Summer Kids Camp Ideas for the Cypress/Houston Area

“Mom, I’m bored.”  Ever heard that?  Me too!  Though this can’t be an absolute guarantee to prevent those words from being spoken – it may give some options.

Sometimes the summer planning in itself can be overwhelming for us moms – been there, done that!  So thought I’d put together a quick list of websites and ideas to help in that summer planning.

Most everything below, we’ve either been a part of in the past, or will plan to in the near future.  Many of these great places have week long day camp options and others offer fun for the day.

Of course, we can’t do it all, don’t try, it’s too much – we usually choose a few to focus on every summer.  Many of you might find that simply one week of any camp for the summer is enough for your child.  Others may fill the summer with camp fun – just do what fits your family.

We always go to VBS – it’s free, it’s fun, and we would love to invite you to be a part of it this year!  Many churches have great VBS programs, find one that’s close to you that fits what you believe in.

We usually let our kids choose a several more camps to enjoy, maybe a sports camp and also a drama/arts/music camp.  Or, if they’re old enough, a week long summer camp – away – is great fun for them and an adventure to look forward!

Please feel free to add your own recommendations here – this is not an exhaustive list – lots more out there & some new places that have recently opened up too!

Please check out the previous post on “Top 20 List of Fun Family Things to Do in Houston this Summer” for more ideas and websites of places you might be interested in visiting.

1.  Vacation Bible School

VBS – at Second Baptist – It’s coming soon!

Don’t miss VBS/VBX 2013 with Major Steko and his video game friends as they learn the value of the armor of God.  For those in the Cypress area, join us at the Berry Center July 22-25th for this adventure!
Online registration now open and Moms, its Free!
Go to: http://www.second.org/Cypress/Events.aspx

South Campus and West Campus – July 15 – 18th

Woodway Campus and Cypress Campus – July 22nd – 25th   www.second.org

2.  Summer Camps

Pine Cove Camps – www.pinecove.com  – They have overnight camps for older kids, day camps for K-6th grade, and offer some base camps in the Houston area too!

Second Baptist Next Level Camp – Carolina Creek – June 24th – 28thth – for students going into the 4th and 5th grades – a TON of fun!  Water games, zip lines, crazy skits, awesome music – it’s always a great week – Dawson has LOVED being a part of these years of camp.  It will fill up fast, so get your registration forms in quickly!  http://www.second.org/Cypress/Events.aspx

Second Baptist 6th Grade Camp – Carolina Creek – August 5th – 9th – for students going into the 6th grade – MORE fun!  Daws is looking forward to joining many of his buddies for this awesome week.  Sign up is now open!  http://www.second.org/Cypress/Events.aspx

3.  Sports Camps & Facilities

Sports Quest Soccer Camp – http://www.sportsquesttraining.com/  – Awesome soccer camps led by pro athletes!  They not only teach great soccer skills, but focus on character values as well, this was one of Noah’s favorite camps ever!

Sandlot Sports – http://www.sandlot-sports.com/ – We’ve been there to play but not for a camp yet, great facility.

Triathlon Events for Kids – http://www.trifind.com/gs_kids/KidsTriathlons.html?state=tx – We’ve been a part of the Cypress Bridgeland Tri – so much fun!

YMCA – http://www.ymcahouston.org/cypress-creek/ and http://www.ymcahouston.org/langham-creek/ – Both offer so many camp, sports, and swimming options for the whole summer!  Skateboard park located at the Langham Creek facility.

Cypress Academy of Gymnastics – www.cypressacademy.com – they’ve always had one day options for kids to attend during the summer, but this year, they’re offering week long camps for gymnastics too.

Fleet Swimming – www.fleetswimming.com – If you’re looking for week long or 2 week options, this is a great facility.  Like many of you, we’ve continued to enjoy being a part of our neighborhood’s summer swim team program, but have gone to Fleet for swim lessons and know a lot of kids who swim there competitively, year round.

4.  Drama Camps

Houston Family Arts Center – http://www.houstonfac.com/#!summer-2013/c1vk5 – Great place for fun and valuable training in acting, dance, and musical theater, we love HFAC and it’s right here in Cypress!  They offer a huge selection of 1 week and 3 weeks camps, with a show at the end of the week.

Humphreys School of Musical Theater – http://www.tuts.com/Education/HumphreysSchoolofMusicalTheatre/tabid/80/Default.aspx – Gracie recently did a Spring class here and had a great time!  They also do the week long camps with a show at the end of each week.  Most all of the camps are from well-known musical and Disney themes.

Alley Theater – http://www.alleytheatre.org/Alley/PlayMaker_Summer.asp – Love the Alley!  Great training for your little actor. (:

AD Players – http://adplayers.org/taasummer.html – Haven’t done a class there or been a part of show with AD Players, but love what they do and what they stand for.

5.  Art Camps

Color Me Mine – http://www.cypress.colormemine.com/ – Have been to a party here before, what a great place.  Just saw that they have summer camps for your artists in the family.

6.  Music Camps

Cy-Fair Music and Arts – http://www.cyfairmusicandarts.com/ – this is where Dawson has been taking drum lessons, and he loves it.  It’s a great place, very professional with well trained teachers in a kid friendly environment.  They offer camps for all types of different music, in addition to art and drama.

Percussion One – http://www.percussionone.org/home.htm – for the older child or young teen – Percussion One will be offering different summer camps this year, stay tuned!  It may not be posted yet on the website.  They recently performed at Jones Hall before the Stomp Show, such a great group!

7.  Dance Camps

Dance Central – http://mydancecentral.com/ – Gracie has taken dance here for years with Mrs. Danielle, such a great, family-friendly place.  They usually offer some fun dance camps in July, stay tuned!

8.  Science and Fun Learning Camps

Little Beakers Science Lab – http://www.littlebeakers.com/ – Noah had his birthday party here this past year – wow – it was fantastic!  They offer times to come in for a few hours, for the day, or also hold camps in the summer.  Explosions…slime…fake snow…fun!

Harris County Public Library – http://www.hcpl.net/ – Most all of them offer story times for younger children and/or day camps for older kids.  Others offer special incentives for summer reading plans.

Cy Fair ISD summer fun day camps – http://www.cfisd.net/dept2/communityprograms/funcamps/Fun%20Camp%20Brochure%202013.pdf – for kids entering K-6th grades – so many options to choose from!  Sports, Water Fun, Arts, Dance, Cheer, Cooking, Science, Star Wars, Legos among many, many others!!!

Whatever you choose to do this summer – have a BLAST – make memories – and spend time with those most important to you!!!