The school year is coming to a close, which means you’ll be short on kid-free time until the fall. That is, unless you take advantage of some of the great summer camps in the Toldeo area!
Whether your children enjoy science and math or arts and crafts, there’s an option for every personality. Read on to find a list of the summer camps available in the Toledo area, broken down into four categories: STEM, Art, Sports and Community.
STEM CAMPS
1) Sylvania STEM
Address: 3315 Centennial Road, Unit M, Sylvania, OH 43560
Fee: $100 – $150 (Depending on desired camp)
Dates: June 5 – Aug. 11
Contact: Sign up here or email stemcenter@sylvaniastem.org.
If your child enjoys video games, building things, or is curious about the world of robotics, Sylvania STEM offers a variety of summer camps for grades K-8. As of the last week of April, their K-3 summer camp programs were filled, but there were still openings for camps in the higher grade levels.
The registration fee depends on which program you choose for your little one. The camps that are currently available are:
-
Video Game Design I, Grades 3-8: June 5-9/July 17-21, 9 a.m. to noon
-
Video Game Design II, Grades 3-8: July 31-Aug. 4, 9 a.m. to noon
-
Back to School BOT Bash, Grades 3-8: Aug. 7-11, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
-
Basic Programming & Engineering, Grades 4-8: June 12-16, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
-
Advanced Programming & Engineering Grades 4-8: June 19-23, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
All camps will be held at the facilities located at the address listed above the photo, and campers are asked to bring a packed lunch with them every day. Campers will also receive a T-shirt to wear for participating.
2) Summer Camp at the Metroparks
Address: Wildwood Preserve, Oak Openings Preserve, and other Metroparks locations; varies by camp program.
Fee: $57.50 – $198 (Financial assistance is available)
Dates: June 12 – Aug. 11
Contact: Sign up here.
Toledo is home to some beautiful Metroparks. There’s so much to learn about the wildlife in our area, and that makes any of the summer camps offered by Toledo Area Metroparks a perfect option if your child loves animals. In fact, the Metroparks offer a slew of camps to spark an interest in any kid ages 3 to 15.
For example, the Wee Ones program is for children ages 3-5 and their parents. At Wee Ones, children will listen to stories, make crafts, and do other nature-related activities. You can catch the Wee Ones program June 19-23 at Oak Openings or July 24-28 at Wildwood.
The Metroparks also offer several nature adventure/explorer camps, art and photography camps and fishing camps. Depending on the age range you’re looking for, some of the programs may not be available.
For a full list of all summer camp programs, click the signup link above the photo.
3) Imagination Station
Address: 1 Discovery Way, Toledo, OH 43604
Fee: $175 for members/$200 for non-members
Dates: June 12 – Aug. 11
Contact: Sign up here or call 419-244-2674, ext. 250.
The Imagination Station offers summer camps for two age groups: micro MOLECULES (ages 6-9) and MACRO molecules (ages 10-13).
Depending on what your little science whiz is interested in, the Imagination Station offers options from splatter science camp, where campers will partake in several “sticky” activities, to tinkering and building camps.
[MOMS ALSO LIKE: “Toledo’s 5 Best Storytimes to Get Munchkins Reading“]
All camps will take place between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., with extended days available from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at no additional cost.
The activities will vary between each camp, but all campers will be able to participate in the Imagination Station’s simulator theater ride: a 15-seat roller coaster that simulates whichever situation is on the projector screen. Two snacks will be provided each day.
Complimentary admission will also be provided for each camper’s immediate family on the last day of camp between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
4) Toledo Zoo Safari Camp
Address: 2 Hippo Way, Toledo, OH 43609
Fee: $135 – $350
Dates: June 5 – Aug. 11
Contact: Sign up here or call 419-385-5721.
The Toledo Zoo’s Safari Camps are some of the most popular summer camp options in the area. The zoo offers a variety of programs for ages 4 to 14. Summer camp topics range from learning about “animals down under” for younger kids to fishing for older kids.
Each camp lasts one week, and before- and after-camp care is available for an additional fee.
Programs last for three hours per day, and campers will be provided with a daily water bottle and snack. Campers also will receive two camp T-shirts to wear for each week of camp they attend.
Click the signup link above the photo for a full list of summer camp programs at the zoo.
5) Toledo Area Humane Society
Address: 827 Illinois Ave., Maumee, OH 43537
Fee: $25 – $150
Dates: June 8 – Aug. 10
Contact: Sign up here, call 419-482-7106, or email jackiek@toledohumane.org.
If your kiddo is an animal lover, the Toledo Area Humane Society (TAHS) has plenty of camps for them to choose from. No matter whether they’re a dog, cat, or guinea pig person, you’re bound to find something that’ll spark their interest at TAHS.
During each camp, kids will be able to take a tour of the building and spend some time with the animals there. Campers will either play an animal-themed game or make a craft to go along with what they learned.
TAHS offers both single-day and multiday summer camp programs. All multiday programs are three days long. Depending on which one you choose, each day will last for two or three hours.
TAHS also added three new programs to its already long list of available programs: Animal Adventure multiday camp for kids ages 9-14, Paws for a Cause single-day camp for ages 10-14 and Pocket Pets single-day camp for ages 9-13.
You can find a full list of TAHS summer camps in the signup link above the photo.
ART CAMPS
6) Toledo Museum of Art
Address: 2445 Monroe St., Toledo, OH 43620
Fee: $105
Dates: June 12 – July 28
Contact: Sign up here or call 419-254-5080.
If you have a mini Pablo Picasso or Frida Kahlo in your life, perhaps you should consider enrolling them in one of 36 summer camp programs at the Toledo Museum of Art (TMA).
TMA offers a variety of summer camps for kids ages 5-13.
TMA’s summer camp program topics include sculpting, painting, Lego-building, and three-dimensional art.
These programs last for five days, three hours per day. Participants must be comfortable in an environment without their parents, and TMA prefers to have campers who have completed preschool and/or kindergarten.
7) Children’s Theater Workshop
Address: 2413 Collingwood Blvd., Toledo, OH 43620
Fee: $35 – $200
Dates: June 1-Aug. 17
Contact: Sign up here or email office@ctwtoledo.org.
If you have a little thespian running around, perhaps you should check out the Children’s Theater Workshop (CTW) summer camp programs. CTW offers programs for kids ages 3 to 18.
For younger kids (ages 3-4), it offers a drop-in program where you stay with your little one and watch them create stories and characters with their imagination. This program is free and runs solely on donations.
Children ages 5 and up have a formal summer camp program available to them that lasts up to 10 days, depending on which block you choose.
CTW also offers a sibling discount of $15 and an early-bird discount of $10. In order to take advantage of the early-bird discount, you must reserve your spot eight weeks prior to your desired program.
Before-camp care is available from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. CTW does not offer after-camp care. Snacks are provided, but parents are urged to pack a lunch for their campers.
8) Toledo Ballet
Address: 5327 Monroe St., Toledo, OH 43623
Fee: $97 – $225
Dates: June 26 – Aug. 4
Contact: Sign up here or call 419-471-0049.
Does your little one enjoy prancing around the house? Do they adore listening to fantasy stories, or dream of becoming a prince or princess one day? If so, the Toledo Ballet has the perfect summer camp program for them.
Boys and girls ages 4-8 are encouraged to sign up for the Toledo Ballet’s Fairy Tale Dance Camp. Each session lasts one week for about an hour and a half per day.
Classes are split between two age groups: 4- and 5-year-olds and 6- to 8-year-olds.
[MOMS ALSO READ: “6 Ways To Save Money on Camp“]
Those in the younger age group will listen to fairy tale stories, explore fairy tale ballets, create a craft, take part in dance classes, and put on a mini performance at the end of the week.
Kids in the older group will enjoy dance classes, prepare costumes and create props for the week’s end performance. Like the younger kids, they’ll also have a storytime to complement their class.
All dancers either must have a leotard, tights, and ballet slippers. Comfortable clothes that allow full range of movement and socks are also acceptable attire.
Dancers are also encouraged to bring their own snack and water bottle every day.
SPORTS CAMPS
9) UT Rockets Youth Baseball Camp
Address: UT Scott Park Campus
Fee: $120
Dates: June 19 – July 20
Contact: Sign up here or call 419-530-3097.
If your kid is a sports lover, have them take a swing at this baseball camp put on by UT Rockets Baseball. (Pun totally intended!)
During the four-day program, campers will receive instruction and perform drills to develop and hone a number of different baseball skills, including throwing, hitting, and catching.
Rockets youth camp is available for kids in grades K-6 and lasts for three hours a day.
Lunch won’t be provided, so if necessary, make sure they bring a packed lunch with them.
10) Sylvania Recreation District Sports Summer Camps
Address: Location varies
Fee: $35 – $90
Dates: May 31 – Aug. 2
Contact: Sign up here.
Whether your child loves tennis or volleyball, soccer or skateboarding, Sylvania offers a variety of summer sports programs for your little athlete.
It isn’t always easy to get your kid out and about when they’d usually rather play games inside. You’re helping them get the exercise and activity they need to be healthy and strong by encouraging them to get out and try these sports camps.
The Sylvania Recreation District (SRD) summer camps are available for grades K-8 and each individual camp is meant to teach children the specific skills of a particular sport or build upon what they already know.
Most camps offered by the SRD include a camp t-shirt with registration and those that do not, have a dress code required. For example, the Golf camp requires regular golfing attire.
Depending on which SRD camp you choose, lunch may or may not be provided. When choosing one of these camps, be sure to double-check with specific camp coordinators to find out whether or not you need to pack a lunch.
11) The Toledo YMCA
Address: See participating locations here.
Contact: Depends on location
Fee: $125 – $180
Contact: Sign up here.
We have more than one YMCA around Toledo, so when it comes to choosing a YMCA day camp for your little one, you shouldn’t have too much difficulty. The YMCA of Greater Toledo offers a smorgasbord of programs that help promote an active lifestyle in your child.
Summer camps are available for children ages 6-12 and preschool children ages 3-5, as long as they’re fully potty-trained.
Aside from getting a healthy dose of fresh air and exercise, campers will learn how to work efficiently in groups, how to be responsible and resourceful, and how to sharpen their problem-solving skills through interactive experiences.
Before- and after-care will be provided at no additional cost, and camp will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Whether you’re a working mama or a stay-at-home dad, using these longer summer camp options will help you stay sane, despite having the kids home all summer.
My little one isn’t quite old enough for summer camp yet, but I long for the days when I can let her run free at these camps so I can get extra writing done or, if I’m being honest, take a nap.
COMMUNITY CAMPS
12) Safe-T-City
Address: 2201 Nebraska Ave., Toledo, OH 43607
Fee: Free
Dates: June 14 – Aug. 2
Contact: Sign up here.
If your child’s entering kindergarten in the fall, I strongly suggest enrolling them in Safe-T-City. I completed the program when I was about to start school. I volunteered as a teacher’s/police officer’s assistant for six years, and when my daughter gets to be of school age, I will 100% be putting her through this program, too.
Safe-T-City is a program run by the Toledo Police Department and teaches students how to be safe in several different situations, including in the water, around guns and animals, and on neighborhood streets.
Safe-T-City has a fenced-off area with a miniature town, where students will learn to look both ways before crossing a street, how to look when crossing at a corner, and more street safety guidelines.
Keep in mind, however, that it’s only for children who are going to be entering kindergarten in the fall. Kids entering any grade above that won’t be accepted.
Need a hand with pick up and drop off? Hire a sitter!
NEXT UP: “The Complete Guide to Summer Camp for Kids“
Where have you had good summer camp experiences with your kids? Let’s help each other out and share them below!