This post is sponsored by Scouting America but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend brands we genuinely love.
"We know the winter chill is looming and summer still feels far away, but it will be here before we know it. We’re already planning how to keep the kids entertained during the long, sunny days, and we’re sure you’ve thought about it, too. Whether you have a fun-filled, packed calendar or you plan on taking it easy, having the kids home all day will most likely test your patience. No matter how many arts and crafts, DIY projects, adventures, and play dates you set up for them, you will most likely hear “I’m bored” at multiple points during the summer.
While routines tend to go by the wayside during the summer months, summer camps are a wonderful way to reintroduce some structure into the day. No matter your child’s interests, there are an array of summer camp options that can suit their personalities and passions. Even though it may feel a little early to research camps, we all know how quickly they fill up, so it’s worth preparing ahead of time. While the majority of summer camp options are city-specific, we’ve rounded up the most popular national summer camps that children from all over the country can attend.
Scouting America
Scouting America stands out as an amazing option for parents seeking a camp experience that balances those traditional outdoor adventures with modern-day skills and learning. While many may think of Scouting as just camping, fishing, and hiking, it truly does offer so much more. From building self-sufficiency and kindness as Cub Scouts to exploring topics like rocketry, robotics, and coding as they progress, Scouts develop life skills that will last through adulthood. As a parent-volunteer-led program that encourages parent involvement, families can rest assured that their littles are well cared for, whether attending a monthly meeting or embarking on big events.
What makes Scouting America particularly special is its flexibility, making it a great fit for families with jam-packed schedules. The Scouting Program runs throughout the year, so their wide range of activities (like rocket launches and the iconic Pinewood Derby) are conveniently spread out. This flexibility ensures that children get the most out of the program without overwhelming family commitments. Beyond the outdoor fun, Scouting America fosters teamwork, confidence, and a love of learning that’s nurtured as they grow—an ideal option for any family dynamic.
Find a Cub Scout Pack near you to learn more!
The YMCA
Chances are there is a YMCA in the city you live in (or relatively nearby). This organization is a community staple and therefore often gets overlooked. The YMCA has been providing workshops, classes, and summer camps for children of all ages for generations. Once touted as out-of-date, the YMCA has evolved significantly with the times and has transformed into an organization that is relevantly providing the best resources for the community.
YMCAs are also relatively affordable, making them a much more suitable option for working families. As we all know, finding quality childcare within the budget of most double-income households is no easy feat—it’s nice to have the Y on our side.
Kids That Do Good
Encourage your child to experience the joy of giving back by volunteering their time to local charities. Not only will their days be spent doing productive work, but they’ll learn the importance of gratitude and the necessary skills to empathize with others.
Volunteering is a great way to show kids what it means to be a civically responsible citizen and what it feels like to do things that benefit your community as a whole. And, developing the habit of volunteer work when your kids are young can help to promote a greater social awareness as they get older.
Camp Fire
Camp Fire has built a truly unique program for young children that centers on four main principles: helping children find their “spark,” or their special offerings and interests as individuals, developing a growth mindset that promotes pushing past obstacles, learning goal management, and taking time to reflect in a purposeful way. If these values are important to your family, they will undoubtedly be reinforced in a meaningful way at Camp Fire.
Your child will be encouraged to unplug from technology for a full week (or more!) and explore, grow, make new friends, gain confidence, and make powerful memories that will last a lifetime. This camp also provides specific programs for children with special needs, children with autism, youth who are refugees, and LGBTQ camps.
Space Camp
Established in 1982, this camp is the ultimate STEM experience for children who want to take their desire for exploration to the next level. All budding astronauts get the opportunity to embark on mission scenarios that require dynamic problem-solving and critical thinking—skills that are useful in all areas of life.
Since young kids tend to be extremely passionate about their interests, a specialized camp like this is a wonderful way to encourage their wildest dreams. And, for those of us who may have put our wildest dreams on the back burner for most of our adult lives, guess what? There are camp options for adults and whole families as well.
The Humane Society
While not the first organization that may come to mind for summer camp, local chapters of the Humane Society could be the perfect summer activity for animal-loving kids. The organization’s mission is to fight all forms of animal cruelty to achieve the vision behind their name: a humane society.
Kids will gain further appreciation and respect for animals from hands-on learning to care for dogs, cats, and other small animals. Plus, participate in animal-themed crafting and games. Check to see if your local Humane Society has camp opportunities for school-age kids.
This article was originally published in April 2019. It has been updated for timeliness.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gabriela Garcia, Contributing Writer
Gabriela is a Chicago-based writer, mom-of-two, and founder of The Beauty Edit. She loves to cook food that her children don’t eat and pretends to be a bibliophile when in reality she’s a Bravo TV and chip addict.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
McKenna Pringle, Branded Content Editorial Assistant
Ever since she began her editorial work and interned for The Everymom during college, McKenna’s dedication to this field and drive to gain as much knowledge as possible has only continued to grow day by day. She draws from her experiences as a nanny and passion for topical conversations to write thoughtful pieces on news, entertainment, culture, and lifestyle.
This post is sponsored by Scouting America but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend brands we genuinely love.