2014-03-12

Are you looking for a great 2014 summer camp for your kids? This list includes information about the summer camps going on in Greenville that I know about. I’ve organized this list loosely by topic, but be aware that some camps may fit in multiple categories. I’ll be continuing to add to this list as I hear of more summer camps. Click on the links provided to register.

While I do my best to ensure accuracy, please remember that Kidding Around Greenville is only listing not running these camps. Check with event organizers to confirm all details.

Do you have a camp listing that you would like to see added? Email a text version of your camp to Bethany at kiddingaroundsc@gmail.com. 

Also, don’t miss our list of Clemson, Seneca, and Anderson summer camps and be sure to join us on Facebook for updates on camps and events in Greenville.



Adventure Camps

Greenville Rec Camps (see below for more information): Our camps are designed to be 2 things- Fun & Safe! With 30+ years in the camp business we know how to keep kids engaged. In a given week each camp will take at least one field trip and swim. Other activities will include arts & crafts, sports and games.With working parents in mind our day begins at 7:30am, with most sites closing at 6pm. All staff goes through a multiday training and are required to be First Aid and CPR certified.  Please visit www.greenvillerec.com for more info.

Camp Kaleidoscope (Greenville Rec at Northside Park, Southside Park, & Bell’s Crossing Elem), Ages 6-11,  June 16 – Aug 8, 2014 (closed July 4th) - Our campers will enjoy all of our typical activities; swimming, game playing, and arts & crafts projects. And some not-so-typical activities like; messy counselor day, Christmas in July, Twins day, and more. Our swimming trips will include Discovery Island Water Park, Otter Creek Water Park, 7th Inning Splash Water Park and Westside Aquatic Center. Field trips will have visits to Gattitown, the Greenville Drive, and bowling & skating. $90 (includes all field trips, pizza parties, and field day fees. $90

Camp Pavilion  (Greenville Rec at The Pavilion), Ages 6-11, June 9 – Aug 15, 2014 - Our field trips will include Discovery Island Water Park, Otter Creek Water Park, 7th Inning Splash Water Park, as well as visits to Frankie’s, the Greenville Drive, and bowling & skating.  All field trips are included in the cost of camp. Field trips for each week vary; see schedule for more information. $150 (for non-residents)

Mountain Bike Camp (Greenville Rec at Gateway Park), Ages 8 – 12, July 28 – Aug 1, 2014 - Do you have adventurous kids who want to hit the trails? This camp is designed to teach them how to handle all that our local mountain bike trails have to offer.  The camp is based at Gateway Park which features the Bike Skills Flow Park. The Park offers mountain bikers a progression of trails with various challenges and terrains designed to introduce riders to the sport and sharpen their skills. We will also cover skills like; proper riding position, proper gearing & braking, and some basic mechanical items. We will take day trips to following locations: Paris Mt. State Park, Issaqueena Lake Trail, Dupont State Park. Additionally we will visit Otter Creek & Discovery Island Waterparks.  (Camper numbers: minimum 15- max 30) $150

Wanderers Teen Camp (hosted by Greenville Rec at The Pavilion) (Ages 12-14) Jun 17 – Aug 9, 2014 - The Wanderers Teen Camp is a great place for teens that enjoy making friends and want lots of activity. The fee includes the cost for all field trips. Last summer, the Wanderers produced their own talent show, visited local soup kitchens, swam once a week, and had a video game tournament. The campers also enjoy weekly local field trips as well as 4 BIG field trips. The big trips in 2013 were to Lake Lanier Water Park, Carowinds, Six Flags and the National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, NC.

Greenville Rec also offers a summer day camp program for 8 weeks at the Community Centers. $260

Educational Camps

Lil’ Sprouts camps at The Children’s Museum of the Upstate (3-4 year olds, must be potty trained) 9 a.m. – noon, $125 (member discount available):

Backyard Adventures, June 23 – 27, 2014 –  Join the TCMU team as we discover all the wonders in our own backyard! Build forts, play in mud and go on a bug safari. We will show your lil’ sprout how the great outdoors starts right here at home.

Aloha, Campers!, July 7 – 11, 2014 – Catch a wave & spend the week enjoying the island life! We will play with water, create sand art, dance to beach music, and end the week with our own luau.

Jungle Jamboree, July 14 – 18, 2014 – Get WILD! Put on your safari hat and take a seat as our quest takes you into the wild & unknown parts of the jungle! Explore wildlife & plants. Discover what life is like in the jungle!

Road Trip USA, July 21 – 25, 2014 – Does your lil’ sprout like to explore new places? Join us for a “road trip” across the country as we see new sights all from right here at TCMU. Each day we will travel to a new region and learn about the special symbols, landmarks and food that represent each area of our great nation.

Dino Dig, July 28 – Aug 1, 2014 – Grab your shovel and join our team at TCMU’s dinosaur dig. Spend the week investigating these giant creatures from the past. Participate in a miniature dig, make dinosaur eggs, take a closer look at fossils and more as we turn your lil’ sprout into a pint-size paleontologist.

Construction Zone, Aug 4 – 8, 2014 – Put on your hard hat and get ready to build! It’s time to let your imagination soar as we construct our own projects. Practice carpentry skills like hammering and sanding as we bring your lil’ sprout’s designs to life.

Kindergarten (5-6 year olds) & Big Kids (rising 1st through 5th graders) Camps at The Children’s Museum of the Upstate, AM+PM sessions, $250, AM or PM session, $125:

Blast Off, June 23 – 27, 2014 – What it is like to be an astronaut? What is out there with the stars and planets? Come with the TCMU team as we investigate planes, astronauts, and rockets through art, science, and games!

Page Jumpers, June 23 – 27, 2014 – Dive into your favorite storybook with this week of literary exploration. Each day we will delve deeper into a new story by bringing to life the pages of a book through our own artwork or recipes. Collage to painting, healthy snacks to sweet treats, this week will be full of creativity inspired by children’s literature.

Backyard Wildlife, July 7 – 11, 2014 – Bats and owls and foxes, oh my! Join the TCMU team for a week of WILD exploration as we investigate the animals in our own backyard. Learn to recognize animal tracks, excavate scat, and discover ways you can help protect the animals that share our local environment.

Time Travelers, July 7 – 11, 2014 – Join the TCMU crew as we travel through time to solve the biggest mysteries in history! We’ll investigate the mysterious Japanese pyramids, the lost city of Atlantis, Navajo Code Talkers and more as we examine some of the most puzzling pieces of our history!

Around the World, July 14 – 18, 2014 – Travel around the world exploring different tastes, traditions, and festivals during this week of camp! We’ll go goldfish scooping and celebrate Tanabata in Japan, toss tomatoes as we celebrate La Tomatina in Spain, eat pancakes to celebrate Maslenita in Russia, and that’s only the beginning!

CATCH the Fun, July 14 – 18, 2014 – What does it take to keep your body healthy and happy? Join the TCMU team for an interactive week of fitness, food and fun as your camper learns the importance of a healthy body and how to play while staying fit.

Studio Stars, July 21 – 25, 2014 – Ever wondered what it would be like to stand in the spotlight? Spend the week with the TCMU team to learn about the magic of movie production and star in your own movie short. From writing scripts to creating costumes, practicing lines and blocking scenes, this week will have your little super star ready for the call of “ACTION!”

Kitchen Classics, July 21 – 25, 2014 – It sure does smell good in the What’s Cookin’ Kitchen at TCMU. This week we will be exploring local produce, different cooking techniques, and classic recipes. By the end of the week, we will have tried new foods and created a cookbook of our own!

Get Muddy, July 28 – Aug 1, 2014 – Play with clay – everyday! Learn the ins and outs of clay – from creating a form to firing and glazing. Your little camper will create and take home fun and functional artwork after spending a week discovering the origins of clay and the work of a few awesome ceramic artists.

Construction Zone, July 28 – Aug 1, 2014 – Put on your hard hat and get ready to build! It’s time to let your imagination soar as we use real tools to construct our own projects. Practice carpentry skills like hammering and sanding as we bring your camper’s designs to life.

Dino Camp, Aug 4-8, 2014 – Grab your shovel and join our team at TCMU’s dinosaur dig. Spend the week exploring these giant creatures from the past. Participate in a miniature dig, make dinosaur eggs, take a closer look at fossils and more as we turn your camper into a pint-size paleontologist.

Road Trip USA, Aug 4 – 8, 2014 – Does your camper like to explore new places? Join us for a “road trip” across the country as we see new sights all from right here at TCMU. Each day we will travel to a new region and learn about the special symbols, landmarks and food that represent each area of our great nation.

YES! I Can Lead (hosted at The Children’s Museum of the Upstate) (middle grade students) June 16 – 20, 2014, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. - Calling all middle school students! Do you want to be a leader? Do you want to give back to your community? Do you want to be a hands-on citizen? YES! Then we have the camp for you. Spend the week at TCMU as we develop your leadership potential, practice service and identify ways in which you can effect change within our community. Camp will include guest speakers and projects with local non-profits, training as a Michelin YES! Volunteer for summer camp, and team-building workshops. Camp is a requirement for volunteering with TCMU’s summer camps for younger children. Participants are expected to commit to volunteering a minimum of 40 hours between June and August 2014.

Also see Roper Mountain Science Center for a number of quality educational camps for kids (list coming soon)!

Camp Greenville (YMCA)

Culinary Camps

Kitchen Classics (The Children’s Museum of the Upstate), July 21 – 25, 2014 – It sure does smell good in the What’s Cookin’ Kitchen at TCMU. This week we will be exploring local produce, different cooking techniques, and classic recipes. By the end of the week, we will have tried new foods and created a cookbook of our own!

Kids Around the World Workshop (Charleston Cooks), Ages 8-12, June 9 – 12, 2014; July 21 – 24, 2014 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. each day, (class limit: 12). Take a culinary journey around the world without ever leaving the kitchen!  Each day you will learn how to prepare recipes from different cuisines around the world.  Note that this class will meet Mon. – Thurs. from 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. each day. Day 1:  Italy, Day 2:  France, Day 3:  Greece, Day 4:  Japan. (Call 864-335-2000 to register.) $165

Healthy & Yummy (Plate 108)  Ages 6 to 10/June 16-19, 2014; Ages 11 to 15/June 23 – 26, 2014. This camp is designed to teach our junior chefs to prepare delicious healthy meals that are nutritious in every way. It helps them develop healthy eating habits! $180.00

Kids All American Culinary Camp (Charleston Cooks); Ages 8-12, June 30 – July 3; July 28-31, 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. each day,(class limit: 12). You don’t need to get in the car to experience the tastes and smells from all over the U.S.!  Take a new summer vacation each day and explore flavors from some favorite foodie regions.  Note that this class will meet Mon. – Thurs.  from 8:30am-12:00pm each day. Day 1:  Southern, Day 2:  Western, Day 3:  New England, Day 4:  Pacific (Call 864-335-2000 to register.) $165

Pastry Class (Plate 108), Ages 6 to 10/ July 7 – 10, Ages 11 to 15/July 14 – 17 - This camp will teach our future pastry chef the art of baking, including the science behind weighing, measuring and scaling ingredients. Children will create yummy baked goods each day that they will be proud to show off at home! Since this will be a pastry class, boxed lunches will be provided to each child. Cost: $200.00

Kids Cooking Through Time Culinary Camp (Charleston Cooks) (Ages 8-12), August 4 – 7, 2014, 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. each day, (class limit: 12). Take a culinary journey through time! Each day explore different eras through cuisine typical to that time and place.  Note that this class will meet Mon,  – Thurs, from 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. each day. (Call 864-335-2000 to register.) $165

Eating Around the World (Plate 108), Ages 6 to 10/July 21 – 24, 2014, Ages 11 to 15/July 28 – July 31, 2014  -This camp will teach our junior chefs different cuisines from around the world and how to prepare them. $180.00

Kids Baking Workshop (Charleston Cooks), Ages 8-12/July 14-17, 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. each day,  (class limit: 12) Beat, whip, cream and roll! Our four day kids baking workshop will sharpen your baking skills in the kitchen. Note that this class will meet Mon. – Thurs. from 8:30am-12:00pm each day. Day 1: Cakes and Cupcakes, Day 2: Pies and Cookies, Day 3: Chocolate and Frozen Desserts, Day 4: Yeast Breads (Call 864-335-2000 to register.) $165

Kids Camp: Where’s My Lunch?? (hosted by Charleston Cooks) (Ages 5-7) - June 24, 2014, 2-4 p.m., (class limit: 12). We’ll spend the afternoon with your kids teaching them how to make some New and Delicious Lunchtime Treats!! Each child will go home with some tasty recipes for the whole family! $30

Kids Camp: Cooking with Dr. Seuss! (hosted by Charleston Cooks) (Ages 5-7) - July 10; August 13, 2-4 p.m., (class limit: 12) We’ll teach all the little “Whos Down in Whoville” to make lots of new Who Treats for the whole family inspired by our favorite children’s author! Each child will go home with some tasty recipes for the whole family! (Call 864-335-2000 to register.)

Teen Bootcamp (hosted by Charleston Cooks) Ages 13-16: Savory and Sweet Fundamentals - June 25; July 9, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., $100, (class limit: 12), Whether your teen has a newfound interest in cooking or has been the sous chef for years, this one-day boot camp will be fun for all! We will spend the morning focusing on the savory side of cooking, including learning proper knife skills, and the afternoon will be spent working on the sweeter side of things, including cakes, pies, and yeast breads. Each teen will go home with some tasty recipes for the whole family! (Call 864-335-2000 to register.)

Cooking Camp for Adults (hosted by Charleston Cooks) - June 16-19,  9 a.m. – 1 p.m. each day, (class limit: 12), Whether looking to learn the basics of cooking or just refresh your skills, this in-depth cooking camp will give you the confidence you need in the kitchen. Note that this class will meet Mon.- Thurs. from 9:00am-1:00pm each day, and includes a full lunch based on what we cook that day. Day 1: Knife Skills; Stocks, Soups, and Sides, Day 2: Classic and Everyday Sauces, Day 3: Meat, Poultry, and Fish, Day 4: Baking Basics (Call 864-335-2000 to register.) $395 

Fine Arts Camps

Explore the Arts (at The Fine Arts Center) July 14 – July 18, 2014. Classes are held 8:30am – 12:00pm, Monday – Friday.  We offer arts classes for rising elementary and middle school students in Painting on Canvas, Drama, Sculpture, Guitar, Drums & Shakers, Japanese Art, Creative Writing, Ballet, Drum Set & Snare Drum, and Photoshop. We also offer high school college, and adult workshops in Printmaking, Digital & Alternative Photography, Metal & Glass Combo, and Ballet.

The cost to attend this exciting arts program is $125. for the elementary and middle school program and $150. for the high school, college, and adult workshops. Some partial scholarships are available.  Students that register for the High School & Adult Ballet workshop receive a $25. discount.

To find out more about the classes we offer or more information, call the program coordinator at 864-355-2574.  To print a registration form, visit our website at www.fineartscenter.net  then click on the Explore the Arts link. You may also email the Explore the Arts coordinator at dshank@greenville.k12.sc.us or contact Donna Shank 864-355-2574

Ignite Camp (hosted at The Children’s Museum of the Upstate with the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities) (rising 7th & 8th graders only) June 9-13 or July 21-25, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m – A summer arts camp offered in partnership between the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities and The Children’s Museum of the Upstate, IGNITE offers the opportunity to experience all aspects of the arts while working collaboratively. Staffed by experienced arts educators, students will explore singing, dancing, visual arts and creative writing. Held at the Governor’s School for the Arts. $250 per week, scholarships available.

Dance Camps

International Ballet Academy

Drama Camps

The SC Children’s Theatre hosts camps every week from June 9 – Aug. 15th- 1/2 and full day for ages 2-18. Usually over 60 camps are offered and these camps are consistently recommended by readers. Check scchildrenstheatre.org in April for a complete list.

Studio Stars (The Children’s Museum of the Upstate) July 21 – 25, 2014 – Ever wondered what it would be like to stand in the spotlight? Spend the week with the TCMU team to learn about the magic of movie production and star in your own movie short. From writing scripts to creating costumes, practicing lines and blocking scenes, this week will have your little super star ready for the call of “ACTION!”

Dance Camps at the Carolina Ballet Theatre, ages 3 – 8 - Dance the summer away with CBT! CBT is offering several week-long summer dance camps for children of all ages and experience levels. Come join us for fun at our Laurens Road studio. All camps end with an in-studio showcase for family and friends! Dance camps include a healthy snack certified by LiveWell Greenville. All Fairy Tale Camp classes are held Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Cost is $145 and includes snacks, crafts, dance and lots of fun!

My Doll & Me: June 9 – 13, 2014 (Ages 3-5)

The Land of Sweets: June 23 – 27, 2014 (Ages 3-5)

Big Top Circus: July 14 – 18, 2014 (Ages 3-5)

Barn Dance: July 28 – August 1, 2014 (Ages 3-5)

Under the Sea: June 16 – 20, 2014 (Ages 6-8)

Stories & Fables: July 7 – 11, 2014 (Ages 6-8)

Jungle Fever: July 21 – 25, 2014 (Ages 6-8)

Cat in the Hat: August 4 – 8, 2014 (Ages 6-8)

Dance Camps at the Carolina Ballet Theatre, ages 9 – 12 - Monday through Friday from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cost is $145 and includes snacks.

So You Think You Can Dance: Learn all of the latest and greatest commercial dance including: jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and ballroom. Feel like one of the stars on “So You Think You Can Dance.” Invite your friend to celebrate dance on the last day of camp. June 9 – 13, July 7 – 11, July 28 – August 1, 2014.

Creativity Camp: Write stories, create dances, and decorate pointe shoes. This will be one of our favorite weeks of the summer as our campers are encouraged to develop their imaginations and build their confidence! June 16-20, July 14-18,  August 4-8, 2014

Love2Dance Camp: Come prepared for tap, ballet and jazz! This will be a great week to stay in shape and learn new combinations. Appropriate for beginner or experienced students. June 23-27, July 21-25, August 11-15, 2014.

Art Camps

History of Art Camps (Color Clay Cafe) (age 5-8 - 3.5 hours and for age 9-14 - 4 hours) - Be sure to join us as we adventure around the world and across our own back yard in South Carolina to make SEVEN NEW projects: 1) Clay face mug in the style of Edgefield face jugs, 2) Clay Art Nouveau trivet with relief designs, 3) Ceramic plate with self-portrait a la Picasso, 4) Canvas painting with Van Gogh’s Starry Night, 5) Batik printed cloth napkins and clay napkin rings, 6) Fused glass scene with stained glass look, 7) Mosaic glass luminary with freestyle patterns.

Get Muddy (The Children’s Museum of the Upstate) July 28 – Aug 1, 2014 – Play with clay – everyday! Learn the ins and outs of clay – from creating a form to firing and glazing. Your little camper will create and take home fun and functional artwork after spending a week discovering the origins of clay and the work of a few awesome ceramic artists.

Greenville County Museum of Art (list coming soon!)

Music Camps

Junior Music Camp (Bob Jones University), rising 5th-8th grades, July 7 – 11, 2014 – an exciting, fast-moving week filled with singing, large group performances (band, string orchestra, or piano), daily competitions and recreational activities. Out-of-town campers who will be entering 7th or 8th grade in the fall are invited to be a part of the excitement. Day Camp – $150; Overnight Camp – $250.

Junior Beginning Band Camp (Bob Jones University), grades 5 – 8, July 7 – 11, 2014 – Come to camp with zero experience on your instrument and get a jump start on the school year. Instruments will be provided at no extra cost. The Beginning Band camp week will be Monday-Friday, 8am-11:30am and will include theory, class lessons in your instrument and beginning band rehearsals. The Beginning Band will perform a short concert for family and friends at 11am on Friday to close out the week. Cost is $75 (early bird price) for day camp (8am-11:30am).

Senior Music Camp (Bob Jones University), rising 9th-post 12th grade, July 13-18 and July 20-25, 2014. Students interested in band, harp, handbells or organ should register for the first week. Those interested in the string orchestra or mixed chorus should register for the second week. Pianists may register for either week.

Sport Camps

Summer Sports Camp (Kroc Center) ages 5-12 – The Summer Sports Camp is a fun and competitive camp that teaches the fundamental skills and rules for sports such as basketball, volleyball, soccer and more. The day begins with a brief biblical devotion and closes out with time in the Kroc Center pool. This is a great camp to introduce your child to the world of sports. Call 864-527-5948 to register. $50

June 23 – 27, 2014 (Sports variety camp)

July 7 – 11, 2014 (Soccer camp)

July 21 – 25, 2014 (Sports variety camp)

August 4 – 8, 2014 (Basketball camp)

Summer Tennis Camp (Kroc Center) ages 7 – 14, June 9 – August 14, 2014, Weekly, Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. The Kroc Tennis Camp introduces children ages 7-14 to the basics of tennis with technical instruction on all strokes. Strategy and competition is practiced through fun games and match play. After tennis, the campers enjoy the Kroc Center pool for even more fun! In lieu of swimming on Thursday’s there is a pizza lunch and awards ceremony. Call 864-241-2116 to register. $99 for Members and $119 for Non-members.

Mountain Bike Camp (hosted by Greenville Rec at Gateway Park) (Ages 8 -12) July 28 – Aug 1 - Do you have adventurous kids who want to hit the trails? This camp is designed to teach them how to handle all that our local mountain bike trails have to offer.  The camp is based at Gateway Park which features the Bike Skills Flow Park. The Park offers mountain bikers a progression of trails with various challenges and terrains designed to introduce riders to the sport and sharpen their skills. We will also cover skills like; proper riding position, proper gearing & braking, and some basic mechanical items. We will take day trips to following locations: Paris Mt. State Park, Issaqueena Lake Trail, Dupont State Park. Additionally we will visit Otter Creek & Discovery Island Waterparks.  (Camper numbers: minimum 15- max 30) $150

Sportsclub Kids Greenville

Bob Jones University

Furman University (not posted as of time of writing)

Also, see our list of Clemson, Seneca, and Anderson summer camps! If you have any comments or experience with any of these summer camps or other camps in Greenville, SC, we would love to hear about it in the comment section!

Bethany is a local Greenville mom who enjoys exploring the Upstate with her kids. She is a weekly columnist for the Greenville News eGreenville, BHG.com pinner pro, and also blogs at No Twiddle Twaddle.com.

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The post Greenville SC Summer Camps appeared first on Kidding Around Greenville. Copying without permission is strictly prohibited.

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