It seems like once spring break is over, we blink and it will be summer! My kids look forward to going to camp every year, it’s the highlight of summer! There are so many camps out there, it can be a little overwhelming knowing where to begin. I’ve rounded up some of the best camps around the Nashville area in specific categories.
Academics
When school is out, camp is in session at the Adventure Science Center! Camp days are packed with hands-on classroom activities, time to explore the science center, recess and games. Each week has a unique theme and will be filled with corresponding activities. Registration is for an entire week of camp and includes a camp t-shirt, hands-on experiments and enough take-home crafts to fill the whole front of the fridge! Ages: Pre-K through 12th grade Dates: Weeks in June and July
Brentwood Academy offers summer day camps for boys and girls beginning in Kindergarten through high school.BA offer over 25 camps in the areas of sports, fine arts, and academics with themes like Slime Time, Vex Robots, Cooking, Dance, Basketball and more! Ages: Pre-K through 12th grade Dates: Weeks in May, June and July
Early Bird Registration is before March 31st-save 10%
Students age 6 up to 16 years old can sharpen their skills in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math). Stem Builders provide education by bringing STEM to life in a fun and interactive way. Curriculum is aimed to develop life skills and improve students’ knowledge. Summer Camp Themes include: Accelerated Math (ages 6-14), Senior Robotics Camp (ages 9-14), Wrestle Bots (ages 10-14), Junior Scientist (ages 7-10), Junior Makers Camp (ages 7-10), Web Design (ages 11-16), Electronic Circuits (ages 11-15), Mobile App Development (ages 11-16), Program and Build Drones (ages 11-16), Artificial Intelligence (ages 11-15) and Python Boot Camp (ages 10-15). Ages: 6-17 Dates: Weeks in June and July
Adventure
Deer Run’s Day Camps are fun-filled and action-packed. Day Camp Activities include Lake [water slide, aqua park, swimming, round Coral boats, canoes, zip line] • Pedal Kart Races • Recreational Games • BB Guns • Archery • Crafts • 45-ft Climbing Tower • Obstacle Course • Creek Wading • Nine-Square-in-the-Air • GaGa Ball • Carpetball • Tetherball • Noah’s Park Playground • Fun Songs • Worship • Interactive Age-appropriate Small Group Bible Study. Deer Run also offers Overnight Camp for youth and teens and Family Camp! **Save the Date for Camp Open House: March 22, April 19, May 5 (Tours from 2 to 4 p.m.) Ages: 5-18 (And some camps for the whole family!) Dates: Weeks in June and July
Camp Widjiwagan offers a variety of camp experiences for day camp as well as overnight stays. Activities include learning to care for farm animals, horseback riding, creativity and a variety of weekly themes to choose from. Traditional Day Campers lunches and snacks are provided throughout the week! Ages 4-17 Dates: Weeks in May, June, July and August
Art
Cheekwood offers camp for children ages 4-15. Children can explore the gardens (the new Bracken Foundation’s Children’s Garden will be open), make masterpieces, paint, make wearable art and many other creative themes. Both morning camp (9 a.m. to noon) and afternoon sessions (1 p.m. to 4 p.m.) are available. Ages 9 and up can come for a full day of camp! Ages: 4-15 Dates: Weeks in June and July
Kids can get crafty and creative with AR Workshop Franklin’s Summer Camp! Camps are designed for girls and boys, ages 7-14. Kids will create 4 DIY youth projects and a DIY camp t-shirt over the course of the camp! Participants will be able to customize and choose their project paint colors from AR’s decor line of paints! An optional Friday half-day camp is also available. Kids are encouraged to bring a snack and drink to enjoy during breaks. A few of the projects include a Canvas Wall Hanging or Canvas Banner or Canvas Pillow, String ARt Sign, Wood Photo Frame and other choices! Ages: 7-14 Dates: 4 day weeks in June and July (with optional half days o n Fridays)
Dance/Music
Ann Carrol School of Dance offer a variety of dance and theater programs for children ages 2 to 18 including American Girl Doll Camp, Musical Theater, Performing Arts (for Preschool and older children) and intensive workshops. Ages: 2-18 Dates: Weeks in June and July
Songwriting camp at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum offers a fun and unforgettable experience where budding songwriters can hone their craft, learn from professionals, and make new friends. Camp includes one-on-one mentoring sessions, instrument instruction, performance coaching, recording experiences, workshops led by special guests, and much more. Campers will also enjoy unlimited access to the museum galleries and will tour Historic RCA Studio B, located on Nashville’s Music Row. A showcase on the final day presents a culminating public performance featuring the songs created during the week. The June Session is for beginner to immediate songwriters, ages 11 to 18. The July Session is for advanced songwriters, ages 11 to 18. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is dedicated to equal opportunity education and provides financial assistance options to allow greater access to summer camp. Financial assistance options reduce registration fees for qualifying families. Ages: 11-18 Dates: June 15-20 (Beginner to Intermediate) and July 13-18 (Intermediate to Advanced)
Drama
Over the past 18 years, the Act Too Players have worked hard to create the premiere summer theatre program to meet the creative needs of youths ages 3 to 18 while providing practical hours for easy scheduling for parents. Each summer, Act Too Players offers a combination of weeklong day camps, mini-sessions, and our full production summer intensives taught by the best in the Nashville theatre industry. Every student gets the opportunity to rehearse with the best directors, musical directors, and technical staff. Our goal is to instruct your child on the art of theatre while providing a fun, safe, environment. Ages: 3.5 to 18 Dates: Weeks in June and July for Mini and Day Camps. The Musical Intensive mets until the beginning of August.
Nashville Children’s Theatre’s Drama Camps and Classes have taught generations of Nashvillians. Whether you want to explore acting, have fun being creative with new friends, or develop your theatre skills, NCT has something for you. For ages 4-18. NCT also has Saturday morning classes, Spring Break camps in addition to Summer Camps. Ages: 4-18 Dates: Weeks in May, June and July
Nature
Camp Bloomsbury’s mission is to provide children a safe space to grow, develop imagination and explore the natural beauty of the farm and forest. They support and encourage curiosity, creativity, community and the joy of cultivation. Some activities include exploring the farm, visiting/petting animals (hens, goats, horses), cultivating the children’s garden, and harvesting produce for snack. They will be able to climb tall boulders or trees, make mud pies, play in the creek, build forts, construct a bird nest or insect home, create dams or fairy villages. There will be art materials available for creating nature inspired art, as well as digging tools, strings, and loose parts to encourage creativity and collaboration in addition to other activities. Ages: Inquire with the camp Dates: Weeks in June and July
*Gentry’s Farm Camp is FULL for Summer 2020 but please keep in mind for next year.* The Gentry Family hosts summer camp at their farm every summer with fishing, paddle boats, crafts, floating down the Harpeth River and more old-fashioned fun! Join the mailing list here to be informed on camp registration for 2021. Ages: Students who have completed kindergarten through completed sixth grade
Harbor Island Yacht Club has offered a Youth Sailing Program for more than 25 years. The program is a full-day – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday. (Extended Care available – 7:45 am to 5:30 pm). Sail Camp program is intended for children and young people ages 7 through 17. It is structured with an eye not only toward introducing young people to sailing but also toward racing, advanced knowledge of small boat handling and skills in a safe, fun environment. The program managed by Leadership Academy and is taught by knowledgeable, trained young people, all of whom are required to complete a US Sailing counselor training course as they come of age. Ages: 7-17 Dates: June 1-5, June 8-12, June 15-19, June 22-26
Summer Camp offers learning experiences that deepen the appreciation for the outdoors and encourage stewardship of the environment. The Nature Ranger Camp and Outdoor Explorer Camp offers a variety of outdoor activities including live animal presentations, creating crafts, building eco-structures, catching critters, and hiking ridges to beautiful views. Campers bond with like-minded campers and expand their nature knowledge.
Camp is limited in size so each child receives individual attention. Registration includes a camp shirt, water bottle and daily snack. Campers bring a lunch Monday-Thursday. All camps include Friday kosher hotdog lunch, ice cream desert and water games. Ages 5-11 Dates: Weeks in June and July
Spend your summer exploring nature at Warner Park Nature Center’s Naturalist Camps! Experience the natural world through hands-on activities, close encounters with live animals, nature hikes and outdoor play. Every morning will be spent outdoors in nature exploring what fascinates you. Monday – Friday, 8am-noon. Ages 6-12 years Dates: Weeks in June and July
Whippoorwill Farm Day Camp is a 50-acre farm where campers explore creeks, wooded hills, fields, and the diverse wildlife of Whippoorwill Farm. For 1st grade through 11th grade students. *Registration is currently on a wait list for younger grades. There are openings for rising 9th, 10th and 11th grades. Ages: Grades 1st through 11th Dates: Weeks in May, June and July
Each year Nashville Zoo offers ten exciting weeks of summer camp for youth ages 4 through 18 including special camps designed for children with special needs and even future veterinarians! Campers ages 4 to 18 can join us for day camps full of Zoo favorites and new adventures. All camps incorporate animal trail exploration, games, crafts, WILD hands-on activities and up-close animal encounters. Most camps run from 9am to 3pm each day, with before-care available starting at 7:30am and after-care available until 5:30pm for an extra fee. Ages: 4 to 18 Dates: Weeks in May, June and July
Sports
MPacts Sports’ goal is to consistently provide the children of our community with enjoyable and high quality instruction in a healthy learning environment. Theme include Tiny Tots, Gymnastics/Tumbling and Ninja Gym. Extended care is also available. Ages: 4-12 Dates: Weeks in May, June, July and August
Let It Shine’s FUNtastic Summer Camp includes trampolines, obstacle courses, rope swing, zip lines, tumble track, swimming, relays, theme weeks and more. You can sign up for daily or weekly sessions. Camp hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. but early and extended care is also available. Ages 3-5 are eligible for Pre Camp and ages 5-12 for Big Camp. Dates: May 26th-August 3rd
Summer Camp includes on-ice techniques, power skating, moves in the field, jumps, spins, movement and presentation. Off-ice classes teach stretch/warm up, strength, cardio, off-ice dance class, lunch, field games and opportunities for private lessons. Ages: Varies for each program Dates: Weeks in June and July
Top Golf Nashville’s Summer Academy is five days of non-stop entertainment and learning that kids will love. This program includes all of the components that make up the great game of golf. From chipping, putting and full swing, to the rules and etiquette, kids will learn everything they need to know to improve their game.
Each Academy is designed and taught by our golf professionals from Topgolf Coach in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. Summer Academy is staffed with a low student-to-instructor ratio to ensure each Junior Golfer receives in-depth, hands-on attention while he or she develops a winning golf swing. Sign up before April 1st to save $20 off! Ages: 6-12 Dates: June 15th- July 24th