Summer Camps – Birmingham, AL

It’s almost time for Summer but you still have some mild PTSD from those COVID years at home so you need to know where to send your kiddos once school is out…Look no further. Well, look a little bit further because I’m going to share some of the most exciting summer camps in and around the Birmingham area.

Traditional Camps

When I think of Summer Camp, I immediately envision, a camp in the woods with cool cabins, where I unexpectedly bump into a stranger that ends up being my twin sister. We hate each other then love each other and share Oreos dipped in peanut butter, but I think maybe that’s The Parent Trap so I’ll fast forward and talk a little about Camp Fletcher. Camp Fletcher is a week long “Experience” on a 300 acre woodland preserve.

They offer tons of outdoor challenges and activities and aim to promote only the most positive atmosphere. This camp is a great opportunity for self-growth, intentionality, and rising up to the challenges set before our youth to be great leaders, role model, and friends. There is also a day camp available if you still need someone at home during the week to eat all of your groceries.

https://www.bridgewaysal.org

Camp Briarwood is also a great option if you are looking for a more traditional summer camp. This is a Christian camp for boys and girls that gives them the opportunity to grow physically, mentally, and spiritually. Overnight Camp is held at the YMCA Camp Chandler in Wetumpka, Alabama and the day camp is held at Camp Kanawahala in Chelsea, Alabama. Both camps have picturesque grounds for all kinds of fun. Depending on the camp, kids get to experience activities such as hiking, swimming, canoeing, riflery, archery, arts and crafts, horseback riding, sailing, skiing, and a high ropes course.

https://www.campbriarwood.org

Deer Run is another fantastic overnight camp. So fantastic, in fact, it’s been voted #1 overnight camp by parents. There are a few options to choose from…A 1 week camp for completed 3rd-10th graders and a 2 week overnight camp option for completed 6th-10th graders. There is even a family option for those campers looking to unwind and unplug and focus on quality time with each other.

https://deerrun.camp/camps/

*Save on registrations: BHAMPARENT50 for $50 off Overnight Camp and BHAMPARENT25 for $25 off per person for Family Camp. Valid until July 15, 2022.

Music & Arts

Are you raising the next superstar? From Adele to Denzel we have you covered. Sign them up to enjoy music, theatre, arts & crafts with a few of these fun camps offered this summer.

Kiddos ages 3-18 will find exactly what they’re looking for at Mason Music Camp this summer. If their dream is to start a band, vocalize like a Grammy winner, learn to play guitar, piano, drums, and or violin, or just explore musical concepts then Mason Music Camp is the place for you. There are several different age specific camps tailored to each desire and age that allows for confidence building, encouraging environments, and lots of 1 on 1 teaching.

www.masonmusic.com

Team building, games, and music oh my! Dawson Music Academy Summer Camp is the place for it all. July 11-15 preschool and elementary age campers will have the opportunity to explore instruments, enjoy recreation, and rally together in worship. There will be a water splash day as well as a talent showcase.

https://dawsonmusicacademy.configio.com/ShoppingCart.aspx

Birmingham Children’s Theatre is a great option for children ages 4-18. Storytelling, Comedy, Musical Theatre…There are truly options for everyone. These wonderful classes build skills and aim to promote self esteem and confidence through creative expression. Skill building is also a huge plus and promotes both active listening as well as sharing.

https://www.bct123.org/summer-camps

Red Mountain Theatre is host to another wonderful theatrical camp for children age 4 and up. Classes are developmentally appropriate and include storybook drama, theme-based drama, technique classes, and even some advanced training as well. These classes aim to promote performance skills by way of acting, dancing, and singing. Life skills are also a major focus here growing in areas of creativity, collaboration, and confidence. https://www.redmountaintheatre.org

Does your child ooze creativity? Ready for them to ooze it off of your clean kitchen table?

Do It Yourself Crafts will be offering a summer camp and every week there are a number of projects available for them to enjoy. From clay creations and painting to art journals and fused glass there are so many options for them to explore.
This camp is for 2nd-6th graders and spaces are very limited. Cost is $249 and includes all of the projects they will be doing all week.

www.doityourselfcrafts.com

Sports Camps

Sports fans look no further. There are several options for the athletically inclined children of your home from golf and gymnastics to ballet and fencing. Sign us up Coach!

Camp Fliptastic is a perfect 10 for anyone looking to get their kids involved in gymnastics or to enjoy kids with similar interests. This is a week long camp at Head Over Heels where the daytime routine will be full of several gymnastics sessions (circus arts, ninja, and gymnastics) as well as games, fun, arts and crafts, and movies.

The final evening there will be an opportunity to show off all of the skills they’ve learned and mastered with a finale performance. I don’t know about y’all but I was ready to sign up at ninja.

https://headoverheelsgyms.com

Birmingham has a fencing club and it looks like if you tried it just once, every other sport would be pointless. Get it? Point-less. This is such a unique sport and their summer camps are for fencers of all levels. They offer games, warm ups, and snacks (that don’t come from your pantry), in addition to the fencing and drills you will learn during your time here.

https://www.fencingclub.org

If you are raising the next Freddie Freeman then you need to be enrolling in The Silver Glovez Academy. Don’t walk, RUN…Pun totally intended. Fundamental baseball skill and development are of the utmost importance here. Instructors focus on fielding, footwork, throwing pitching, hitting, and situations ensuring that players grade 4-8 understand game strategy.

https://thesilverglovez.com/silver-glovez-academy/

Academic/Tech Camps

Beauty & Brains is a STEM camp (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) that strives to empower young girls and inspire them using projects heavily fueled in critical thinking processes. This camp is fun, creative, and very hands on. The vision of this camp is for these young female campers to leave confident and affirmed in their genders knowing that they also have the ability to be game changers and idea makers in this world. This camp combines art, science, engineering, and indoor/outdoor free play activities with all around whimsical and creative themes each and every week. Who run the world? Girls!

www.beautyandbrainsgirlsstem.com

Speaking of girls running the world…Ever heard of Elle Woods? Do you have a rising junior or senior? UAB department of Criminal Justice offers a pre law summer camp called Journey to Attorney. Here they will be able to explore local landmarks with a tremendous legal affiliation, reimagine actual legal cases, and even participate in mock trials. This experience allows them to work one on one with practicing attorneys, professors, and trial experts. It also allows them to experience UAB campus life and meet other students with similar interests. They should leave this camp with improved writing, reasoning, and presentation skills that will help them regardless of where they go to college and what they choose to pursue as a career. Seats are limited and scholarships are available. No objections here.

www.uab.edu.cas/criminaljustice/camps/pre-law-camp

Is your kiddo the next YouTube sensation? Always attached to a game or electronic device of some kind? Put that hobby to good use and allow them to turn it into a real skill with iD Tech Camps for Kids and Teens ages 7-18. For over 2 decades, they have been named the #1 tech camp in the world. Here they can enjoy coding, game dev, robotics, creative arts, and more. Software engineers from Disney, Roblox, Volvo and AirBNB come together to teach your kiddos more skill and maybe even a wonderful future doing something they genuinely love.

https://www.idtech.com/locations/alabama-summer-camps/the-university-of-alabama-at-birmingham

Faith-Based Camps

Gardendale First Baptist is home to Connect Camps.

These camps are for completed K-5th graders. This is a one week day camp full of non stop fun and daily faith based lessons. They will engage in so many amazing activities and make lasting friendships in the process. A high quality camp that you and your kiddos both enjoy is a difficult task but here it is.

https://connectcamps.com/gardendale-al/

This next camp had me at the mention of gaga ball. Cornerstone Ranch camp is packed full of activities…Zip lining, canoeing, field games, basketball, water slides, ropes course, crafts, and daily devotions just to name a few. There are a few different camp options: 4 weeks of elementary camp for rising 1st graders through rising 5th graders and 2 weeks of middle school camp for rising 6th graders through rising 8th graders.

This camp is not only an investment to our kiddos but also to our community.

https://www.cornerstoneranchcamp.com/camps1

Camp Booth is a Passport kids camp located in West Blocton including group cabins in a secluded gated camp ground surrounded by white fences and luscious fields making it the perfect outdoor classroom for Bible Study. They also have pools, basketball courts, and volleyball courts as well. This 4 day 3 night camp is designed to provide hands on missions education and build faith for rising 4th-7th graders. Safety is top priority here and staffing rations are designed to reflect that. Each years missional theme educates your kids about new places and people groups with a focus on how to be a good neighbor globally as well a right here at home. Every night they will be able to experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of the culture they have been learning about. Designed to meet your children right where they are and provide optimal learning opportunities and developmental growth this camp is sure to provide them with a lasting foundation for their faith.

https://passportcamps.org/kids-camps/

Summer camps are a fun way for kiddos to be entertained, try a new hobby without a huge initial commitment, spend time with friends and even make new friends, or just level up on a skill they already love and enjoy. Whatever your children are interested in, we are certain there’s a camp specifically for them.