As the school year winds down, it's time to plan for the summer. Want to keep your youngsters busy and engaged? Check out these summer camp opportunities in the Capital City.
This is not a complete listing. If you know of other area summer camp opportunities, email details to [email protected].
RECREATION
JC Parks
The Jefferson City Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department has a packed schedule of youth day camps for the summer, all with a "Movie Adventures" theme.
Some of the many day camp options include: Aqua Adventures (water activities) at the Memorial Park pool, Camp Frost (ice rink activities) at Washington Park Ice Arena, Little Picassos (art lessons) at Green Berry Acres Park, Camp Wokka Wokka (arts/crafts, games, cookouts, nature study and field trips) at the McClung Park and Binder Adventures (outdoor recreation) at the Binder Park Pavilion.
Camps range in price from $100-$160.
For more details and a full list of camp dates and times, visit www.jcparks.com/activity/day-camps.
Registration is open until two weeks prior to the first day of camp and can be made through the JC Parks website, on the phone at 573-634-6482 or in person at The Linc, 1200 Lafayette St.
An online medical form will be required as part of registration.
Jefferson City YMCA
Summer camp season at the YMCA runs June 6-Aug. 12
Children from kindergarten through sixth grade can participate in the day camps, which include a variety of activities like field trips, camp assemblies, special guests and events, swimming, arts and crafts, weekly themes, science activities and lots of games.
Camp is from 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (closed July 4) with weekly fees of $110 for Y members and $130 for non-members.
Registration is now available with a $30 discount for those who register by Friday online or at the Knowles Y, 424 Stadium Blvd.
ART
Capital Arts
Elementary school-aged children will have several opportunities to get artsy this summer at Capital Arts, 1203 Missouri Blvd.
Seven week-long camps, which run from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. or 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday, are available for those ages 5 through sixth grade, depending on the camp. The weeks' themes include: Art Around the World from June 6-10; Art Explorers from June 13-17, June 20-24, July 11-15 and Aug. 8-12; Art Through History from June 27-July 1; and STEAM: Art and Science from July 18-22.
Parents are asked to send their young artists to camp with a sack lunch that doesn't require refrigeration. Camps are $200 per child; visit www.capitalarts.org/summer camps to register.
Art 101 on Boonville
With morning and afternoon sessions available Art 101, located at 101 Boonville Road, is offering a handful of summer art camps including Monster Mania from June 6-10 and July 11-15, Out of this World from June 13-18 and July 18-22, Creepy Crawly from June 20-24 and July 25-29, and Face-Off from June 27-July 1.
Camps are $135 for the week; visit www.art101jcmo.com to register.
THEATER
Capital City Productions
Capital City Productions is hosting two summer camps this year as part of its Theo's Thespians children's theater program.
In June, camp participants from third grade through entering 12th grade will have the opportunity to produce "The Little Mermaid JR" adapted from Disney's Broadway production and film. The camp runs from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. June 1 through July 1 at CCP, 719 Wicker Lane.
Campers will get the opportunity to experience the young mermaid Ariel's journey "under the sea" from several perspectives with classes on acting, music direction, choreography, special effect make-up (including how to make prosthetics), lighting and sound design, prop creation, costuming and back stage crew.
The camp will wrap up with two performances of the show, at 7 p.m. June 30 and July 1.
Auditions will be held within the camp.
Sarah Sicht is the show's director. Abbey Ordway is in charge of music, Curtis Sudduth is the choreographer, and Sarah Tannehill will do special effect make-up.
The camp costs $400.
In July, CCP's children's theater camp participants will put on "Frozen JR," based on the 2018 Broadway musical about true love and acceptance between sisters Princesses Anna and Elsa.
Auditions for the performance are from 2-5 p.m. July 17, and the camp runs Monday through Friday July 18-30 leading up to two performances, 7 p.m. July 29 and 1 p.m. July 30.
The camp runs from 8:30-11:30 a.m. for third- through fifth-graders and noon-4:30 p.m. for those in sixth grade through entering 12th grade. Classes include acting, music direction, choreography, lighting and sound design, prop creation, costuming and back stage crew.
"Frozen JR" will be directed by Troy Donehue with music from Sharman Banks, choreography from Markieth Robinson, and props and set by Tina Donehue.
The camp costs $300.
Registration is now open for both CCP camps by visiting www.ccpjc.org or calling 573-681-9612.
Stained Glass Theatre
Christian-based Stained Glass Theatre is hosting a children's summer C.A.M.P. -- Creative Arts Ministry Program -- June 20-24 for children in third through seventh grade.
The camp runs 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. with a break for lunch and snacks. Before- and after-camp care is available for an additional fee. Students will participate in acting and staging classes along with worship each day.
At the end of the week, campers will perform "A Not So Terrible Parable," a hilarious whodunit based on the story of the Good Samaritan. Solving the mystery means discovering just how far our Savior would go to rescue helpless sinners. Auditions for the play will be the first day of camp.
The camp costs $150, and registration is open until June 1. Forms can be picked up at the theater, 830 E. High St., or downloaded off the SGT website, www.sgtmidmo.org.
OTHER AREA CAMPS
Boys & Girls Club of Jefferson City
The local Boys & Girls Club is offering camp opportunities for elementary and teenaged students this summer.
The elementary camp runs 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday from June 6-Aug. 12 (closed July 4); on summer school days from June 6-30, camp is offered 3:30-7 p.m.
Camp, located at 1105 Lafayette St., is available for children entering first through sixth grade in the 2022-23 school year. It costs $75 a week or $35 a week for children on free/reduced priced lunch. There's a one-time $25 activity fee due the first week. A hot lunch, snacks, activity materials and a T-shirt are included in the cost.
Activities include sports and recreation, art, swimming and field trips, and STEM-based enrichment programs.
Summer teen camp is open to students going into seventh through 12th grades at the Boys & Girls Club's teen center on Lafayette Street. The camp runs 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. on non-summer school days June 6-July 1 and from 3:40-7 p.m. after summer school.
Students will have the opportunity to participate in 3D printing, spend time in a recording studio and go swimming and on field trips. Other available activities will help with college- or career-readiness.
Registration is now available and comes with a $25 fee.
To sign up for Boys & Girls Club camps or for more information, visit www.bgcjc.com or call 573-634-2582.
And also check out:
• Capitol Kids: Multipurpose gym Capitol Kids, 1911 Ford St., is planning a variety of summer camps for Ninja Warrior, cheerleading, aerial silks, acro and tumbling. For more information, email [email protected].
• LabSpace Robotics: Located in Capital Mall, 3600 Country Club Drive, LabSpace is offering a variety of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math-related summer camps and workshops for children. Half-day camps range from a few days to a week long and vary in cost from $125-$225. Camps start May 31 and run through the end of July with different options for children entering first grade through high school. Visit www.labspacerobotics.com for details.
• Vacation Bible schools: Many area churches offer vacation Bible school summer activities for local youth. Reach out to various churches for details.
Jason Strickland/News Tribune photo: The cast of “Schoolhouse Rock Live! JR.” rehearse "Do The Circulation" on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, at Capital City Productions. Summer campers will put on performances Friday and Saturday.
Julie Smith/News Tribune photo: Haley Ganey, 13, right, shows her sister Addison, 17, how to add beads to a yarn bracelet to finish it. Seated at left is Phoebe Cain, 7, who is working on a yarn bracelet. They were at Capital Arts Wednesday, April 6, 2022, for art camp. Instruction is by Lori Jobe, the recently named executive director, who is working with young students on a variety of projects, including straw knitting, chalk art and more.