Gaming STEM Camp, a popular choice for Minecraft players
By Natalie Gargiulo Natalie@youarecurrent.comIndy Stem Camps is gearing up for another summer of Minecraft, an innovative STEM program for creative gameplay.
The camp has locations in Carmel, Zionsville, Noblesville and Indianapolis, with two separate locations in Fishers. Registration is underway. The camps run from June 5 through July 28.
“My son loves these camps. The counselors are fantastic,” said Aubrey Able, the parent of a student camper.
Founder Matt Mulholland, a physics teacher at Zionsville Community High School, began offering Minecraft camps in the summer of 2012 when his children became obsessed with the game.
“When my two daughters were about 10 years old, I noticed that they were playing this new video game nonstop, so I started playing with them and quickly realized the educational value of Minecraft in teaching children to create and problem solves,” Mulholland said.
Campers in first through eighth grade experience Minecraft through a customized educational version of the game on a secure server that includes only other campers and is continuously monitored by camp counselors.
All campers have their own computer workstation and can play Minecraft in multiplayer worlds with other campers. With eight unique camp titles to choose from, there is something for every child.
“Minecraft Camp was the highlight of my child’s summer to the point where he is signed up for four camps this coming summer,” Dana Harrison, a camper parent, said.
Each Minecraft Camp lasts three hours day. Camps are offered five days a week for a total of 15 hours of gameplay and instruction. Indy Stem Camps maintains an 8-to-1 camper-to-instructor ratio, allowing parents to opt their child out of any player versus player game activities.
All eight-course titles provide a unique curriculum and theme and has three experience levels, beginner, intermediate and advanced, according to Mulholland. Two modes of play, creative and survival, are emphasized. Additionally, a grade-level recommendation for each camp is provided to help parents find the right camp for their child.
“There are a million summer athletic camps, but very few for kids more interested in computers and gaming. Our Minecraft Camps fill a void by offering something different but just as enjoyable for children to do during their summer,” Mulholland said.
For more, visit indystemcamps@gmail.com.
BGCN camps full of activities
By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.comChildren will have no shortage of activities to stay busy during summer camps offered by the Boys & Girls Club of Noblesville.
The nonprofit offers something for campers who want to stay indoors through its Club Daybreak program, while those who are seeking something more adventurous outdoors can register for Camp Crosser that is situated on 20 acres of land near the White River. Abby Stutesman, director of club operations, said both programs begin June 5 and run for eight weeks.
Camp Crosser remains a popular destination and allows campers to enjoy zip lining, archery, a gaga ball pit, greenspace, trees, trails and campfire cooking opportunities, according to Stutesman. A nature center is also available that provides outdoor educational opportunities, she added.
“All of these activities happen throughout the week,” Stutesman said.
Stutesman said days begin at 7:30 a.m. with all campers being first dropped off at the Boys & Girls Club of Noblesville before they depart on a bus to the camp property. Campers will be at the Camp Crosser property each day from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Camp is open to individuals ages 6 to 13, and Stutesman noted that there are different weekly themes with all activities planned around those themes. She said the
zip line is among the most popular activities at Cam Crosser.
“It’s definitely a focal point for Camp Crosser and it allows our campers to be challenged, but not too challenged that they can’t accomplish it,” Stutesman said. “Once they start zipping, they don’t want to quit.”
Meanwhile, Club Daybreak also gives campers an opportunity to enjoy programs within an indoor setting and is held at the Boys & Girls Club of Noblesville, 1700 Conner St. Participants can enjoy the facility’s game room, tech center, arts studio and enjoy field trips, according to Stutesman.
“We schedule guest speakers, we schedule events in our gym, so we can keep all the program areas within this facility that allows us to do art and education and technology and social recreation,” Stutesman said.
Stutesman said when school gets out, kids are ready to have an enjoyable summer and that is an important focus for the Boys & Girls Club of Noblesville.
“We’ve got to make sure that we have activities ready to go that are engaging and fun, because summer can get really long for a kiddo if they’re not involved in something that’s stimulating for them,” she said.
Camp Crosser and Club Daybreak officially end at 4 p.m. each day, but parents will have the option of extended care for their children that requires a separate fee, Stutesman said. For more, visit bgcni.org/.
Guerin camps offer variety
By Matthew Kent matthew@youarecurrent.comIf kids are looking for some fun this summer, Guerin Catholic High School’s Camp Purple has something for youths of all ages.
Camps ranging from sports, baking and music are offered in June and July to children entering kindergarten through eighth grade.
“We are lucky to have both athletic and enrichment camps that cover a variety of interests. Some of our most popular athletic camps include boys and girls basketball, lacrosse and soccer,” said Colleen Ward, director of marketing and communications at Guerin Catholic. “If campers are looking for something different, we recommend checking out our popular STEM camps such as Summertime STEM, Mad Scientist Camp and our new Guerin Catholic Space Camp. These camps are fun ways to engage with important academic content while having a blast.”
Ward said what makes Camp Purple unique is access to Guerin Catholic’s community and staff.
“Camp Purple is more than just a place to spend summer break,” she said. “It’s
an experience that becomes a tiny part of who each child is. Campers are encouraged to step out of their comfort zone, as they develop valuable skills and discover their God-given gifts in a safe and noncompetitive environment.”
Ward said camps are led by Guerin Catholic’s teachers, alumni and varsity-level coaching staff who are passionate about their programs and the outcome of each camper they serve. A new program, Camp Chaos, is being offered this year and should be a fun experience for campers in first- to third-grade, said Marcia Murphy, director of fine arts at Guerin Catholic.
“We’ll make messy foods, make slime, dig in the garden and do other messy activities,” Murphy said.
Murphy said what makes Guerin Catholic’s fine arts camps unique is the fact that leaders are trying to inspire students to be creators while recognizing and seeking beauty. She noted that Guerin Catholic’s promise statement, “Love the children first, then teach them,” applies to students who attend camps.
For more, visit guerincatholic.org/ summer-camps/.
Sailing camp teaches all levels
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.comLuke Andritsch was sold immediately on the Indianapolis Sailing Club.
“I started going to sailing camp when I was in second grade and immediately fell in love. The counselors were amazing and the experience of learning a new sport in a camp environment that took place on the water and on land hooked me,” Andritsch said. “I went back every summer for multiple weeks, learning new things about sailing, myself and working with others every year. This led me to becoming a counselor at sailing camp and getting to teach and show how special this place is to others.”
Andritsch, a 19-year-old Fishers resident, will be a counselor.
“Sailing camp is a place for me that symbolizes joy, and our staff works hard to make sure that is how the campers experience it each summer,” said Andritsch, a 2022 Hamilton Southeastern High School graduate who attends Butler University.
The camps, located on Geist Reservoir, run for six weeks from June 12 to July 28 for ages 8-17.
Michelle Sarber, the club’s junior sailing
director, said there are beginner to advanced levels. Campers get divided by age and experience.
“Each week is different due to the different experience levels of the campers,” Sarber said. “That helps to keep each week new and fresh. We have a ranking system if campers choose to participate. There are seven levels. Kids who really want to learn to sail come back year after year to complete the ranks.”
The Indianapolis Sailing Club accomplished a major goal in 2022 by establishing a nonprofit education organization to better support its training programs. The charitable educational organization is called Indianapolis Sailing Club Academy Inc.
For more, visit indianapolissailing.org.
Summer camps reflect ‘hallmarks’ of the Park Tudor
By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.comPark Tudor’s summer camps aim to provide many elements similar to what its students experience during the school year.
“Park Tudor’s summer camps and classes feature small class sizes and lots of individual attention – hallmarks of the Park Tudor educational experience,” said Rachel Dabertin, director of auxiliary programs at Park Tudor. “Many of our camps and classes are taught by our own exceptional teaching staff, along with highly qualified outside instructors. So, in addition to having fun, students learn and grow.”
The school at 7200 N. College Ave. in Indianapolis offers summer camp options for children from age 3 to 18 years old. Offerings include a general day camp and sessions focusing on arts and crafts, sports, performing arts, science, robotics, literature, Spanish language immersion, chess and gaming and more. Half- and full-day options are available.
“Our wide variety of options offer something for everyone and will give families a taste of the Park Tudor experience,” Dabertin said.
Registration for the camps opens in March and will continue until spots are filled. Dalbertin recommends signing up early, as the camps and classes can fill quickly. Learn more at parktudor.org/summer.
Theatre camps provide variety
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.comCarmel-based Civic Theatre summer camps provide opportunities for students with a wide range of ages and abilities.
Except for an intensive camp for older students, Holly Stults, Civic Theatre education program director, said the camps often include newcomers and kids who have performed before.
“Every child has an even playing field,” Stults said. “Every child is a star. Every child has the same amount of material to perform.”
The one-week camps are run by Stults and Brent E. Marty, director of music and education.
The Little Stages camp is for ages 4-5 and will run from 10 to 11:30 a.m. June 26-29.
“Every year the theme changes and it coincides with the Junior Civic musical,” Stults said.
With the Junior Civic Theatre musical being “Newsies” June 23-28, the camp is called the Headline Edition.
“We do a song that has to do with headlines or papers,” Stults said. “They do story-
telling through music. They have costume pieces. We do a presentation for family and friends on the last day.”
Marty said all camps end with a presentation. Musical Theatre Mini-Camp is for ages 6-7 from 12:30 to 3 p.m. June 26-29.
The Jr. Civic Musical Theatre Camp for ages 8-14 will be held from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. the weeks of July 10-14 and July 17-21. Those camps culminate with a performance on The Tarkington stage at 6 p.m. on the final day of camp. There is a 60-children limit on camp size each week.
“One year we did songs that were from particular theaters on Broadway,” Stults said. “Each age group has a different theme, and they learn songs from that. It allows us to give them an opportunity to not only learn singing, dancing and acting but the history of particular Broadway performers, composers or choreographers.”
Marty said all camps are process based.
The Musical Theatre Intensive camp for ages 10-14 is for advanced students. Marty said there is an application process to get into the camp, which is held July 5-7. For more, visit civictheatre.org.
The Indianapolis Sailing Club Academy!
Camp Weeks
Week 1 - June 12-16
Week 2 - June 19-23
Week 3 - June 26-30
Week 4 - July 10-14
Week 5 - July 17-21
Week 6 - July 24-28
Indianapolis Sailing Club is now the Indianapolis Sailing Club Academy. We have started a non-for-profit organization to support all of our training programs.
Sailing camp is held on 13 beautiful acres on Geist Reservoir. The camp is for novice to advanced sailors ages 8-17. It is designed to teach basic sailing & water safety for beginners and more advanced sailing and racing to veterans. Camp is divided by age and ability.
Camp runs every day rain or shine with lots of sailing, knot tying, weather awareness, swimming, on/off water coaching and educational games. Please see the website for openings prior to registration, sessions fill up quickly.
Please contact Michelle Sarber at office@Indianapolissailing.org or by phone at 317-335-7385.
Also see indianapolissailing.org for photo tour and camp application.
Zionsville Enrichment Camps offer variety of activities
By Natalie Gargiulo Natalie@youarecurrent.comFrom swimming in aquatics camp to creating arts and crafts, kids enrolled in the Zionsville Eagle Recreation and Enrichment Camps have plenty of activities to choose from.
The Eagle Recreational Enrichment Foundation offers enrichment classes and athletic camps for preschoolers through high school students. Many of the classes and camps are taught by Zionsville Community Schools faculty and staff. Camps are offered from June through July.
There are a variety of challenging camps ranging from academics, arts and crafts, STEM, sports, robotics, engineering, foreign language and technology. All programs are located at one of ZCS’s schools.
“We are able to serve a variety of academics, sports and enrichment programs for not just Zionsville but also the surrounding counties,” said Ann Hall, manager of Zionsville Eagle Recreation and Enrichment Camps. “Students do not need to be registered in Zionsville schools to attend Eagle Recreation and Enrichment Camp classes.”
Z’Camp, a day camp, at Zionsville West Middle School, is for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. Weekly activities include archery, tennis, fishing, crafts, STEM, campfire, and nature field trips. Campers receive weekly swim lessons at the Zionsville Community High School Aquatic Center and will go on one field trip per week.
Our summer programs are open to all Central Indiana students from pre-kindergarten to grade 12, and offer a great introduction to the extraordinary opportunities available at Park Tudor.
From Cub Camp for 3 & 4 year-olds to options for high school students, Park Tudor summer programs offer something for everyone – arts & crafts, sports, performing arts, science, literature, Spanish language immersion, chess & gaming, and more!
For more information, visit parktudor.org/summer.
“Children of all ages are welcome for year-round swim lessons, summer swim camps, summer swim team, family swim, lap swim, adult masters workouts, aquafit, elementary swim and infant and toddler,” Aquatics Director Lisa Brown said.
Brown said the center teaches more than 13,000 swim lessons a year with the goal of making every child safer in the water. The Aquatic Center staff of instructors are trained to teach children and adults safe swimming.
Z’Camp Zionsville Aquatic Center offers camps for children entering kindergarten through eighth grade. The camps include swim lessons, pool games, water safety, field trips and arts and crafts with water safety as the main focus of all of the facility programs.
For more, visit zionsvilleeaglerec.com or zcs.k12.in.us/aquatic_center.
YMCA offers a range of camps
By Edward Redd edward@youarecurrent.comThe YMCA’s summer camp schedule is filled with activities designed to give children ages 3-12 the opportunity to participate with other kids or enjoy time with the family.
Northern region clubs in Westfield and Fishers and Fort Benjamin Harrison in Lawrence are offering traditional camps and discovery camps. Enrichment clinics are available as add-ons.
Association Director of Camps and Family Programs, Desiree Brando-Gouveia said,
“Traditional camps have a lot of the traditional elements that people think of when they think of camp at YMCA,” said Desiree Brando-Gouveia, association director of camps and family programs for YMCA. “They have a lot of camp elements.”
Campers will have access to the clubs’ facilities, such as pools, gyms, sports fields and other outdoor space. Traditional camp activities include swimming, camp circles, arts and crafts, songs and more. Traditional Camps will be offered at all four YMCA locations.
Brando-Gouveia said the discovery camps
are slightly different from the traditional camps.
“They are STEAM- (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) based camp,” Brando-Gouveia said. “Every week they have a theme, and the theme is a STEAM-based theme.”
Campers can participate in activities designed to keep them physically and mentally active in indoor and outdoor space at an offsite YMCA location, such as Thorp Creek Elementary School.
The enrichment clinics will be offered at both camps, giving campers a chance to try something new or explore a passion.
“It’s a way for families to allow the kids to do an added activity at an added portion of the day, beyond the normal camp day,” Brando-Gouveia said.
Campers will have the chance to learn a new skill, such as cooking or pottery. They can explore interests such as dance or LEGO building. Sports such as flag football and bowling will be available at the enrichment clinics.
For more or to registers for the summer camps, visit indymca. org/youth-development-center/ summer-day-camp/
Camp Bow Wow eyes June opening in Noblesville
By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.comAfter a 30-year career as a dentist, Angie Hutter is aiming to use the same connection skills in her new endeavor as owner of Camp Bow Wow in Noblesville.
“My patients were my extended family, and these pups are going to be extended family, as well, and their pet parents,” Hutter said. “We want to be friendly, and for everyone to know everyone when they walk in. That’s our desire.”
land Rd. is set to open in June. It will provide the same programs and standards that are found at Camp Bow Wow’s more than 200 other sites nationwide.
According to Hutter, Camp Bow Wow places a top priority on safety for its employees, known as counselors, and canines, known as campers, with the counselors all being pet first aid- and CPR-certified. Live webcams capture the action throughout the day. Pups can play in large groups separated by weight or be directed into smaller
group settings or one-on-one time with a counselor.
Most programming is the same yearround, although themes change with the seasons and the pups get more outdoor time during nice weather months.
All campers must pass an interview process, which includes meeting and interacting with other dogs, before being accepted to camp.
Learn more at campbowwow.com/ noblesville.
Finch Creek offers All Sports Camps at Mojo Up Sports Complex
By Edward Redd edward@youarecurrent.comRegistration is underway for Finch Creek’s All Sports Camps at Mojo Up Sports Complex in Noblesville. A variety of camps will be available for ages 6-16. Registration is open until June 24.
Summer camp counselor opportunities are available for ages 16 and up.
Campers are welcome to sign up with friends or meet new ones while they participate in sports-related activities.
Eric Schellhammer, President of the MUSC facility said,
“We have something for everyone with the All Sports Camps,” Eric Schellhammer, president of of the Mojo Up Sports Complex. “These are a great way for kids to stay active and off the iPad during the summer days.”
Games and activities include kickball, whiffleball, soccer, capture the flag and more.
To register for the summer camps, visit mojosc.leagueapps.com/ camps/3583710-summer-camps-2023.
Anyone interested in being a camp counselor can contact Schellhammer at eschellhammer@mojoupsportcomplex.com.
Finch Creek will also offer a spring co-ed baseball league for ages 4-5, 6-8 and 9-11, starting April 15. The league will include smaller-sided gameplay with teams of 6 to 8 players to allow more practice time and training. Professional coaches will help train and develop participants and volunteer coaches.
Games will be played inside the Mojo Up Sports Complex. The league ends May 20.
For more or to register, visit mojosc. leagueapps.com/leagues/baseball/3505488msc-at-finch-creek-spring-2023-rec-baseball-leagueAny
Coaches interested in volunteering can email Mojo Up Sports Complex Vice President Matt Nicholson at mnicholson@mojoupsportscomplex.com.
JUNE 5 - JULY 28
JUNE 5 - JULY 28
SUMMERCAMPS SUMMERCAMPS
TWO AFFORDABLE OPTIONS TWO AFFORDABLE OPTIONS