The Ultimate Guide to Summer Camps 2022

Introduction

Let’s face it. Working parents regularly scramble to answer the age-old question, “What do I do with my kids when they’re not in school?!” It can be a frantic and overwhelming time when a kid’s daily schedule changes and parents are left to figure it out. Summer break, in the United States is approximately three and a half months, with students typically finishing the school year between late-May and late-June and starting the new year between early-August and early-September. Many parents turn to summer camps to keep kids entertained during the break.

We’re here to help with our overview of available camp types, camps for specific age groups, and where to find summer camps in 2022!

Types of Summer Camps

Each child is unique with their own interests. And it’s a great idea to take these interests into mind when selecting a summer camp in 2022 as there are so many camp types available. Let’s take a look at some popular options.

1. STEM Summer Camps

STEM summer camps are great for kids who enjoy ‘tinkering,’ love technology, or just have curious minds. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Many of these STEM summer camps focus on a variety of topics including robotics, coding, programming, or even digital arts (often called STEAM Summer Camps adding an ‘A’ for Arts.). Summer STEM programs are also a great way to build interest in these subjects in a fun environment.

2. Sports Summer Camps

Many students who enjoy participating in sports during the school year would also likely enjoy joining a sports summer camp. You can find anything from volleyball to football to swimming camps. And there are just as many businesses that offer sports camps. However, these are also often offered at your local recreation center and may be at a lower cost.

3. Robotics Summer Camps

Robotics summer camps are great for those ‘tinkerers’ we mentioned earlier. Does your kid enjoy taking things apart and putting them back together? Do they like solving puzzles? If so, robotics summer camp may be a great fit for your child.

4. Art Summer Camps

Is your child the creative type? Let their imagination run wild with like-minded peers as they create masterpieces through a variety of mediums including painting, jewelry design, pottery, photography, or even digital arts.

5. Coding Summer Camps

Within the category of STEM summer camps, coding summer camps offer a unique opportunity for students who are into technology. Coding camps have options for each skill level and can teach your child the basics of coding, or if they’re more advanced, they could learn how to program a drone to a specific flight pattern using the Python programming language.

6. Dance Summer Camps

Let your child explore movement through dance! A camp can be a great way to get introduced to a variety of dance types in a short amount of time. Or for more advanced students who have been taking classes for a while, camps can allow them to try out a new style or home in on a specific skill.

7. Science Summer Camps

Science is a wide field of study covering many areas like chemistry, physics, biology, or even psychology. Engineering is another popular area of study and lends itself well to a science summer camp. Campers can explore engineering concepts and apply them to existing structures (like buildings, bridges, or monuments) as well as creating their own structures. An engineering or other science summer camp can help students improve their critical and logical thinking skills as well as developing problem-solving skills.

8. Sleepaway Summer Camps

The first sleepaway camp is an exciting time for a child! They may have stayed the night at a friend’s house previously, but an extended overnight camp is a big jump in building their independence and self-confidence. Overnight camps range in focus from a traditional camp, to sports or adventure camps, and many more. Once again, make sure and take a child’s interest into strong consideration before selecting an overnight camp, or you may just get a call in the middle of the night that they’re sick and want to come home.

Camps for Specific Age Groups

Being age-specific in your hunt for the right camp can be important in ensuring your selecting a summer camp that’s appropriate for your child’s skill level.

1. Summer Camps for 5-Year-Olds

This is the age when parents often decide to send their student off to a summer camp. There are a variety of options including half-day camps to dip their toes into the camp experience. Summer camps for 5-year-olds can be an exciting and fun time to interact with their peers, begin to learn soft skills, and make new friends.

2. Summer Camps for 12-Year-Olds

Ahh, the tween years. Not quite a child. Not yet a teen. Summer camps can be a great way to keep them busy (other than playing video games or watching YouTube). Talk to them to see which camp types might interest them. There are even camps available like a Roblox summer camp or Minecraft summer camp that could take an existing interest and teach them skills like how to code through making modifications to these games. Summer camps for 12-year-olds can be a great time to build up a friend base outside of their school as many students are transitioning to a new school and it will be harder to maintain many of the connections they had before.

3. Summer Camps for Teens

Buy this age, kids are very likely to have a strong interest in a particular area. For instance, your child may have taken an interest in creating videos for YouTube. A YouTube Production camp could teach them the basics of video and sound editing as well as online safety. Older teens may also be looking for a little more freedom and could take advantage of new camp options that become available at this age including travel camps, and study abroad camps. Summer camps for teens are an important way to branch out and make new friends, while giving parents the peace of mind knowing their teen is safe.

Creating the Best Camp Experience

Whether this is your first time searching for summer camps or you’re looking for what’s new this year, you probably know the important role camps can play in a child’s life. There are so many great benefits like building skills and making new friends. But selecting the right camp that’s appropriate for your child’s interest and age can ensure they have the best experience.

Summer Camps Near You

iCode School is a STEAM school for kids in grades K-8 offering fun summer camps in 2022. Camp topics range from Battle of the Bots, Roblox, Digital Arts, YouTube Production, Drone Navigation, VR, Minecraft Mods and MUCH more! Visit our site to find a location near you and check out the variety of summer camps!