From archery to soccer, Lexington organizations offer 2022 summer camps for children
From canoeing and camping to drama and dancing, a mix of old favorites and new adventures are on offer at area summer camps this year.
We’ve rounded up this list of summer camp options offered by Lexington Parks and Recreation, the YMCA of Central Kentucky and The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club of the Bluegrass.
Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club
At this day camp, which runs Monday through Friday from June 6 to July 29, campers will get to work with arts and crafts, do yoga and dance and keep up their literacy skills with computer lab sessions, among other activities. Camp director Alayna Starkey said the program will also feature on-site field trips with visits from interesting people in the community.
The camp runs from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and offers campers breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack.
The price for a one month session is $198, Starkey said. However, the program also participates in Kentucky’s Child Care Assistance Program, meaning qualifying individuals could get a major discount.
Starkey said registration is available on-site at 736 West Main St. A $10 membership fee will be due upon turning in the application.
YMCA of Central Kentucky
The YMCA of Central Kentucky also offers several summer camp options.
According to its website, the summer day camps aim to offer “kids a chance to explore places, activities and ideas outside their normal lives.” That includes day camps, an outdoor adventure camp, archery camp and soccer camp.
More information about each individual camp is available online.
Lexington Parks and Recreation
Summer camp sign ups through Lexington Parks and Recreation are officially open, and with 15 camps and more than 70 sessions between them, it’s an opportunity for children to try something new this summer.
“Between the variety of camps that we’re offering and all the different activities in each of them, I think it’s such a unique opportunity,” said spokesman Paul Hooper.
According to Hooper, a general rule of thumb is participants may register for one session per camp. There are some exceptions to this rule, such as for the therapeutic recreation camps. You can also register for a session in multiple camps, such as one Camp Kearney session and one dance kids camp session, Hooper wrote in a follow-up email.
Here’s how to sign up for camp spots while they last, along with how much each of them cost and which weeks they run.
What to know about camp registration:
The most convenient way to sign up is through online registration at lexingtonky.gov/camps.
To register, you’ll be prompted to set up an account and go through the age verification process for participating children. You’ll need your child’s birth certificate and immunization forms on hand and ready to upload for this step.
Alternatively, you can also register in person during normal business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at Dunbar Community Center until camp sessions fill up. A fillable, print-friendly form is available online.
Lexington Parks and Recreation also offers camp scholarships to families based on financial need. It’s recommended that you fill out the scholarship application before you begin the registration process.
Which camps are running this summer and how much do they cost?
Artkids camp:
Ages: 7 to 13
$125 per session
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Sessions: July 11-15, July 18-22 and July 25-29
Location: Tates Creek Recreation Center
Theme: Star Wars
Description: This camp features a mix of instruction in arts, crafts, theater, dance, music and the chance to swim daily. The camp this year will explore the arts through the Star Wars universe.
Contact: Beth Johnson, 859-425-2057.
Camp Kearney
Ages: 6 to 11
$125 per session
Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m
Sessions: Seven weekly sessions from June 13 to July 29
Location: Jacobson Park
Description: Archery, canoeing and other outdoor adventures. This is a day camp, so all campers have to be dropped off and picked up each day the camp runs. Campers may register for one session only. They must also be within the listed age range by Aug. 1.
Contact: Anthony Jackson, 859-288-2953
Castlewood Community Center camp
Ages: 6 to 11
$125 per session
Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Location: Castlewood Park and Community Center
Sessions: Five weekly sessions running June 21 to July 22
Description: Campers will play games, do arts and crafts, spend time in nature and enjoy other special events. Campers must provide their own lunch, drink and snacks.
Contact: Jackie French, 859-288-2955
Dance kids and babies camps
Ages: 7 to 13 and 3 to 6 for dance babies camp
$125 per session ($60 per session for dance babies)
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (8:45 a.m. to noon for dance babies)
Location: Tates Creek Recreation Center
Sessions: Three weekly sessions between June 17 and July 1
Description: Instruction in jazz, tap, ballet and hip hop. In addition, campers also will participate in arts and crafts and will swim daily. Previous dance training is not required.
Contact: Beth Johnson, 859-425-2057.
Equestrian camp
Ages: 10 to 13
$100 per session
Morning and afternoon camps: 8 a.m. to noon, 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Masterson Station Park
Sessions: Four weekly sessions between June 6 and July 1
Description: Campers may only sign up for one session per summer. The camp is for beginners to horseback riding. Campers will ride every day and learn the basics of horseback riding. Helmets will be provided, though there are no meal breaks, so campers should eat a big breakfast or lunch.
Contact: 859-253-0328.
Extended school program - summer fun camp
Locations at Athens Chilesburg Elementary and Stonewall Elementary
$140 per week, per child fee and a registration fee of $45 for three weeks or less or $70 for four weeks or more.
Sessions: Eight sessions between June 6 and July 29
Contact: Janis Williams, 859-288-2929.
Golf and recreation camp
Ages: 6 to 16
$175 per session
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Tates Creek Golf Course
Sessions: Seven weekly sessions running from May 30 to Aug. 5
Description: Campers learn the basics of golf with programming designed by PGA professionals. Campers must provide their own lunch, snacks and beverages, though snacks and drinks are available for purchase.
Registration is through Golf Genius.
Contact: John Dixon, 859-550-3899.
Kenwick Community Center camp
Ages: 6 to 12
$125 per session
7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Location: Kenwick Community Center
Sessions: Four weekly sessions running from June 13 to July 8
Description: This camp features a mix of arts and crafts, games, outdoorsy activities and special events. Campers must bring their own lunch, drink and snacks.
Contact: Jackie French 859-288-2955.
Outdoor nature camp
Ages: 9 to 13
$125 per session
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Hisle Farm Park
Sessions: Seven weekly sessions running from June 6 to July 29
Description: The perfect fit if you want your child to learn and appreciate the outdoors. Campers will learn about trees, the important environmental roles they play, how they grow and how to identify them. They’ll also learn about birds and enjoy fishing, hiking, archery, planting, water activities and play nature-themed games. Fair warning: Your child will get dirty during this camp.
Contact: Kenny Black, 859-225-4073
Tennis and swim camp
Ages: 6 to 12
$150 per session
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Shillito Park
Sessions: Three weekly sessions between June 13 and July 1
Description: All skill levels are accepted at this tennis camp. Campers will be sorted into groups and get instruction based on their experience with the sport. Lexington Parks and Recreation provides tennis instructors, tennis balls, a tennis ball machine and supervision while children play at the pool. Campers are responsible for their own transportation, food and drinks, racquets, swimsuits and towels. You may initially only register for one session, unless additional spots become available.
Contact: Curtis Mitchell, 859-288-2969, or Cornell Burbage, 859-288-2917
Therapeutic recreation fun camps
Locations: Castlewood Park, Woodland Park and Dunbar Community Center
Ages: 5 to 11 (Castlewood Park), 12 to 20 (Woodland Park) and 21 and older (Dunbar Community Center)
Hours: Camp Castlewood and Camp Woodland: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; daytrippers summer camp (adults 21 and older) 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sessions: Six weekly sessions between June 13 and July 22
Description: These camps are designed with people living with disabilities in mind. Each camp caters to a separate, broad age group for people with a physical, mental or other kind of disability. There will be one staff member for every three to five campers. Individuals needing one-to-one support will need to provide for that, but they will not be charged extra for caregivers. Scholarships are available based on need.
Contact: Therapeutic Recreation Department, 859-288-2928, for additional accommodations. For questions or help with registration, Jill Farmer, 859-288-2928, or Brent Claiborne, 859-228-2908.
Youth football camp
Ages: 6 to 11
Free to the public
Hours: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Sessions: May 1 and May 22 at Douglass Park; June 5 at Martin Luther King Park.
Contact: Cornell Burbage, 859-288-2917