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Special Needs Summer Day Camp
June 1 – Aug 14, 7:30-5:30pm Mon-Fri. Week-long inclusive programs geared towards individuals with disabilities. Eleven weeks total. Hosted by Springfield Park District. Ages 5-12 at Nelson Center in Lincoln Park. Ages 13-25 at Erin’s Pavilion in Southwind Park. Per week rate: $70 residents, $80 nonmembers. Registration, 585-2941.
Splish Splash Science Camp
June 1-5, 1-4pm, Mon-Fri. Boat races, buoyancy tests, hands on aquatic, science experiments outdoors and indoors. Ages 8-12. $68 members, $88 nonmembers. springfieldymca.org. Springfield YMCA Gus & Flora Kerasotes Branch, 4550 West Iles Ave., 679-1625.
Y.N.O.T Outdoors Summer Camp
June 8-Aug 14, 7:30am to 5 or 5:30pm, Mon-Fri. Day trips, soccer, basketball, gyms, swimming, hiking, movie rooms, shady trees and more. For children entering grades 1-12. Hosted by Youth Needing Other Things Outdoors. $1,500 for full summer, $145 per week. Two locations: Sacred Heart-Griffin West Campus, 1600 W. Washington St., 787-1595 or Y.N.O.T Outdoors, 301 North Breckenridge, Chatham, 416-0549.
Riverside Stables Horse Camp
June 8 – Aug 10, 8am-4pm Mon-Fri. Week-long sessions offered June 8 to Aug 10. Ages 5-16. $425 per week. Reserve your week at riversidestable.com. Riverside Stables Horse Camp, 2310 Chinchilla Lane, 522-7702.
Around the World in Five Days Camp
June 8-12, 9am-4pm, Mon-Fri. Explore games, music, art, food, music, dance, leisure and careers from other cultures to become a better world citizen. Open to girls in grades 1-5. $135 per camper. Camp Widjiwagan, 71 Wienold Lane, 529-2212.
Horse Riding Summer Day Camp
June 8-12, 15, 17, 19, 22-26, 29, July 1, 3, 6-10, 13, 15, 17, 10am-3pm Mon-Fri. Open to disabled, non-disabled riders ages 8 and up. Camp is 10am-3pm daily in June and July. Register for one or all sessions. $375 per week (5 days) for non-disabled riders, $275 per week (3 days) for disabled riders. BrightStarEquestrianCentre.com. Bright Star Equestrian Centre, 13922 State Highway 97, Petersburg, 502-2737.
Sticky Icky Ooey Gooey Summer Camp
June 8-12, Full days: 9am-4pm, or half days: 9am-12pm or 1-4pm, Mon-Fri. Grades K-2. Explore all things messy and gross from slime to bugs to finger-painted floor art to tie dye. $90-$150. Register by May 31, bit.ly/stickycamp2015. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 782-7386.
Exploration Camp
June 8-12, 9am-12pm, Mon-Fri. Take nature walks, study fossils, play outdoors games, garden and more. Ages 5-12, sorted by age. $68 members, $88 nonmembers. springfieldymca.org. Springfield YMCA Gus & Flora Kerasotes Branch, 4550 West Iles Ave., 679-1625.
Bakery Bliss Camp
June 8-12, 1-4pm, Mon-Fri. Traditional day camp activities. Create and taste sweet and savory creations, learn about safe food prep, nutrition and cooking terminology. Ages 10-14. $68 members, $88 nonmembers. springfieldymca.org. YMCA, 701 S. Fourth St., 544-9846.
Metals Camp
June 8-12, 1-4pm, Mon-Fri. Learn metal casting and fabrication techniques, including Cuddle Bone, Broom, Sand and Lost Wax Casts. For high school students. $100 members, $130 nonmembers. Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.
PAVE Summer Camp
June 8-20, July 6-18, July 20-Aug 1, 9am-4pm Mon-Fri. Children in grades 3-9 stage a live theater production, start to finish, in two weeks. Session I: Kings & Queens, Session II: Let It Go!, Session III: Grab Bag City. $330 per session. springfieldtheatrecentre.com. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.
Magic Camp
June 15-19, 9am-12pm, Mon-Fri. Campers will be introduced to famous magicians and learn many of their spellbinding tricks Ages 5-12, sorted by age. $68 members, $88 nonmembers. springfieldymca.org. Springfield YMCA Gus & Flora Kerasotes Branch, 4550 West Iles Ave., 679-1625.
Performing Arts Camp
June 15-16 and 22-26, 9am-12pm, Mon-Fri. Two-week camp for actors, singers and dancers. Learn parts to put on an amazing performance for friends and family on the last day of camp. $68 members, $88 nonmembers. springfieldymca.org. YMCA, 701 S. Fourth St., 544-9846.
Fiction and Fantasy Camp
June 15-19, 9am-4pm Mon-Fri. Use your imagination to write a story and examine characters from your favorite books and film. Open to girls entering grades 1-5. $135 per camper. Camp Widjiwagan, 71 Wienold Lane, 529-2212.
Ecology Camp
June 15-July 31, Full days: 8:30am-3:30pm, or half days: 8:30-11:30am. Ages 4-12 spend a week outdoors cultivating respect and appreciation for the environment via crafts, hikes, games, leisure time and more. Week-long camps run June through July and are scheduled by age. Session 1 (4-6 years) is half day, sessions 2-6 are full day. Half day: $65 members, $85 nonmembers. Full day: $130 members, $170 nonmembers. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr., 529-1111.
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Art + Science + Play! Preschool Summer Camp
June 17, 9-11am Wed. Art projects, science experiments and other opportunities for kids age 4-5 to learn through play. Members $18, nonmembers $20. Register by June 7, bit.ly/playcamp2015. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 782-7386.
Sci-Art Studio Middle School Summer Camp
June 19, 9am-4pm Fri. Hands-on science and art projects for kids entering grades 6-8. Members $30, non $35. Register by June 11, bit.ly/sci-art2015. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 782-7386.
British Soccer Camp First Kicks
June 22-26, 9-10am, Mon-Fri. High-level soccer coaching for ages 3-4 from a team of international experts. Hosted by Springfield Park District and Challenger Sports British Soccer. $85 residents, $95 non. Lincoln Park, 1601 N. Fifth St., 753-0700.
British Soccer Half Day Soccer Camp
June 22-26, 9am-12pm, Mon-Fri. High-level soccer coaching for ages 6-9 and 10-16 from a team of international experts. Hosted by Springfield Park District and Challenger Sports British Soccer. $135 residents, $145 non. Lincoln Park, 1601 N. Fifth St., 753-0700.
British Soccer Camp Mini Soccer
June 22-26, 10:30am-12:30pm, Mon-Fri. High-level soccer coaching for ages 4-6 from a team of international experts. Hosted by Springfield Park District and Challenger Sports British Soccer. $95 residents, $105 non. Lincoln Park, 1601 N. Fifth St., 753-0700.
Into the Woods Camp
June 22-26, 1:30-4:30pm, Mon-Fri. Turn to nature and the great outdoors for inspiration. Projects include woodland animal art, leaf reliefs and land art artists such as Andy Goldsworthy and Richard Long. For students entering grades K-2. $100 members, $130 nonmembers. Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.
Behind the Scenes Camp
June 22-26, 9am-12pm, Mon-Fri. Make-up artists, set builders and costume designers work collaboratively with performing arts camp to put on a fabulous show. Ages 10-14. $68 members, $88 nonmembers. springfieldymca.org. YMCA, 701 S. Fourth St., 544-9846.
Extreme Explorers! Summer Camp
June 22-26, 9am-4pm, Mon-Fri. Science experiments, art activities and museum explorations for kids entering grades 3-5. Members $135, non $150. Register by June 14, bit.ly/excamp2015. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 782-7386.
Animal Adventures Camp
June 22-26, 9am-4pm, Mon-Fri. Explore the animal world. Scavenger hunt, swim like otters, boat like swans, hike like coyotes, plus field trip to Henson Robinson Zoo and more. Open to girls entering grades 1-5. $135 per camper. Camp Widjiwagan, 71 Wienold Lane, 529-2212.
Nelson Center Summer Camp Session #2
June 23-July 7, 7am-5:30pm, Mon-Fri. Day camp for ages 5-12 featuring arts/crafts, theme weeks, field trips, ice skating, guest speakers, educational groups, plus swimming everyday. Hosted by Springfield Park District. $230 residents, $290 non. Nelson Center, Lincoln Park, 1601 N. Fifth St., 753-2800.
Planes, Trains and Automobiles Camp
June 29-July 3, 9am-12pm, Mon-Fri. Design race cars, set off rockets, build launch crafts and more. Ages 5-8. $68 members, $88 nonmembers. springfieldymca.org. YMCA, 701 S. Fourth St., 544-9846.
Box Office Blast Camp
June 29- July 3, 1-4pm, Mon-Fri. Activities based on current and past movie blockbusters, such as trivia, games, arts, crafts, treats and more. Ages 8-12. $68 members, $88 nonmembers. springfieldymca.org. YMCA, 701 S. Fourth St., 544-9846.
Fashion Camp
June 29-July 3, 1-4pm, Mon-Fri. Using alternative materials, campers will construct an avant-garde piece by building from a dress form. For high school students. $100 members, $130 nonmembers. Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.
Jedi Training Academy
July 6-10, 9am-12pm, Mon-Fri. Perfect light saber techniques, design space ships, droids and more. Ages 5-8. $68 members, $88 nonmembers. springfieldymca.org. YMCA, 701 S. Fourth St., 544-9846.
Back to Basics Camp
July 6-10, 9am-12pm, Mon-Fri. Traditional day camp activities. Arts and crafts, music, camp songs, group games, friendship bracelets, sack races and more. Ages 5-12 years. Sorted by age. $68 members, $88 nonmembers. springfieldymca.org. Springfield YMCA Gus & Flora Kerasotes Branch, 4550 West Iles Ave., 679-1625.
Dance, Dance, Dance Camp
July 6-10, 9am-12pm, Mon-Fri. Campers learn basic dance steps, culminating with performance of a jazz routine for friends and family. Ages 5-8. $68 members, $88 nonmembers. springfieldymca.org. YMCA, 701 S. Fourth St., 544-9846.
Hunger Games Camp
July 6-10, 9am-4pm, Mon-Fri. Learn survival skills, archery tournaments, boating relays, camp trivia games and more. Open to girls entering grades 1-5. $135 per camper. Camp Widjiwagan, 71 Wienold Lane, 529-2212.
Alternative Jewelry Camp
July 6-10, 1-4pm, Mon-Fri. Accessorize your outfits using alternative materials. Traditional jewelry techniques will be taught, such as fasting or fish hook drops. For grades 9-12. $100 members, $130 nonmembers. Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.
Nelson Center Summer Camp Session #3
July 7-18, 7am-5:30pm, Mon-Fri. Day camp for ages 5-12 featuring arts/crafts, theme weeks, field trips, ice skating, guest speakers, educational groups, plus swimming everyday. Hosted by Springfield Park District. $230 residents, $290 non. Nelson Center, Lincoln Park, 1601 N. Fifth St., 753-2800.
Amazing Race Camp
July 13-17, 9am-12pm, Mon-Fri. Let the race begin! Campers complete challenges daily as a team. Ages 5-12 years. Sorted by age. $68 members, $88 nonmembers. springfieldymca.org. Springfield YMCA Gus & Flora Kerasotes Branch, 4550 West Iles Ave., 679-1625.
Nike Baseball Camps
July 13-16, 9am-12pm OR 12-3pm OR full day option, Mon-Thurs. Four-day camp for ages 8-12 covers all aspects of baseball. Director and lead instructor is former Atlanta Braves outfielder, Mark Chambers. Hosted by Springfield Park District and Nike Baseball Camps. Half day: $125 residents, $135 non. Full day: $265 residents, $275 non. Chamberlain Park, Mc Creery Ave., 753-0700.
Paws, Claws and Fossils Camp
July 13-17, 9am-12pm, Mon-Fri. Study dinosaurs, pets and farm, jungle and forest animals via games, art and science. Features non-human guests. Ages 5-7. $68 members, $88 nonmembers. springfieldymca.org. YMCA, 701 S. Fourth St., 544-9846.
CSI Investigation Camp
July 13-17, 1-4pm, Mon-Fri. A summer camp for science-minded investigators and detectives. Step into the mind of a CSI expert and look at forensics, fingerprinting and DNA to solve crimes. Ages 8-12. $68 members, $88 nonmembers. springfieldymca.org. YMCA, 701 S. Fourth St., 544-9846.
Splish Splash Science Camp
July 13-17, 1-4pm, Mon-Fri. Boat races, buoyancy tests, hands on aquatic, science experiments outdoors and indoors. Ages 5-7. $68 members, $88 nonmembers. springfieldymca.org. Springfield YMCA Gus & Flora Kerasotes Branch, 4550 West Iles Ave., 679-1625.
Engineering Camp
July 20-24, 9am-12pm, Mon-Fri. Science and math enthusiasts build all kinds of cool structures using a variety of materials. Ages 5-12, sorted by age. $68 members, $88 nonmembers. springfieldymca.org. Springfield YMCA Gus & Flora Kerasotes Branch, 4550 West Iles Ave., 679-1625.
Make Believe and More Camp
July 20-24, 9am-12pm, Mon-Fri. Explore fairies, dragons and magical kingdoms via storytelling, art, games, dress up, crafts, more. Ages 5-7. $68 members, $88 nonmembers. springfieldymca.org. YMCA, 701 S. Fourth St., 544-9846.
Grossology Camp
July 20-24, 1-4pm, Mon-Fri. Discover the messy, icky, stinky side of science, from slime and snot to germs and smell concoctions. Ages 8-12. $68 members, $88 nonmembers. springfieldymca.org. YMCA, 701 S. Fourth St., 544-9846.
Camp H20
July 20-24, 9am-4pm, Mon-Fri. Learn about water as a habit, explore water cycle, swim, boat and make crafts using water. Field trip to Knights Action Park. Open to girls entering grades 1-5. $135 per camper. Camp Widjiwagan, 71 Wienold Lane, 529-2212.
Ceramics Camp
July 20-24, 1-4pm, Mon-Fri. Develop more advanced ceramics techniques through hand-built and wheel-thrown projects. For grades 9-12. $130 members, $160 nonmembers. Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.
Nelson Center Summer Camp Session #4
July 21-Aug 1, 7am-5:30pm, Mon-Fri. Day camp for ages 5-12 featuring arts/crafts, theme weeks, field trips, ice skating, guest speakers, educational groups, plus swimming everyday. Hosted by Springfield Park District. $230 residents, $290 non. Nelson Center, Lincoln Park, 1601 N. Fifth St., 753-2800.
Petite Picasso Camp
July 27-31, 9am-12pm, Mon-Fri. Learn basic paint, drawing and design skills in a variety of materials and mediums. Ages 5-7. $68 members, $88 nonmembers. springfieldymca.org. YMCA, 701 S. Fourth St., 544-9846.
Photography Camp
July 27-31, 9am-12pm, Mon-Fri. Learn all about photography from mechanics and troubleshooting of your camera to composition, lighting and exposure, to Photoshop editing. Bring your own digital camera. For students entering grades 6-8. $130 members, $160 nonmembers. Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.
Zen Camp
July 27-31, 9am-12pm, Mon-Fri. Learn the benefits of yoga and a positive mind. Also journaling, service projects, self-expression art projects. Ages 5-12, sorted by age. $68 members, $88 nonmembers. springfieldymca.org. Springfield YMCA Gus & Flora Kerasotes Branch, 4550 West Iles Ave., 679-1625.
Mud Pie Camp
July 27-31, 9am-4pm, Mon-Fri. A camp dedicated to getting dirty! Craft homemade slip and slide, create sand art, clay sculptures, stomp around in mud, make dessert creations. Open to girls entering grades 1-5. $135 per camper. Camp Widjiwagan, 71 Wienold Lane, 529-2212.
Metals Camp
July 27-31, 1-4pm, Mon-Fri. Learn metal casting and fabrication techniques, including Cuddle Bone, Broom, Sand and Lost Wax Casts. For high school students. $100 members, $130 nonmembers. Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 523-2631.
Lights, Camera, Action Camp
Aug 3-7, 9am-4pm, Mon-Fri. Write, cast and perform your own movie with your camp unit. Open to girls entering grades 1-5. $135 per camper. Camp Widjiwagan, 71 Wienold Lane, 529-2212.
Hogwarts Adventure Camp
Aug 3-7, 1-4pm, Mon-Fri. Mix potions, study magical creatures and perfect wizardry skills. Earn points for your house via games, trivia and more. Costumes encouraged. Ages 8-12. $68 members, $88 nonmembers. springfieldymca.org. YMCA, 701 S. Fourth St., 544-9846.
Just Build It! Camp
Aug 10-14, 9am-12pm, Mon-Fri. Build structures with Legos, recycled materials and other recycled materials and odd items. Ages 8-12. $68 members, $88 nonmembers. springfieldymca.org. YMCA, 701 S. Fourth St., 544-9846.
This article appears in Capital City Parent April 2015.
