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Jan 22, 2024

15 Orlando summer camps to educate, entertain, inspire kids

School is out for the summer, leaving many parents with bored children at home

School is out for the summer, leaving many parents with bored children at home looking for things to do. But fear not, Central Florida has no shortage of options for youth summer camps for interests ranging from basketball to science and art. From Orlando Science Center and Central Florida museums to gymnastics gyms and sports complexes, plenty of places are dedicated to keeping kids engaged on summer break.

While this is far from an exhaustive list (and availability may vary), here are options for Orlando-area summer camps.

Orlando Science Center has summer camps ranging from three days to a week for children from preschool up to ninth grade. Camps focus on topics including robots, space, ecosystems and movie-making. Many camps are already waitlist-only online but select weeks show availability. OSC Members receive tuition discounts.

Orlando offers summer day camp programs at many city-managed neighborhood centers. Activities include physical education, art, singing, charades and more. After-School All-Stars has its own programming for middle schoolers and Orlando Skate Park summer camps teach children ages 5-14 how to skate. City of Orlando pools are also open for the summer.

With more than a dozen locations, YMCA of Central Florida has camps for elementary and middle schoolers with crafts, athletics, weekly themes and interest-based tracks. Specialty day camps are also available with focuses on aquatics, STEM, fishing, culinary arts, gardening and more.

Geared toward kids ages 5-13, Launch Camp creates a fun, energetic and active environment for kids with arts, games and activities. The facility includes trampoline courts, laser tag, arcades, bowling and more.

With 20 locations around Central Florida, this camp encourages children to "light up their brains, not their screens." Each week has a new theme, including STEM, movement, art and nature.

For children who like to tumble and soar through the air, explore summer camps from Reflex Gymnastics (Lake Nona and Azalea Park), Orlando Gymnastics, Stick It Gym, MGA Gymnastics, Orlando Metro Gymnastics and Gymnastics USA. Some gyms have an early and late pickup option for an extra fee.

With a range of options for students entering grades 1-12, Orlando Museum of Art invites young creators to delve into pop art, mixed media, block printing and more. Some sessions are sold out, but others show availability.

This nonprofit Winter Park institution is dedicated to the mission of art education, including young ones. Children can sign up for six-week classes that meet once per week or ArtCamp, which has weeklong sessions throughout the summer delving into a variety of media. Young adult immersive sessions are also available. Some sessions are full but have a waitlist.

As Orlando's central hub for theater, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts invites young artists to delve into improv comedy and musical theater. Sessions are available for youth ages 6-10, 10-18 and 13-19. Camps show as sold out online, but a waitlist is available by calling 407-455-5551 or emailing [email protected].

Keep kids learning and growing with theater professionals who will help students in grades K-12 hone their essential acting skills. Each weekly session explores a familiar story, like "Where the Wild Things Are" or "As You Like It."

Young musicians can learn how to rock out this summer at School of Rock Orlando. Sessions include a five-day "Rock 101" camp, a 21st-century modern rock camp and a "Best of the 90s" camp.

SeaWorld's day camps provide educational experiences with penguins, dolphins and all kinds of marine life. Day camps cater to students from preschool up through the end of high school.

Little Linksters is dedicated to teaching Central Florida children ages 3-18 about the sport of golf. PGA Junior Golf Camps at Wekiva Golf Club include hands-on instruction by certified PGA professionals teaching golf skills.

Young athletes have a new way to keep cool this summer with skating camps or hockey camps at RDV Ice Den in Maitland.

Basketball players can learn from professional coaches, collegiate athletes, trainers and more at locations around Central Florida. Most venues offer day camps, but one overnight week is available.

Find me @PConnPie on Instagram or send me an email: [email protected].

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