As the morning sun rises over a playground in Allen, a group of kids race across the field, splitting into teams for a game of capture the flag. Nearby, others gather around a table of craft supplies, carefully building their creations before the next activity begins. Later in the day, the same group will cool off at the pool, board a bus for a themed field trip or head out on a nature hike, ending the day tired, energized and already looking forward to tomorrow.
That’s the rhythm of the City of Allen’s summer camps, where full- and half-day programming is designed to keep kids active, engaged and connected from morning to evening.
“It’s a fun environment for the kids; it’s something they’re always going to remember,” recreation services manager Ryan Patterson said.
Camp details
Allen offers three full-day camps, located at three separate recreation centers. Each camp includes field trips, swimming opportunities, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities.
Full-day camps include:
- Camp TREC (ages 5-12): blends classic summer camp elements with STEM-focused activities, sports, games and more
- Camp Discovery (new! ages 7-12): introduces a more outdoor-focused experience, with hiking, fishing, geocaching, paddleboarding, ropes courses and more
- Camp STAR (ages 5-12): offers a more traditional, “old-school” camp experience, with activities like three-legged races, kickball and water games
To ensure activities are age-appropriate, campers are divided into smaller groups based on age. This allows younger children to focus on crafts and simple games, while older kids take on more advanced activities, such as team competitions and outdoor challenges.
In addition to full-day camps, Allen offers about 140 half-day options for kids ages 5-17, some of which include:
- Cooking
- Gymnastics
- Robotics
- Filmmaking
- Ballet
- Art
- Chess
Designed with both kids and parents in mind
Planning the camps requires months of coordination, from scheduling field trips to hiring staff and organizing weekly themes. Just as important as the kids’ experience is the convenience for families.
The full-day camps run Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., across 11 weeks, from May 26 through August 7.
“These full-day camps are such a great, cost-effective option for working families,” strategic marketing manager Jenna Gilbreath said.
Parents can drop their kids off in the morning and pick them up in the evening, and their kids are engaged all day.
All camps, including half-day options, are organized by week, so families can mix and match schedules based on vacations or other summer plans.
The result is a program where many families return year after year, with siblings following in each other’s footsteps as they become old enough to attend.
Parents often notice the difference at home, too.
“It's a great feeling when you pick your kids up [to find that] they had fun, they're tired and they go to bed on time,” Patterson said. “We keep them busy all day, ... so parents are definitely appreciative of everything that we do.”
Staff, safety and a summer experience that sticks
Staff are selected to bring a variety of skills and interests, from sports to arts, helping create a well-rounded experience for every child.
All camp staff are CPR- and first aid-certified. Additionally, campers receive T-shirts to wear on outings, helping staff easily keep track of groups during field trips.
With new experiences, structured activities, and opportunities to explore both indoors and outdoors, Allen’s summer camps create lasting memories while supporting families through the busy summer months.
Registration is now open for Allen’s summer camps. Click here to explore weekly schedules, view camp options and sign up.
Active members of any Allen Recreation Center receive discounted rates on classes and programs at all recreation centers; this includes all summer camps.
The department is also hiring a limited number of camp counselors and is seeking additional lifeguards for the summer season. View open positions for Allen Parks and Recreation online to learn more and apply.
The above story was produced by Senior Multi-Platform Journalist Sydney Heller with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
