Although there’s often still a chill in the air, it’s already time to start thinking about your family’s summer plans. How do you want your kids to spend their time off from school? Need a specialty activity or just a regular week in the country? We try to help you sort through some of your many options with the help of a few neighborhood kids. Some camps and classes are located in the Cliff and some are not, but all come highly recommended from area families. No matter what your kids love, we hope you’ll be able to find an activity to capture their imagination.
The Culture Maven
Dallas Museum of Art Camps June 11-Aug 10, week-long sessions,
2-3 hour classes. Ages 4-12. $135-$230. Classes range from general like “ABCs of Art” to more specific like “Digital Storybook” and “Photography.” Dallas Museum of Art. 214-922-1822, www.dm-art.org.
CampAsia at the Crow Museum of Asian Art June and July, M-F, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Classes for ages 6-10. $100 members, $150 non-members. The Trammell and Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art is offering workshops for children exploring the arts and cultures of Asia. The all-day camp will provide a variety of adventures in music, theater, art, folklore and dance from various countries. 214-979-6435, education@crowcollection.org.
Ice House Cultural Center June 30, July 7, 14, 21, 2-4 p.m. Ages 6 and up; family participation encouraged. Classes offered include Mexican Folk Art Drop-In Art Activities with Cesar and Rosalba Morales. 20 students per session; reservations required. Further offerings: www.dallasculture.org/icehouseculturalcenter.cfm, 214-
670-7524.
French and Spanish Summer Language Institute June 11-July 20, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; half-days also available. Ages 3-10. $120-$240. Intense 3- to 6-week program immerses students in language through fun activity (including crafts, gymnastics and yoga) rather than a strict emphasis on grammar. Dallas International School. 6039 Churchill Way, 972-991-6379, language-ed.org.
Anthropology Camp at the International Museum of Cultures July, 9 a.m.-Noon. Grades K-6. $50. At the only anthropology camp for children in the southwest, campers will spend a day in a different country and culture each day of camp. 7500 W. Camp Wisdom Road. 972-708-7537, www.international museumof cultures.org.
The Director
Camp Broadway July 16-27, 9 a.m.- Noon.
1st graders who can read-8th graders. $75. Children rehearse and perform a play specially written for them. Space extremely limited; applications available in May. Oak Cliff Presbyterian Church.
FREE Junior Players Summer Theater Camp June 11-23 and July 9-21, 2 hrs/day. Ages 7-14. FREE. Area Dallas Recreational Centers including Kidd Springs. www.juniorplayers.org/programs.
Dallas Children’s Theater Camps May 29-Aug 17, full and half day, 1 and 2 week sessions. Ages 3 1/2 years-teens. $80-$525. Camps focus on musical theater, acting and movie making; older students study more specific techniques. 214-978-0110, www.dct.org.
Kamp Hollywood July 23-27, 9 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. Ages 10-18. $600, payment plan available. Introduces campers to the film and television industries, from acting to production. Campers leave with a copy of their own video short. The Studio at Las Colinas. www.movieinstitute.com/kamp_hollywood_.htm.
Studio Arts Dallas June, July and August, 2-hour sessions. Ages 3-5, 6-8, 9+, teens. $155-$185. Classes focus on imagination and creativity through drawing, painting, sculpting, cartooning and various exploratory methods. 10051 Shoreview Road. 214-827-1222, www.studioartsdallas.com.
The Whirling Dervish
Mountain View College Sports Camps June and July, hour and half-day sessions. Ages 5 and up. $45. Various sports camps including basketball, football, soccer and swimming (swimming classes for ages 6 months and up). 214-860-8835, www.econnect.dcccd.edu.
SOTE Dance and Gymnastics June and July, 1 week sessions. Times and tuition TBA. Ages 2 and up. Fairytale Dance Camp and Gymnastics camps offered based on interest. Focus on ballet technique, gross motor skills, basic gymnastics positions, skills and flexibility. Corner of Edgefield and Stewart. Email to express interest: dance contact, Lisa Cabaniss, lisadance5678@hotmail.com; gymnastics contact, Nikki Cotten, SOTEgymnastics@hotmail.com.
Bishop Dunne Sports Camps June, July and August. K-12 Grade. $50-$125. Offerings include basketball, football, volleyball and wrestling. 3900 Rugged Drive. www.bdhs.org/athletics.
ASI Gymnastics June, July and August. 8 a.m.-6 p.m, half-days also available. Ages 3-18. $140. Kids enjoy gymnastics, games and crafts. Time blocks are purchased in advance and may be redeemed as desired. 11835 Greenville Ave. 972-671-5510, www.asigymnastics. com.
Moffat Soccer Camp June, July and August. Half- and full-day options, week-long sessions. Ages 4-16. $75-$150. Basic to advanced soccer skills with professional coaching. 972-699-3653, www.soccermoffat.com.
The Naturalist
Dallas Zoo and Aquarium Animal Adventure Summer Camps June and July, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. After-care available. Week-long sessions. Grades K-7. $185-$250. Campers learn hands-on about animal habitat, care and conservation. Fair Park. 214-670-7496, www.dallaszooed.com/kidcamps/anim_adventure.htm.
Dallas Arboretum June, July and August, half- and full-day options. Ages 4-12. $90-$140. Spend time outdoors with various activities from hikes and crafts to creative adventures. 8525 Garland Road. 214-515-6540, www.dallasarboretum.org/Learn/Summer_Camp.htm
YMCA June, July and August, numerous half- and full-day, week- and 2-week-long sessions available. Ages 4-13. $90-$380. All branches offer summer camps, but Town North gets highest recommendations from area families. Numerous camp options include swimming and various sports, horseback riding, hiking, crafts. 4332 Northaven. 214-357-8431, www.townnorthymca.org. Oak Cliff YMCA: 6701 South Hampton Road, 214-330-6321, www.oakcliffymca.org.
SMU Dino Mania June 4-8, 9 a.m.-Noon. Grades 1-3. $179. Learn all about dinosaurs through various hands-on activities. SMU also offers numerous other academic and arts classes. www.smu.edu/continuing_education/youth/summerfun/index.asp.
Archaeology at the Museum of Science and Nature July 30-Aug 3, Ages 4-12. $165-$180. Camp focusing on Dinosaurs and Fossils also available from June 11-15. 1318 Second Ave. 214-428-5555, www.natureandscience.org/kids/camp_programs.asp.
The Mad Scientist
CSI Cold Case Camp at the Museum of Nature and Science July 30-Aug 3, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Ages 13-15. $165-$180. Other camps available for various age groups. 1318 Second Ave. 214.428.5555, www.natureandscience.org/kids/camp_programs.asp.
Dallas Heritage Village History Camps June, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m., week-long sessions. Ages 6-14. $150-$175. Camps invite children to explore history with all of their senses. Campers will create, imagine, play, and learn in one of a kind historical village. 1515 South Harwood. 214- 413-3671, www.oldcitypark.org/SummerCamps.aspx.
Chaotic Chemisty June 18-22, 9 a.m.- Noon. or 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Grades 3-5. $179. Love explosions? Students study them up-close in a safe environment and learn about chemical reactions. www.smu.edu/continuing_education/youth/summerfun/index.asp.
Build-Your-Own Warbot Science Camp Starting June 4, week-long sessions. Ages 9 and up (ages 6-8 may attend with some restrictions). 8:45 a.m.-4:15 p.m. $100-$140 plus materials fees. Learn electrical and mechanical skills to build machines, rockets and warbots. Kenetic Learning Center, Heights Park Center, 711 W. Arapaho. 972-744-9850, www.kinetic-learning-center.com/camp2.ivnu.
