Can we all agree that summer planning is difficult? Seriously, we could spend hours ranting about how fast camps fill up, how varied registration periods are and how 9:00am – 3:00pm is not technically a full day. But you already know that! What you need to know is what camps are out there and you need a tool that makes planning easier. That’s why we’ve been cultivating a list of summer camps over the past few years and why we’re really excited to introduce you to our newest version. The 2017 Summer Camp Guide is designed to simplify planning, and ensure that your children have access to the very best in adventure, athletics, arts and education offered through summer camp programs.
Having a list of camp names, links, dates and general descriptions ALL.IN.ONE.PLACE will make finding summer camps – your kiddos will love – on the weeks you need care – easier. We promise.
Click through to our website to check out our top picks for summer and then hop over to the Summer Camp Guide for LOTS more great camps. And speaking of more camps, check back frequently, because we’re adding new camps every day! New this year, a section for sport specific camps.
For those of you that are entering your first “summer off” we created a beginners guide to summer camp registration. Click through to learn more about summer camp registration season.
Early Winter (November – January): traditional over night camps host open houses, begin application and/or registration process for summer season (i.e. Keewaydin, Hosmer Point, Camp Kiniya)
Mid Winter (late January – early March): day camps open registrations and often fill up (examples include MALT, Willowell, Middlebury Mountaineer); a gross generalization is that these camps are from organizations that focus the majority of their energy on summer camps and/ortrips.
Late Winter/Early Spring (March – May): rolling opening of camp registration open (examples include Middlebury Parks & Rec, Farm Camps, Sports Camps); a gross generalization is that these camps are from organizations that work year round with kids and summer camps are just one part of their year long activities.
KidsVT hosts a summer camp fair this Saturday and we highly recommend that event for those with children ages 7+ that would consider traveling north for camps.
Camp Name: Mary Johnson School Age Summer Camp – Middlebury location
- General Description: Mary Johnson Children’s Center operates full-day summer camps in Bristol, Middlebury and Vergennes, including games, arts and crafts, music, sports, swimming, field trips and community connections, with plenty of outdoor fun. Lunches and snacks provided. Sibling discount available. STARS Quality Rated.
- Enrollment Options: Full Day. 1-2-3- 4, and 5 day/week spots available.
- Age/gender: completed K-6 grade, co-ed
- Dates: June 19 – August 11 (no program on July 3rd or 4th) ( sign up by the week or for the whole summer)
- Times: 7:45 a.m. till 5:30 p.m.
- Tuition assistance: Tuition subsidy assistance through Child Care Services. Contact Jane Reilly at 388-2853 for information and application.
Camp Name: Young Hacks Academy
- General Description: Does your child have what it takes to lead in the 21st century? Young Hacks Academy is a
summer camp for ages 9-15 that uses technology to develop real-world leadership skills. A blend of computer programming, problem-solving, and teamwork, YHA teaches kids to build cool video games about big challenges facing us on the local and global level. No programming experience is required. YHA will be held July 10-14, 2017 at Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center in Middlebury.
- Enrollment Options: full day/ full week
- Age/gender: 9-15; co-ed; YHA Agent Training for Ages 9-12 and YHA Beta Masters for Ages 12-15
- Dates: July 10-14
- Times: Check-in Mon-Fri 8:30-9AM; Pick-up Mon-Fri 4-5PM
Camp Name: Whiskers & Wags
- General Description: Hands-on humane education camp aimed at teaching children proper pet care behavior; safety around animals; encouraging empathy toward animals and their welfare; and exposing children to careers involving animals.
- Enrollment Options: Day camp, 9-4, M-F
- Age/gender: Boys and Girls, sessions available for ages 7-8, 9-10, and 11-12
- Dates: August 7th-11th, August 14th-18th, August 21st-25th
- Times: 9:00 am – 4:00pm; no before/after care available
- Tuition assistance: Scholarships available with proof of free-reduced lunch or equivalent
Camp Name: Sewing Camp
- General Description: Two camps offered this summer, a mini and kids camp. Mini Camp is a great opportunity for beginners. Sewists will learn the basics of a sewing machine and make small projects each day. Kids camp is for older students that have an interest in sewing or has experience sewing. Great opportunity to learn how to sew, learn new techniques, and build on skills already learned! Tap into your child’s creativity and watch it soar!
- Age/gender: mini camp 8+, co-ed; kids camp 10-14, co-ed
- Dates: mini camp June 28 – 30; kids camp July 10-13 and/or July 24-27
- Times: mini camp 10:00 am – 12:00pm; kids camp 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Fee: mini camp $65; kids camp $125 Each Session
Camp name: Willowell Summer Camps
- General Description: From cooking over an open fire, to clamoring elves and hobbits, to teen-empowerment, or learning the art of witchcraft and wizardry– the Willowell Foundation’s 230 acres of fields, forest, and wetland will be alive with song, movement, crafts, and creativity this summer! Passing through the forest, you might hear the clash of light sabers, the voices of an elven chorus, or fresh baked bread sizzling over an open fire. Sign up for one of our thirteen awesome camps, and you will leave with the new skills and stories to last a lifetime!
- Enrollment Options: Each camp runs one week (M-F), times vary depending on specific camp.
- Age/gender: Co-ed camps for children ages 4-17
- Dates: A different camp running each week (M-F) from June 19th until August 18th
- Times: Please see specific camp descriptions for times
- Tuition assistance: Scholarships available. Please contact [email protected] for more information.
Camp Name: Hosmer Point: Summer Phone: 802- 586-7767 • Winter phone: 802-586-2090
- General Description: With a focus on helping campers build confidence and a feeling of community, Hosmer Point offers 1, 2, 4, and 6 week residential sessions for ages 9 to 15, day camps for ages 5 to 8, and Wilderness Trekking camps for teens. Campers direct their own schedules, choosing from a wide variety of activities including: sculling, sailing, farm and build, mountain biking, creative arts, and sports and fitness. With only 74 campers per session, and three or four campers for each counselor; every child is respected for who they are so they learn how to be their best selves.
Enrollment Options: 1 or 2 week overnight, 1 week day camps - Age/gender: Ages 5-16, co-ed
- Dates: June 18 – 23, June 25-July 7, July 9 – July 21, July 23 – August 4, August 6 – August 11
- Tuition assistance: Tuition is on a sliding scale based on income. Click here to learn more.
Jennifer Marie Molineaux says
Hi Minibury,
Thanks for your amazing summer camp guide. If you are accepting additional suggestions, I’d put forward the Talent Development Institute:
http://tdivermont.org/
TDI offers a two week camp at Johnson State College. It’s a place for gifted kids to get a burst of creative, fun, intellectual opportunities for development. The kids live in the college dorms and take amazing classes. They use the college science labs. My daughter has gone for two years, and it has transformed the way she sees and talks about herself. I’d be happy to speak to anyone considering TDI for their child.