Summer has arrived, and for parents and kids, that means a whole lot of time to fill. Luckily, local camps provide options to fit all sorts of interests. Robot-building? Check. Starring in a musical? Also check. Whether parents want their precious offspring to get active, get creative, get smart, or just get out of the house, there’s a camp for that. Spots fill quickly, especially for the long-established schools at the museums and the zoo, so give them a call or hop online fast to reserve a spot.
Tarrant County College, multiple campus locations, Tccd.edu/academics
Summer offerings at the community college cover the bases from college preparation to a dance academy. The college also offers several STEM-focused camps, including a “Girls Coding” camp for grades five through eight. Most STEM camps are designed for kids with no prior experience with computers or coding. The cost ranges from $200 to $350.
Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, 1600 Gendy St, 817-255-9333, Jun 10-Aug 8
Many of the museum’s summer offerings have filled up, but spots remain for some camps for ages 3 to 9. Prices for the four-day camps range from $160 for two-hour sessions to $325 for all day. Topics vary from space to the desert to “Crime Sleuths,” a forensics-based class for 7- to 9-year-olds.
Fort Worth Zoo, 1989 Colonial Pkwy, 817-759-7200, Jun 3-Aug 16
Zoo camp picks a different theme each week, giving parents the option to sign-up for multiple sessions. Kids can choose from options like safari to “Zoobusters,” a camp that hones in on the real-life animal inspirations behind mythical creatures. Camp costs $200 for half-day sessions and $260 for the full day. Older kids can also enjoy a zoo sleepover for $125.
River Legacy, 703 N.W. Green Oaks Blvd, Arlington, 817-860-6752, Jun 10-Jul 26
Kids can learn more about the wonders of nature at Arlington’s 1,300-acre urban oasis. Camp is for preschoolers to eighth graders. Tuition is $200 for a week of morning sessions for little ones and $250 for 9am-3pm sessions. River Legacy’s camps focus on everything from spiders to extreme outdoor adventures.
Fort Wonder Summer Camps, 4200 Country Day Ln, 817-302-3271, May 28-Aug 2
Fort Worth Country Day offers full-day themed summer camps. The summer kicks off with a superhero camp and closes out with space explorers. Day camps are for preschoolers to elementary school students. A few “specialty camps” are offered for older kids.
TCU, 3015 Merida Av, 817-257-7132, Jun 3-Aug 8
Forensics, digital game development, 3D printing – TCU offers impressive amounts of summer programming for elementary to high school students. Costs range from $200 to $600 for an all-day build-a-drone camp.
Kids Who Care, 1300 Gendy St, 817-737-5437, Jun 10-28
This Fort Worth theatre offers inclusive programming for kids of all abilities. This summer, the theatre will stage productions of Seussical and District XI: Believe in Me! Parents can choose two-week or three-week production sessions, ranging from $750 to $825. Kids can also take a one-week class from Jun 10 to 15 for $295.
YMCA Day Camp, multiple Tarrant County locations, Ymcafw.org/programs/child-care/summer-camp
The YMCA is a go-to for affordable summer fun. Parents can choose between classic “summer fun” camp, sports-specific camps, or leadership-focused teen camps. Visit the website to peruse the full options and locations.
Young Chefs Academy, 6333 Camp Bowie Blvd, 817-989-2433, Jun 3-Aug 2
Kids ages 7 to 14 can get in the kitchen and have a blast at Young Chefs Academy. The weeklong camps offer three-hour morning or afternoon sessions for $250. The skill changes every week, with options for baking and cooking.
Creative Soul Music School, 5236 S Hulen St, 817-677-8506, Jun 24-Jul 19
A child who’s musically inclined, or perhaps musically curious, can take advantage of these all-day weeklong camps. Facets include songwriting development and introduction to different instruments, and each camp caps off with a performance for friends and family. Tuition is $349.
Camp Fort Worth, community centers across the city, 817-392-5700, Fortworthtexas.gov/camp, Jun 10-Aug 9
The City of Fort Worth offers summer activities in a safe environment for area kids ages 5 to 13. Families must be community center members to enroll. Full-day camp (9am-3pm) costs $35 per week or $270 for the summer. Camps also feature field trips, to be announced.
