Valley summer camps set to keep kids engaged and enriched during school break

When school lets out for the summer, many parents opt for summer camps to help keep their children occupied and their minds challenged.

According to the American Camp Association, a structured learning experience during school break helps children mature socially and emotionally.

“The building blocks of self-esteem are belonging, learning and contributing,” said Michael Popkin, Ph.D., family therapist and founder of Active Parenting. “Camps offer unique opportunities for children to succeed in these three vital areas and even beyond home and school.”

YMCA OF SOUTHERN NEVADA

Cheryl Bella, director of marketing and communications for the YMCA of Southern Nevada, agreed that children have short attention spans.

“At the Y, we fill their day with various activities, so they’re going from structured, physical games (to) exercise classes (to) summer learning, like STEM (science, technology, engineering and math)-based classes …” Bella said.

She said camp attendees do one thing for a half-hour, then switch to something else for another half-hour.

“It’s very structured,” she said, “a packed day to keep kids moving forward. My daughter was in summer camp last year, and she was exhausted. I’d pick her up at 4:30, and she was dead tired.”

The YMCA plans to offer the Y Summer Day Camp — Friendship, Accomplishment and Belonging from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 8 through Aug. 21 for children 5 to 15. Children are grouped by age range. Two- and three-day preschool camps for children 3 to 5 also are offered from 9 a.m. to noon.

Bella said around 1,500 to 1,600 campers go through the programs most summers, with an average of 150 participating each week.

“The camp focuses on character development, physical fitness and activities,” Bella said. “We focus on providing a safe environment where parents know their kids will have fun, meet new friends and have caring adults looking out for them.”

Daily activities include physical exercise, classes and games. Summer Learning Loss activities include reading; science, technology, engineering and math activities; and swimming.

Registration can be done online at lasvegasymca.org, and financial assistance is available.

In addition to each week of camp having a theme, parents can sign their children up for specialty camps, such as Artageous, volleyball and Pottery Palooza, and off-site field trips to pottery studios, equestrian facilities, the Adventure Dome and the NBA Summer League. Camp fees range from $130 to $215 per week.

The YMCA also offers a one-week resident (sleepover) camp, Camp Whittle, in Big Bear, Calif., for children 8 to 14 June 13-20. Children can hike, go horseback riding and zip-lining. The cost is $599.

The YMCA offers financial assistance and sliding-scale fees for many of its camps. Lunches and snacks are provided for children who need them through a federal program operated by Three Square food bank.

YMCA of Southern Nevada locations are:

Bill & Lillie Heinrich YMCA, 4141 Meadows Lane, 702-877-9622
City of Las Vegas Durango Hills Community Center, operated by the YMCA, 3521 N. Durango Drive, 702-240-9622
City of Las Vegas Centennial Hills Community Center, operated by the YMCA, 6601 N. Buffalo Drive, 702-478-9622
City of North Las Vegas SkyView Multi-Generational Center, operated by the YMCA, 3050 E. Centennial Parkway, 702-522-7500

Visit lasvegasymca.org and select “Register for Summer Camp” or call a YMCA location.

CITY OF LAS VEGAS

Summer day camps through the city of Las Vegas are scheduled from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday starting June 8. All centers will be closed July 3 and open July 4. Kids Kamp for children 6 to 11 and 12 to 15 are planned at:

Cimarron Rose Community Center, 5591 N. Cimarron Road, 702-229-1607. The fee is $100 per week for June 8-Aug. 21.
The East Las Vegas Community Center, 250 N. Eastern Ave., 702-229-1515. The fee is $100 per week for June 8-Aug. 21 (camp starts at 6:30 a.m.)
Doolittle Community Center, 1950 N. J St., 702-229-6374. The fee is $75 per week for June 8-Aug. 14.
Stupak Community Center, 251 W. Boston Ave., 702-229-2488. The fee is $75 per week for June 8-Aug. 14.
Mirabelli Community Center, 6200 Hargrove Ave., 702-229-6359. The fee is $150 per week for June 8-Aug. 14.

Under the supervision of trained staff members, the day camp includes field trips, sports, special events, arts and crafts, nutrition, physical fitness and games.

“We offer a variety of activities to keep the children busy,” said Mary Killion, principal community program specialist for the city of Las Vegas. “We take the kids swimming and on field trips almost every week. This year, we plan to take them to Wet‘n’Wild, bowling and roller skating.”

Specialty camps for children 6 to 11 and 12 to 15 also are planned June 8-Aug. 14 at the Veterans Memorial Leisure Services Center, 101 N. Pavilion Center Drive. The cost is $150 per week. Call 702-229-1100.

East Las Vegas plans to offer an Adaptive Recreation Summer Camp for $100 per week from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 8-Aug. 14. The camp is set to provide recreational opportunities for participants ages 7 to 21 of all abilities. Planned activities include community outings, sports, games, arts and crafts, swimming and movies. Call the center for details.

Financial assistance is available for qualified households. There will be no telephone registration for the city’s camps. To register, visit one of the centers or lasvegasnevada.gov/summercamps.

CITY OF HENDERSON

The city of Henderson provides safe and supervised environments for children and teens during the summer.

“My daughter has participated in Summer Kids Zone, while my son participated in Summer Kids Zone, Teen Kamp and Teens-N-Training,” said city spokeswoman Kim Becker. “I like that the programs are tailored for the various age groups and that staff members truly enjoy working with children. Most important, the camps provide kids with a memorable summer camp experience.”

Summer Kids Zone is scheduled from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays June 8 to Aug. 21 at the Black Mountain Recreation Center, 599 Greenway Road; the Silver Springs Recreation Center, 1951 Silver Springs Parkway; the Whitney Ranch Recreation Center, 1575 Galleria Drive; the Henderson Multigenerational Center, 250 S. Green Valley Parkway; and Greenspun Junior High School, 140 N. Valle Verde Drive. Children in kindergarten through fifth grade are set to participate in arts and crafts, sports, swimming, field trips, fitness and health and more. The cost is $99 per week.

Teen Kamp is designed for children 12 to 15 and is available from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays June 8 to Aug. 7 at Greenspun Junior High School. The camp is set to cover weekly themes from sports and fitness to dancing and art. The cost is $110 per week.

The city’s free Summer Fun program is set to run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 8 to Aug. 21 at Robert Taylor Elementary School, 144 Westminster Way; Sewell Elementary School, 700 E. Lake Mead Drive; and McCaw Elementary School, 330 Tin St. The program is designed for grades kindergarten to eighth and is set to include activities, breakfast and lunch. Registration is required.

Visit cityofhenderson.com.

CLARK COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION

Clark County Parks and Recreation offers summer day camps from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 8-Aug. 21 at several area recreation centers, including:

Robert E. “Bob” Price Recreation Center, 2050 Bonnie Lane, 702-455-7600
Hollywood Recreation and Community Services Center, 1650 S. Hollywood Blvd., 702-455-0566
Parkdale Recreation Center, 3200 Ferndale St., 702-455-7517
Cambridge Recreation Center, 3930 Cambridge St., 702-455-7169
Paradise Recreation Center, 4775 McLeod Drive, 702-455-7513
Walnut Recreation Center, 3075 N. Walnut Road, 702-455-8402

Camps are for children 6 to 15. The cost is $18 per day or $85 per week, per child. There is a 50 percent discount for the third child if parents enroll three siblings for the same full weeks. Field trips may be offered at an additional fee. Field trip shirts are mandatory for participants and may be purchased for $5.

Walk-in and mail-in registration are available but phone registration is not. Visit tinyurl.com/ccsumday.

Clark County Parks and Recreation plans to host two summer sleep-over camps at Camp Lee Canyon on Mount Charleston June 14-26. Each weeklong camp begins on a Sunday afternoon and ends on a Friday night.

Omni Discovery Camp is for children 8 to 12, and On the Edge Adventure Camp is for teens 13 to 15. Activities include hiking, cabin skits, campfires and S’mores, along with specialty classes and activities.

The cost is $400, which includes all meals, snacks, activities, supplies and a T-shirt. Parents or guardians are responsible for transportation.

Call 702-455-1905 or email ccparks@clarkcountynv.gov for more information.

4-H S.T.E.M. SUMMER CAMP

The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension is set to host 4-H Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (S.T.E.M.) summer day camps from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 9-11 for children 7 to 11 and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 7-9 for children 10 to 14 at the Lifelong Learning Center, 8050 Paradise Road.

Activities are set to include cooking healthy snacks, viewing and handling some desert animals, launching paper rockets, exploring desert plant life and playing cooperative games.

The cost is $75 and includes snacks. Sibling registration is $50 per session.

“Our two summer camps are hands-on, educational and fun for all ages,” said coordinator Karen Best. “We also do a camp at Lake Tahoe that also focuses on S.T.E.M. and traditional camp activities, such as swimming, kayaking, archery and campfire.”

The overnight Lake Tahoe summer camp is scheduled July 26-31 for children 9 to 15. No 4-H experience is necessary for either camp.

Contact Best at 702-257-5538 or bestk@unce.unr.edu.

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SOUTHERN NEVADA

Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada plan to offer day camps at all of its clubhouses. Locations’ times and pricing will vary.

The Southern Highlands Boys & Girls Club, 10900 Southern Highlands Parkway, offers summer camps, track break camps and before- and after-school activities for children from kindergarten age to 18.

During the summer, the place is packed with more than 200 kids. But being at the center is just the beginning. Willis Brown, the Southern Highlands Clubhouse director, said that during most weeks, there are at least two or three field trips.

“We have everything,” he said. “We have field trips, we go to the Adventure Dome, we go to the Lion Habitat, we go to Wet’n’Wild several times, the movies, we go to Exploration Park, we go down to the Discovery Children’s Museum, we go to the Springs Preserve.”

At the clubhouse, campers can play video games on a big flatscreen television or basketball in the gym. Next door, there’s a splash pad playground, and less than a block away is a park where the campers have water-filled field days.

Camp fees are $110 a week, and financial assistance is available.

For more information and to register, call or visit a club. For club locations, visit bgclv.org.

Back for its fourth year, the Boys & Girls Clubs Ultimate Summer Camp at Alexander Dawson School, 10845 W. Desert Inn Road, is open for registration. It is scheduled from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, June 15-Aug. 14 in the multipurpose room of the school’s Forman Family Music Building. It is open to the public for children in kindergarten through eighth grade.

The camp will feature summer activities such as themed events and experiences, a game room, arts and crafts, outdoor fun, games and water play. Lunch and an afternoon snack are included.

The cost is $210 per week. Visit bgchevents.org/dawsonschool/home.

Other Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada locations across the valley plan to offer summer camps for kindergarten through eighth-graders June 15-Aug. 14. Weekly themes are planned, along with water days, family nights, educational games and activities and meals/snacks. Weekly fees and hours vary by location.

For more information, pricing and to register, visit bgclv.org/summer-day-camps.

RECREATION

Life Time Fitness

Life Time Fitness plans to host a summer camp June 8-Aug. 21 at its Summerlin facility, 10721 W. Charleston Blvd. Registration is being accepted at both its Las Vegas Valley locations (the other is in Henderson at 121 Carnegie St.). The camp is for children 5 to 13 whose parents are Life Time Fitness members.

Life Time campers will experience 12 weeks of camp, each with its own theme, along with field trips and daily activities, such as rock climbing, swimming, arts and crafts and team sports.

Signature camps are planned at both locations from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday for $210 per week or $50 per day. Specialty camps, designed for specific skills or demographics, also will be offered June 15-Aug. 14. Prices range from $100 to $270, with times and dates varying by location and respective camp.

Visit lifetimefitness.com or call 702-228-2611.

BounceU

BounceU, 1000 Stephanie Place, plans to offer summer camp sessions June 8 through Aug. 21 for children 3 to 13. Each week has a different theme, such as superhero week or all-star sports, and includes arts and crafts, games and bouncing.

Each week costs $159, with a 10 percent discount for siblings or multi-week reservations. Visit bounceu.com or call 702-735-5867.

Ranch Adventure Camp with Horses4Heroes

Horses4Heroes, a national nonprofit equestrian military service group at Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs, 9200 Tule Springs Road, is set to hold Ranch Adventure Camp from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday from June 8-Aug. 21 for children 4 to 12.

The 11-week summer camp is set to include ranching, hiking, farming, learning the fundamentals of horsemanship and bowling at Santa Fe Station every Wednesday.

Admission is $300 per week with a $25 sibling discount and includes lunch on Fridays. The price for members who have an immediate active-duty family member is $200 per week with a $25 sibling discount.

Those who sign up by May 1 will receive 50 percent off for an additional child or an additional week with one full-paid enrollment.

In addition, a Specialty Horse Camp for advanced beginner and intermediate riders ages 8 to 15 is offered.

Campers are set to participate in traditional camp activities with their own schedule to allow more time with their assigned horse. Different themes will be offered, including English, Western, Games with Horses and Trail Riding.

Each camp will be $400 for Horses4Heroes members, $450 for Ranch members and $500 for nonmembers per person, with a $50 sibling discount.

“Kids have a lot of fun here,” said Sydney Knott, founder of the organization. “This is a new environment for a lot of children, and it gives them a chance to explore nature while learning about animals.”

Visit theranchlasvegas.com.

Extra Innings Las Vegas

Extra Innings Las Vegas, an indoor baseball facility at 7200 Montessouri St., Suite 190, plans full-day camps from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and half-day camps from 8:30 a.m. to noon June 15-Aug. 1. Baseball and softball enthusiasts ages 6 to 12 are set to participate in simulated home run derby games, arts and crafts and play wiffle ball and dodgeball.

Visit extrainnings-lasvegas.com or call 702-331-5270.

Tarkanian Basketball Academy

The Tarkanian Basketball Academy, 2730 S. Rancho Drive, is set to offer summer camps with training, games and drills. Watch for details on pricing and times to be released at tarkbball.com/basketball-camps or call 702-871-0096.

PERFORMING ARTS

Camp Broadway

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, 861 Symphony Park Ave., plans to offer Camp Broadway for the fourth year. Two signature programs are planned for ages 6 to 9 and 10 to 17.

Camp Broadway is designed for theater-loving students seeking an authentic Broadway experience The musical theater camp taps the talent of Broadway artists and performing arts partners to teach campers.

Classic Camp, for ages 10 to 17, features musical theater programming June 15-19. Shining Stars Camp, for ages 6 to 9, features five half days — with a choice of morning or afternoon sessions — of musical theater creative play June 22-26.

Both programs are led by trained Broadway professionals who will guide students in learning scenes and songs from Broadway’s most famous productions. Both camps are open to students of all skill levels with no previous experience necessary.

Shining Stars Camp is $450, and Classic Camp is $695. Children are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, and space is limited.

Visit thesmithcenter.com/campbroadway.

Charleston Heights Arts Center

The Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St., plans summer dance camps for youths 12 to 18 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays, July 13-24.

Classes in beginning, intermediate and advanced ballet, contemporary dance and hip-hop are planned. Fees range from $40 for two-day classes to $70 for three-day classes.

A camp performance is scheduled for 6 p.m. July 24. Dance attire is required.

Visit artslasvegas.org and select “Youth Camps” or call 702-229-6383.

Rainbow Company Youth Theatre

The Rainbow Company Youth Theatre is set to offer two-week conservatories from June 15-26 at the Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St.

Camps are planned from 8 a.m. to noon weekdays for children 8 to 11 and 1 to 5 p.m. for youths 12 to 16.

The cost is $225, and registration is required.

Visit artslasvegas.org and select “Youth Camps” or call 702-229-6553.

OTHER CAMPS

Safekey

Safekey summer camps are popular, so space is limited. Camp is planned from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday for children 6 to 12 (campers may be age 5 if kindergarten has been completed).

Available sites are open to all students with no zoning restrictions. Participants are required to bring a lunch and two snacks that do not require heating or refrigeration.

The cost is $15 per day. Field trips may require an additional fee. Participants attending field trips must wear a summer camp T-shirt that can be purchased for $4. CCAP (child care assistance) through Urban League is accepted (parent must provide certificate).

Visit tinyurl.com/safekeycamp or call 702-455-8251.

Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada

Ducktail Day Camp is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 8 through Aug. 7 at 2941 Harris Ave. Campers are set to explore science, technology, engineering, arts and math. They are also slated to take part in geocaching, letterboxing, robotics and hear guest speakers.

The cost for participants in kindergarten through fifth grade is $159 for members and $189 for nonmembers. The cost for sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders is $70 for members and $100 for nonmembers. Visit girlscoutsnv.org.

Children’s Learning Adventure

Children’s Learning Adventure North Las Vegas, 3470 W. Ann Road, plans to offer summer camps for children 5 to 13.

The Our Learning Adventure Passport-themed summer camp is planned to take participants on “world-wide adventures as they explore across the globe” and experience traditions, cultural games and foods.

Children with theatrical interests can experience Picture Paradise, while inquisitive children can enjoy Laboratory Lagoon to reinforce problem solving skills, analytic skills and classifying skills. The Art Studio offers skills for self-expression and communication. A weekly thematic-based celebration is planned to incorporate each travel destination.

The schedule includes full- and part-time programs.

Visit childrenslearningadventure.com or call 702-389-6133.

Springs Preserve

The Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd., plans day camps from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, June 8-Aug. 21.

The camps are designed for children ages 6 to 12 and are set to feature new learning- and nature-based adventure themes every week. Dinosaurs, animal safari, under the sea, Mojave music and superheroes and villains are among planned themes. Campers are also set to swim Fridays at the YMCA.

The cost is $200 per week for members or $225 a week for nonmembers. Extended care is set to be available from 6:30 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6:30 p.m. for an additional $50. Registration is required and ongoing. Campers who register by April 30 can save $10 a week on session fees.

Visit springspreserve.org or call 702-822-7700.

Southern Highlands Preparatory School

Southern Highlands Preparatory School, 11500 Southern Highlands Parkway, plans summer camp programs for children 5 to 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays.

Half-day camps are also offered from 9 a.m. to noon or noon to 3 p.m. Extended care is set to be available from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and from 3 to 5:30 p.m.

Camp fees are $200 per week for five full days and an additional $50 for those who need extended care. Half-day camps are $150. A $50 registration fee is also required.

The school is also set to host one-week sessions of Challenger Sports’ British Soccer Camp, a national sports development program for children ages 3 to 12.

Visit southernhighlandsprep.com or call 702-617-6030.

Discovery Children’s Museum

Registration is open for summer camps at the Discovery Children’s Museum, 361 Symphony Park Ave. Sign up by June 8 to receive 15 percent off.

The museum’s summer camp programs are presented by museum educators and focus on arts and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) activities, where creative expression, scientific pursuits or the art of solving a mystery are options for summer-time learning and exploration.

Weekly camps sessions are for July 6-31. Sessions are available from 8 a.m. to noon or 1 to 5 p.m. for children 6 to 9 and 10 to 12. A wide variety of camp themes are available, including Physics Fun, Grossology, Exploring Creativity and Art and Rockin’ Rockets.

Camp prices are $180 per weekly camp session for a half day. Lunch care also is available. For schedules, descriptions and registration information, visit discoverykidslv.org/camp. To register, call 702-382-5437.

* To add a camp, contact View editor Lisa Valentine at lvalentine@viewnews.com.