Kingston area summer camps open for registration

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Aah summer — a time when the sun shines bright, the days are long, and the kids are always underfoot! Local summer camps are already open for registration to help you entertain your kiddos over the long summer months… and maybe get some time to yourself, too!

From acting camps and stage management intensives, to sports, trampoline skills, and science exploration, area organizations are excited and ready to have fun with your kids! Take a look at some of the options for Kingston and area kids this summer:

Classic camps at the YMCA:

Anyone who has attended summer camp knows that these memories stay with us: the friends we made, the games we played, the skills we learned. Beyond happy memories, kids at YMCA summer camps learn Y values of caring, honesty, responsibility, inclusion, and respect.

YMCA summer camps are loads of fun, and children earn value beads at the camp, which not only enforce great behaviours, but also give kids lots to talk about at suppertime, according to Colleen Gareau, Director of Marketing and Communications for YMCA of Eastern Ontario.

“Parents love Y camps!” Gareau continued. “One parent said ‘The leaders were responsible, intuitive, and fun. Both of my children… got along well with their peers, enjoyed their day, and seemed to make marked personal character growth. The beads are a unique and excellent motivator.’”

This year’s camps include cycling, fitness, sports, arts, dance, and urban exploration. Camps run Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Extended care is available from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 5:30 p.m. at no extra cost.

For information or to register, visit: https://eo.ymca.ca/onlineregistration or contact the YMCA at [email protected] or 613-546-2647 ext 0.

Keep the kids learning with STEAM camps:

Kingston STEAMworks summer camp is back this summer! A week at STEAMworks is filled with fun experiments, outdoor activities, and learning.

STEAMworks summer camp will be running camp for children ages 6 to 12 this year, from the week of July 4 to the week of August 11. If your child loves STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) activities and wants to spend their summer learning more and making new friends with similar interests, STEAMworks summer camp is the place for them! Campers will have the opportunity to participate in activities such as making elephant toothpaste, escape rooms, and creating their very own lava lamps. 

Additionally, STEAMworks is looking for enthusiastic volunteers and counsellors! Any inquiries about the camp or to submit a resume and cover letter to be considered for a position, contact [email protected].

STEAMworks summer camp takes place at 4 Cataraqui Street. Learn more about Kingston STEAMworks on their website.

From sports to arts, BGC camps do it all:

BGC has a full summer of camps planned for area children. Their week-long summer camps feature diverse and educational activities, from sports and games to arts and science, for guaranteed fun!

The fun and educational camps for children from 4 to 12 years old will be available at nine sites across the Kingston area. Locations with available registration include Loyalist, Kingston East, Harrowsmith, and Napanee. These camps are loved by kids and parents alike:

“All I have to say is my son was cheerful when I picked him up and NEVER complained about having to go back the following day. He was nervous to go on his first day but the counselors clearly eased his worries and made him feel welcome. I am very happy with the experience he has had at your camp! Thank you!” shared the parent of a 2022 participant.

BGC South East summer camps begin July 4, 2023, for children ages 4 to 12. Camp hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and run until the week of August 25, 2023.

For more information, including where camps will take place this summer, or to register for camp visit https://www.bgcsoutheast.ca/.

Arts and music abound at Launchpoint Academy camps:

Blue Canoe’s Launchpoint Academy offers various summer programs for youth ages 6 to 17. All camps will take place in their brand-new studio in central Kingston, located at 1296 Bath Road!

• Visual Art and Musical Theatre Camps for ages 6 to 12 will balance fun and games with engaging workshops and learning opportunities.
• Performance Intensives engage students in vocal technique, dance techniques, and acting while rehearsing a musical, which will be performed on the final day of the intensive.
• Production and Leadership Intensives provide artistic and leadership opportunities outside of performing. These intensives will include workshops teaching all aspects of behind-the-scenes. Participants will then put these new skills to work by joining a production team for a musical.
• Free Leader In Training Program! Learn to be a Leader while volunteering at a Camp. Learn valuable communication skills, patience, responsibility, initiative and so much more! The week will be comprised of working with the counselors of the camp to ensure success, as well as learning activities, to strengthen your skills. The week will conclude with a certificate of completion. These 40 hours count toward high-school volunteer hours.

Details on all summer camp and Intensive opportunities are available on the Blue Canoe Website. Questions? Email Cameron at [email protected].

Burn off that summer energy with a trampoline camp:

The sky is the limit at the Kingston Aeros Trampoline Club! With eight Olympic trampolines, two double-mini trampolines, and professional coaching staff, kids will have a great time learning trampoline skills, strengthening their muscles, and burning off that summer energy.

“Our summer camps are VERY popular and participants come back every year, sometimes for multiple weeks! We always have a waiting list, too,” said Melinda McLean, Head Recreational Coach & Club Administrator. “Participants spend the mornings with Aeros coaches learning various skills in small groups. After lunch, games and other activities take place before spending more time on the trampolines until the end of the day! Coaches are adept at adjusting their coaching techniques to suit the learning styles and physical differences of everyone. Participants make friends during the week and many return for our recreational classes.”

Kingston Aeros day camps run Monday to Friday for participants 4 to 12 years old. Camp hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with extended hours available for a small fee. Half-day camps are also available.

Learn more about the Aeros summer camp program on their website.

With so many camps running this year, how will you choose? With eight weeks of summer, maybe your kids can try a few. Each one is sure to be fun and educational — and will get the kids out of the house!

This article is sponsored content. The businesses above paid a fee to be included in this article. If you would like to be featured in upcoming articles of this nature, email [email protected].