With the warm weather just a few months away, now is the perfect time to start thinking about enrolling in summer camps. In fact, these final months of winter are when most camps open registration. With our area’s abundance of summer camps ranging from academics, athletics to creative and performing arts, it’s easy to get overwhelmed when deciding which camp would be best for your family.
Suburban Life/ Philadelphia Life spoke to a few of the Greater Philadelphia Area’s summer programs to learn more about their offerings and most importantly, what parents should know before signing their children up.
For starters, there are a lot of benefits to joining a summer camp, aside from getting ahead of the class or perfecting any skill. It offers children the chance to expand their horizons, whether it be academically or athletically, in addition to learning a new sport or discovering an exciting hobby.
“Summer camp is the chance for adventure, expanding horizons and exposure to interesting activities,” explains Jenny Alario, director of auxiliary programming for Summer at AIS (The Agnes Irwin School) in Bryn Mawr. “Families are encouraged to curate their camp schedule based on interest, rather than follow a pre-built schedule. Our camps provide ultimate flexibility for families and campers: they can try something new—art studio, performance, virtual world building, squash, drone flying, coding, leadership, or entrepreneurship—without the need to commit to a full week of camp.
“Parents should consider their children’s interests and untapped talents when selecting a camp itinerary as well as the availability of our before and after care if required,” she adds. The Director of Auxiliary Programs at West Chester’s Westtown School, Keith Stater, shares the same sentiments regarding their summer programs, adding, “I personally encourage parents to be cognizant of their children’s safety, interest and desires. ...I am always delighted to speak directly with families about what accommodations may be made.”
The same ca be said for outdoor summer camps like that of YMCA Camp Conrad Weiser, whose camp takes place across its 600 acres of Mountain Top property in Reinhold. While the vast majority of programs are focused on leadership and the outdoors, they also include activities that might otherwise be unavailable during the school year, including equestrian, canoeing and kayaking, sailing, nature study, mountain biking and boarding.
While it’s crucial to consider the type and cost of such programs, it’s also important to note the benefits camps would provide your child. Ac- cording to the Director of YMCA Camp Conrad Weiser, Cory Evans, he explains their program goals are more than just being outside and having fun.
“Children have the opportunity to meet and learn about people that are different from them- selves,” he says. “Every child gets to make choices, [they] learn that it is important to stand up for what they believe in, the importance of helping others [and] every kid [makes] at least one new friend while they are at camp.”
There are, of course, activity-specific camps available, like that of Flyers Ice Hockey School at Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, N.J., which specifically focuses on hockey. Marketing Coodinator, Jerre Lieberman, emphasizes that “parents should consider if their child loves the game of hockey, and has enough experience to play hockey for a week straight.”
Since the hockey program includes over 450 minutes of ice time each week, the camp would benefit children who are both knowledgeable and in love with the game. As for skating, the Northeast Philadelphia location offers a Summer Skating Camp program specifically tied to skating for every level, mixing beginner, intermediate and advanced skaters.
“Skaters of all levels are given an opportunity to work toward their goals at their own pace,” explains Amber Hartman, skating director at Flyers Skate Zone NE. “They work together with mutual respect. ...[It’s] open to children ages 6 and up that want to grow their skills in figure skating,” she explains, adding “They should have basic skating knowledge.”
In regards to registration, enrollment has only become easier these days, with most programs offering online registration organized by age group. “The entire process can be completed online through our website,” explains Alario regarding Summer at AIS’ process. “Registration is completed per child: parents are only presented with available camp options based on age—no need to wade through selections that are not applicable.”
Whichever camp program you choose for your child, it’s best to start making plans now as space becomes limited with each passing month. To help make it easier, we compiled our annual list of the area’s summer programs that will enrich your child’s summer. So what are you waiting for? Jump in, the water’s just fine.
ACADEMICS/SCHOOLS
Academy of Notre Dame de Namur
Bryn Mawr
(610) 687-0650
NDAPA.org
Dance Camp: June 19 to 23
Awesome Science: June 26 to 30
iCan Shine Bike Camp: June 26 to 30
Future Stars Camp: June 19 to August 25
The Agnes Irwin School
Rosemont
(610) 525-8400
AgnesIrwin.org
Call or visit the website for updated information on 2017 summer programs for students in grades Pre-K to 12.
The Archbishop John Carroll High School
Radnor
(610) 688-7610
JCaroll.org
Call or visit the website for updated information on 2017 summer sports, performing arts and academics camps.
The Archbishop Wood High School
Warminster
(215) 672-5050
Archwood.org
Call or visit the website for updated information on 2017 summer sports, discovery, and academics camps.
The Benchmark School
Media
(610) 565-3741
BenchmarkSchool.org
Summer Camp: July 5 to August 4
Country Day School of the Sacred Heart
Bryn Mawr
(610) 527-3915
CDSSH.org
Creative and Performing Arts Camp (Grades 1-5): June 12 to 30
Maker Camp (Ages 8 to 12): June 26 to 30
Microsoft IT Academy (Grades 9-12): June 26 to July 28
Devon Preparatory School
Devon
(610) 688-7337
DevonPrep.com
Call or visit the website for updated information on 2017 summer camps.
Father Judge High School
Philadelphia
(215) 338-9494
FatherJudge.com
S.T.E.M Camp: June 15 to 26
Basketball Camp: June 15 to 19
Baseball Camp: June 29 to July 2
Soccer Camp: July 13 to July 16
Friends’ Central School
Wynnewood
(610) 649-645-5132
FCSPrograms.org
Early Start Camp: June 19 to 23
Tenderfoot Camp (Ages 3-6): June 26 to August 11
Trailblazer Enrichment Camp (Ages 6-12): June 26 to August 11
Westtown School
West Chester
(610) 399-7569
Westtown.edu
2017 programs: June 19 to August 11
Villa Joseph Marie High School
Holland
(215) 357-8810
VJMHS.org
Call or visit the website for details on camps for students in grades 4-12.
Germantown Academy
Fort Washington
(215) 646-3300
GermantownAcademy.net
Call or visit the website for updated information on 2017 summer camps.
Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School
Gwynedd Valley
(215) 646-8815
GMAHS.org
Call or visit the website for updated information on 2017 summer enrichment camps.
The Hun School of Princeton
Princeton, N.J.
(609) 921-7600
HunSchool.org
Hun Camp (Ages 5-13): June 26 to July 28
Holy Ghost Preparatory School
Bensalem
(215) 639-0811
HolyGhostPrep.org
Summer Enrichment Program: June 19 to July 21
Baseball: June 19 to June 23
Tennis: June 26 to July 30
Track and Field: July 31 to August 4
Basketball: July 10 to 14
Lacrosse: June 26 to 30
Soccer: July 17 to 21
Meadowbrook School
Meadowbrook
(215) 884-3238
TheMeadowbrookSchool.org
Meadowbrook Day Camp: June 26 to August 18
Mount Saint Joseph Academy
Flourtown
(215) 233-3177
MSJAcad.org
Volleyball: June 12 to 16
Field Hockey: June 19 to 23
Cross Country: June 19 to 23
Lacrosse: June 19 to 23
Basketball: June 26 to 30
Soccer: June 26 to 30
Crew: August 19 & 20, 26 & 27
Nazareth Academy High School
Philadelphia
(215) 637-7676
NazarethAcademyHS.org
Call or visit the website for updated information on various 2017 summer camps.
Notre Dame High School
Lawrenceville, N.J.
(609) 882-7900
NDNJ.org
Call or visit the website for updated information on various 2017 summer camps.
Princeton Day School
Princeton, N.J.
(609) 279-2700
PDS.org
Cooking: Just Desserts (Grades 3-4): June 12 to June 16
3D Printing (Grades 2-5): June 19 to 23
Freestyle Ice Skating (Grades 3-12): June 26 to 30
Canoeing the Waters of NJ (Grades 5-8): July 3 to 7
Valley Forge Military Academy & College
Wayne
(610) 989-1262
VFMAC.edu
Overnight Camp: June 25 to July 30
Day Camp: June 26 to August 11
Villa Maria Academy High School
Malvern
(610) 644-2551
VMAHS.org
Call or visit the website for updated information on 2017 summer camps.
ATHLETICS
Flyers Skate Zone
Voorhees, N.J. and Northeast Philadelphia FlyersSkateZone.com
Flyers Ice Hockey School Day Camp: August 7 to 11
Summer Skating Camp: Visit website for dates.
Julian Krinsky Camps & Programs
King of Prussia
(610) 265-9401
JKCP.com
Call or visit the website for updated information on 2017 tennis and golf camps for kids ages 7 to 17.
Philadelphia Union Soccer Camps
Bryn Mawr
(610) 581-7600
UnionSoccerSchools.com
Call or visit the website for details on camps through- out the area for ages 6 to 14
Phillies Baseball Academy
Bryn Mawr
(610) 520-3400
PhilliesCamps.com
Call or visit the website for details on camps through- out the area, for ages 6 to 14.
Philadelphia Eagles Youth Football Camps
Philadelphia ProSportsExperience.com/ Eagles
Call or visit the website for details on camps through- out the area, for ages 6 to 14 from June 20 to July 29.
Philadelphia Rock Gym
Philadelphia
(877) 822-ROPE
PhilaRockGym.com/Camp.php
Call or visit the website for details on camps for ages 4 to 14 at locations in Oaks, East Falls and Brandywine Valley.
Sixers Basketball Camp
Philadelphia
(610) 668-7676
SixersCamps.com/Basketball-Camps
Call or visit the website for details on day camps and overnight camps, from June 19 to August 17.
THE CREATIVE ARTS
The Center on Central
Paoli
(610) 710-1487
TheCenterOnCentral.com
Creative Arts Day Camp: June 12 to September 1
Specialty Camps: July 5 to August 11
The Clay Studio
Philadelphia
(215) 925-3453
TheClayStudio.org
Clay Camp (Ages 6 and up): July 10 to September 1
Digital Media Academy
Bryn Mawr, Philadelphia
(866) 656-3342
DigitalMediaAcademy.org
Call or visit the website on specialty camps for ages 6to17.
Doylestown School of Rock
Doylestown
(215) 230-3406
Doylestown.SchoolofRock.com
Rock and Roll Summer Camp: July 10 to August 18
Girls Rock Philly
Philadelphia
(215) 776-5246
GirlsRockPhilly.org
Call or visit the website for details on summer programs ages 9 to 18.
Main Line Art Center
Haverford
(610) 525-0272
MainLineArt.org
Summer Art Camp and Pre-Teen Studios (Ages 4 to 12): June 12 to August 25
Media Theatre for the Performing Arts
Media
(610) 891-0100
MediaTheatre.org
Camp Media Theatre: June 19 to August 25
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Philadelphia
(215) 972-2054
PAFA.org/ SummerCamp
Summer Art Camp: June 26 to August 11
Pennsylvania School of the Performing Arts
Newtown
(215) 598-8513
PSPAStudios.com
Dance Camp: August 14 to 16, 21to23
Philadelphia School of Rock
Philadelphia
(267) 639-4007
Philadelphia.SchoolOfRock.com
Five Day Camps: June 26 to August 11
LEARNING DIFFERENCES
Valley Forge Educational Services
Malvern
(610) 296-6725
VFES.net
Call or visit the website for information on summer programs.
Woodlynde School
Strafford
(610) 687-9660
Woodlynde.org
K-11 Summer Program: June 26 to July 21
Summer College Bridge Program: June 26 to July 21
The Bridge Academy of New Jersey
Lawrenceville, NJ
(609) 844-0770
BANJ.org
Call or visit the website for details on various camp program dates.
DAY CAMPS AND MISCELLANEOUS
iD Tech
Philadelphia, Villanova
(888) 709-8324
iDTech.com
Call or visit the website for details on camp dates at various locations.
Lavner Camps
Locations throughout the region
(215) 767-1385
LavnerCampsAndPrograms.com
Call or visit the website for details on various camp dates and locations throughout the Philadelphia area.
Malvern Day Camp
Glen Mills
(610) 558-3200
MalvernDayCamp.com
Day Camp: June 12 to August 25
Penn Museum
Philadelphia
(215) 898-4000
Penn.Museum/Camp
Anthropologists in the Making Summer Camp: June 26 to August 18
South Mountain YMCA Camps
Wernersville
(610) 670-2267
SMYMCA.org
Call or visit the website for details on their various summer camp programs.
Tyler Arboretum
Media
(610) 566-9134
TylerArboretum.org
Tiny Trackers (Ages 4 to 15): June 27 to August 19
Young Explorers (Ages 5 to 11): June 27 to August 19
Young Naturalists (Ages 11 to 13): July 11 to August 19
Eco-Adventures (Ages 13 to 15): July5to8
Suburban Life/Philadelphia Life has made its best efforts to compile the most accurate and comprehensive list possible. Contact the organizations in which you are interested or consult their websites often for regular updates.
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Life Magazine, March, 2017.
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