Summer camps aren’t just about kids pranking hapless adult counselors, like in the movies. They offer opportunities for children to stay active, enhance their skills, and maybe learn a little something
It’s a venerable tradition: summer camp for the kids. A chance to introduce your littles to new experiences, help them find a passion, push back on the summer doldrums, and get them out of your hair for a dang minute. There are many camps put on by many government and civic entities; here are a few that will keep your kids active, thinking, and creative.
YMCA
It’s fun to stay at — well, you know. Curriculum-focused camps include sports, science, travel specialty, preschool, and traditional camp. Operating at all four YMCA valley locations. Ages 5-15, 7a-6p, Monday-Friday, May 29-Aug. 10, $155/week, 702-476-6741, lasvegasymca.org
Broadway Kids Academy
Offering a wide variety of performance-skill lessons, this camp — operating in Henderson, Summerlin and Centennial Hills — gives kids a chance to dabble in singing, dancing, and acting. Operating for much of the summer for several age groups and price ranges; see website for full details. broadwaykidsacademy.com
Bricks for Kidz
Kids and Lego bricks at a day camp sounds like a great formula. This camp offers different activities in addition to brick building, such as laser tag, indoor soccer, and more technical STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) option available that utilizes building, coding, and designing. Operating summer camps in five valley locations. Information at bricks4kidz.com, 225-$375/week, 702-204-5515
Lee Canyon
Sponsored by Clark County, Lee Canyon will host two overnight camps in June for different age groups, adjusting the itinerary appropriately. Omni Camp (ages 8-12, June 10-15, $550) is a more all-around camp featuring a week of art, science, and outdoor nature activities in log cabins. On the Edge Camp (Ages 13-15, June 17-22, $550) is focused on a deeper outdoor experience that includes a proper tent camp-out under the stars for one night, as well as other outdoor camp athletics like archery, mountain biking, and hiking. 702-455-1911, camplee@clarkcountynv.gov
Discovery Children’s Museum
From learning code to practicing fine arts to delving into biology, each week of June offers something for kids at the Discovery Children’s Museum, on top of an hour of free play in the museum before it opens. Ages 6-9, 9a-2p, Monday-Friday, June 4-29, $220/week, 702-382-0592, discoverykidslv.org
Clark County Parks
These day camps operate at four recreation centers dotting the valley. They include a range of activities from painting and crafts to playing sports to enjoying movies and drama skits with friends. Ages 6-12, 7a-6p, Monday-Friday, May 29-August 10, $18/day or $85/week, Desert Breeze Community Center, Paradise Recreation Center, Hollywood Recreation Center, and Whitney Recreation Center, 702-455-8200, ccparks@clarkcountynv.gov
Springs Preserve
With a different theme every week throughout the summer, kids will always be on their toes. Making great use of the locale, in addition to games, projects, and activities, the museum will offer a wonderful Southern Nevada learning experience. Ages 6-12, 9a-4p, Mondays-Fridays, June 4-August 10, $225/week ($200 for Springs Preserve members), 702-822-7700, springspreserve.org/events
Mad Science
Whether using its “Brixology” program to build and tinker with Lego bricks or using pulleys and levers to understand how things move, Mad Science promotes STEM in its summer camps. Two weeks offered at the Springs Preserve and one week offered in Henderson. Grades K-6, 225-$300/week, madscience.org (must create an account on website to register)