Raise your hand if you’re ready for some warmer weather! (Me, Me, Me!) While summer may still be a few months away, it is time to start planning for it asap. Especially if you plan on signing your kids up for summer camps. For working moms, this is when survival mode kicks in since you have to map out every single day of summer when school gets out. For SAHM’s, camp serves as an enrichment program for kids to explore the things they like and give moms a break. Regardless of your working status, the camp opportunities in Charlotte and surrounding areas are plentiful, but you need to get your game on N-O-W as camps fill up fast! So we’ve put together some Smarty tips to consider when mapping out your camp plans, as well as a few of our tried and true Smarty camp faves.
Keep in mind:
* CMS summer is 10 weeks long, with most summer camps starting June 10th running through August 17th. Most area private schools follow a similar schedule.
* Be sure to pay attention to drop off and pick up times. This is particularly important for the working mom – not all camps cover “business hours” so a little creative flexibility may be required.
* Costs range from around $125/week for half day camps to around $200-$300/week for full day camps. Depending on the specialty, however, I’ve seen rates as high as $500/week. This might be a good option if camp coverage is not required for all 10 weeks!
*Check your local churches. Most churches in the area offer Vacation Bible Schools. Some require church membership, but most do not. The best part is that many of these Vacation Bible Schools are completely FREE, need I say more?! They typically run M-F from 9a-1p (ish).
*Check with your local preschool. Many offer summer camps and often times, they open up to children not currently enrolled in their program.
* Ask around – Word of mouth is one of the best ways to find out whats going on and to get some great reco’s.
Presenting the 2012 Smarty Summer Camp Picks, tried and true by local moms!
Cara Zara’s Traveling Hula-Hoop Circus Camp
Join the Big Top of Circus Fun! Cara Zara professional hula-hoop entertainer will teach the art of hoop dancing, face-painting, costuming and performing. This creative and active camp features hula-hoop tricks and games, dance, crafts, music and plenty of silly fun! Cara Zara entertains at parties and festivals throughout NC & SC. You may have seen her spinning hoops at First Night Charlotte, Festival in the Park, Matthews Alive Festival and many other local events. She also teaches “Hula-Hoop Kid-Fit” classes at public and private schools in Charlotte. Camps designed for Kindergarten – 5th grade.
Summer 2012 Schedule: – New locations are being added visit carazara.com for the up-to-date listing.
June 11th-15th – Charlotte Christian School – 7301 Sardis Rd. Charlotte 28270 – 9am-12pm
June 25th-29th – Charlotte Country Day – 1440 Carmel Rd. Charlotte 28226 – (K-2nd grade) – 9am-12pm
June 25th-29th – Omni Montessori School – 9536 Blakeney Heath Rd. Charlotte 28277 – 1:30pm-4:30pm
July 2nd-6th – St Patrick School – 1125 Buchanan St. Charlotte 28203 – 9am-12pm
July 9th-13th – Charlotte Country Day – 1440 Carmel Rd. Charlotte 28226 (3rd-5th grade) 9am-12pm
July 16th-20th – Providence Day – 5800 Sardis Rd. Charlotte 28270 – (K-2nd grade) 9am-12pm
July 16th-20th – Providence Day – 5800 Sardis Rd. Charlotte 28270 (3rd-5th grade) 1pm-4pm
July 30th-Aug 3rd – St Matthew School – 11525 Elm Ln. Charlotte 28277 9am-12pm
Aug 6th-10th – St Mark School – 14750 Stumptown Rd. Huntersville NC 9:30-12:30pm
Cara Zara brings the fun to your location. She can visit your group or school! Call or email for details.
Cara Zara Hula-Hoop Entertainer & Teacher
www.carazara.com
Charlotte NC
704-540-1456
cara@carazara.com
Cedarhill Farm Riding Lessons and Summer Camps
No Experience Necessary…just your love of horses, these camps are for beginner level riders and up, who have no, or limited riding experience and are still working on posting, steering and getting comfortable with horses. Familiarize your rider with additional exposure to our great horses and ponies.
-Students learn to groom, tack-up and mount, then…
-Walk, trot and canter in balance with their mounts.
-Experienced riders deepen their riding skills on the flat and over fences
-Fun, informative, hands-on activities follow riding each day, with materials that are designed to be age and skill appropriate
-Show off newly acquired riding skills at the Friday Horse Shows
Horse Masters:
June 18-22
July 16-20
July 30-3
August 6-10
Showmanship:
June 11-15
July 9-13
Intermediate:
June 25-29
July 23-27
2620 Waxhaw Marvin Road
Waxhaw, NC 28173
704-843-5944
www.cedarhillfarminc.com
Charlotte Nature Museum
Get ready to learn, laugh and lead as we Camp our way through the indoors and out; looking under every rock and building natural structures; tracking and recording what makes the natural world work
and meeting all the wonderful wildlife that depend on it. Camps include live animals, lively interactions and foster a greater understanding of wildlife and the natural world.
Charlotte Nature Museum Summer Camps
Register: May – August. Fees: Call for rates. Ages Pre K – rising grade 5. Gender: Coed
1658 Sterling Road
Charlotte, NC 28209
704-372-6261 x300
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte Summer Camps
This Summer … Press Play! Children’s Theatre of Charlotte’s award-winning Summer Camp program offers performance experiences for students ages 3-18 in a fun, interactive environment. Camps are grouped by age: Early Childhood (half-day, ages 3-5), Primary (full day, rising K-2nd grade), Performance (full-day, rising 3rd-7th grade) and Teen (full-day, rising 8th-12th grade). Professional teaching artists lead campers in acting, singing, dancing, and art activities that culminate in a performance for family and friends. Camps meet at ImaginOn, Charlotte Latin School and UNCC. One-week and Two-week programs from June 4-August 10, 2012.
Contact information: 704-973-2838 (10-5, M-F) or ctcharlotte.org
Community School of the Arts Summer Camps
For 2012, Community School of the Arts is delighted to announce fifteen separate weeks of music and art summer camps for children from ages four to eighteen. With 42 years’ experience in outstanding arts education, convenient locations and engaging programs, CSA welcomes your child to any of our extensive summer offerings: Band & Orchestra Camp; Jazz Camp; Kids Pottery Camp; Preschool Arts Camp; Early Elementary Arts Camp; Music-Drama Summer Workshop; and Suzuki Violin Camp. CSA also offers private music lessons and private art lessons all summer long!
Community School of the Arts
Phone 704.377.4187 – ask for Allison Lange
Fax 704.377.1132
www.csarts.org
Discovery Place
Available at a location near you, including Discovery Place Uptown Museum, Huntersville and Pineville, Summer Camps sell-out fast. Summer Camps are a great way to learn about the science of everyday life with a twist of fun and a dose of discovery. Kids will enjoy a science adventure exploring color, chemistry and cool stuff that will be sure to get them fired up about science, nature and technology. Activities: academic, arts & crafts, camping/hiking, drama/theater, field trips, music and science. June-August.Fees: Call for rates. Ages: Grades Pre K – 9 Gender: Coed
Discovery Place Summer Camps
Uptown
301 N. Tryon St.
Charlotte, NC 28202
704-372-6261 x300
Lake Norman Charter School
12435 Old Statesville Road
Huntersville, NC 28078
Pineville
The Hut Meeting Facility
413 Johnston Drive
Pineville, NC 28134
Discovery Place Kids
Sign up for a playful adventure at Discovery Place KIDS Summer Camps, perfect for young adventurers ages 2-8. With a new theme each week from art to animals, your child CAN have fun, be creative, experiment with new ideas and make new friends. Featuring play experiences designed to spark curiosity and creativity, Camp-goers have the opportunity to sing, dance, get messy, be active and ask questions in a safe and nurturing environment. With a curriculum structured around math, science, literacy and the arts, little ones learn through play. June – August. Fees: Call for rates. Ages 2-8 Gender: Coed
Discovery Place KIDS Summer Camps
105 Gilead Road
Huntersville, NC 28078
704-372-6261 x300
Jami Masters School of Dance Camp
The talented team at Jami Masters wants to expand your child’s art expression abilities with exposure to dance, drama, music, acrobatics, and art. Campers will be in classes at the studio from 9:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m., and will conclude the week with a “mini production” based on the theme of the week for families and friends on Friday at 12:00 noon. Campers are grouped by age, 3-8, and will rotate through the different arts areas each day. Your little ballerinas will LOVE the JMSD Camps!
June 4th: “P.I.T.” Princess/Prince in training for 2-year-olds
June 11th: “Cinderella” Camp for ages 3-8
June 18th: “Sleeping Beauty” Camp for ages 3-8
June 25th: “Tinkerbell” Camp for ages 3-8
July 9th: “12 Dancing Princesses” Camp for ages 3-8
July 16th: “How to be a Princess” Camp for ages 3-8
July 23rd: “P.I.T.” Princess/Prince in training for 2-year-olds
July 30th: “Jasmine Adventures” Camp for ages 3-8
August 6th: “Little Mermaid” Camp for ages 3-8
August 13th: “Rapunzel” Camp for ages 3-8
August 20th: “P.I.T.” Princess/Prince in training for 2-year-olds
******MENTION CSP and get $50 off your camp! Thank you, JMSD!!*****
Shea-Rose Summer Riding Programs
During the summer months, the regular lesson schedule is suspended due to hot weather and vacation schedules. Week-long morning Standard Clinics are offered in the mornings to take advantage of the cooler weather and to allow for a more concentrated learning program. Students will spend one full day on Thursday during the week to help prepare for a campout (not required) that evening, at which the evening meal will be cooked over an open fire. During the clinic, the student is responsible for the care of their horse and tack. Ring riding, trail riding, vaulting and ground lessons are included. Groups are limited to 8 riders unless otherwise noted. There will be some evening classes offered for adults and interested students. Riders with no previous riding experience can be accommodated. In addition, specialized clinics and trips are offered.
Dates
Session 1: June 11-15 Assistant Instructor Clinic
Session 2: June 18-22 Vaulting Clinic
Session 3: June 25-29 Standard Clinic
Session 4: July 2-6 Standard Clinic
Session 5: July 9-13 Standard Clinic
Session 6: 16-20 Mountain Trail Riding Trip
Session 7: July 23-27 Vaulting Clinic
Session 8: August 6-10 Standard Clinic
Session 9: August 13-17 Standard Clinic
Session 10: August 20-24 Standard Clinic
Shea-Rose Farm
2411 Waxhaw Marvin Road
Waxhaw, NC 28173
Questions? Call Carol at 704-843-4306, email shearose@mindspring.com or visit their website at www.shearosevaulters.org and www.shearosefarm.com.
small hands big art Summer Camps
After a long day at camp, does your child wish he could take home more than a sunburn and scary collection of mosquito bites? ART CAMP may be just the ticket! The art teachers don’t have nicknames like “Potato Chip”, but the only bugs he’ll encounter are the ones he draws, and he’ll come home with fabulous original artwork to hang up each day instead of a wet swimsuit! During the mixed media art camps, children explore painting, drawing, 3D sculpture, collag, assemblages, printmaking & more! Camps are open to children age 4-14. Children are segregated into different age groups to work on age-appropriate projects, or may work on the same open-ended project with modifications for their age.
In 2012, they’re offering two camp locations!
Main Ballantyne Studio: Weekly June 11-August 23, Monday – Thursday, $180/week
Dilworth/Myers Park: Covenant Recreation Center, 1000 E. Morehead St. Weekly June 18-August 10. Monday – Friday, $220/week
Two session daily: 9a-12p, and 1-4p
Register with a deposit by March 15, 2012 and receive a $30 Early Bird Discount! Enter coupon code “SMARTY” when registering online or call the studio to register. See website for details.
small hands big art
8025 Ardrey Kell Road, Suite 103
Charlotte, NC 28277
704-246-8271
www.smallhandsbigart.com
Sports Connection’s Sports & Family Entertainment Centers Summer Camps
Full Day Northlake Summer Camps
Summer Camps at Sports Connection-Northlake (formerly Charlotte Sports Center) are INDOORS, air-conditioned and lots of fun! The Sports Camps are for boys and girls ages 6 to 13. Each camper chooses a MAJOR SPORT to learn and play for approximately 3 hours each day of camp. The other half of the day, campers will enjoy playing other MINOR SPORTS, GAMES & FUN ACTIVITIES. MAJOR SPORT choices include: Soccer, Flag Football, Basketball, Dance or Cheerleading. MINOR SPORTS, GAMES & ACTIVITIES include: Soccer, Flag Football, Basketball, Whiffleball, Dodgeball, Laser Tag, Arcade Games, Volleyball, Kickball, Floor Hockey, Mini Bowling, Inflatables, Track & Field, etc.
Super South Summer Camps
Summer Camps at Sports Connection-SOUTH (Ballantyne & Granite Street) are INDOORS, air-conditioned and lots of fun! The newest SUPER TERRIFIC FUN CAMPS are perfect for those boys and girls (ages 6 to 13) that just can’t decide what they want to do this summer. No need to decide…let them DO IT ALL at the Sports Connection Super Terrific Fun Camps! These camps allow kids to enjoy ALL the Games, Activities, Attractions and Sports the Sports Connection has to offer, all while playing INDOORS!
Super North Full Day Fun Camps
Half Day Fun Camps – Ballantyne & Northlake
Counselor in Training Programs – Ballantyne, Granite & Northlake
Sports Connection’s Sports & Family Entertainment Centers Summer Camps
3 Charlotte Locations – Ballantyne, Northlake & Granite Street
704-583-1444
US National Whitewater Center Summer Camps
No matter what your son or daughter considers fun, USNWC Summer Camp offers exciting programs for every child. Let them fall in love with the outdoors in one of our unique camps. Our camps are the best summer day camps in North Carolina. We offer all day camps and even an overnight survival camp, guaranteed to make your child’s summer unforgettable. Activities include, but are not limited to, rafting, flatwater kayaking, adventure courses and zip lines.
Available programs include: Wet ‘n’ Wild Adventure Camp, Wilderness Voyageurs Adventure Camp, Whitewater Kayak Camp, Survival Camp, and Rock, Ride and Paddle Camp
U.S. National Whitewater Center
5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28214
704-391-3900
www.usnwc.org/programs
Wine and Design – Dilworth’s Premier Art Studio
Kiddos, get your ART BUZZ on!
Painting, pottery and crafts galore! We guarantee your kids will have a blast getting creative with friends and showing off their artistic side.
Monday-Friday: 9a-1p
June11-15: Island Paradise, ages 4-6
June 25-29: Island Paradise, ages 7-12
July 9-13: Amazon Adventure, ages 4-6
July 23-27: Amazon Adventure, ages 7-12
Cost: $200/week, $175/week per additional child. $100 deposit due at time of registration.
Registration begins Monday, February 20. Call 704-951-5916.
Wine and Design NC
1419 East Blvd, Suite J
Charlotte, NC
704-951-5916
www.wineanddesignnc.com
YMCA Camp Harrison
YMCA Camp Harrison at Herring Ridge is located on a spectacular tract of land in the Brushy Mountains of North Carolina located between Lenoir and North Wilkesboro just 90 minutes from Charlotte, N.C. There are more than 2,000 acres of woods, streams, and trails centered around private, 140-acre Lake Broyhill.
At Traditional Resident Camp, campers choose from over 21 land activities including: archery, paintball, ropes course, sports and crafts. Through their adventure tracks, which include The Dude Ranch, Vet Camp, Mom & Me, Beyond the Ridge Teen Leadership, Farm to Feast, Sportsman and CIT, each camper can create their own personalized experience. Campers will spend the morning in their track and spend the afternoon with the entire camp enjoying lake front and water activities including: kayaking, canoeing, water zip line, waterskiing, the “Blob” and the “Wet Willie”.
*****Smarty Camp Giveaway!! Today (2/16/12) is the LAST day to register for Camp Harrison’s FREE week of camp – an $825 value! Click here for details, winner will be selected tonight at 9p!*****
Camp Harrison
Ages 6-16
www.campharrison.org
800-514-1417
campharrison@ymcacharlotte.org
YMCA Camp Thunderbird
Located on beautiful Lake Wylie, S.C., this 100-acre camp is 20 minutes south of Charlotte, NC, and is easily accessible from all directions. Since 1936, Camp Thunderbird has provided thousands of kids an unforgettable experience that includes adventure, fun, and friendship! Camp Thunderbird has nationally-recognized water programs, including wakeboarding, water skiing, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, water slides and “the Blob”. They offer 28 land activities including horseback riding, skating, high and low ropes courses, sports, and crafts. This resident camp provides boys and girls an exciting, safe experience that they will remember for a lifetime.
Camp Thunderbird
Ages 7-16
www.campthunderbird.org
800-732-3855
campers@campthunderbird.org
The Greater YMCA of Charlotte Camps
With way too many camps to list at the YMCA, you need to just grab a cup of joe and camp out on their website that is chock full of super options. They have something for everyone. From Outdoor Adventure to Camp Tutu, overnight camps and sleepaway too, the YMCA delivers.
No matter what you decide – you need to ACT FAST! For you veteran Smarty Happy Campers, please give us your tips on camp tips!
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