2020 Summer Camp Guide from Chalkbeat
August 10, 2020Sky Barsch, Chalkbeat
2020 Summer Camp Guide from Chalkbeat was originally published by Chalkbeat, a nonprofit news organization covering public education. Sign up for their newsletters here: ckbe.at/newsletters”
Is your student looking for a way to stay engaged, keep learning or keep moving this summer?
Our summer camp guide has a roundup of virtual and in-person camps, plus links where you can learn more and register.
This is paid partnership with the participating camps below. Want to submit your listing? Click here to tell us about it.
A Glorious, Poetic Rage: Teen Writing Workshop
Explore and respond to the events that have occurred this year and the art that has been healing us through this challenging time: visual art, music, video, writing, etc., and interview artists who have been leading our cultural moment.
Dates: July 13 through 23
Ages: 14–18
Subject area or focus: Writing
Open to participants from anywhere
Cost: Free
Learn more
Adventure 2 Learning Virtual Summer Camp
Summer camps closed due to COVID-19? Need something fun and educational for your kids to do this summer? Help them make the most of their break with our interactive virtual summer camp, bringing you on-demand content, LIVE expert instruction, and supporting offline materials to facilitate growth and understanding all summer long!
Dates: June 22 through Aug. 8
Ages: 5–14
Subject or focus: Science, technology, math, ELA, foreign languages, sports/fitness, music, acting, theater, art, animal adventures, cooking/baking, yoga/mindfulness, special education
Open to participants from anywhere
Cost: $25
Learn more
Adventuring Portal Online D&D Summer Camp
Here at Adventuring Portal, we LOVE games and gaming, all types! Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) is the world’s most popular roleplaying game and we are super excited to help you learn to play by taking you on adventures. By joining one of our summer camp sessions, you will learn how to play D&D. You will leave knowing all the basic game play of the world’s best role playing game! You will learn teamwork, bravery, compassion, negotiation, improvisation, gamer etiquette, strategy, critical thinking, problem solving, cartography, probability … all through online D&D adventuring! We are an inclusive organization and welcome gamers who are LGBTQIA+ and those on any spectrum.
Dates: June 15 through Aug. 14
Ages: 8–18
Subject area or focus: D&D week-long online adventure
Open to participants from anywhere
Cost: $150 per session per week. Discounts available for multiple sessions. Max of five kids in each group and one friendly Game Master.
Learn more
AMPLIFIED
AMPLIFIED – Summer Writing Program is an opportunity for teens to grow as writers while connecting with others in a safe space. Teens can sign up to participate in as many workshop sessions as they want. From book club discussions to comedy writing to plot and character in fiction to college personal statement coaching to an exploration of #OwnVoices—there’s a session for every writer!
Dates: June 1 through July 24
Ages: 13–18
Subject area or focus: Writing, creative writing, literacy, authors
Open to participants from anywhere
Cost: Free to Washington, D.C. students; $25—$50 donation all others
Learn more
Asphalt Green Virtual Camp
Rising first-graders through rising sixth-graders experience the magic of day camp from home. Asphalt Green Virtual Camp brings the community, connection, exploration, and physical activity components of day camp to the comfort of your home. The schedule features a variety of active, creative, and games-based programs that keep campers engaged, learning, and having fun every day. The community comes together for a virtual huddle every morning and afternoon, encouraging campers to make real social connections. Camp takes place Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with a free optional lunch bunch from 12:30 p.m.—1 p.m. Campers are split into groups by age, and each group is assigned a dedicated counselor. Daily activities may include: Active: dance, fitness, martial arts, yoga. Creative: science projects, theater, arts and crafts. Games and Social Programs: scavenger hunts, board games, talent shows, virtual field trips (tours of museums, zoos, national parks, etc.).
Dates: June 6 through Aug. 21
Ages: 5–12
Subject area or focus: Getting active, being creative, and having fun
Open to participants from anywhere
Cost: From $50 per day depending on number of weeks
Bank Street [email protected]
We’re here for your child’s [email protected] The Bank Street Summer Camp staff have developed quality, virtual, recreational programming for June 15 to July 10. You can register your child for a full day, half-day, daily drop-in, and/or afternoon programming. Full Day: 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., $250 per week. Half Day: 10 a.m. to noon, $150 per week. Daily drop-ins: $55 based on availability, please call 24 hours in advance. Enrichment options: 3 to 4:30 p.m., $20 per session. Email: [email protected] Phone: (212) 875-4705.
Dates: June 15 through July 10
Ages: 0–14
Subject area or focus: Early childhood, Spanish immersion, coding games, radio/podcasts, creative theater, dance, theater, fitness, leadership
Open to participants from anywhere
Cost: $55–$250
Learn more
BELIEVE Summer Academy
The Summer Academy is a free four-week high school summer program that offers the opportunity to earn credit in various courses including language arts, math, social studies, and health/wellness. This program will use a high quality online learning platform and full time teachers to actively involve and support students. All coursework can be completed at home. Classes will be in session, Monday through Friday starting Friday, June 19 through Friday, July 17. Scholars who will be entering 9th or 10th grade in the fall and who are currently enrolled at Believe Circle City are eligible to attend this summer program. The goal is that scholars who enroll in this summer program will maintain or improve their academic skills in the core academic areas and get a head start for the coming school year by earning 2-5 high school credits. Registration ends Tuesday, June 16.
Dates: June 19 through July 17
Ages: 12–18
Subject area or focus: Academic support
Open to participants from BELIEVE Circle City High School
Cost: Free
Learn more
Blueprint4SummerCO
A website run by the Colorado nonprofit RESCHOOL, Blueprint4SummerCO provides an organized list of a variety of online classes, take-home kits and in-person summer activities for kids age 3–18 in the Denver Metro area. The site lists more than 180 online and take-home summer program options and nearly 190 online or in-person options that are either free or under $100. The site is searchable by location, age, cost, interest area and more, which makes it easy for families to customize their search based on what matters to them. Once families find something they’re interested in, they can contact the camp or organization directly to sign up.
Ages: Camps serve students age 3–18
Cost: Free, to $900 depending on camp
Learn more
Camp History @ Home and Tech Scholars
Camp History @ Home: Show us what a feminist looks like! This summer, kids and teens can learn about amazing women and their contributions to the country. Kids can join Camp History @ Home online via Zoom from July 20–Aug. 13 and explore our exhibition Women March and Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History, Vashti Harrison’s inspiring book. Learn more.
Tech Scholars: High school girls learn to code online in a supportive, all-girl environment! Explore how women across the spectrum of race, class, and sexuality exercised power and effected change. Share under-told stories of women throughout history and code digital projects that make a difference in the world and help fight the gender gap. Learn more.
Dates: July 8 through Aug. 14
Ages: 8–18
Subject area or focus: Tech Scholars: Coding, STEM, women’s history, American history. Camp History: Women’s history, American history
Open to participants from anywhere
Cost: Camp History @ Home is $400 per camper ($320/member). Fee includes a complimentary family membership (value of $160, offer for new members only), see website for details. Tech Scholars Programs are offered on a pay-what-you-want basis. We are committed to making the program accessible to all girls.
Learn more
Camp Invention Connect
Imaginations soar with our new at-home program, Camp Invention Connect™! Children in grades K–6 receive four exciting activity kits packed full of materials to get them outside and active as they explore concepts of flight, tackle environmental challenges, build the ultimate sports complex, design the next great invention and gain confidence as innovators and entrepreneurs! This flexible program reinvents distance learning — it can be screen-free and self-led, or it can be enhanced through online collaboration sessions with Coaches and fellow participants. Visit invent.org/connect or call 800-968-4332 to register. Use promo code LOCAL15 to save $15 (expires 6/30).
Dates: June 1 through Aug. 28
Ages: 5–12
Subject area or focus: STEM, creative problem solving, innovation
Open to participants from anywhere
Cost: $175, use promo code LOCAL15 to save $15 (expires June 30)
Learn more
CAMP on ZOOM
CAMP ON ZOOM is a unique multi-disciplinary performing and visual arts summer day camp in a fun, safe, and hands-on setting. We are owned and operated by local artists with many years and varieties of experience working with children in both public and private schools in and around New York City. CAMP uses progressive education methods to harness the power of children’s imagination and energy to transform the community and the world through art. Each CAMP session culminates in an original performance based upon a cultural theme that showcases work done during the session in music, dance, visual arts, and theater.
Dates: July 20 through 30
Ages: 5–8
Subject areas or focus: Music, dance, art
Open to participants from any location
Cost: $400
Learn more
Challenge Camp @Home
Challenge Camp @Home is a virtual day camp experience for children ages 4–15 featuring live interactive classes with dynamic instructors. All of the classes are elective, parents and campers customize a program of selections based on their child’s interest.
This is the 40th Summer of Fun and Learning at Challenge Camp. There are over 100 STEM and arts enrichment electives ranging from 3D printing, art, business, chess, coding, cooking, digital film and music production, drones, Dungeons & Dragons, escape room, fashion, magic, math, Minecraft, photography, robotics, theater, virtual/augmented reality and many options in between. Our active options include hip hop dance, ballet, fencing, ninja training and yoga as we encourage campers to challenge both their mind and body.
The program is session based, the four-week session is from June 29 through July 24 and three-week session from July 27 through Aug. 14. At Challenge Camp @Home, a full day of five courses runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Flexible scheduling options allow your camper to choose a program of two, three, four or five classes so that your camper’s day works best for your summer schedule.
Keep your camper engaged and learning this summer with Challenge Camp @Home.
Dates: June 29 through Aug. 14
Ages: 5–14
Subject area or focus: STEM and arts academic enrichment
Open to participants from anywhere
Cost: Varies based on session and number of classes
Learn more
Chess NYC Fun & Training Camps
Over 54 Hours of, live, learning, and play to choose from! Chess NYC’s policy “chess should be fun (even online)” truly prevails for these cool days of Fun & Training Camp! From Chess Leaders to Grand Masters, these camps are sure to inspire, captivate, motivate, and generate chess players of all levels. Classes focus on strategies, defense, tactics, and even competitive online play. Chess NYC is offering four levels of chess classes: Head Start Jr., weekly progressive Sessions to jump start your little one into the game; Advancing in Chess, classes focusing on basic strategies, defense, tactics, and competitive play; GM Inspired TAG I, classes for more competitive and “serious players” focusing on advanced strategies and online competitive play; GM Inspired TAG II, after graduating from TAG I hourly classes will push students to the limit with next-level training and online competitive play. Chess NYC offers, hourly, full-day, weekly, and full summer passes for all the Chess your child desires. Chess NYC offers, hourly, full-day, weekly, and full summer passes for all the chess your child desires.
Dates: June 15 through Sept. 11
Ages: 5–18
Subject area or focus: Chess
Open to participants from anywhere
Cost: $12/hour
Learn more
Chez Kids Summer Camp
All levels of French welcome! Make note that this year our Summer Camp will be online and in two sessions! L’Alliance Française de Chicago and its team of dedicated teachers offer Summer Camp online for 6 to 12 year olds, with activities conducted in French. While being exposed to French, children will develop new skills, broaden their horizons, and have fun things to do! Note: the camp will run only with a minimum of 12 campers. Have Fun. Make Friends. Learn French.
Dates: two sessions between June 8 through July 31
Ages: 5–8
Subject or focus: Exposing to French while having fun. Cooking, arts and crafts, story telling, singing, gardening and watercolors.
Open to participants from Chicago or anyone able to connect online
Cost: First session, three weeks (June 8—June 26), $1,050. Second session, four weeks (July 6—July 31), $1,400
Learn more
ChiArts Summer Camp
ChiArts runs a three-week summer camp (now online due to COVID-19) designed for students in grades 2–5 and 6–8 to explore the artistic disciplines of creative writing, dance, music, theater, and visual arts in a joyful and nurturing environment, led by artists from The Chicago High School for the Arts. Campers will receive pre-professional training in the arts and create original pieces.
Dates: July 13 through 31
Ages: 8–14
Subject area or focus: Creative writing, dance, music, theater, visual arts
Open to participants from anywhere
Cost: $270
Learn more
Connected Camps
Make screen time interactive, educational, and inspiring this summer! Connected Camps offers safe and moderated online spaces and programs. Sign up for one of the hundreds of Connected Camps (from Animation to Zoology) or join one of the free Minecraft servers to build, create, and hang out with friends while expanding your expertise.
Dates: Ongoing
Ages: 5–18
Subject area or focus: Arts, coding, e-sports, community, technology
Open to participants from anywhere
Cost: Varies by camp, free through $140
Learn more
CyberSpace Academy Remote Camp
Throughout this summer, Spark Mindset is offering a new series of remote camps designed to introduce middle and high school students to career paths in cybersecurity. Kids will learn cyber ethics, cyber awareness, hacker’s mentality, financial literacy, both OSI and TCP/IP models, and much more through fun and thought-provoking instruction by live instructors.
Camps are focused on Cybersecurity or Network Fundamentals. New cohorts begin each Monday, include five 1 hr modules, and each camp is a week-long. Students who complete the camp earn certificates.
Dates: July 27 through Aug 28
Ages: 11–17
Subject area or focus: Cybersecurity
Open to participants from anywhere
Cost: $149
Learn more
Eat Your Words — Middle School Writers Camp
Join a team of top chefs and other young food experts for a series of workshops developing both your writing skills and your taste buds.
Dates: July 27 through Aug. 6
Ages: 11–13
Subject area or focus: Writing
Open to participants from anywhere with priority to students from Chicago
Cost: Free
Learn more
Hands-On History Summer Camp Kits
Join us as we explore the past through our Hands-On History Summer Camp Kits! Each week we will provide you with everything you need to do our Colorado history camp at home: supplies to do one craft activity per day, cool historical facts & Colorado connections to learn about, and ideas for getting outside and exploring your neighborhood. We also hold Virtual Camp sessions to do the activities together on Zoom each weekday morning at 10:00am MT (for kit participants only.)
Dates: July 27 through Aug. 7
Ages: 5-12
Subject area or focus: Colorado history
Open to participants from Metro Denver
Cost: $50 per kit per week, discounts available
Learn more
iCAMP
iCAMP’s Virtual Camp immerses campers in multiple STEAM topics every week from the comfort of your own home! Topics include coding, video game design, animation, 3D modeling, and more! Campers explore their own interests, and work with other kids in their age group, through project-based learning, as well as through guided and interactive workshops from a live instructor. Kids will have a blast, make new friends, and learn about some of the most exciting tech out there!
Dates: June 15 through Sept. 4
Ages: 5–12
Subject area or focus: STEAM
Open to participants from anywhere
Cost: $299
Learn more
Kebloom’s Online Business Building Workshops for Kids & Teens
Kebloom’s online business building workshops for young people will teach kids & teens how to start a real business! Kebloom inspires young people to believe in themselves & will help your kids & teens discover their passions and interests, create a real business idea and get it ready for launch. Our workshops teach practical life skills in a fun & engaging way! Our online workshops are run over 5 day or 6 week summer holiday programs, mixing online collaboration and offline challenges, learning the skills to launch a real business! Delivered by qualified facilitators, we start each day online and set fun activities to keep your kids & teens engaged.
Dates: June 8 to Aug. 8
Ages: 8–18
Subject area or focus: Entrepreneurship
Open to participants from anywhere
Cost: $125
MarcoPolo Summer Camp
MarcoPolo Summer Camp is a virtual weekly STEAM+ educational program for young children. Bring out the scientist in your child with a set of ready-to-use resources that include featured video lessons, exciting games, and hands-on activities that promote a vast range of essential skills and knowledge-seeking in the real world.
Dates: June 1 through Aug. 30
Ages: 0–8
Subject area or focus: STEAM+
Open to participants from anywhere
Cost: $5 per month
Learn more
Mount Vernon Hotel Museum’s Virtual History Week
Each day your child will experience an aspect of 19th-century life, using the museum’s landmarked building and collection as resources for exploration. We will provide a box of supplies, via mail or curbside pick-up, lead remote art, craft, science and cooking workshop demonstrations, and allow off-screen time to complete the activities. Projects might include silhouettes, sundials, weaving, making ice cream and preserves, toleware-style painting and more. Participants will gather at the end of each day to share their work and participate in a scavenger hunt or play 19th-century games. Virtual tours of the Museum and virtual field trips will be incorporated too. 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Dates: July 6–10
Ages: 7–12
Focus: Early American history or life in 19th-century America
Open to participants anywhere
Cost: $100 per household includes a supply box for one child with curbside pick-up; shipping or additional boxes available for an extra fee.
Learn more
National History Academy Online
Dates: July 6–31
Ages: 12–18
Subject area or focus: American History
Open to participants from anywhere
Cost: Free
Learn more
New Victory Dance 2020
Every summer, New Victory Theater offers New Victory Dance, a free, one-of-a-kind opportunity for kids in summer schools and camps to engage with an exciting array of NYC dance companies and learn about contemporary dance forms.
This year, New Victory Dance goes online to thrill 2nd through 12th grade students with virtual field trips and tailored arts education experiences. This unique Summer Education Partnership Program offers a blended learning model with virtual field trips guided by a New Victory Teaching Artist, customized live interactive or pre-recorded virtual classroom workshops, an online resource guide with ready-to-implement activities and more! All videos are audio-described, sign-interpreted and captioned for viewer accessibility.
Dates: July 21 through Aug. 14
Ages: Grades 2–12
Subject area or focus: Dance, arts education, theater
Open to Summer camps, programs and schools serving students in grades 2–12
Cost: Free
Learn more
NextWave STEM
Bring the fun of STEM into your home with live, virtual instruction in small groups. Kids learn how to apply their learnings as real-world solutions—keeping them interested and engaged. Experiences can be online only, using simulations or hands-on with corresponding course kits—robots, 3D printers and drones—delivered to you.
Dates: June through August
Ages: 8 through 15
Subject area or focus: STEAM+, STEM, 3D printing, drone coding, robotics, 21st century skills, science, technology, engineering, math, coding
Open to participants from anywhere
Cost: Varies based on program and online-only experience or programs with hands-on exploration kits
Learn more
City Verses Virtual Summer Camp
NJPAC invites you to Participate in our FREE City Verses Virtual Summer Camp – Breathe: Expressing Life through Poetry and Jazz. A part of the Arts Center’s City Verses jazz poetry initiative, created in partnership with Rutgers University-Newark, this camp will offer high school students the opportunity to explore jazz and poetry and learn how to create new work that incorporates elements of both genres through a collaborative composition process.
Dates: July 31 through August 14
Ages: 13–18
Open to participants from anywhere
Cost: Free
Learn more
NPF Summer Music Intensive
Our Summer Program is an intensive music training offered remotely this year that includes workshops in music theory, ear training, sight reading, rhythm, ensemble, instrument technique, master classes and virtual field trips. Monday to Friday, 9:15 to 11:30 a.m., including daily 30-minute private lessons in the early afternoon. Students can choose violin, viola, cello, double bass, guitar, piano, ukelele or voice as their main instruments. Our program closes with a virtual concert on the last day of class.
Dates: June 29 through July 31
Ages: 5–18
Subject area or focus: Music
Open to participants from anywhere
Cost: $350 for one week or $1,750 for 5 weeks
Learn more
Open Books Publishing Academy Writing Camp
Each year, Open Books works with aspiring young writers to write, edit, and publish their very own novels in our Publishing Academy program. Publishing Academy is going virtual this year, and is open to students entering 7th through 12th grade in the fall. As well, need-based scholarships both full and partial are now available!
Dates: July 6 through Aug. 6
Ages: 12–18
Subject area or focus: Creative writing
Open to participants from anywhere
Cost: $400, full and partial scholarships available
Learn more
STEAM Up!
STEAM Up! is for rising 6th through 8th grade students interested in a project-based learning approach to STEAM. This three-week long program is a junior version of our Hk Maker Lab program for high school students. STEAM Up! will encourage scientists to tap into their creativity as they explore sustainability, engineering, and innovation while applying principles of biology, chemistry, and environmental sciences to real world problems. Students will learn about the engineering design process through various exercises and will then take what they’ve learned to develop a project that solves a problem that humanity is facing today.
Dates: June 20 through Aug. 7 and Aug. 10 through 28
Ages: Students headed into grades 6–8
Subject area or focus: STEM, engineering design
Open to participants from anywhere
Cost: $975
Learn more
[email protected]
Camp for girls entering grades four through nine. Don’t just stare at the ceiling! Join our community of sisterhood, fun, and creativity, and beat the stay-at-home blues. SEM has been forward-thinking for girls since 1851.
Dates: June 22 through Aug. 18
Ages: 8–14
Subject or focus: A community for Girls: Writing, coding, cooking, crafts, sign language, theatre
Open to participants from anywhere
Cost: $150 per week
Learn more
The Viola Project
Using the works of William Shakespeare, The Viola Project unites and empowers girls and gender nonconforming youth from diverse backgrounds so they may grow up to be whoever they want to be. This summer, TVP will be running camps right in your home! Prepare for on screen and off screen projects (we know you don’t want to sit in front of a computer all summer). Get excited to think outside the (zoom) box and explore new and exciting ways to create theatre. This is YOUR summer and YOUR camp. Shakespeare style. Our week-long camps are three hours a day and will focus on character/play exploration and social justice through creative drama. Short creative off-screen activities and challenges will be assigned for “out of camp” hours to bring in the next day, as well as introductory activities sent out prior to the first day of camp. The last day of camp will end in a final sharing of the week’s activities. The Viola Project is a program of City Lit Theater in Chicago and welcomes all girls and gender nonconforming youth ages 8–16 regardless of their race, class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or ability. Scholarships are always available!
Dates: July 20 through Aug. 7
Ages: 8–16
Subject area or focus: Shakespeare and theatre camp for girls and gender nonconforming youth
Open to girls and gender nonconforming youth from anywhere
Cost: $150 (scholarships available)
Learn more
Young Americans Center for Financial Education Virtual Programs
Keep young minds active this summer! Virtual Programs from Young Americans Center for Financial Education teach “money smarts” in a fun, engaging way. Led by expert staff members from Young AmeriTowne, International Towne and YouthBiz, these three- and four-day programs are designed for second through eighth graders.
Dates: June 1 through July 24
Ages: 5–14
Subject or focus: Financial education
Open to participants from anywhere
Price: $100 to $150
Learn more
Treehouse
We know that this is a tough time to be a parent. You’ve spent the spring trying to keep your kids happy and learning, while juggling a million other responsibilities. But we’re here to help for the summer. We are two recent Yale MBA graduates: a former elementary school teacher and a former summer camp director and we’ve teamed up to launch Treehouse, a virtual summer program for kids entering grades 1–6. We aim to reconnect kids with their friends, keep them reading, and give parents a break—all virtually. Kids get personalized attention from a certified reading teacher in the mornings, and participate in wacky enrichment activities in the afternoon. This program is best experienced in groups, so we encourage kids to enroll with friends. We can also accommodate individuals. Scholarships available.
Dates: June 15 through Aug. 14
Ages: 5–12
Subject area or focus: Reading and enrichment (e.g. art, music, PE)
Open to participants from anywhere
Cost: $299/week per child. There is also a referral bonus: if you sign your child up with three or more friends, every group member will receive a discounted price of $249/week per kid. If you prefer that your child participate in this program as an individual, our rate is $499/week per kid. Scholarships available.
Learn more
Word Lab
Word Lab is a creative writing and visual and performing arts themed summer camp for students entering grades 1 through 5. A typical day involves reading aloud, making art, writing stories, and playing language-based games.
Dates: Aug. 10 through 13
Ages: 6–11
Subject area or focus: Writing
Open to participants from anywhere
Cost: Free
Learn more
Be sure to check back, this will be updated with more camps soon!
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