Summer camp is canceled: now what? Luckily, plenty of tech-savvy camps have taken their programs online to help us all keep the summer boredom at bay. Whether your kids are into art, robotics or cooking, there’s something for everyone on the internet. Read on to check out our must-try virtual summer camps for kids.
Camp Kennedy Space Center
Kids will get to Zoom with a real-live space expert from the Kennedy Space Center when you sign up for this exclusive summer camp. There are two, three-day, three-hour live sessions (10 a.m - 1 p.m. EST) available, and each one includes NASA-inspired science experiments, fun facts about rockets, space exploration, interplanetary travel and much more.
Dates: Jul. 28-Aug. 6
Ages: 7-10
Cost: $65 per session
Online: kennedyspacecenter.com/camps
MDA Virtual Summer Camp
Summer camp is for everyone! This camp—hosted by the Muscular Dystrophy Association—has activities and programs for all kids—even those with special needs. There are a ton of accessibly-designed camp activities like cooking and music classes, fashion design, crafting, and virtual scavenger hunts and escape rooms. Camps will be offered in one-week sessions (Mon.-Thurs.). The best part? Campers and parents can participate when it best fits their schedule.
Cost: Free
Ages: 8-17
Online: mda.org/virtual-camp
Story Pirates Creator Camp
Your kids' favorite podcast is now in session! A super-cool collab between the Story Pirates and Random House Children's Books, this virtual summer camp offers plenty of opportunities for personalized interactive activities through July, including virtual "cabins." Plenty of well-known authors will be in on the action, too. Think Mary Pope Osborne (The Magic Tree House series), Nic Stone (Dear Martin, Clean Getaway), Danica McKellar (Goodnight, Numbers), Lincoln Peirce (Max & the Midknights, Big Nate), Vanessa Brantley-Newton (Grandma’s Purse, Just Like Me), and Judd Winick (Hilo). Livestreamed programming will be hosted on Mon., Wed., and Frid. from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. EST / 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. PST.
Dates: Jul. 6-Jul.31
Ages: 5-12
Online: storypirates.com/camp
Blue Sky Kids
We love the options that Blue Sky Kids offers. Choose from one-on-one sessions or small hour-long sessions (four or fewer kids), Monday-Friday. Parents can custom design a virtual program that works for their schedule, and the choices are endless! Think cooking, magic, yoga, calligraphy, sports, visual storytelling, dance, chess and more.
Ages: 5-15
Online: blue-sky-kids.com/camp
Summer of Sawyer
Sawyer, an online and in-person child educational resource has launched the "Summer of Sawyer." Each week will feature a different theme.
Week 1 (7/6 - 7/10): Arts and Culture, in partnership with the Brooklyn Public Library
Week 2 (7/13 - 7/17): Farm to Table, in partnership with Hungryroot
Week 3 (7/20 - 7/24): STEM/STEAM learning
Week 4 (7/27 - 7/31): Music Festival, in partnership with Lavender Blues
Week 5 (8/3 - 8/7): Spirit Week, in partnership with Nike Adventure Club
Ages: 2-18
Cost: Varies depending on courses
Online: hisawyer.com/camp
Black Rocket
This 100% virtual camp offers three to six hours a day of live instruction per day, depending on which course you choose. There is a wide variety of options to choose from, including coding, app design, virtual reality and more. Plus, students can also virtually socialize with kids across the globe during live eSports competitions at 4 p.m. EST every day for free–even without course enrollment!
Ages: 8-14
Cost: $149-159, depending on enrollment.
Online: blackrocket.com
Happy Camper Live
Bring the camp experience home by signing up for Happy Camper Live. Their website and app are filled with hundreds of hands-on activities, live daily broadcasts, an original video series and more. You can check out their free activities of the day (think making slime or learning new dance moves) or sign up for a monthly subscription.
Cost: $4.99/month
Online: happycamperlive.com
Summer Camp with Monica + Andy
Choose from fun classes like Kitchen Chemistry, Intro to Drumming, Elementary Intro to MBA for Girls and much more. Classes are led by teachers from all over the country.
Dates: Session 1 is from Jun. 15-July 10. Session 2 TBD
Price: varies from $100 - $200 for a 4-week session
Online: monicaandandy.com/summercamp
American Heritage School
Keep your kids learning this summer with an online course from American Heritage School. They have courses geared towards helping kids succeed in the new school year, along with specific areas like speech and debate and 2D animation.
Dates: June 1-July 31
Cost: $1000+ for 3-week course
Online: online.ahschool.com
Camp: Aspire
This summer, kids can learn all about robotics with UBTECH’s cool new camp. The instruction is all virtual through interactive video, and campers will receive hands-on building kits with all the motors, parts, and sensors needed to make their own robots and solve challenges.
Dates: June 15-August 28
Cost: $400/week
OSMO Live Boot Camp
These six-week courses for kids grades K-5 offer engaging, hands-on live learning. Designed by OSMO, and taught by some of the best elementary educators in the country, kids will immerse themselves in fun lessons that range from coding to art. Campers will get one-on-one interactions with instructors, both online and offline activities and personal feedback. Each weekly session lasts for one hour, and campers will receive an additional three hours of extended learning activities.
Dates: Classes begin Jun. 21
Cost: $149 per camp; parents signing up for more than one class will receive a $25 discount.
Online: live.playosmo.com
Art Camp in a Box
Let your kiddo’s creativity shine with this genius virtual camp. Sign up and you’ll receive a box filled with all the art supplies and instructions needed to create 10 art projects at home. You’ll also have access to daily live Zoom calls and a virtual art show at the end of the week. Their June dates have already filled up, so be sure to sign up ASAP.
Dates: July 13-17, August 3-7
Cost: $160/week
Online: artclassesforkids.com
Smart Buddies
Get your kids coding with this fun camp-in-a-box from Smart Buddies. When you sign up, you’ll receive a Smart Buddies robot to help them learn fundamental coding concepts. Kids will meet with their fellow campers twice a day to participate in activities and practice problem solving.
Dates: June 15-August 14
Cost: $179/2 weeks
Hello Future Summer Camp
Hello Future, a nonprofit organization that works with teens living in refugee camps, is putting on a virtual summer camp for teens 14-17. American teens will gain a deeper understanding of the global refugee crisis as they learn from and share with teenage Syrian refugees. 60% of the tuition fee will go towards the next session of Hello Future programming for refugee teens.
Dates: July 6-August 28
Cost: $2000/month
Online: hellofuture.io/summer-camp
Camp KiwiCo
For a flexible option that won’t tie you down to a set schedule, check out Camp KiwiCo. Their “summer camp in a crate” can be done on five consecutive days, or you can mix and match the activities at your own pace. You can sign up to be notified when camp is open. All of the online content and printables will be available for free, but you can also purchase the crates to enhance the experience.
Cost: $24.95/crate
Online: kiwico.com/camp
Princess Dance Camp
Get dancing with this sweet camp by the Peachtree City School of Dance. Taught by American Ballet Theatre certified teachers, kids will learn princess dances in different forms of dance (including ballet, jazz and hip hop) and receive daily craft kits.
Dates: June 8-July 10
Cost: $50/week
Online: ptcschoolofdance.com/PTCSchoolOfDanceVirtualCamps.htm
Homesteader Kids Summer Camp
Join chef, farmer and homesteader Cooper Boone for a one-of-a-kind virtual camp. Little ones will learn “homesteader hacks” to get back to basics in the kitchen, outside and at a makers table. You’ll receive a list of materials and ingredients you’ll need before each Zoom course.
Dates: June 8-August 20
Cost: $50/week
Online: f42home.com/summercamp
Chess Camp
Start a new hobby this summer with Chess NYC. They’re offering online group lessons and camps for every skill level; they even offer a personal evaluation to make sure you get started with the right program.
Cost: $236/week or $54/day; financial assistance is available
Online: chessnyc.com
Camp WIT
Got a budding entrepreneur in your family? Camp WIT gives tweens and teens a chance to connect with entrepreneurs from different fields and industries. Each day includes live workout activities, cooking classes and lots of opportunities for personal development.
Dates: June 1-26
Cost: $1750/4 weeks or $1000/2 weeks
Online: doingwit.org/camp-wit-1
Camp Cloud
Camp Cloud is bringing the quintessential summer camp experience home. Offering seven different themes to choose from, there’s something for every kid. Explore shelter building and outdoor skills in Camp Adventure or imagine yourself stranded on a deserted island in Humanity Island.
Dates: June 1-July 31
Cost: $275/week (sibling discounts available)
Online: thecampcloud.com
Challenge Camp @Home
Based in Westchester, New York, Challenge Camp is taking its unique experience online for kids across the country. Kids can pick from over 100 elective STEM and art enrichment classes ranging from escape rooms and cooking to fencing and photography.
Dates: June 29-August 14
Cost: $750+/3 weeks
Online: challengecamps.com
Got Game Virtual Summer Fun Camp
If your kid’s missing the playground, then this camp from LA-based Got Game will put a smile on their face. Each session includes sports, games, crafts, science experiments and more.
Dates: June 15-August 14
Cost: $95/week ($75/week before June 3)
Online: gotgamecamp.com/program/53/
Virtual Conservation Camp
During Virtual Conservation Camp, Lincoln Park Zoo educators will lead campers through a variety of activities that explore the fun and fascinating world of animals. They’ll get to see animals at the zoo, meet zoo scientists doing important conservation work, and interact with their peers in breakout sessions.
Dates: June 15-July 31
Cost: $60/week
KidPass
If you’re still stumped on how to fill up your little one’s time this summer, KidPass might come in handy. You can use the search function to find even more virtual camps for every age and interest.
Online: kidpass.com
—Susie Foresman
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