Activities, Camps and After School Classes Near Me

Attention ALL Vista Verde, Woodbury, Plaza Vista & & Westpark year-round students! We have a camp just for you! Menu Pepperonata over homemade fettuccini noodles, garlic cheese knots, blueberry stuffed apples, homemade Zeppole (Italian doughnuts), garlic butter herb sauce lasagna cupcakes, Bolognese sauce, BLT Risotto, strawberry Gelato, Three Cheese Polenta...& more

Attention ALL Vista Verde, Woodbury, Plaza Vista & & Westpark year-round students! We have a camp just for you! Menu Sausage Mozzarella Stuffed Pizza Bread, Pizza Pasta Salad, Wolfgang Puck's Pizza Dough, Sicilian Pizza & more

In this fun and interactive art class, students will dive into three exciting art projects, each one offering a new way to express creativity! Throughout the session, we’ll focus on key art terminology, build essential techniques, and introduce a bit of art history to inspire our work. Whether it’s drawing, painting, or sculpting, students will have a blast experimenting while sharpening their hand-eye coordination, problem-solving skills, and gaining confidence in their mark-making. Each class is a new adventure in creativity while developing their three different projects and unique approaches to each medium. This helps kids keep building on what they learn and explore new ways to create! Students are encouraged to explore their own style while learning the foundations and techniques that will help them grow as young artists. The best part? Every session is designed to help them build confidence and have fun while discovering the exciting world of art! As students work with different materials, they'll enhance their hand-eye coordination, build problem-solving skills, and gain confidence in their ability to express themselves through art. With our small 6:1 student-to-teacher ratio, each child gets plenty of individual attention to help them grow and succeed. This class structure makes this class perfect for both new students and continuing students as we are able to meet each student where they are at to foster their creativity and encourage growth. Join us for another session full of creativity, growth, and artistic exploration!

*CPS Students will be back in school this week. Calling all Dancing Queens (and Kings)! Join us for this week-long musical theater camp featuring selections from the hit Broadway musical, MAMMA MIA, that is sure to help your camper develop the skills every performer needs to perform on a Broadway Stage. Campers will spend the week singing, dancing, acting, and rehearsing for their end of the week showcase that will take place on the last day of camp! They’ll also be given the chance to discover what goes on “behind the scenes” with process art projects that introduce them to theatrical elements such as costumes, props, and sets. Don’t worry – it’s not all work and no play here at Stages! We take advantage of the fun and freedom of summer, ensuring campers have time outside each day as well as free play (and rest). Best of all? Our camps are run by professional teaching artists with years of experience on professional stages as well as in the classroom so you can drop-off feeling confident that your child will be in good hands all week long. Whether your child has taken performing arts classes in the past or you’re simply looking for something new to try this summer, Stages is for you! Stages is committed to making our camps accessible for all families. For information regarding free or reduced tuition, please visit https://www.stageschicago.org/tuition-assistance.

Give your child the gift of confidence and the joy of cooking! Our culinary program offers hands-on cooking lessons for budding young chefs. We learn more than how to follow a recipe at Lil’ Chef School. We utilize math, science, teamwork, creativity, and more. Children learn the world's cuisines and enhance their experience with fruits, vegetables, herbs & spices while gaining confidence and experience in the kitchen that will last them a lifetime. Children will make 2 recipes each week and will get a tasting of the food they made at the end of class. Recipes are provided online.

Give your child the gift of confidence and the joy of cooking! Our culinary program offers hands-on cooking lessons for budding young chefs. We learn more than how to follow a recipe at Lil’ Chef School. We utilize math, science, teamwork, creativity, and more. Children learn the world's cuisines and enhance their experience with fruits, vegetables, herbs & spices while gaining confidence and experience in the kitchen that will last them a lifetime. Children will make 2 recipes each week and will get a tasting of the food they made at the end of class. Recipes are provided online.

Give your child the gift of confidence and the joy of cooking! Our culinary program offers hands-on cooking lessons for budding young chefs. We learn more than how to follow a recipe at Lil’ Chef School. We utilize math, science, teamwork, creativity, and more. Children learn the world's cuisines and enhance their experience with fruits, vegetables, herbs & spices while gaining confidence and experience in the kitchen that will last them a lifetime. Children will make 2 recipes each week and will get a tasting of the food they made at the end of class. Recipes are provided online.

*Mid-session registration: If you are signing up AFTER THE FIRST DAY OF THIS SERIES OF 9 CLASSES, email info@marvegos.com about a possible project conflict before you arrive for class.* Designed for students ages 10 to 12, the Expanded Fundamentals program bridges the gap between Fine Art Fundamentals and Advanced Exploration. It builds on foundational techniques while offering more opportunities for independent decision-making. Prior completion of Fine Art Fundamentals isn’t required, but familiarity with basic art concepts is recommended. All students new to Expanded Fundamentals will receive a notification to sign up for a one-time, prerequisite Online Form Class, which must be completed by the third week. This class teaches students about form, values and composition. If your child has already completed this class as part of Fine Art Fundamentals, they do not need to take it again.

In middle school? Love kids? Join our Coach in Training Program for 12+ middle schoolers looking to develop their leadership skills and have fun with friends! This CIT camp runs parallel to our regular day camp. The CITs will get opportunities to coach and play with the campers in that program. What will they do? CITs get to help set up and plan the camp day and assist with running the games and activities for the campers. They will learn leadership skills, basics of child development, public speaking skills, and much more. Their confidence will grow as they are given opportunities to shine with the younger campers. Each week will also consist of several "CIT only" activities, games, and rewards. CITs will work hard and play hard! Each CIT is assigned to a skilled mentor/coach that will help support and encourage them as they learn to interact and play with younger campers. This duo sticks together and works as a team to make Playformance camp great. Open to responsible and enthusiastic people ages 12-16. CITs must be able to attend all 5 days of the week and be on time. Note: 12 - 16 year olds are welcome as campers as well and do not need to be CIT's in order to learn, grow, and have fun at Playformance Camp.

When school is out, creativity is in! Join us for a fun-filled Day-Off Art Camp, designed for children on days when public schools are closed. Kids will explore their creativity through hands-on art projects guided by experienced instructors in a supportive, inspiring environment. Campers can choose from two session options: Half Day: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Full Day: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Each morning and afternoon features a unique, age-appropriate art project using a variety of materials and techniques. Whether your child joins for a few hours or the whole day, they’ll stay engaged, learn new skills, and bring home their own original artwork. All materials provided. Pack a nut free snack for the morning and a nut free lunch if staying for the full day!

When school is out, creativity is in! Join us for a fun-filled Day-Off Art Camp, designed for children on days when public schools are closed. Kids will explore their creativity through hands-on art projects guided by experienced instructors in a supportive, inspiring environment. Campers can choose from two session options: Half Day: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Full Day: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Each morning and afternoon features a unique, age-appropriate art project using a variety of materials and techniques. Whether your child joins for a few hours or the whole day, they’ll stay engaged, learn new skills, and bring home their own original artwork. All materials provided. Pack a nut free snack for the morning and a nut free lunch if staying for the full day!

More adventures come to life through imaginary play in this multi-age play class. A perfect opportunity for siblings to experience class together, or for children to practice more diverse social skills like leadership and peer modeling.

*Mid-session registration: If you are signing up AFTER THE FIRST DAY OF THIS SERIES OF 9 CLASSES, email info@marvegos.com about a possible project conflict before you arrive for class.* This is the same program that is offered later in the afternoon but at a discounted rate. Designed for students ages 10 to 12, the Expanded Fundamentals program bridges the gap between Fine Art Fundamentals and Advanced Exploration. It builds on foundational techniques while offering more opportunities for independent decision-making. Prior completion of Fine Art Fundamentals isn’t required, but familiarity with basic art concepts is recommended. All students new to Expanded Fundamentals will receive a notification to sign up for a one-time, prerequisite Online Form Class, which must be completed by the third week. This class teaches students about form, values and composition. If your child has already completed this class as part of Fine Art Fundamentals, they do not need to take it again. If you are paying with funds from a Charter School, enter the promo code CharterPaysAll when you register and tell your ES to issue a purchase order for the class fee.

In middle school? Love kids? Join our Coach in Training Program for 12+ middle schoolers looking to develop their leadership skills and have fun with friends! This CIT camp runs parallel to our regular day camp. The CITs will get opportunities to coach and play with the campers in that program. What will they do? CITs get to help set up and plan the camp day and assist with running the games and activities for the campers. They will learn leadership skills, basics of child development, public speaking skills, and much more. Their confidence will grow as they are given opportunities to shine with the younger campers. Each week will also consist of several "CIT only" activities, games, and rewards. CITs will work hard and play hard! Each CIT is assigned to a skilled mentor/coach that will help support and encourage them as they learn to interact and play with younger campers. This duo sticks together and works as a team to make Playformance camp great. Open to responsible and enthusiastic people ages 12-16. Note: 12 - 15 year olds are welcome as campers as well and do not need to be CIT's in order to learn, grow, and have fun at Playformance Camp.

In middle school? Love kids? Join our Coach in Training Program for 12+ middle schoolers looking to develop their leadership skills and have fun with friends! This CIT camp runs parallel to our regular day camp. The CITs will get opportunities to coach and play with the campers in that program. What will they do? CITs get to help set up and plan the camp day and assist with running the games and activities for the campers. They will learn leadership skills, basics of child development, public speaking skills, and much more. Their confidence will grow as they are given opportunities to shine with the younger campers. Each week will also consist of several "CIT only" activities, games, and rewards. CITs will work hard and play hard! Each CIT is assigned to a skilled mentor/coach that will help support and encourage them as they learn to interact and play with younger campers. This duo sticks together and works as a team to make Playformance camp great. Open to responsible and enthusiastic people ages 12-16. CITs must be able to attend all 5 days of the week and be on time. If there are any question about CIT Camp please contact our Camp and Classes Director Lucas Suycott at lucas@playformancetucson.org Note: 12 - 16 year olds are welcome as campers as well and do not need to be CIT's in order to learn, grow, and have fun at Playformance Camp.

This course is for the Lil’ Chefs, ages 3-5, who still need an adult by their side. This is a hands-on cooking class that allows adults to help their little ones measure dry and wet ingredients. Each adult has the choice to cook alongside their child or assist, depending on their age and capabilities. We start with baking recipes where they will learn how to measure dry ingredients and mix various batters. We will be making Apple Cinnamon Pancakes from scratch, served with Maple Syrup. Ages: 3-5 (older kids are welcome)

This course is for the Lil’ Chefs, ages 3-5, who still need an adult by their side. This is a hands-on cooking class that allows adults to help their little ones measure dry and wet ingredients. Each adult has the choice to cook alongside their child or assist, depending on their age and capabilities. We start with baking recipes where they will learn how to measure dry ingredients and mix various batters. We will be making Rice Crispy Friendly Spider Treats. Ages: 3-5 (older kids are welcome)

This course is for the Lil’ Chefs, ages 3-5, who still need an adult by their side. This is a hands-on cooking class that allows adults to help their little ones measure dry and wet ingredients. Each adult has the choice to cook alongside their child or assist, depending on their age and capabilities. We start with baking recipes where they will learn how to measure dry ingredients and mix various batters. We will be decorating Fall sugar cookie cutouts. .

This course is for the Lil’ Chefs, ages 3-5, who still need an adult by their side. This is a hands-on cooking class that allows adults to help their little ones measure dry and wet ingredients. Each adult has the choice to cook alongside their child or assist, depending on their age and capabilities. We start with baking recipes where they will learn how to measure dry ingredients and mix various batters. We will be making Rice Crispy Friendly Spider Treats. .

Stretch the imagination through creative play to support symbolic thinking, language development and social interaction.

Join us at Playformance for an unforgettable camp experience! Our camp is all about active play, building community, developing social skills, and creating joyful memories together. We strive to provide the safest, most fun, and most welcoming camp experience possible. Fall Break: First Friday Camp Hours Friday 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM Daily Schedule 8:30 AM – Opening Circle & Community Time Coaches will greet campers and check them in. Children will play in the outdoor courtyard until approximately 8:50 AM. Please label all of your child’s belongings. If you have questions or need to discuss your child’s needs, please contact us before camp at camp@playformancetucson.com. 9:15–10:30 AM – First Activity Block Games, challenges, and activities with coaches and friends. 10:30–11:00 AM – Snack Break Campers should bring snacks from home. Please pack plenty of healthy snacks, as we no longer have vending machines. 11:00 AM–12:00 PM – Second Activity Block 12:00–1:00 PM – Lunch & Free Play 1:00 PM – Whole-Group Community Activity Examples include lip-sync battles, coach performances, group games, and other camp traditions. 1:30 PM – Final Activity Block 2:10 PM – Closing Circle & Transition Outside 2:30 PM – Pick-Up DROP-OFF & PICK-UP Drop-off takes place between 8:30–8:35 AM. Please park in the lot east of our building or along 7th Street and walk your child to the front porch. A coach will greet you, check your camper in, and your child will head to our outdoor play area. Pick-up is from 2:25–2:30 PM on our covered front porch. Please wait on the porch while a coach brings your camper to you. Late Pick-Up Children remaining after 2:35 PM will incur a $20 late fee for every 10 minutes. If you’re running late, please call us as soon as possible so your child doesn’t worry. PARKING is available east of our facility. For safety, children are not permitted in the parking lot without an adult. Anyone picking up your child must be listed on your approved caregiver list. PLEASE let a coach know if your child will be walking home, riding home independently, or leaving with another family. WHAT TO WEAR & BRING? Please send your camper with: *Comfortable clothing for active play *Slip-on shoes (we are a barefoot gym) *A refillable water bottle *Plenty of healthy snacks *A large, nutritious lunch *No sugary drinks or soda, please For safety, please remove jewelry or anything that could become hazardous during play. ELECTRONICS Cell phones and other electronics are not permitted during camp. If a child brings a phone, it must be checked in with a coach at drop-off and will be returned at pick-up. BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS Our goal is to create a caring community where every camper makes friends, has fun, and leaves with wonderful memories. All campers are expected to: *Follow coach directions. *Treat everyone with kindness and respect. *Help create a safe and positive environment. At Playformance, we have two guiding principles: 1. We PLAY to have FUN! 2. We take CARE of the PEOPLE! If a camper struggles with behavior, our coaches will work with them using positive support strategies. If additional support is needed, we’ll contact a caregiver to discuss next steps. If behavior continues to create an unsafe environment, a camper may be sent home for the remainder of the day. No refunds will be issued. Before returning to camp, a phone or in-person meeting with a caregiver may be required. Aggressive or violent words or actions toward campers or staff will not be tolerated and may result in immediate dismissal for the day. We believe every child can succeed at Playformance, and we are committed to helping each camper have a positive experience. If you’d like to discuss your child’s needs or camp experience, please schedule a conversation before or after camp—not during drop-off or pick-up. Email: camp@playformancetucson.com Phone: (520) 623-3904 ILLNESS POLICY To help keep everyone healthy, please do not bring your child to camp if they are sick. Campers displaying symptoms of illness—including fever, headache, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, vomiting, or excessive fatigue—will be sent home. If your child misses camp due to illness, rescheduling may be available on a case-by-case basis, depending on availability and our cancellation policy. For illness-related questions, email lucas@playformancetucson.com. CANCELLATION POLICY No refunds or credits are issued for missed or canceled camp days. If your child is ill, rescheduling may be possible if space is available. To qualify for rescheduling, cancellations must be made at least 24 hours before the start of camp. Rescheduling is subject to availability and applies only to camps of equal value. For questions, contact Camp and Classes Director Lucas at lucas@playformancetucson.com. MEDICAL & DEVELOPMENTAL ACCOMMODATIONS Please check in all prescription medications at drop-off and complete the required medication form. Notify our staff before your child’s first day of camp about any medical, behavioral, or developmental needs so we can best support them. If you’d like to hear about your child’s day, our staff is always happy to chat after pick-up or by phone/ email. SUPPORT Need-based scholarships are available in limited numbers. Please contact Austin at austin@playformancetucson.com.