, Murray, 801-284-4200, Aug. 12–16, saltlakecounty4-h.org
Mayan Robo-Dig
Kids are called to help a team of scientist who have just discovered a Mayan pyramid at this Salt Lake County 4-H camp. The junior robotics experts help unlock the secrets of the pyramid and learn how to use robotic sensors and advanced programing, using the Lego Mindstrom. Previous robot experience required. Ages 12–15, $75, Aug. 14–16, Sandra N. Lloyd Community Center, 12830 S 1830 W in Riverton, saltlakecounty4-h.org
Go, Dog. Go!
Okay, this one’s not technically a camp, but going every month makes it feel like one. Kids who struggle with reading can practice by reading to service dogs at Anderson-Foothill Library. First Saturday of every month, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Anderson-Foothill Library, 1135 S. 2100 East, SLC, 801-594-8611, slcpl.lib.ut.us (call ahead to sign up)
Peek of Park City
The Peek Program has everything to keep a kid’s mind active all summer, from science and history to sports and Dr. Seuss—field trips and swimming included. June 17–Aug. 16, ages 3–8, $35–$65 per day. 10 Pinebrook Road, Park City, 435-649-9188, thepeekprogram.com
Cook up Science
This Salt Lake County 4-H camp teaches kids grades 3-4th about basic biology, chemistry and physics using common items from the kitchen. Kids will get to make rock candy, goo and learn how to extract iron from their morning cereal. Copperview Recreation Center, 8446 Harrison St in Midvale. July 8-12, $75 per child 385-468-4830, saltlakecounty4-h.org
Mini-Edisons
Kids solve big problems at Camp Invention, like how to reassemble a crashed spacecraft with everyday objects. The camp focuses on science, technology, engineering and math. June 10–14 or June 17–21, grades 1–6, $220. Schools in Sandy, Draper, Woods Cross, Cedar Hills, Park City, Layton, Provo and Price, campinvention.org
Rollercoaster, baby
You might not learn much at an amusement park beyond gut-level physics, but designing those rides is another story. At Bricks 4 Kidz, campers will use math and science skills to engineer LEGO rides that roll, spin and rock. June 27, July 11, 18, Aug. 1, 8, 15, ages 5–8, $96 per day ($15 for each additional day). Holladay Lions Recreation Center, 1661 Murray Holladay Rd., Holladay, 801-898-3000, bricks4kidz.com
Wet and Wild Science
Salt Lake County 4-H keeps the kids active this summer while exploring a local watershed and learning about life beneath the surface of streams and lakes in your community. They will collect and study underwater insects and learn about water quality. Copperview Recreation Center, 8446 Harrison St in Midvale. June 24-27, $75 per child 385-468-4830, saltlakecounty4-h.org
Forces of Nature
Kids in grades 3–5 learn about earthquakes, floods, fire and the extreme weather we see on earth, along with basic science principles while participating in hands-on activities like building bridges and making weather instruments, thanks to Salt Lake County 4-H. Copperview Recreation Center, 8446 Harrison St in Midvale. June 10-14, $75 per child 385-468-4830, saltlakecounty4-h.org
A BIT OF EVERYTHING
Camp at the J
Kids in grades one through six of all religions can take advantage of the Jewish Community Center’s rock wall, swimming pool and more, while older kids can take a week-long nature trip. June 10–Aug. 16, registration open until full, age 2–8th grade, $250–$420, Jewish Community Center, 2 N. Medical Drive, SLC, 801-581-0098 ext. 135, slcjcc.org
Join the Club
Is your kid a super sleuth, eager to crack a great mystery? Or maybe she’s ready to learn some sleight of hand to become a famous magician. Club U has camps for these and more. June 5–Aug. 16, registration open until the Friday before each camp, ages 5–14, $199 per week. University of Utah, SLC, 801-581-6984, continue.utah.edu
Hit the Road
Field trip after field trip—Wasatch Kids Camps take kids to Utah’s iconic destinations, from Thanksgiving Point’s Museum to Franklin Covey Stadium. June 10–Aug. 23, registration open until full, ages 5–13, $190. Various locations around SLC, 801-263-2267, wasatchkidscamps.com
OUTDOORS
Not just for skiing
Based out of the Snow Park Lodge, Deer Valley’s Summer Adventure Camp offers unique activities like kiteboarding, where kids are pulled across a lake by a giant kite, all while surrounded by Park City’s mountains. June 10–Aug. 16, ages 2 months–12 years, $65 (daily), $300 (weekly), $2,500 (seasonal), Snow Park Lodge, 2250 Deer Valley Drive, Park City, 435-645-6648, academy.deervalley.com
SPECIAL NEEDS CAMPS
Nobody’s left out. With a strong belief summer camps should be accessible to all kids, these local camps are looking out for kids with disabilities and special needs.
Dietary needs met
Camp UTADA offers all the traditional stuff, like sports and campfires, while watching diets and supervising care, set in beautiful Camp Red Cliffe above Pineview Reservoir. Day and week-long camps, June 15–Aug. 16, grades 1–11, $240 (price may vary), no camper is turned away due to financial concerns. Camp Red Cliff, outside Huntsville, 801-566-6913, click here for more info.
Bring bro and sis
Camp Hobé is for kids with cancer and their siblings, who are often overlooked during treatment. Set out west at Camp Wapiti, kids enjoy archery, hikes, biking and swimming. June 10–21, ages 4–19, $15–$35, fee waivers available. Camp Wapiti, near Tooele, 801-631-2742, camphobekids.org
Hold your horses
National Ability Center has plenty of great camps for kids with disabilities, but we’re partial to Camp Giddy Up, where campers ride trails with the horses and build on skills each year. June 10–Aug. 16, ages 8–18, $120–$190 (2–3 days), $290–$550 (5 days), discount for registering before May 17. National Ability Center, 1000 Ability Way, Park City, 435-649-3991 x609, discovernac.org
Cooking, canoeing and braille
The Utah School for the Blind and the Utah Foundation for the Blind and Visually Impaired teamed up to give blind kids outdoor, sports and braille reading camps this summer. June 9–Aug. 10, ages 8–16 (summer work program available for ages 16 and older), $40–$125 (fee waivers available). Most camps held at Utah School for the Deaf and Blind Ogden campus, 742 Harrison Blvd., 801-209-8492, ufbvi.org
Getting social
Along with social coaching and treatment, Camp Takoda gives kids with ADHD a chance to swim, go on field trips and grow their self-esteems while making new friends. June 11–Aug. 2. Camp Takoda is in SLC. Call 801-467-8553 or visituafc.org for info on ages, prices, registration deadlines and more.
Camp for all abilities
Camp Kostopulos strives to include all kids of all abilities who could benefit from a summer riding horses, fishing, swimming and taking on the ropes course. They also offer a travel camp, which takes kids to destinations across the Intermountain West. June 1–Aug. 2, ages 7 and up, $405, scholarships available for low-income families, families registered with Division of Services for People with Disabilites may have respite funds available, register by mid-May. Camp Kostopulos, 4180 Emigration Canyon Road, SLC, 801-582-0700,campk.org
Doubling up
Two camps with all the traditional camp activities for kids with disabilities: Camp Valor for kids with hemophilia and Camp Hawkins for kids with heart disease. Siblings are welcome to both. Camp Valor: July 29–Aug. 2, ages 5–17, $65, hemophiliautah.org. Camp Hawkins: June 24–27, ages 4–17, $20–$65,camphawkins.org
