School may be out during the summer, but that does not mean learning, fun or the performing arts have to end. Summer camps can provide a way for children of all ages to get an academic edge, learn a new skill or simply have fun during the break. Below readers will find a variety of camps. Although this list is not comprehensive, it is a guide to help make sure children have plenty to keep them busy this summer.

ACADEMIC

Badgerdog creative writing summer camp Each summer Badgerdog hosts three-week writing workshops for children. The workshops allow students to work closely with a professional writer as they explore the arts of poetry, fiction, nonfiction and playwriting. By the end of the summer all students can experience performing and publishing their original work. Classes take place from 9 a.m.–noon. Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 3525 Bee Caves Road, Austin 512-542-0076 • www.austinlibrary.org Ages: Third–12th grade • Dates: June 8–26 • Cost: $450 Bluebonnet summer day camp Children are divided by age into small groups with experienced counselors. Campers can participate in weekly themed camps, such as Nature Explorers, Amazing Artists, Tales of Ancient Egypt, STEM with Legos and more. Bluebonnet’s chef provides snacks and lunches for campers who will also have the opportunity to swim in the Bluebonnet pool or go to the waterpark at the Cedar Park location weekly. 10321 Boulder Lane, Austin 512-219-5100 • www.bluebonnetschool.com Ages: 5–10 • Dates: June 8–Aug. 20 • Cost: $200 Curious Einstein camps Camps are available in three-hour, six-hour and full-day installments and are available in multiple locations. The camps include personalized curriculum including math, science, creative writing, reading and playtime. Each week is themed, including game design, renewable energy, geography, website creation and more. Live Oak Unitarian Church, 3315 El Salido Parkway, Cedar Park 512-808-0103 • www.curiouseinstein.com Ages: 6–12 • Dates: June 15–Aug. 7 • Cost: $125–$230 Mad Science Mad Science camps offer a daily combination of in-class discovery and exploration, outdoor games and physical activities, and hands-on applications of the scientific principles presented. The camp uses simple, real-world science techniques through which students build a variety of take-home projects while exploring how science affects the world around them. Bella Mar Community Center, Bella Mar Trail, Austin Lakeway Activity Center, 105 Cross Creek, Lakeway 512-892-1143 • www.register.madscience.org/austin Ages: Kindergarten–sixth grade • Dates: June 8–Aug. 21 • Cost: $160–$260 Wonder Space Tech Camp Wonder Space Tech Camp brings curious campers together with counselors for a hands-on exploration of the world of technology. Weekly camps include filmmaking, 3-D printing, “Minecraft” modding, advanced game modding, app game design, math camp and more. Concordia University Texas, 11400 Concordia University Drive, Austin 877-972-2671. www.wstechcamp.com Ages: 9 and older. Dates: June 8–Aug. 14. Cost: $375–$694. Young People’s Workshop camp The educational camp offers a customizable experience with more than 28 camps from which to choose. In addition to science and arts, Young People’s Workshop offers a full-immersion Spanish day camp in which all activities are conducted entirely in Spanish. The camps have theme-based days, including “Pirates of the Caribbean,” Indiana Jones Adventure, Harry Potter with Magic Potions and more. 3640 Bee Caves Road, Austin 512-329-5611 • www.ypwkids.com Ages: 3–12 • Dates: June 1–Aug. 21 • Cost: $221–$275

ART & PERFORMANCE

Acting camps No singing is required in these acting camps. Participants can play theater games, learn stage combat and stunt skills, and use special effects makeup. Camps include “Star Wars,” “The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe,” “Pirates of the Caribbean” and zombies. Half-day camps run from 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m., and full-day camps run from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Synergy Dance Studio, 3425 Bee Caves Road, Austin Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, 414 St. Stephen’s School Road, Austin 512-836-5437 • www.kidsactingstudio.com Ages: 6–13 • Dates: June 29–Aug. 21 • Cost: $225–$325 Band Aid School of Music summer camps Band Aid School of Music is the only National Champion Rock Band School in Texas. The school has camps including Rock Band and Rock Star, Piano Camp, Drum Camp, Guitar Camp and Vocal Camp. Camps range from 5 to 10 days in length. Riverbend Church, 4214 N. Capital of Texas Hwy., Austin 512-730-0592 • www.bandaidschoolofmusic.com Ages: 4–18 • Dates: June 15–Aug. 14 • Cost: $235–$549 Bee Cave art camp The art camp focuses on creative ways to explore the world of art. The camp emphasizes experimentation, creative thinking and problem-solving skills. Times are from 9 a.m.–noon and 1–4 p.m., and camps include supplies, snacks and clay-firing fees. Bee Cave Sculpture Park, 13333 W. Hwy. 71, Bee Cave 512-276-2487 • www.beecavearts.org Ages: 5–12 • Dates: June 15–19, 22–26 • Cost: $180 Musical camps A wide age-range of participants are used for casting purposes. Campers sing, dance, act and play theater games. The camps include costumes, lights, props and live music. Each camp emphasizes a different musical, including “Grease,” “Legally Blonde,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “Wicked,” “Tangled” and “Frozen Fever.” Half-day camps run from 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m., and full-day camps run from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Synergy Dance Studio, 3425 Bee Caves Road, Austin Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, 414 St. Stephen’s School Road, Austin 512-836-5437 • www.kidsactingstudio.com Ages: 5–16 • Dates: June 15–Aug. 14 • Cost: $225–$325 The Musicians Woodshed summer camps Music school The Musicians Woodshed offers a variety of weekly summer camps in which instrumentalists must have some basic understanding of their instrument before participating. Camps include Rock Camp, Songwriting Camp, Woodshed Show Choir and Guitar Mastery Workshop. Students will learn skills such as choreography, singing solos, understanding rhythms, working with others and songwriting. Camp classes run about four hours in length. 3698 S. RR 620, Ste. 107, Austin 512-614-6491 • www.themusicianswoodshed.com Ages: 5 and older • Dates: June 8–Aug. 6 • Cost: $150–$300 PAIYH summer camps Put Art In Your Heart Dance Studios offers summer camps in which campers can experience movement, music, art and theater. Weekly themes include Hip Hop & Pop Stars, “Frozen” Fun, Disney Dreamers, “Annie,” Make a Music Video, Creative Art, Acting for Film and more. Camps are 9 a.m.–1 p.m. All camps are divided into groups by age. 13420 Galleria Circle, Ste. A-116, Bee Cave 512-291-2179 • www.paiyhdancestudios.com Ages: 3–9 • Dates: June 8–Aug. 21 • Cost: $60 (day), $250 (week) Synergy Dance Studio summer dance camps The weekly summer dance camps include themed classes, such as ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, musical theater, acting, tumbling and more. All classes are taught by qualified, experienced staff. Advanced classes are also available that focus on skill, technique and style. Recreational camps are appropriate for beginner to intermediate students. 3425 Bee Caves Road, Ste. C1, Austin 512-327-4130 • www.synergydancestudio.com Ages: 3–17 • Dates: June 8–Aug. 14 • Cost: $185–$275 TexArts acting camps Actors can focus on comedy and TV sitcom acting in these weekly camps. Campers can explore improv, creative movement, write skits and perfect comedic timing. Camps include Jedi Sword Mastering, Comedy Camp, Create a Sitcom and Puppeteering. Camps are half-day from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. 2300 Lohmans Spur, Ste. 160, Austin 512-634-8589 • www.tex-arts.org Ages: 7–18 • Dates: June 29–Aug. 14 • Cost: $250 TexArts visual arts and sculpture camps Campers can expand upon drawing and painting beyond just putting pencil or brush to paper. They can explore assorted materials and varying techniques and how they can be combined to create artworks. Classes include Wild Kingdom of Arts, Splash into Summer, “A Bug’s Life” and more. Weekly camps are half-day from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. 2300 Lohmans Spur, Ste. 160, Austin 512-634-8589 • www.tex-arts.org Ages: 5–14 • Dates: June 29–Aug. 14 • Cost: $300

COOKING 

Faraday’s Summer Kids Chef Camp Now in its seventh season, chef Larson Washington leads the weekly camps with varying themes and recipes. The camps offer participants a chance to learn how to cook and prepare meals with advanced cooking techniques, proper sanitation, menu development and plate design. Each week has a different theme, ranging from international foods to Texas favorites. There are two sessions of camp every week: a morning session from 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and an afternoon session from 1:30–4:30 p.m. 12918 Shops Parkway, Ste. 540, Bee Cave 512-266-5666 • www.faradayskitchenstore.com Ages: 7–15 • Dates: June 8–Aug. 13 • Cost: $199 Foodie Kids Cooking for a Cause summer camps Students will host a bake sale and farm stand to raise money for No Kid Hungry and create about a dozen indigenous dishes from different locations depending on the camp theme, including France, Austin, California, Italy and the world of Harry Potter. The four-day camps are split into two sessions with children ages 4 1/2–7 in camp from 9 a.m.–noon and children age 8 and older in camp from 1–4 p.m. 3818 Far West Blvd., Ste. 107, Austin 512-346-3333 • www.foodie-kids.com Ages: 4 1/2 and older • Dates: June 8–Aug. 27 • Cost: $250 Patricia’s Table summer camps The weeklong camps feature seasonal recipes. Campers will make two to three recipes, one savory and one sweet, each day from scratch. Younger chefs will focus on kitchen basics, and older chefs learn more advanced culinary techniques. Games, challenges and crafts are incorporated into each camp. Campers take home a Patricia’s Table apron, a kitchen notebook with recipes and more. Themed camps include Farm to Table, Superfood Superpowers, Culinary Challenge Fun, Edible Science, Baking Basics, Master Chef Jr., and more. 1510 W. 35th St. Cutoff, Austin 512-434-9100 • www.patriciastable.com Ages: 3–14 • Dates: May 26–Aug. 21 • Cost: $275–$600

OVERNIGHT 

Camp Champions Located on 100 acres near Lake LBJ, the camp offers more than 40 activities, including archery, go-karts and waterskiing. Camps are offered in two- or three-week stints, with the option of a two-week stay extending into the third week. 775 Camp Road, Marble Falls 830-598-2571 • www.campchampions.com Ages: Kindergarten–12th grade • Dates: June 7–Aug. 15 • Cost: $3,145–$4,155 Rocky River Ranch summer camp Located in the Texas Hill Country, Rocky River Ranch has been operating as a private summer camp for girls since 1953. Campers have four activity periods each day and can choose the activities they want to concentrate on for each week. 100 Flite Acres Road, Wimberley 800-863-2267 • www.rockyriverranch.com Ages: 7–14 • Dates: June 7–Aug. 7 • Cost: $850–$1,375

SPORTS

Austin Yacht Club summer camp The American Sailing Association 101 Basic Keelboat Certification Class takes place from 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. The weekend class gets campers started with the basic skills for safe sailing. 5906 Beacon Drive, Austin 512-266-1336 • www.austinyachtclub.net Ages: N/A • Dates: June 13–14 • Cost: $349–$449 Champions Westlake summer camps Summer campers get concentrated time with coaches in a high-energy environment. Weekly camps include “Frozen:” Ice Castle Quest, Somos Champions, Champion All Stars: In it to Win it, To the Rescue: Superheroes Unite, “Back to the Future:” A Flip Through Time, and more. 2805 Bee Caves Road, Ste. 405, Austin 512-426-1990 • www.championswestlake.com Ages: 2–10 • Dates: June 1–Aug. 13 • Cost: $50–$225 Summer Karate Camps In addition to martial arts drills and games, the camps include a Ninja Obstacle Course, padded nunchakus and swords, and a snack and free time in which campers can partake in various activities. Campers in kindergarten through first grade can take part in Power Ninja Camps, and children in second through sixth grade can partake in Samurai Camps. Weekly camp times are 10 a.m.–noon and 10 a.m.–1 p.m., respectively. 3636 Bee Caves Road, Ste. 212, Austin 512-327-2900 • www.lifekido.com Ages: 5–12 • Dates: June 8–Aug. 14 • Cost: $175–$199 Water Sports Camp The Sail & Ski Water Sports Camp allows participants the opportunity to learn about and try many sports on the water, including water skiing, wake boarding, wake surfing, kneeboarding, stand-up paddleboarding and tubing. The camp runs in two sessions, one from 8 a.m.–noon and one from 1:30–5:30 p.m. 16406 Stewart Road, Lakeway 512-258-0733. www.sailandski.com Ages: 6–14. Dates: June 8–July 23. Cost: $400