Domestic Summer Camp Fun and Activities
In the spirit of making this summer a memorable one for kids, we've compiled a list of engaging summer camp programs that bring math, crafts, games, and science experiments right into your home. These programs cater to a variety of budgets and preferences, ensuring there's something for everyone.
Paid Programs
For a structured, hands-on STEM experience, consider Camp Invention Connect. This program offers creative STEM projects, live online sessions with educators, and dedicated coaching. Participants receive a kit with supplies, making it an immersive learning experience [3].
Free Programs and Ideas
If you're looking for cost-effective options, Varsity Tutors offers free virtual camps across subjects like coding, art, chess, and science, with a flexible schedule [4]. DIY.org Creative Kids Camp provides free, self-paced online classes, where kids can engage in creative challenges and earn digital badges [4].
PBS Kids Camp TV offers themed online camps for ages 5 to 9, filled with printables, videos, games, and DIY crafts [4]. Girl Scouts at Home offers virtual camp programs with STEM challenges, outdoor adventures, and leadership activities, open to all [4]. Code.org Virtual Summer Workshops focus on coding and game design, aiming to build STEM skills [4].
Beyond these structured programs, there are numerous DIY at-home camp ideas. For instance, making bird feeders or cooking projects that teach measurement and math, or even fun experiments like homemade ice cream, all promote learning through hands-on activity and observation [1][2].
DIY Summer Camp at Home
A popular free summer activity series is DIY Summer Camp at Home, which offers 11 weeks of fun learning and play across various themes such as outer space, ocean, colors, and more [2]. It also includes ideas for helping children get ready for Kindergarten.
Camp Mathematics
For those seeking a math-focused program, Camp Mathematics offers a free summer math series created in collaboration with What Do We Do All Day. It includes 12 hands-on math activities over 6 weeks [2].
Virtual Kindness Summer Camp
In addition to academic growth, it's essential to nurture kindness and empathy. Virtual Kindness Summer Camp offers free access to the Making Chemo Care Kits for Kids series and over 20 other kindness printables. It also includes a kindness tracker app, object lessons, a private Facebook group, travel-friendly ideas, and a summer kindness scavenger hunt [2].
The Get Ready for K Through Play Series
Lastly, The Get Ready for K Through Play series offers fun and playful ways to prepare for Kindergarten, including comprehensive book lists about starting Kindergarten and ways to ease Kindergarten anxiety [2].
These programs cover a broad spectrum of subjects and formats, from fully guided online camps with supplied materials to free, self-paced online classes and DIY projects. Families can choose based on budget and preferred engagement level, ensuring a summer filled with exciting learning opportunities for kids.
- To foster acts of kindness during the summer, you can participate in the Virtual Kindness Summer Camp, which offers free access to making Chemo Care Kits for Kids series and over 20 other kindness printables, along with a kindness tracker app and a summer kindness scavenger hunt.
- For those interested in developing their home-and-garden lifestyle, DIY Summer Camp at Home offers 11 weeks of fun learning and play across various themes such as outer space, ocean, colors, and more, also including ideas for helping children get ready for Kindergarten.
- If you're looking to engage your family in science experiments this summer, consider the Camp Mathematics free summer math series, which includes 12 hands-on math activities over 6 weeks, or the Girl Scouts at Home virtual camp programs with STEM challenges open to all.
