Kids love to camp, and summer is the perfect time to go for it. But where? And when? With those questions in mind, we’ve compiled a list of experiences to explore.
Aaron Family Jewish Community Center
One longstanding local favorite is the Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, with camps open June 7 through August 5. Dallas J camps consist of Camp Chai, with different daytime options including gymnastics, sports, tennis, and theater. Camp Simchah is designed for younger children, while Teen Travel Camp is for older kids. jdallascamps.org
YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas
The distinction of being the largest provider of summer camp options belongs to the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas, which serves almost 200,000 people annually via programs, outreach, and events throughout the region. Summer day camps are created for ages 3-12. Picturesque Camp Grady Spruce on Lake Possum Kingdom is designed for ages 6-16, while the Collin County Adventure Camp program is for ages 5-13 (with both daytime and overnight options) and features canoeing, archery, zip lining, and more. ymcadallas.org
Elite University Summer Camp
Elite University Summer Camp is another opportunity for summertime camps for kids. Camp Richardson provides kids with horseback riding, rock wall climbing, archery, Lego robotics, veterinary science, fencing, karate, culinary arts, and mixed media art. The location is easily accessible to Park Cities families. elitesummercamps.com
Club SciKidz
Dallas day camp Club SciKidz is all about science. They provide hands-on activities in veterinary medicine, robotics, forensics, video game creation, engineering, chemistry and biology, astronomy, oceanography, emergency medicine, and special effects, all designed to meet the needs of children ages 4-13. clubscikidzdallas.com
Pickleball Central
Another option for Park Cities kids and parents is pickleball. In March, the University Park city council consolidated the courts at Williams Park making it “pickleball central.” With six courts dedicated exclusively to the hot recreational pastime, there are a variety of leagues and other options. uptexas.org
Adventure Guides
Looking ahead to the fall and next Spring, here is one not to miss. Dallas area fathers, and their children, will tell you about an important rite of passage: the Y’s Adventure Guides program (formerly known as Indian Princess and Indian Guides). It has been a cornerstone of the organization’s mission to put Christian values into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. Adventure Guides provides dads and their children unique opportunities for valuable time together twice a year. While his children are all grown, for local music composer Stephen Arnold, who grew up in the Park Cities, Adventure Guides campouts produced family memories that live on. “We played guitar and sang songs around the campfire many times,” he says. “We still talk about the fun we had in those years!” ymcadallas.org
Making memories each summer is an important part of growing up. And with all of the options in Dallas, the hottest months of the year always offer some of the coolest experiences. Ready?
Photography courtesy of YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas, Elite University, Aaron Family Jewish Community Center
