Summer Camp Guide 2024

Welcome to the 2024 Iowa City Moms Summer Camp Guide!

When school is out for the summer, parents need a safe place for their kids to learn, explore, make memories, and try new things. Of course, kids just want to have fun! Luckily, everyone can get what they need when you find that perfect summer camp for your child.

Read on to discover some of the unique, challenging, and delightful summer camps that Iowa City has to offer. We hope you find just what you’re looking for!

*Special thanks to our friends at The Bails Team-Urban Acres Real Estate for helping make this guide possible in 2024. We are so grateful for their partnership and support in all things Iowa City Moms. If you are looking to buy or sell a home in our area, look no further than The Bails Team!

Girl Scout summer camp is a unique space where girls with different backgrounds, abilities, and experiences come together to have fun and learn new skills. Our trained and caring staff members support girls in discovering who they are and what they can become. Full week and mini summer camp sessions are available for girls entering grades 2-12. There are a variety of themed sessions with activities like zip-lining, archery, horseback riding, swimming, hiking, crafting, kayaking, and more. Camp Liberty offers a variety of accommodations that allow campers to be close to nature while still experiencing the comforts of home. Campers do not need to be currently enrolled in a Girl Scout Troop to have a life-changing summer at Camp Liberty.

The Junior Scholars Academy program is designed to challenge students in their areas of interest and strength. Students explore a single advanced-level topic for the entire week. Class sizes are small, and they take place on the University of Iowa campus, giving your child access to valuable university resources and experts.

*We encourage careful reading of the course descriptions when choosing classes. Specific questions about course content should be directed to [email protected].

Join us for creative fun this summer at Big Picture Gallery and Studio!

We offer Ceramics camps, Painting camps, Drawing & Printmaking camps, 3D & Mixed Media camps, and Jewelry camps.

*Find more information and sign up online at https://www.bpgalleryandstudio.com/2024-summer-camps

Sing & Play & Learn Today: West Music’s own early childhood music and movement program. Benefits include: Fun, engaging curriculum that explores instrument playing, singing, moving & so much more Age and developmentally appropriate classes Kid-friendly instruments and materials for music-making at home Enthusiastic and experienced teachers Sets the stage for lifelong music-making Our program is designed for children ages 3 months – 5 years and uses activities created by our own educators and other nationally recognized authors. Sing & Play & Learn Today! helps your child experience the amazing musical and non-musical outcomes of early childhood music and movement. So come over and sing and play and learn with us today!

Cabaret: Senior Level Musical Theater Workshop Elevate your performing arts skills with our exclusive camp tailored for intermediate to advanced students. Our dynamic course aims to refine voice, choreography, and acting skills. This impactful program will propel students into future performing arts success. Collaborate to design a show culminating in a thrilling final performance—no auditions required. Every student will shine in solo, duet, and group numbers from hit musicals like Waitress, Dear Evan Hansen, Heathers, and more! Enroll now to witness your performer command the stage at our star-studded cabaret.

Summer camps at The Iowa Children’s Museum offer hands-on learning in an interactive space designed to foster creativity and spark curiosity. Kids learn best through play, and our summer camps embody this approach. From interactive experiments to creative projects, our experienced educators lead activities that make learning fun.

Join us for a summer of exploration and imagination; register today for summer camp at The Iowa Children’s Museum!

*Pre-registration is required. Visit theicm.org/camps to view all camps and sign up!

Join us at Camp Scattergood this summer for six weeks of exciting adventures for rising 1st-6th grade children! With programming in the arts, science, creative movement, and much more, there is something for everyone. Campers will enjoy exploring new interests in our campus art studios, labs, and extensive outdoor spaces. Each day Scattergood campers can cool off in the pond and enjoy delicious farm-fresh snacks.

*Families can register for camps on our website beginning February 15th. Camps are $250 per week. Before camp care is available beginning at 7:30 am and after camp care is available until 6pm each day for an additional fee.

Camp Wakonda is a 6-day 5-night overnight summer camp program for boys and girls entering 2nd through 8th grades. Your child will be surrounded by positive and trained counselors who will guide your camper as they explore the outdoors, participate in a wide variety of unique activities including hiking, archery, climbing, fishing and more, all while making new friends, and fostering a connection to the outdoors that will last lifetime.

*Early Bird Fee (prior to May 1) $425, includes all activities, meals and lodging Regular Fee (after May 1) $450, includes all activities, meals and lodging

Children will explore our UNESCO City of Literature and discover their favorite spots, to read write, and create!

Each day will include a new adventure that begins at Sidekick Coffee & Books. Campers will visit The University of Iowa Stanley Muesum of Art, University of Iowa Natural History Museum, Iowa City Public Library, the office of Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature, Hubbard Park, Tower Court Splash Pad, and the Swisher Tract. Activities throughout the week will include writing, reading, hiking, outdoor fun at a splash pad, creating a diorama using multiple mediums including a 3D printer, and tie-dying your camp t-shirt!

Treats throughout the week will be provided by Sidekick. Campers will be supervised by owner, Katy Herbold, former elementary school teacher, and two additional Sidekick Team members. Full itinerary can be found on our website.

*The price for the camp is $225.00. Registration can be found online at our website. 15 spots are available for each week.

Join the Iowa Soccer Club for our annual summer Premier Soccer Camp, held every year since 1998. Our club is proud to offer the highest quality instruction possible in Eastern Iowa. The focus for our camp is to provide players with expert coaching for all ages at camp and to also make sure that the camp experience is FUN and MEMORABLE.

*Available to campers who are 7U-15U players. A 7U player means that they were born in 2017. Therefore, the ISC Camp is open to kids born in the years from from 2009 to 2017.

The Good Earth Summer Camps are 5 days of fun, exploration, learning, character building, and friendship for kids ages K-8. Kids will forget about their phones and tablets and get outside to explore everything TGE has to offer. They will trek through the woodlands, prairie, and creek and be able to experience the joys of a small farm. Simply put, kids get to enjoy being kids!

Young Footliters offers a variety of theatre camps and classes for ages 5–18! Visit our website for a complete list of options, from introductory classes to week-long performance intensives.

*-Register online at https://www.coralvillearts.org/classes, or call Education Coordinator Katie Colletta at 319-248-9312. Scholarships are available!

Kids call our Flower Camp “The Best Ever” and parents say it’s “magical”. Running about on our 43 beautiful acres, catching frogs in the pond and picking fields of fresh flowers to make something beautiful releases the joy of being creative. Kids experience “free flow” design time in our beautiful studio where they paint, construct, arrange, and experiment using their own genius.

Our small groups of 12-15 kids and teens enables us to give that individual attention they love. Our goal is to see an increase in confidence and the ability to “free flow” creatively which brings JOY! We are a faith-based organization and our proceeds go to help stop sex trafficking.

Easy on line registration is open now! https://www.somethingbeautiful.org/workshops-camps

Finding day camps for your kids that incorporate fun and inclusive activities and learning opportunities has never been easier!

The Unitarian Universalist Society in Coralville offers day camps throughout the spring and summer for kids of all ages. Families love sending their children to a day camp that fosters a creative spirit, encourages exploration, and is a great time! While honoring the earth, building deeper connections, and social justice are all part of Unitarian Universalist shared mission and principles, our camps are not religious and we are open to everyone.

*Visit our website to sign up for our camps. After filling out a simple Sign Up Genius form with your camp selections, our camp director sends out more detailed forms and invoices monthly. Questions can be sent to [email protected]