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SALT LAKE CITY — If school isn't out yet for your children, it will be soon. And summer doesn't have to be boring. More and more unique summer camp options are available, though they are filling up fast.
Sports, arts and dance camps are offered every year at various places. Additionally, many museums around the state offer summer camps and classes.
There's Astro Camp in Ogden.
"It's not every day you see a space shuttle coming out of a school," said Cameron Shultz, who went as a sixth grader.
Related:
Summer Camps for Kids
Family and Outdoor Specialist Jodi Saeland takes a look at several summer camp options for kids. <p> <ul> <li><a href=http://www.ksl.com/?nid=1105&sid=20408984&title=camp-for-kids-critter-camp>Critter Camp</a> <li><a href=http://www.ksl.com/?nid=1105&sid=20508815&title=camp-for-kids-make-your-own-movie-cd-game-design->SpyHop</a> <li><a href=http://www.ksl.com/?nid=1105&sid=20316019&title=camp-for-kids-virginia-tanner-creative-dance&s_cid=article-related-1>Virginia Tanner Creative Dance</a> <li><a href=http://www.ksl.com/?nid=1105&sid=20217038&title=camp-for-kids-red-butte-gardens&s_cid=article-related-1>Red Butte Gardens</a> </ul>Other kids are going to everything from Critter Camp in Summitt County, to "Cooking in the Garden" and "Up Close with Insects" at Red Butte.
But what about a place where teens can be entrepreneurs? Utah Valley University has a Business camp.
Or what about show business? There are drama camps, with singing and acting classes at places like Hale Centre Theater, The Children's Theater, and UVU's Noorda Theater.
Or, kids can be superheroes. Granite Peaks will use superheroes as a teaching tool for health and fitness at a camp this June.
Several organizations are building on Legos, robots and technology to draw kids in, like at Club U through the University of Utah. Director Elliott Fraughton says tweens and teens may like the partnership with SpyHop productions.
"Doing various things as far as extreme sports videography, there are a few classes on making a music video, 3D animation, all sorts of neat experiences," he said.
There's a cupcake making camp, and Club U Varsity gets teens volunteering throughout the community. But Fraughton say many camps filled up a while ago.
"There is quite a bit of demand for this service," he said. "It's challenging for a parent but it's not completely bleak just yet. There is hope."
One place with lots of room still -- and unique offerings -- is the Salt Lake Center for Science Education. It's the charter school's first year offering camps. Science teacher and camp director Matt Smith says kids can kayak, rock climb and mountain bike. Or watch the stars. Or study ecology through field trips to the Jordan River.
"We do a lot of hands on, experiential learning here," he said.
Smith says financial aid is available.
Some camps around Utah can cost a few hundred dollars for a couple of weeks. Add that up with siblings and it can get expensive. But for an opportunity to play, learn, earn school credit or stay out of trouble, it may be worth it.
For details of each camp, see the related links on the left of this page. For more about UVU camps, click here.
