Thrifty Thurston Finds Summer Camps Around Olympia And Thurston County

summer camp olympia
Swimming is just one of the active offerings from the South Sound YMCA.
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By Kate Scriven

Edward Jones Block AdMay is so busy for those of us with school aged children.  With spring sports in full swing, special projects culminating at school, and a calendar jam-packed with end of the year concerts and celebrations, most parents yearn for the slower pace and uncomplicated days of summer.  Gone are the frantic mornings urging sleepy children into their clothes and onto the bus.  No more packing lunches (YAHOO!) and no more homework.  My two girls and I are looking forward to the ending of school and beginning of jammies until noon days.

However….after several weeks, we start to get a little stir crazy being together all day, every day.  While we sprinkle in days of outings to local parks for bike riding and play, visits to the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge, or Capitol Lake, sometimes we need something a bit more structured – and with other kids!

summer camp olympia
Swimming is just one of the active offerings from the South Sound YMCA.

A myriad of options exist in Thurston County to break up our summer and get my kids out enjoying all our area has to offer.  And, giving me a little time to myself.  Mama needs some “summer camp” time, too!  Check out these best bets below.

Hands On Children’s Museum – Ongoing through June, July and August

A favorite for a day trip to the exhibits or the amazing outdoor stream, the HOCM offers much more for families this summer.  Camps run half or full day for children ages three through fifth grade with a wide range of high interest topics.  Click here for full details.

South Sound YMCA Summer Camps – Ongoing through June, July and August

Once again, our local YMCA’s have outdone themselves with amazing offerings for our kids this summer.  With options that vary from Farm-to-Table to Robotics to Aquatic Adventures, we guarantee there is something for everyone.  Take a peek here.  The Y’s commitment to providing safe care for your kids while building leadership skills and independence sets them apart.  Look for a more in-depth article on what makes YMCA camps special coming soon!

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Thurston County – Ongoing through June, July and August

summer camp olympia
Horse camps at Nature’s Nurture Farm include all aspects of horse care, not just riding.

Camps through our local Boys and Girls Clubs include all day fun with outdoor recreation, arts and technology, and educational skill time every day for kids in Kindergarten through sixth grade.  Off-site field trips are included and special programs including college-prep and job shadowing are offered for teens. Sites include Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and Rochester.  Check out all they offer here.

Theater Camp Experiences

Olympia Family Theater offers camps for children ages 3 ½ to fourteen with topics tailored to their interests.  Options include fairytales, puppet theaters, full play productions and stage combat (yes…it’s true).

Capital Playhouse will host its 27th season of Kids At Play this summer where young actors ages 8 – 17 rehearse and stage a full musical production culminating in a weekend performance.  Five musicals are available and are staggered in 10 week sessions starting in June.

While not technically “theater,” the YWCA of Olympia’s Girls Without Limits (GWOL) summer camp gives girls an exciting opportunity to immerse themselves in technology and communications as they produce video public service announcements.  Registration for girls ages 10 – 14 is now open and can be found here.

Basketball and Soccer Summer Camps

Seattle Sounders FC offers a weeklong camp at Olympia High School July 8 – 12.  Half and full day sessions are available for children ages four to fifteen.  A different technical skill will be the focus of each day with an emphasis on fun and teamwork.  Sounders players will be present at each camp for questions and autographs.

Live.Learn.Hoop Basketball Camps are a popular option for fifth to eighth grade boys and girls looking to improve their skills this summer.  Held at SPSCC during the month of July, camps focus on fundamentals such as rebounding, defense, and shooting.  One week sessions from 9am – 2pm.

summer camp olympia
Kids can hone their skills at summer soccer camps in Olympia.

Challenger Sports British Soccer Camps are international camps that visit our area each summer.  The Tumwater camp will be at Pioneer Park July 15– 19 from 9am to noon.  A bonus camp can be added from 1-3 pm.  The Lacey program will be held at Komachin Middle School July 8 – 12 and includes a wide variety of options for ages three to fourteen.

Sports Camps at The Evergreen State College include soccer, basketball, volleyball and general recreation.  Geared for kids ages 8 – 15, the camps focus on the specific sport in the morning and then have swimming and games in the afternoon.

Our Fantastic Parks and Recreation Department Summer Camps

Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater all have wonderful Parks and Rec departments that offer an amazing array of summer camps every year.  Offerings in Tumwater Parks and Rec and Lacey Parks and Rec offer full day weekly camps including sports, arts, and offsite field-trips.  Choose one or two weeks of fun or the full summer for working parents.

Olympia Parks and Rec offerings are slightly different with specific themes in their camps.  Themes include outdoor activities such as sailing, hiking and kayaking, fine arts classes, digital technology and animation, teen workshops, and much more.  Ages three and up!

Farm and Equestrian Camps

Nature’s Nurture Farm offers both Farm Camps and Horse Camps this summer.  In the Farm camp, kids ages 7 and up will enjoy learning about gardening, animal care, the environment and wildlife.  In the Horse Camps, children will experience riding each day along with learning proper horse care, tack skills and enjoy creative activities and games.  Camps run weekly June through August.

Chastain Mist Equestrian offers full and half day riding camps for children ages 5 and up.  Camps are offered June through August and are very flexible to meet your needs and budget, from a one day riding experience to full week riding intensives.

Wolf College comes to Wolf Haven with a day camp at the end of August.  Locating a majority of the activities at Millersylvania park, kids can sign up for one of three themes – wildlife search and rescue, wild chefs & herbology, and future survivors fun.  Find more information here.

Horse lovers can find lessons and day camps at Buddy Up Horsemanship.  Kids become effective equestrians through learning about horse behavior.  More information about the Rochester horse camps can be found here.

Thurston County kids will love to see what’s in store through the Thurston County 4-H program.  The 4-H summer camp runs the week of July 15.  You can find more information here.

summer camp olympia
Visiting one of Thurston County’s beaches is on the schedule for many full-day summer camps.

After browsing this list and linking over to these excellent Thurston County Summer Camp choices you are sure to cure the mid-summer restlessness that might invade your house, as it does mine.  Be sure to sign up early for the best choice of classes and don’t forget to plan a bit of a “summer camp” for yourself.  I think I have a spa gift certificate stashed someplace that might be need to be used!

Thrifty Thurston highlights inexpensive family fun in Thurston County.  The weekly series focuses on family-friendly activities throughout our community.  If you have a suggestion for a post, send us a note at submit@thurstontalk.com.  For more events and to learn what’s happening in Olympia and the surrounding area, click here.

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