Another traditional school year has ended. Let summer begin — with many modern, for-profit summer camp options for young Spring Branchers.
Local youth camps have expanded in recent years to include everything from cooking to coding, art to entrepreneurship. These are not the summer programs of previous generations!
IDEA Lab Kids
— Marking a second year under owner Gaya Ragavan, IDEA Lab Kids at 8400 Katy Freeway gives campers ages 4-10 the chance to explore innovative programs. Whether their future includes a lab coat or chef’s coat, young campers discover and develop skills through interactive activities.
The 3-D Art Factory camp uses a world of 3D sculpture, 3D illusions and 3D creations to bring out a child’s inner Picasso. The new Camp Millionaire delves into the world of business. Campers create their own business ideas and develop business skills like financing, budgeting and marketing.
Combine LEGOS and robotics and you have LEGO Robotics Stomp and Chomp. Students are introduced to the wonders of robotics and engineering by creating and programming robots from LEGO WeDo Kits. Other camps include theatre, STEAM (science technology, engineering, arts, mathematics), cooking and medical.
“Our two most popular camps are the veterinary and cooking camps. We have an entrepreneurship program, Camp Millionaire, new this year for ages 7-10,” according to Warren Augustin, program director.
These specialty camps keep a ratio of about 10 to 12 campers to one instructor.
In addition to summer camps, Idea Lab Kids offers after-school activities, birthday party activities and support for home-school programs. Coupons to lower the camp costs are available on Google and Facebook. Registration is ongoing.
Crayola Image Arts Academy
— Looking to cover your refrigerator door with your child’s latest creation? CRAYOLA® Imagine Arts Academy™ at 1202 Blalock Rd. is an art enrichment outfit that uses techniques in developing creative problem-solving skills and real-world topics for their students. According to general manager Natalia Cavanzo, “We are an new concept arts academy that combines 21st century skills, which are critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communications with real world traditional art techniques.”
Building on year-round after-school classes, the academy is offering its first year of summer camps.
The half- and full-day art-inspired camps delve into design, conservation and travel. World of Design offers students the chance to create costumes for their comic book heroes, design board games and create a movie poster for their own feature presentations. Artist’s Passport takes students on a “world tour” of cultural adventures from Africa to Australia.
The academy offers a Spanish version of its Wild World: The Art of Conservation June 27 – July 1. Students learn about wildlife and how conservationists are working to protect endangered species around the globe.
The camps are scheduled through June and July.
— At Little Beakers, Science Lab for Kids in the Marq-E Entertainment Center on the Katy Freeway, camp features hands-on science activities for children ages 3-13. Future scientists test their math and science skills in experiments with rockets, volcanoes, planets and more.
Click here for a deeper dive into Little Beakers.
Now for programs more oriented to physical activity.
— Soccer Shots locations throughout the city include one at Spring Valley City Park, 1025 Campbell Road.
Camps develop skills on and off the field, with character-building and creative thinking for campers ages 3-7. Experienced coaches work with young athletes to build soccer skills and each player receives an evaluation. Each camp ends with a players’ celebration.
Texas Rock Gym
— Texas Rock Gym at 1526 Campbell Road offers single-day to full-time camps for kids ages 7-17. The gym prides itself on keeping campers active while building confidence and self-esteem.
Days are filled with age-specific activities beyond rock climbing. Fridays are designated as “Water-paloozas” featuring play with water balloons and other water-related activities.
— On the non-profit side, YMCA Houston has incorporated more activities into its traditional summer day camp, too. The Duncan YMCA at 10655 Clay Road offers Discovery Camp, which includes STEM activities, nature exploration, field trips and United Way Math.
No list of summer camp programs in Spring Branch can be complete. Check with houses of worship, private schools and other community institutions for more options.
— By Jessika Leal
