Seattle magazine’s 2010 Kids’ Summer Camp Guide

Summer’s here and you haven’t signed up your child for a summer camp, right? Not to worry. We’ve compiled a list of some unusual and “of course” camps that you still might be able to squeeze your little one or teen into. We get it…it’s pretty clear that CAMP really means Caring About Mom’s Peace.

ADVENTURE/NATURE

Summer Adventures Day Camp
Would you believe there’s a camp where your child can fly an airplane, river raft, camp, take a trip to the Silverwood Amusement Park and Wild Rivers Water Park–all in one week? It’s called Xtreme Week, a week-long, overnight adventure chalk full of high-adrenaline activities for active 11- to 13 year olds That’s in Xtreme Week 1. Or maybe your youngin’ would simply like daily adventures without spending the night. How about events like a ropes course, a Ride the Ducks trip, premium seating at a Seattle Mariners game, a day at Wild Waves Water Park, and a Treasure Hunt? That’s in Xtreme Week 2. Trained and background-checked counselors and junior counselors will guide your child through these day and overnight adventures. (Additional day camps are also available for kids ages 5-16).]
Where: Various locations.
Eligibility: overnight camp: ages 11–13; day camp: ages 10–13
Cost: Xtreme Week 1 (overnight): $625; Xtreme Week 2 (day trips): $400
When: 5-day overnight camp from July 19–23 or 5-day day camp from August 9–13.
How to register/more info: 425.825.1500; summeradventuresdaycamp.com

Wolf Camp
Got a young Bear Grylls (of Man vs. Wild fame) on your hands? Then these camps could be your child’s answer for the ideal Kid vs. Wild adventures. Check out some of their themes: Pick from a half-dozen five-day sessions ranging from serene (“Sailing with Sealife”) to adventurous (“Wolves & Ravens, Predators & Prey,”) to downright practical (“Advanced Herbal Medicine and Wilderness First Aid”).
Where: Western Washington locations
Eligibility: Ages 9-16
Cost: $250, plus additional transportation costs
When: 5-day overnight camps beginning June 20–September 3 (sign up by June 10 for discounts)
How to register/more info: 253.604.4681; wolfjourney.com/youthcamps/resindex.html#accolades

Alpengirl
Girls just wanna have fun at this outdoors-focused overnight camp on the Olympic Peninsula. Designed to build friendships and confidence, this camp includes rich adventures in backpacking, kayaking and discovering the rainforest, beaches and hot springs of the Olympic National Park. A jaunt to Victoria, BC, will also be a part of the itinerary.
Where: Leave from Seattle to Olympic National Park
Eligibility: Ages 12–15
Cost: $2,170
When: 2-week overnight camp from July 26–August 8
How to register/more info: 406.284.4110; alpengirl.com/trips/washingtonsummercamp.php

Art4Kids
Here’s an art camp with creative opportunities where kids work in small groups to build confidence and skill development. In addition to drawing and painting, kids learn how to fuse glass, work with ceramics, create block prints and silkscreen.
Where: Art4Kids, 2500 Franklin Ave. E, N. Capitol Hill
Eligibility: Ages 6–11 and 11–15
Cost: $375/week (ages 6–11) 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; $175/week (ages 11–15) 1–4 p.m.
When: 5-day day camps beginning June 28–August 20
How to register/more info: 206.524.7099; artforkidsnw.com

Museo Art Academy
Have a burning desire to have your kitchen table clear of artful marks, smudges and smears? Check your little one or teen into Museo Art Academy’s summer camp, where painting, clay and sculpture and drawing is their mess and your child’s joy. 
Where: Museo Art Academy, 195 Front Street North, Suite E, Issaquah
Eligibility: Ages 5–17 
Cost: $195/four half-days; $390/four full-days
When: Beginning June 21–August 26
How to register/more info: 425.886.8898; museoartacademy.com/SummerCamps.aspx

Seattle Art Museum
SAM offers fun-filled camp themes that enlighten and encourage your child’s imagination and creativity. Choose from four different exotic themes that might fit your young Picasso’s interests. From camps focused on mixed media arts to programs to storytelling and playwriting, SAM’s camps are a surefire way to engage young artists. Learn about other camps by visiting SAM’s web site. Camps also include Olympic Sculpture Park and SAM site visits. 
Where: Seattle Art Museum, 1300 1st Ave.
Eligibility: Grades: 1–6 
Cost: $360/week 
When: 5-day day camps beginning July 12–August 6.
How to register/more info: seattleartmuseum.org/secure/events/summerCamp.asp

COOKING
Tom Douglas Made From Scratch Series 
Youngsters and adults learn to cook healthy, delicious family suppers together with an emphasis on how to build a healthy pantry.
Where: Palace Kitchen at 5th and Lenora downtown.
Eligibility: Ages 7–adult
Cost: $40/adults; $25/children 
When: Single-day classes June 19, July 24, August 14; 11 a.m.–1 p.m. 
How to register/more info: Call Robyn at 206.448.2001 or email robynw@tomdouglas.com; visittomdouglas.com/index.php/events for more details.

Blue Ribbon Cooking Classes 
If your child/teen prefers the cooking channel over the Disney Channel, then here’s a summer camp to encourage their tasteful interests. Choose from several deliciously themed camps: Classic Culinary; Baking & Pastry; Mom & Me; Advanced French Culinary; Advanced Cooking without Recipes. 
Where: Blue Ribbon Cooking Classes, 2501 Fairview Ave. East
Eligibility: Ages: 7 and up 
Cost: $275-$650 
When: 4-day day sessions beginning June 21–August 26
How to register/more info: 206.328.2442; blueribboncooking.com/kidsprograms.html 

GAMER
iD Tech Camps
U-DUB graduates are the founders and owners of iD Tech Camps at the University of Washington, These camps are perfect for aspiring tech nerds. Campers learn the technical aspects of video game making, web design and programming. Maybe an overactive video game player isn’t such a bad thing, after all?
Where: University of Washington Computer Camps
Eligibility: 7–17
Cost: day camps—$779/week (ages 7–17); overnight camps—$1249/week (ages 10–17) 
When: one- and two-week day and overnight, plus ultimate gaming weekend camps beginning June 20–August 13. Check their web site for more specifics.
How to register/more info: 888.709.TECH (8324); internaldrive.com/locations/wa-summer-camps-washington-computer-camps/university-of-washington-seattle-area/ 

MARTIAL ARTS
Alpha Martial Arts
If your child imagines becoming a galactic challenger like Anakin or Padme, then the Star Warriors camp could be just the thing of their dreams. The regimen will include sword/lightsaber training, obstacle courses and acrobatics, Star Warrior Squadron points, outdoor training and adventures, water balloon and blaster battles, and more.
Where: Alpha Martial Arts; 2923 NE Blakeley St.
Eligibility: Ages 7 and up
Cost: $259
When: 5-day day camps beginning July 19–August 20
How to register/more info: 206.528.3737; karatecamps.com

ROCK STAR
Experience Music Project (EMP) 
Let your future idol take a journey of artistic exploration and self-discovery over his/her summer break. At Experience Music Project|Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame, several innovative programs have been designed to accommodate campers of varying ages, skill levels and interest. Choose from: Compose and Create; Rock-Prov; Rock ‘n’ Science; Teen Artist Workshops. Visit the EMP web site for specific dates, times and cost specifics.
Where: EMP, 325 5th Ave. N.
Eligibility: grades 3–12 
Cost: about $300 
When: 5-day day camps beginning June 21–July 29 
How to register/more info: 206.770.2760; empsfm.org/education

Music Works Northwest 
Shakespeare said it best: “If music be the food of love, play on.” If your little maestro has the music bug, this Eastside camp has the classical cure. Music Works Northwest has camps specifically designed for brass, strings, jazz, rock, voice, pop voice, woodwind, and computer recording. Visit their detailed web site for more information.
Where: Music Works Northwest, 14360 SE Eastgate Way, Ste. 102, Bellevue
Eligibility: Ages 8–18 
Cost: $175–$385 
When: 5-day day-camps beginning June 21–August 20
How to register/more info: 425.644.0988; musicworksnw.org/whatweoffer/camps.html 

Northwest Vocal Arts 
Rising Star Singing Camp is a fun and popular camp designed not only to delight your child and give them a chance to make friends, but to help improve their singing and performance skills and help them learn to cope with stage fright. 
Where: Camp Pop at the TPS Theater in the Seattle Center (plus two other sessions at the Phoenix Theatre in Firdale Village)
Eligibility: Ages: 7–12 
Cost: $145 (includes all music, supplies and snacks)
When: 5-day day camps August 2–6 at the Seattle Center (and June 28–July 2; July 5–9 at Firdale Village)
How to register: 425.778.5394; nwvocalarts.com/camps/camps.html

Rock Seattle Camp 
Little rockers will thrive in this engaging, hands-on music camp. Enroll your future star in the group band (for all abilities and styles) and get a choice of two workshops, including supplementary courses in music art, recording, live sound, and vocals/songwriting. All student bands will record songs for a compilation CD and play a showcase on the final day of camp.
Where: The Vera Project at The Seattle Center House and/or The Old Fire House Teen Center in Redmond
Eligibility: Ages: 12-21 (beginner to advanced) 
Cost: $445–$534 
When: Two 2-week day camps, July 5–16 (The Vera Project); July 26–August 6 (Redmond)
How to register/more info: 425.828.3232; rock-school.org/events.aspx 

SCIENCE
Pacific Science Center
The wonders of science and technology come alive in camps at Pacific Science Center. Ten weeks of action-packed science exploration, 29 thrilling camps to choose from and six acres of hands-on exhibits equals an exhilarating week of sensational science fun. For more information check out the summer camp brochure atpacsci.org/camps_workshops/download/camps_guide_summer_2010.pdf
Where: Morning through afternoon camps available at Mercer Slough, Shoreline Community College and Redmond Jr. High; afternoon-only camps available at the latter three, plus Pacific Science Center and St. Thomas school locations
Eligibility: Grades K–8
Cost: $160–$325
When: June 28–September 3
How to register: 206.443-2925; pacsci.org/camps_workshops/camps.html

SOCCER
Sounders FC 
Take advantage of the Seattle Sounders FC as they pay it forward to young athletes. Camp coaches place an emphasis on applying technical and tactical skills as it relates to the skill of the day to build young players’ endurance and agility. All campers receive an Adidas soccer ball, Sounders FC T-Shirt, and an invite to a special Sounders FC Camper Appreciation Day where they can meet the team.
Where: Various locations
Eligibility: Ages: 4–15 (recreational to intermediate) 
Cost: $150/week—half day; $220/week—full day
When: Half- and full-day 5-day camps beginning 7/28–8/30. 
How to register/more info: 206.267.7802; soundersfc.com/Youth/Camp-Programs/Camp-Programs.aspx

YOGA
8 Limbs Yoga Centers 
If yoga can calm and soothe adult bodies and minds, it seems only fitting that your little monkeys should have the chance to stretch and breathe their way to relaxation. Check the 8 Limbs web site for yoga and art kids’ camps times and locations. 
Where: 8 Limbs Yoga Centers with locations in Seattle neighborhoods: Capitol Hill at 500 E. Pike Street with Sonia Stehr; Phinney Ridge at 6801 Greenwood Ave. and Wedgwood at 7345 35th Ave. NE, both with Marni Yamada 
Eligibility: Ages 4–8
Cost: $185/week 
When: 5-day day classes beginning July 12–August 20
How to register/more info: 206.325.8221; 8limbsyoga.com