Summer Camp Guide 2013

Cafe Monet Summer Art Camps

Children can learn pottery basics and paint their own pieces. Three types of weeklong camps—clay, painting and mixed media—run all summer.

Age 6 and older. June 24–Aug. 16. $175 per week. Cafe Monet Westgate, 4477 S. Lamar Blvd., Ste. 560. 512-892-3200. www.cafemonet.org

Drum Set Boot Camp for beginners

The Oak Hill Drum Studio holds a special Drum Set Boot Camp with one-on-one private instruction for beginners each week throughout the summer. Students can learn basic rock beats, fills and other techniques. No previous experience is required.

Age 9 and older. May 15–Sept. 15. $350 per week or $110 per day. Oak Hill Drum Studio, 7003 Pinto Cove. 512-964-6778. www.oakhilldrumstudio.com

kidsActing Camp

Camps, classes and original musicals by young performers will be held all summer long. Weeklong, full-day camps will introduce classics and contemporary plays such as "Goldie," "Annie," "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back," "Zombies" and "High School Musical" to the stage.

Ages 4–18. June 10–Aug. 23. $325 per week. Fourteen locations in Central Texas. Oak Hill United Methodist Church, 7815 W. Hwy. 290. 512-836-5437. www.kidsactingstudio.com

Lone Star School of Music summer program

Camps at the Lone Star School of Music offer music lessons in an atmosphere conducive to the learning and sharing of music. The program includes several one-week camps that teach children to play instruments, as well as rock camp, in which students write their own music and perform in a rock show.

Ages 6–16. June 10–Aug. 2. $229–$375 per week. Lone Star School Of Music, 4301 W. William Cannon Drive, Ste. B-260. 512-712-5187. www.lonestarschoolofmusic.com

Rock Camp USA

Now in its 17th year, Rock Camp USA features intensive, performance-oriented instruction given by professional musicians. Participants record a CD in a studio. Each camp is two weeks long and culminates with a live performance in front of hundreds of people.

Ages 8–19. June 17–Aug. 4. $470–$550 per two weeks. Austin School of Music, 2428-B W. Ben White Blvd. 512-476-7666. www.rockcampusa.com

Sacred Arts Summer Art Camps

Attendees make their own art projects at themed week-long camps for two age groups, ages 4–7 and 8–12. Daily activities include two hours of art and one hour of art-related games with prizes. Space is limited to 12 young artists per camp.

Ages 4–12. June 10–Aug. 12. $135 per week. Sacred Arts Studio, 6001 W. William Cannon Dr., Ste. 305. 512-584-8061. www.sacredartsstudioandgallery.com

Tapestry Dance Company camps

Camps are offered for varying age groups and styles of dance, ranging from beginning ballet camps for ages 4–7 to senior intensive camps with a musical theater focus.

Ages 4–18. June 3–Aug. 17. $250 per week, $750 for two weeks. Tapestry Dance Co., 2302 Western Trails Blvd. 512-474-9846. www.tapestry.org

Zach Theatre summer camps

The performing arts school at Zach Theatre provides opportunities to explore, develop, apply and refine expression through performance. Themed camps include Hogwarts Camp, Rock Star Camp and Beatlemania. Theater skills camps for grades 3–8 teach fundamental acting skills. Preprofessional camps are available for grades 4–12.

Ages 3 1/2–18. June 10–Aug. 23. $95–$350 per week, $600 for five-week rehearsal camp. Zach Theatre, 1510 Toomey Road, 512-476-0594, ext. 236. www.zachtheatre.org

ATHLETICS AND MARTIAL ARTS

All-Star Sports Summer Camp

At All-Star Sports Summer Camp 2013, children develop athletic skills by playing sports including soccer, basketball, flag football, dodgeball, capture the flag and pickleball.

Ages 6–14. June 10–Aug. 23. $170 per week for half days or $270 per week for full day. SoccerZone South Austin, 9501 Manchaca Road. 512-280-2244. www.allstarsportscamp.org

Camp Jump

Jump Gymnastics Austin offers weeklong, theme-based curriculum combining gymnastics, yoga, music, art, science and games to give every camper an experience that increases confidence and encourages physical activity.

Ages 3–12. June 10–Aug. 23. $160–$360 per week. Jump Gymnastics Austin, 2919 Manchaca Road, Ste. 205. 512-505-8608. www.jumpgymnastics.com

Girl Power Karate Camp

Sun Dragon Martial Arts and Self Defense's one-week camp supports the physical and spiritual empowerment of female students through training in conflict resolution, self-defense, and nonviolent martial arts.

Ages 6–12. June 17–21. $200. Sun Dragon Martial Arts and Self Defense, 4534 West Gate Blvd., Ste. 101. 512-416-9735. www.sundragon.org

Kuk Sool Won of Oak Hill Martial Arts

The one-week summer camp teaches the martial art of kuk sool won, which incorporates elements including low stances, kicking, breaking wooden boards and self-defense.

Ages 6–12. June 24–Aug. 16, $150–$175 per week. 6001 W. William Cannon Drive, Ste. 307. 512-899-8710. www.kswoakhill.com

Life Time Super Summer Camps

A 24-hour fitness center offers 11 one-week camps featuring rock climbing, swimming, gym games, crafts and off-site field trips. The Life Time Fitness child center includes a maze, basketball court, age-appropriate computer games and other activities.

Ages 5–12. June 10–Aug. 19. $170 per week. Life Time Fitness, 7101 S. MoPac. 512-891-4518. www.lifetimefitness.com

The Little Gym Summer Camp

With more than 300 locations in 21 nations, The Little Gym focuses on helping children, with programs designed to build motor skills while fostering enhanced emotional, intellectual and social skills. Camps each week last from Monday to Thursday and have themes including superheroes, movies and extreme sports.

Ages 3–8. June 10–Aug. 22. $35 per day (members), $45 per day (nonmembers). The Little Gym, 4301 W. William Cannon Dr., Ste. E-150. 512-899-3456. www.tlgaustin.com

Mu Sool Won Martial Arts of South Austin

Students in several weeklong half-day camps learn traditional Korean mu sool won skills including hand striking, kicking, grappling, acrobatics and self-defense.

Ages 5–15. June 10–Aug. 23, $100–$185 per week. Mu Sool Won Martial Arts of South Austin, 1901 W. William Cannon Drive, Ste. 121. 512-299-1873. mswsouthaustin.com

SoccerZone South Austin sports camps

Coach Celester Collier teaches basketball camp, and Coach Jeff Ables teaches a football camp. Basketball camp is for grades 1–8, and football camp is for grades 3–8.

Ages vary. Football is June 10–14, basketball is June 17–Aug. 23. $170 per week for half-day camp. SoccerZone South Austin, 9501 Manchaca Road. 512-280-2244. www.soccerzonesouthaustin.com

EDUCATIONAL

Badgerdog Creative Writing Camp

Participants work with a professional writer and write original poetry and prose during the three-week camp.

Grades 3–12. July 8–26. $450. The Austin Waldorf School, 8700 South View Road. 512-542-0076. www.austinlibrary.org

Camp Explorations

With a curriculum focused on issues that affect the Earth and the environment, Camp Explorations helps children learn about science, nature, creative art and music. Weeklong camps have themes such as performing arts, chefs and superheroes.

Ages 1–6. June 3–Aug. 23. $265 per week. Bright Horizons Family Center, 6111 Davis Lane. 512-301-9449. www.brighthorizons.com/oakhill

Future Leaders & Innovators Summer Camp

Teachers use weekly themes and activities such as reading, reflective thinking, writing and fine arts to build students' skills in leadership, cooperation, communication, self-discipline and compassion. Chess Club, science experiments, math puzzles and "Fit for Life" health and fitness enhancement are just some of the activities that will fill a child's day.

Ages 5–13. June 6–Aug. 26. $600 per month. 12 locations including Stepping Stone School, 9405 Brodie Lane. 512-459-0258. www.steppingstoneschool.com

Growin' Together

Several one-week Growin' Together day camps with hands-on activities related to erosion, geology and agriculture are available for ages 5–10. In The Art of Green Technology camp, ages 8–14 can work in teams led by local engineers, ecologists, landscape architects and artists to design and build projects that conserve energy, water and soil.

Ages 5–14. June 17–July 26. Growin' Together $195 per week, The Art of Green Technology $300 per week. EcoSchool campus, 4105 Manchaca Road. 512-537-0955. www.growintogether.org

Jardn de Nios Interlingua Summer Camp

One-week Spanish immersion camps teach children about a variety of subjects including recycling, nutrition, and arts and crafts. Older campers will go on weekly field trips.

Ages 2–11. June 6–Aug. 16. $175 per week for half days, $250 per week for full days. Jardn de Nios Interlingua, 8707 Mountain Crest Drive. 512-432-5317. www.austinbilingualschool.com

Mad Science camps

Camps at Mad Science offer a daily combination of in-class discovery and exploration, outdoor games and physical activities, as well as hands-on applications of the scientific principles presented.

Ages 4–12. June 3–Aug. 23. $160 per week for half days, $260 per week for full days. Southwest Mad Science Office (Oak Hill), 6120 W. Hwy 290; Southwest Lake Pointe Clubhouse, 11700 Sonoma Drive; South Gattitown (South Park Meadows), 9900 S. I-35. 512-892-1143.www.austin.madscience.org

Stunt Camp

Children learn safety concepts and the science behind stunts while acting as stunt and special effects coordinators during seven one-week camps.

Age 8 and older. June 3–July 26. $495 per week. Stunt Ranch, 13317 Fitzhugh Road. 512-749-1383. www.stuntranch.com

USA Chess and video game creation camps

USA Chess camps cater to the needs of advanced scholastic players as well as beginners, and video game camp participants create their own games.

Chess, age 5 and older; video game, age 8 and older. July 8–11. Chess $230 per week for half days, $350 per week for full days; Video game, $260 per week for half days, $405 for full days. St. Michael's Catholic Academy, 3000 Barton Creek Blvd. 888-652-4377. www.activelearningcamps.com

MISCELLANEOUS

Camp Bethany

Six one-week Bible study camps teach children about Scripture. Children play games and participate in sports, music and the arts.

Ages 6–12. June 10–Aug. 9. $120 per week. Bethany Lutheran Church, 3701 W. Slaughter Lane. 512-292-8778. www.blcms.org

Camp Kaleidoscope

The Circle C Child Development Center and Clayton Elementary School host Camp Kaleidoscope, themed two-week camp sessions that run throughout the summer. Activities include art and science projects, swim days, snow cone days and field trips.

Ages 5–10. June 10–Aug. 16. Prices vary. Circle C Child Development Center, 5917 La Crosse Ave. 512-288-9792. www.circleccdc.org

Camp on the Move

Field-trip-based day camp going to different places each day. Camp attendees travel in charter buses and vans on field trips and go to Schlitterbahn three times per week. Thursday of each week is our theme day of that week and every Friday we go to Gatti Town and the movies.

June 10–Aug. 9. Ages 7–14. $295–$345. Camp on the Move, 701 South Capitol of Texas Hwy. 512-658-6285. www.camponthemove.com

Creative Action

Attendees participate in hands-on, collaborative opportunities for students to stretch their imaginations and use the skills they learn to create original works. Each week is a different theme and ends with a performance for friends and family.

Ages 6–10. Jun. 24–July. 19. $285 per week. Circle C Community Center, 7817 La Crosse Ave. 512-442-8773 ext. 107. www.creativeaction.org

Dittmar Recreation Center Camp

Ten themed one-week camps offer enrichment, crafts, swimming, active play and educational field trips. Youth camp is available for ages 5–10, and teen camp is for ages 11–14.

Ages 5–14. June 10–Aug. 16. $130 per week. Dittmar Recreation Center, 1009 W. Dittmar Road. 512-974-6090. www.austintexas.gov/department/dittmar-recreation-center

Dream of Hopes Ranch Inc. Summer Camp

The camp and Special Olympics facility serves children and adults with special needs.

Age 8 and older. June 12–Aug. 16. $180 per week. Dream of Hopes Ranch Inc., 4515 Keota Drive. 512-791-0160. www.dreamofhopesranch.org

YMCA of Austin Summer Camps

At YMCA day camps, campers make friends while learning the values of diversity and cooperation. Children have the opportunity to build self-confidence, independence and creativity.

Ages 4–14. June 10–Aug. 23. $155–$210 per week. Theme camp at Baranoff Elementary School, 12009 Buckingham Gate; theme camp at Kocurek Elementary School, 9800 Curlew Drive; kinder camp at Oak Hill United Methodist Church, 7815 W. Hwy 290; adventure camp at Fulmore Middle School, 201 E. Mary St. 512-236-9622. www.austinymca.org

TIP: Ask about discounts—many camps offer sibling and membership discounts as well as discounts for registering by a certain date or attending multiple weeks.

List is not comprehensive. Visit www.impactnews.com to view more summer camp guides for our other Central Texas coverage areas.