Unique Summer Camps For Kids in Massachusetts

Even though summer is a few months away, many camps are already opening up enrollment for summer fun! Whether your children are geared up for activity or love getting messy with paint or want to start a business, there are so many options to explore this summer in person and virtually.

Here are 12 ideas for a unique summer experience.

STEM

STEM Summer Camp
https://empow.me/
Ages: Grades 2-8
Where: Lexington, Boston, and virtual
Cost: $439-$799
 
Instead of playing video games all summer, why not learn how to create them? Empow Studio’s coding camp offers programs in robotics, Minecraft Mods, video game design, video production and more. Kids can collaborate with others and really dive into technology.

Kids4Coding REWRITE
https://www.kids4coding.com/ 
Ages: Early Elementary through High School
Where: West Roxbury, Cambridge, and virtual
Cost: $189-$279

Kids4Coding aims to teach kids coding skills, problem solving and team work. It offers sessions on gaming, Photoshop, AR skills, and more, and offers small groups of 5:1 so that kids get the attention they need as they learn. 

SPORTS

https://www.ussportscamps.com/
Ages: 12-19
Where: Virtual
Cost: $295-$495
Nike’s Sports Camps are hosted through the MetroWest area for kids who want to play flag football, lacrosse, tennis and other sports. But they’ve also got an ESports camp for gamers who want to level up in Rocket League, Fortnite, Overwatch 2, Super Smash Bros., and other games. 

ADVENTURE

YMCA 
https://www.metrowestymca.org/summer-camp-2021
Ages: 3-15
Where: Hopkinton, Framingham, Natick, 
Cost: $92-$500 (financial assistance available)
Metrowest’s YMCA is everything you’d expect from camp with traditional summer programs. But it also offers programs in drama, STEAM, hip hop, magic, farming, cooking, robotic, wilderness skills, and flight. And if that doesn’t sound like enough options, you can also enroll the kids who love jumping on the furniture in Ninja Tastic - where gymnastics meets ninja warrior training.   

Boating is Fun Camp/Boating is for Teens
https://boatinginboston.com/camps/
Ages: 8-15
Where: Hopkinton, Natick, Newton, Stoneham
Cost: $279-$1399
Kids and teens can get out on the water this summer. Boating in Boston’s camps build teamwork and confidence through sailing and paddle sports. 

ANIMALS
https://www.zoonewengland.org/discover/school-programs-camps/summer-camp/
Ages: 6-11
Where: Franklin Park, Stoneham
Cost: sliding scale
Kids can go wild at Zoo New England this summer while learning about animals, ecosystems and conservation. 

CAREERS/BIZ/SKILLZ

Summer Discover  
https://keefetechorg-3568-us-east1-01.preview.finalsitecdn.com/community...
Ages: Grades 3-8
Where: Framingham
Cost: $650
Is it too soon to start looking for a job? Kids get to play and then explore careers. There are sports and rec activities in the mornings. Then in afternoons, kids go on trips to learn about career possibilities from the automotive industry to graphic arts to woodworking. 

The Kids Table
https://www.kids-table.com/virtual-cooking-camps
Ages: 6 to teen
Where: Virtual
Cost: $40
The whole family can enjoy this camp - by eating all the yummy things kids will get to make. 
The lessons are definitely kid friendly. Past dishes include pizza rolls, monkey bread, soft pretzels with cheese and quesadillas. 

The Business of Doing Good
https://www.thebusinessofdoinggood.org/
Ages: Middle School
Where: Boston, virtual
Cost: $150-$175
This is a camp for budding entrepreneurs. The program teaches kids about building a business and achieving goals, while raising awareness about social concerns such as the environment or hunger. Maybe they’ll be on Shark Tank someday! 
 

ARTS

Kidstock! Creative Theater
https://www.kidstocktheater.com/summer2021.html
Ages: 4-15
Where: Winchester
Cost: $25
Kidstock! is training future performers. Programs introduce younger children to acting, movement, and different roles in the theater. Older children create their own musical. Look out Broadway. 

PAC Summer Theater Playhouse
https://pacmetrowest.org/summer-theater-workshops/
Ages: Grades 3 through High School
Where: Framingham
Cost: $1650
Young aspiring stars will be staging Peter Pan this summer. 

 
Esh Circus Arts
https://www.eshcircusarts.com/youth-summer-program/
Ages: 8-16
Where: Somerville
Cost: $650
Esh Circus Arts’ Youth Summer Program is perfect for clowning around. Kids will learn things like juggling, clowning, trapeze, acrobatics and other big top skills!  

 
Have any other camps to share? 

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