Looking for child care and / or education stimulation for your little people this summer? Milwaukee day camps offer lots of interesting experiences for youngsters and allow parents to remain gainfully employed or have the chance to take a breather during the long, kid-filled summer months.
Prices and dates vary greatly, so call or visit online the following organizations for more information about summer camps for kids. And feel free to added information about another summer day camp program via the Talkback feature.
College for Kids
Various locations, (414) 227-3360
www4.uwm.edu/SCE/program_area.cfm?id=2621
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s continuing education programs offers College for Kids and College for Teens, offering classes from American Sign Language to creative writing to computer game design to geocaching to puppetry. All classes are taught by UWM faculty and other specialty teachers. Most classes are taught on campus. Parents often sign up for multiple classes to "piece meal" a partial-day or full-day care program.
First Stage Children’s Theater
325 W. Walnut St., (414) 267-2970
firststage.org/theateracademy
First Stage offers a variety of theater-focused day camps for kids entering K4 to 12th grade. Prices vary, but half-day sessions are about $145 a week; full day (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) is $250 a week.
Jewish Community Center Rainbow Day Camp
Fredonia, (920) 944-4614
rdc.jccmilwaukee.org
The JCC Rainbow Day Camp offers a variety of programs for all ages (K5-5th grade) and it’s located on 90 acres of wooded land. Activities include swimming, archery, playground time and more. Prices vary, but run about $275 per week for a five-day session.
Marquette Basketball Summer Camp
770 N. 12th St., (414) 288-5937
marquettebasketballcamps.com
Camps runs June 20-24; June 27-July 7 and July 25-29 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Doors open at 8:30 a.m.) The cost is $250 per week, with a $25 discount for employees of Marquette or for siblings also attending basketball camp.
Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
1111 E. Brown Deer Rd., (414) 352-2880
schlitzauduboncenter.com/sumcam.htm
Kids from preschool to 9th grade are invited to attend on the the Audubon’s summer camp programs. The center offers an 185-acre "outdoor classroom" along the shores of Lake Michigan, about 15 minutes from Milwaukee. Prices vary, but are approximately $180 ($150 for members) for a five-day, half-day session.
Urban Ecology Center
Riverside Park, 1500 E. Park Pl., (414) 964-8505
Washington Park, 1859 N. 40th St., (414) 344-5460
urbanecologycenter.org/summercamp.html
The Urban Ecology Center offers many day camps focusing on nature and outdoor activities. Scholarships and before-and-after care are available. Register soon; classes fill quickly. Day camps range in price from approximately $160 to $195. Scholarships are available.
Walker’s Point Center for the Arts
839 S. 5th St., (414) 672-2787
wpca-milwaukee.org/education/summer-youth-art-camp
The Walker’s Point Center for the Arts offers afternoon art camps (1-5 p.m.) for kids ages 6 and 12. Each week of the eight-week program is dedicated to one form of art, from ceramics to dance to theater and storytelling. The cost is $100 per week and includes all materials. Partial scholarships are available.
Wisconsin Conservatory of Music
1584 N. Prospect Ave., (414) 276-5760
wcmusic.org/School/2011-Summer-Camps.aspx
The Conservatory offers 16 different camps for kids and teens, including a piano camp, jazz camp and music theater camp. Check the Web site for dates and prices. Full-day programs run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and cost about $225 per week.
YMCA Day Camps
Various locations, (414) 276-9622
ymcamke.org/YMCA/yday-camp.php
The Y offers many camp options, including day camp, teen camp, sports camp, partial-day camps and more. All of the counselors have 40 hours of training prior to camp and are certified in first Aid, CPR-PRO and AED. Register before April 16 and get 2010 prices. Prices vary greatly; call or check the Web site.
