Dallas Summer Camps: Parent-to-Parent Guide

Lisa R said:  YMCA Day Camps allow campers to discover new talents, try new activities, and make new friends! Pre-K Day Camps include hands-on learning activities, splash time, and more age appropriate fun. School Age Day Camps offer an outdoor and indoor option. Outdoor campers will spend approximately 70% of their time outside while campers at Indoor Camps spend 30% of their time outside.

1 week, full day

Lisa R said:  Kids get the full camp experience at this action-packed YMCA camp. Choose a day or overnight adventure. Activities include hiking, swimming, canoeing, fishing, archery, BBs, climbing wall, challenge course, team building and ziplining.

1 week, full day/overnight

Stephanie W. said:  Kids who attend summer camp at ASI Gymnastics will have a blast! Sign up per half day, full day, or week long session. They'll start with open gym free play, and then be divided by age to work on activities like rings, vault, tumbling, and more. Kids will also get to participate in games, crafts, and story times throughout the day!

1 day, 1 week, half day/full day

Stephanie W. said:  The Little Gym has themed week-long camps, so you can choose your own adventure! Kids will get plenty of physical activity through gymnastics, games, and arts and crafts! Kids are divided by age and older kids will focus more on honing their gymnastics skills, while the younger ones will be encouraged through play!

1 week, half day

Stephanie W. said:  Junior Players is the oldest children's theater in Dallas. They have an amazing system of camps set up for the summer, which all take place at different recreation centers and libraries throughout the Dallas area, so you can choose the location nearest you, and amazingly, they are FREE! Each camp culminates in a performance showing off the campers' hard work.

2 weeks, half day

Stephanie W. said:  NTPA has a variety of production-based drama camps, as well as options combined with creative arts, workshops and theatre intensives. Depending on your child's age, level of interest, and preferred location (Frisco, Dallas, Plano, Fairview) different camps are offered. All camps end with a camper showcase.

1 & 2 weeks, half & full day

Lisa R said:  Children's Health StarCenter's Summer Skating Camp offers kids a unique way to beat the heat! Kids can learn to ice skate for the first time, or brush up on their skills.

1-3 days, half day

Stephanie W. said:  For the child who loves to debate or is looking for a future in the courtroom, allow them to hone those skills in debate camp! Kids will learn the basics and more of debate- research techniques, rebuttals, and enjoy sparring sessions about current events. They'll participate in fun, engaging activities all while bettering their abilities on the debate floor!

1 week, half day

Stephanie W. said:  The Art Centre Theatre is offering Free Summer Camps! Camps focus on art, drama, music, and dance. Each session will end with a performance. Campers will also take a field trip and a Hawaiian Falls swim day.

2 weeks, full day

Stephanie W. said:  Precision's camps are focused on honing gymnastics skills, such as working on the tumble track, rope climbs, gymnastic bars, beam, vault, floor and more. They also have a full size spring floor, in-ground pit, and trampolines! These are great camps for kids who really want to improve their gymnastics skills, where organized instruction, games, and free time to work on skills of your child's choice with instructors are all offered.

1 day, half day

Lisa R said:  This long-running traditional day camp packs loads of fun into its programs offered at several DFW locations. In addition to having fun, kids are encouraged to develop their strength, responsibility, character and confidence. Each week follows a theme, but includes a similar set of activities, such as crafts, athletics, science activities & time to reflect.

1 week, full day

Stephanie W. said:  WOGA has sent 3 gymnasts to the Olympics, and their gymnasts have won 35 World and Olympic medals, so you can expect fantastic gymnastics training at their summer camps (as well as games and arts and crafts)! Their coaches are experienced and safety trained. WOGA has two locations, in Frisco and Plano.

1 day, 1 week, half day/full day

Lisa R said:  This waterfront day camp teaches kids life skills and independence while they enjoy archery, horseback riding, water activities, crafts and more. The camp is held on Lake Lewisville, but free transportation in air conditioned buses to and from the camp is available from local YMCA's in Coppell, Moody, Semones, Lake Highlands, Frisco, Plano, Richardson, and White Rock.

1 week, full day

Stephanie W. said:  To be, or not to be? Shakespeare is a special brand of theater, and one that actors of all ages should be familiar with. Campers will learn the basics of acting, movement, vocal work, stage combat, and improvisation with a focus on Shakespeare. Each camp culminates in a performance at Shakespeare in the Park!

1 & 2 weeks, full day

Stephanie W. said:   UT Dallas Chess Camp isn't only fun, it encourages strategic thinking over the summer and promotes social skills as well! Campers will be divided into beginner, intermediate and advanced groups.

1 week, half day

Lisa R said:   The Dallas International School offers a variety of camps that mix academics and fun! Camps include an arts and crafts workshop entirely conducted in French, cooking camps, chess camp, dance, art, music, math, and several language camps.

1 week, half day/full day

Stephanie W. said:  Dallas Ballet Center has summer camps and intensives for kids of all ages! Kids ages 3-7 can join the Discovery Dance Camp, where art and music skills are explored for new dancers. Ballet, tap, jazz, and Broadway camps are available for elementary aged kids and older, more advanced dancers to sharpen their skills!

1 week, half day/full day

Stephanie W. said:  At KJ Dance, campers will explore their dreams of becoming a dancing superstar! They'll dive in to ballet, tap, jazz and hip hop, and make new friends along the way. Each camp is divided by age group, and dancers will perform in the Camp Show Off for family and friends the last day of camp. Camps are available at both the Frisco and Plano locations.

4 days, half day

Stephanie W. said:  Dallas Children's Theater has your child's summer taken care of! Choose from a variety of options for children of all ages, ranging from comedy and improv classes, to movie making and musical theater showcases. Kids of all ages will be encouraged to use their imaginations and let their creativity blossom for the summer!

1 week, half & full day

Lisa R said:  

J Dallas Camps offer summer camps tailored to all ages and interests. Choose a traditional camp experience, sports, art, or theater camps. There is even a camp for preschoolers and Teen Travel Camp allows older campers to explore and try new things all around DFW!

2, 3, 4, 6, & 9 weeks, half day/full day

Lisa R said:  Sylvan Learning Center offers summer camp that ensure your child's reading, writing, and math skills stay sharp over the summer. Classes here use the latest teaching methods, engaging learning games and a fun rewards system to keep kids motivated. Age-appropriate camp options include Early Reading, stress-reducing Study Skills, Fit4Algebra, and Writing.

Stephanie W. said:  Ninja Camp is a great opportunity for those new to karate and the martial arts to learn basic skills and those more advanced can polish and expand their skills in a safe and fun environment. Children will be divided by age and skill level and will work on kicks, rolls, falls, self defense, board breaking and more!

1 day, 1 week, half day/full day

Stephanie W. said:  Each week of summer dance camp at Studio B will feature dancing, movies, crafts and more! Young dancers will love camp themes including Unicorns & Rainbows, Encanto, and Christmas in July!

1 week, half day

Lisa R said:  This active camp keep kids moving all day with a mix of traditional sports and camp games. Campers will participate in swimming, tennis, soccer, volleyball, water games, and more. Each week has a different schedule of games and sports.

1 week, half day/full day

christadiserio said:  Music camps at the Dallas Academy of Music and Performing Arts ROCK...literally! Camps include Bach Rocks! Beginner Piano Camp, Ukulele Early Childhood Music Camp, Pop Vocal Boot Camp, Rock Band Camp, and Voice for Musical Theatre.

1 week, half day

Stephanie W. said:  Camp John Marc provides camping opportunities for children living with chronic medical and physical challenges, making this an extremely unique camp. Camps specifically for children with spina bifida, those who have muscular dystrophy, those who are burn survivors, and more, are invited to have the unique experience of spending a week with kids just like them, who understand what they are going through!

1 week

Shila said:  Summer Art Camps at the Dallas Museum of Art offers a one-of-a-kind experience sharing enthusiast lessons in mixed media, fashion, drawing, painting, building, and more. Grouped by age, kids spend time in the galleries and in the open art studio working on projects. There are many unique themes from Fixer Upper to World Travelers to Welcome to HogwARTs - sign up for as many weeks as you'd like to fill a creative summer schedule.

1 week, half day/full day

Stephanie W. said:  The Perot Museum of Nature & Science has great camps this summer! Campers will keep busy with hands-on exploration and activities including science experiments, engineering challenges, art projects, paleontology, and more!

1 week, full day

Lisa R said:   ESD offers a huge selection of specialized programs for kids of all interests, from learning how to be a babysitter to week-long challenges that use STEM skills to solve themed assignments. Camps include options designed and taught by ESD faculty, as well as licensed programs such as Camp Invention taught by outside professionals. Other exciting options include iCulinary, Web Design, Science Palooza, Lego Mania, and more!

1 week, half day/full day

christadiserio said:  Frontiers of Flight Museum offers Aviation and Space themed camps and a 3-Day STEM Mini Camp.

3 day, 1 week, full day

Stephanie W. said:  The Dallas Zoo's Wild Adventures Summer Camps feature behind the scenes tours, games, creative projects, close-up animal encounters, and more fun!

1 day, 1 week, full day

1 week, full day

Lisa R said:  These interdisciplinary art classes combine math, writing, and creative problem-solving with art. Classes include Ceramics, Comic Book Creation, Printmaking, Ceramic Glazing, and Animation.

1 week, half day

Stephanie W. said:  Musical Theatre Camps at ACT will let your little star shine! Campers will learn about staging, choreography, music, and more. A musical will be performed at the end of each session!

1 week, full day

Kelly R. said:  Kids work with different mediums to explore weekly themes like National Parks, space, and famous artists. Each camp finishes with a gallery show on Friday where campers can show off their creations!

1 week, half day

Stephanie W. said:  Whether campers are new to the stage or seasoned performers, Theatre Arlington has a camp for everyone! Kids will learn the performance and technical aspects of theatre. Subjects include acting, dance, voice, stage combat, costume design, construction, and lighting and sound design.

1 & 2 weeks, half & full day

Stephanie W. said:  Boys and girls in kindergarten and up are invited to practice their best circus skills at Classic Gymnastics! Skills like trapeze, silks, the tight rope, acrobatics and more are covered, including "just clowning around!" A performance at the end of each day will showcase camper's new skills!

3 days, half day

Stephanie W. said:  There are many aspects to a theatrical performance, and Stage West has them all covered! Week long camps will cover topics like musical theatre, puppetry, and stage acting and each camp ends in a showcase for friends and family! Teens can participate in the Summer Conservatory where they will learn about acting, scene design and tech, ending the program with a fully produced performance!

1 week, half & full day

Stephanie W. said:  Casa Manana's summer camps are designed for young actors! The youngest campers will learn how to use their bodies and voices on stage through acting, singing and dancing during Camp Casa Junior. The week will culminate in a performance at the end of each camp.

Older campers will attend Camp Casa to experience and participate in professional arts training. Campers will have fun exploring musical theatre through classes in acting, music and dance as well as performing and producing a full-length show at the end of the session.

1 & 3 weeks, half & full day

Stephanie W. said:  Campers can go nocturnal at Fort Worth Zoo Summer Camp Overnights! Campers will get a close-up look at what goes on at the zoo when (almost) everyone is asleep. They'll learn about nocturnal animals and their fine-tuned senses, night noises, and more. Campers will get dinner, and breakfast and lunch the next day, plus a night hike, games, and a guided tour of the zoo! This is also a great way to ease kids in to overnight camp, because it's a one-night only experience!

1 night, overnight

Stephanie W. said:  The Fort Worth Zoo's Summer Zoo Camp gives campers the opportunity to explore the Zoo in a wild way! Get up-close and personal with activities like feeding the animals, behind the scenes tours, learning about the different zoo departments and there is even an overnight camp that includes dinner, a night hike, and a deeper look in to nocturnal animals!

1 & 2 days, 1 week, half day/full day/overnight