Happy Campers

AMP—THAT RITE OF PASSAGE THAT FILLED YOUR SUMMER DAYS

way back when and fills your memories today. And now you have your own camp-age kiddo at home. Yes, it’s a different world. Your child could spend their summer on the couch with their device in hand. But camp is an experience not to be missed. It can shape your child’s lifelong interests and be a source of lifelong friendships. Overnight camps, day camps, outdoors, indoors, science camps, art camps, computer camps, nature camps, activity camps—while the options are as different as every child’s personality, the benefits remain constant.

CAMPS BUILD INDEPENDENCE AND FOSTER RESPONSIBILITY.

Does your child count on you for just about everything, even those tasks they should be handling on their own? Camp is a great way to make them more self-reliant. “Being away from home, becoming responsible for behavior, being accountable in shared living spaces, and discovering the ability to make meaningful

WORDS ALEXIS PATTERSON

decisions are all lasting skills,” shares Tom Rosenberg, president and CEO of the American Camp Association. No, your child won’t do everything right when they’re not under your watchful eye. But mistakes are a powerful learning experience.

YOUR CAMPER WILL DEVELOP SOCIAL SKILLS AND CREATE NEW BONDS.

We know, kids do this at school. Camp, though, comes with a completely different energy. Kids are bonding over shared interests in a unique way. And if they struggle to find their place in school, camp might give them a much-needed boost of confidence. That’s because children can reinvent themselves within a new circle of peers.

YOUR CHILD WILL DISCOVER AND ENHANCE THEIR INTERESTS.

Say you have a dedicated theater kid. They’ll love theater camp, no doubt, and grow their acting skills. Maybe they’ll also discover they love costuming just as much as acting. Or perhaps your child hasn’t fallen in love with a specific hobby or field of study. They just might come home from camp with a passion. “Camps provide children and youth with a safe space for taking risks, trying new activities and learning without fear of failure,” Rosenberg explains. It’s true experiential education.

CAMP WILL GET YOUR CHILD AWAY FROM (MINDLESS) TECHNOLOGY.

Unless you’re sending your kiddo to a video game design or computer programming camp, they probably won’t have a lot of screen time. Camp is a place where kids can be kids, in the old-fashioned sense. (Did we just call ourselves old?) “Campers spend more time in nature, participate in arts, enjoy physical activity and develop critical social-emotional skills,” says Rosenberg. “They build respect for the planet and the people around them, cultivate creativity and imagination, and understand the value of service and leadership.” Even schools have a healthy dose of screen time, so camp will be a perfect opportunity for your child to learn to converse and play without technological distractions. And any screen time they do have is likely to be purposeful and directly related to the skills they are learning.

YOUR CAMPER WILL CONNECT WITH POSITIVE ROLE MODELS.

If your child is a cheer fanatic, why not send them to camp with real-life cheerleaders? Do they love to draw and paint? Camp can introduce them to individuals who have made a career out of visual arts. And if they just need to be surrounded by happy, motivated people, camp can provide that too. “Trained, caring adult role models help children feel loved, capable and included,” Rosenberg notes. “Camp professionals have enormous power in simple, teachable moments.”

Explore a wide range of camps for your child in the pages ahead; the time to research and enroll in summer camp is already here. Fingers crossed that COVID-19 disappears soon, but check with camps about their health and safety measures.

Whatever camp you choose, you can be sure your child will come back different. Some benefits are immediately visible. Others may take time to appear or are experienced by your camper alone. Either way, the value is lasting.

Camp El Tesoro overnight camp is READY to welcome campers ages six–16 to achieve whatever they set their minds to this summer. Archery, canoeing, horseback riding, nature studies, dance and more! Kids go to camp because it’s fun, but what they find are friendships and magic in themselves. See for yourself what makes El Tesoro a special place! Come to a FREE Camp Preview. Details online.

Play the Cooper Way!

Keep your kids and teens active while having fun at Cooper Fitness Center.

Ages: 5–16

• Summer Camp (early bird registration pricing by March 1) • Junior Tennis Clinics • Swim Lessons • Kids in the Kitchen • Triathlon Training

Connect in person: Socialize and interact in a secure setting

Play safely: Indoor and outdoor physical activity without screen time

Have fun: Enjoy interactive activities led by trained professionals

Register today at cooperyouth.com/Dallas

Cooper Fitness Center

12100 Preston Road Dallas, TX 75230 972.233.4382 cooperyouth.com/Dallas Xplore Summer at Trinity Valley School (TVS) provides a season of safe, unique, and fun learning experiences. We welcome students, ages 3–18, from the Fort Worth area and beyond.

Xplore camps and classes focus on growing active, confident, and creative humans. Over 130 camps present participants with opportunities to try something new or take a deep dive into existing interests. Camp and class topics include yoga, rocketry, painting, American Girl, soccer, coding, mosaics, babysitting, climbing & the challenge course, Spanish, science, drumming, theater, field hockey, bike club, storybook adventure, STEM, football, and much more!

The 2022 season will run from May 31 to July 29 and will offer participants morning, afternoon, and full-day experiences.

Xplore programs take place on the TVS campus in southwest Fort Worth. Programs are led by caring and knowledgeable educators who teach at Trinity Valley or in the community.

Trinity Valley School 7500 Dutch Branch Road Fort Worth, TX 76132 817-321-0100 tvs.org/summer

7710 Fall Creek Highway Granbury, TX 76049 817-831-2111 • CampFireFW.org

The DIS Summer Enrichment Camp is a 6-week program open to ages 3 to 16 and designed to offer campers the opportunity to explore a wide range of activities in a safe and caring environment. Campers may enroll in a full or 1/2-day program in any combination of activities. Groups are set up based on age and skills level.

6039 Churchill Way, Dallas, TX 75230 972-991-6379 camps@dallasinternationalschool.org dallasinternationalschool.org

Ann & Nate Levine Academy Summer Camps offer fun-filled learning opportunities for children ages infant to 12 years old! Campers may enroll in one or more weekly sessions, facilitated by professional staff. Themes vary weekly throughout the summer and are open to the community.

Camp Shemesh

Ages infant-care through rising Kindergarten. Early care/aftercare available from 7:45am–6pm (5pm on Fridays)

Summer@Levine

Ages 6–12. Weekly camps embrace arts, sports, STEM, and much more!

Creek Camp and Pioneer Camp at the Heritage Farmstead Museum

Weekly Camps June 6 thru July 29 9am–1pm, Monday thru Friday 6 week-long sessions $225/camper, t-shirt included. Sorry, no after-care available. Visit our Summer Camp page at Heritage Farmstead.org/summer-camps and click on “Register” to begin the registration process.

18011 Hillcrest Rd., Dallas, TX 75252 972-248-3032 levineacademy.org/camp 1900 West 15th St., Plano, TX 75075 972-881-0140 heritagefarmstead.org/summer-camps

Expore more camp options on our website dfwchild.com/camps

For 28 years, families have made Kidventure the summer day camp of choice for their children. Kidventure is more than just a summer of fun, it’s a summer of opportunity. That opportunity is one to grow in confidence, create friendships and be a part of something special. And now, that’s needed more than ever. With several locations to choose from and ages 3–12 yrs. old, there is not a more memorable, rewarding, and convenient camp option anywhere. Kidventure provides summer day camp programs at a number of outstanding locations including Kessler, Preston Hollow, Lake Highlands, Little Elm, Plano!

214-303-9789 kidventure.com/dallas-summer-camp

Ballet Basics introduces young dancers, ages 3 to 6, to the fundamentals of ballet in a fun, encouraging environment. The camp experience also includes crafts, story time and choreography correlating with the theme of the week. The Junior Intensive is designed for dancers ages 7–14 and broadens their perspectives with a variety of classes including ballet, modern, jazz and musical theater. Dancers will focus on improving artistry and technique with instruction from supportive faculty. All programs are available at both our Fort Worth and Richardson campuses. For more information, visit our website or contact the campus closest to you at fwschool@texasballet.org or dallasschool@texasballet.org.

300 N. Coit Rd. Suite 231, Richardson, 75080 • 214-377-8576 1540 Mall Circle, Fort Worth 76116 • 817-763-0207 texasballettheater.org/summer-programs

Ready for a fun one-of-a-kind summer experience?

Girls and boys entering first grade and up are invited to Ursuline Academy of Dallas Summer Camps, June 6–July 28, for creativity, innovation, collaboration, and FUN! Adventure Camps let you explore new interests, experiences, and skills all summer long! Come try rocketry, poetry, programming, and more! Led by faculty and guests, some camps are open to all, and others are just for girls. Athletic Camps let you have fun and build skills to be a more consistent and effective athlete. Led by our professional Volleyball, Basketball, Softball, Soccer, and Rowing coaches, just for girls.

4900 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, TX 75229 469-232-1800 • www.ursulinedallas.org/summerprograms

For 23 summers, Destination Science has proudly focused on STEM learning through FUN science-based activities to encourage year-round learning! 3 hands-on-science stations/day, plus games, spirit days, friendships, rallies and all the fun of camp! Campers take home many projects, gizmos and gadgets. Our staff are enthusiastic education professionals who love kids, love science, and love camp. Early Bird Savings!

Dallas, Plano, Prosper, Frisco 888-909-2822 • info@destinationscience.org destinationscience.org

Learn to speak German at The German School of Dallas

Offering German language classes for children, teenagers, and adults at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. Our teachers are all native German speakers and we offer official German Language Diploma certifications.

Registration for spring classes is now open. Sign up today!

Good Shepherd Episcopal School’s Summer Program provides students the opportunity to take risks and try unique and fun activities in a safe and nurturing environment!

We are excited to bring a unique blend of dynamic and academicallyrich classes, designed specifically for ages 12 months through 8th Grade. The program runs from 5/31 to 7/29.

5231 Meadowcreek Dr., Dallas, TX 75248 972-400-1135 • info@germanschooldallas.com germanschooldallas.com

11110 Midway Road, Dallas, TX 75229 gsesdallas.org/summer summer@gsesdallas.org • 214-357-1610

SUMMER ART J’S ART Paint, Draw, Sculp All Summer Long! Kid Camps Ages 5–13 Weekly themes. Morning 9am–12pm and afternoon 1–4pm camps. Art Skills Camps ages 10+ Introduction to different art media Afternoons 1–4pm Sewing, Teen and Adult Classes too! Camp schedule and details online.

17630 Davenport Rd., Ste. 102, Dallas, TX 75252 972-931-1933 jsartstudio.com

Summer, the Shelton Way, offers academic and enrichment programs, the Scholars program, Speech, and sports camps for students in early childhood through 12th grades. Programs feature Shelton’s multisensory and discovery learning methods. It is open to Shelton and non-Shelton students. Registration opens Feb. 16. • Summer Classes EC–12: June 13–July 1 • Scholars: June 13–July 8

• Speech/Language/Hearing Program:

June–July • Sports Programs: June–August From our Mini-Camp for the younger crowd to the flexible scheduling in our June Performing Arts Camp to our International July Camp— there is something for everyone— whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned performer! KWC offers high-caliber theater training, tech design, production, leadership, and performance opportunities for ages 4–18 in the Fort Worth Cultural District!

KWC Performing Arts

1300 Gendy St., Fort Worth, TX 76107 817-737-5437 kidswhocare.org Explore literature in a fun and creative way! At NTPA, kids transform into their favorite storybook characters as they bring popular stories to life on stage. Popular themes like Descendants, Harry Potter, Little Mermaid, High School Musical and more! Taught by professional directors, actors, and singers who have worked everywhere from Broadway to L.A. Ages 5–18.

New students get 50% off!

Locations in Plano, Fairview, Frisco and Dallas 972-422-2575 NTPA.org/camps

Texas Discovery Gardens hosts exciting, nature themed weeklong and day camps for ages 4–12 during several summer weeks. We incorporate STEAM and Social Emotional Learning topics in our daily activities and crafts. Most camp time will take place outside in our 7.5 acres of organic gardens with daily trips to our tropical butterfly house. Come explore with us!

3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Dallas, TX 75210 214-428-7476 x270 txdg.org/summer-camps-2022

Your Summer To Shine welcomes Preschoolers (age 3) through rising 6th graders! From world travels & galaxies far away to brick building & constructing cities out of cardboard boxes, we’ve got it all including the MOST FUN camp around…MESSY CAMP! Pizza & Water Slides every Friday! Extended Day & PreK Part Time Options available. Register by May 1 for $50 Early Bird Discount!

The Westwood School 14340 Proton Rd., Dallas, TX 75244 972-239-8598 • westwoodschool.org/summer