Summer is finally almost here and that means finding ways to keep your kids active, out of trouble and maybe even combatting summer learning loss. Whether you are looking for your child to learn a new sport or hobby, brush up their skills of a current one, engage in academic lessons, or have a new adventure, there are plenty of summer camps in Vancouver, Camas, Battle Ground and throughout Clark County. With so many choices, your kids are sure to find a summer camp that will make their summer perfect.
DanceWorks Performing Arts
Photo credit: Photo courtesy: DanceWorks Performing Arts
DanceWorks has Vancouver’s largest summer dance intensive. They have three sessions in July, broken up by age. They are taught by nationally renowned teachers and choreographers. They also have several fun themed camps, including America Girl & Boy, Hawaiian Experience, Music & Hip Hop, Trolls, and Wonderland. Cost is $75 Find more information on the DanceWorks Performing Arts website. Enroll by calling 360-892-5664.
Pearson Field Education Center
The Pearson Field Education Center has two summer camps, one on aviation and one on STEM. During the aviation camp, campers learn about the principles of aviation, build a radio-control airplane, and pilot a real airplane over Vancouver. They will get to take field trips to the air traffic control towers at Portland International Airport and Fern Prairie at the Port of Camas/Washougal. Children at the STEM camp (for children 6-8-years-old) get to explore science, aviation, technology engineering, and mathematics. Cost and dates are available on the Pearson Field Education Center website.
Moy Martial Arts
Photo credit: Photo courtesy: Moy Martial Arts
The Moy Martial Arts studio is holding Bullying Proofing and Self Defense for Kids/Teens over the summer. Classes are divided into ages and cost $119 for a 4-week, 8 class program where your child will learn the Kung-Fu Martial Art skills of blocking, escaping from grabs, how to defend against a takedown and how to strike as a last resort. Students will also learn how to use their voice to stand up to bullies and be assertive while setting personal boundaries. For more information, visit the Moy Martial Arts website, call 360-573-2367 or email info@moymartialarts.com
Parks & Recreation
The Parks & Recreations has many different summer camps for children ages 4 to 14. Unique offerings include a camp for persons with disabilities, ages 15 to 30, and their free “camp” program called Summer Playgrounds and Playtime in the Parks. Find out cost, dates and how to enroll by visiting the individual sites:
Vancouver Parks & Recreation website
Camas Parks & Recreation website
Battle Ground Parks & Recreation website
Washougal Parks & Recreation website
Kiddie Academy
The Kiddie Academy of Vancouver is offering a summer learning program for children preschool through elementary. Children will learn and play through developmentally appropriate games. They have three age divisions and the program includes activities, field trips, and special visitors. For cost, dates and enrollment information, visit the Kiddie Academy website.
Metropolitan Performing Arts Academy
This summer your child can be fully immersed in the wonderful world of Harry Potter with a 2-week LARP camp! This live action role play camp will include all the fun of J.K. Rowling’s world, including being sorted into houses, magical subjects and even trying out for the Quidditch team or frog choir! Camp ends with a ball, of course, and students are required to bring a wand. Cost is $300 for ages 11 – 18-years-old.
And that’s just one of their amazing camps! They also have a Fairy Tails acting camp, Dance Boot Camp, Willy Wonka Jr., and more. For more information on all their camps, visit the Metropolitan Performing Arts Academy website.
Camp Invention
This is a one-week summer camp that involves STEM-related subjects and lots of fun! Children are presented with fun, hands-on challenges that encourage creative problem solving, teamwork, entrepreneurship, and innovation. For grades k-sixth. Cost is $250 for 5 days. For more information, visit the Camp Invention website.
TreeSong Nature Awareness and Retreat Center
Photo credit: Photo courtesy: TreeSong Nature Awareness and Retreat Center
If your child wants nothing more than to be in nature this summer (and who doesn’t!?) Than the TreeSong summer camp might be just right. They have all kinds of day camps that take your children into nature to learn with storytelling, art, movement, singing, and nature awareness activities. They also have a fairy adventures camp for 4- to 8-year-olds. For cost, dates and enrollment information, visit the TreeSong Nature Awareness and Retreat Center website.
Camas Meadows Golf Club
If golfing if your child’s thing, then check out these camps at Camas Meadows Golf Club. They have 3- and 4-day camps throughout June, July and August. Professional instruction covers putting, chipping, pitching, golf fitness, golf etiquette, and course management. Costs are $99 (3-day) and $149 (4-day). For more information visit the Camas Meadows Golf Club website or call 360-833-2000 ext. 101 to enroll.
Opus School of Music
They have a short, six-week summer session in July-August at both their Camas and Ridgefield locations for children who want to spend the summer making sweet melodies. They have camps for children as young as 18-months through teens. You can also sign up for private summer music lessons. For more information, visit the Opus School of Music website or call 360-887-8770 (Ridgefield), 360-833-9604 (Camas), to enroll.
BrickZone Kids
Photo credit: Photo courtesy: BrickZone Kids
For kids that love to build, these summer camps are perfect! LEGO engineering, Art-Rageous, MINECRAFT, Splish-Splash, Harry Potter Adventures, and Mythical Creatures, all promise to make learning fun for your child through LEGO builds and field trips. Camps are Monday-Friday and are $175. For more information and to register, visit the BrickZone Kids website.
Son Rise Ranch
Nothing like spending the summer on a ranch learning to ride! Son Rise Ranch has a couple different camps this summer, including a parade camp, horse show camp and their annual camp out. For more information, visit the Son Rise Ranch website.
Royal Ridges
This retreat offers day camps, including horse, adventure and paintball, as well as overnight horse and adventures camps. Each camp is Bible-based, with study each day, along with learning fun new skills such as horseback riding, first aid, fire building and more. Camps are for grade-school youth. For cost, dates and enrollment, visit the Royal Ridges website.
Horse Haven Farms
Photo credit: Photo courtesy: Son Rise Ranch
Horse Haven Farms have a variety of summer camps for different ages. Each rider will be evaluated and placed in groups according to their skill level. Riders with experience will be taught more complex movements. Camps are $200 for ages 4-15. For more information, visit the Horse Haven Farms website or call Luz Maria Allinger at 360-909-7925.
Clark County YMCA
The Clark County YMCA offers an abundance of summer camps including day and overnights. They have camps in cooking, sports, music, art, acting, and STEM subjects. Prices and dates vary. See the Clark County YMCA website for more details.
