Dive into specialty camps this summer
By Jenny Peterson
Summer camp is a beloved American tradition, with generations of children finding inspiration, new hobbies, endless play and lifelong friends during the memorable three-month break from school. Think outside the box with a circus camp or music camp. Below are just a few open for registration.
In Decatur
Science of fun STEM camp
Get ready for slime, rockets, robots and more at a highly-engaging STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) camp held by The Science of Fun on two locations in downtown Decatur. Campers ages 5 to 9 are encouraged to explore and experiment — and no prior STEM experience required. Four themes include Life Lessons: Birds, Plants, and Critters; Busy Bodies: Bones, Senses and Germs; Fun Forces & Tiny Tech: Vehicles, Sounds, Robots, and Weird Weather: Tornadoes, Hurricanes, and Crazy Clouds. Kids can look forward to capturing a cloud in a bottle, tie-dying shirts and making a slingshot rocket. Week-long sessions run from May 30 through July 14. Campers ages 10-12 and older can register for a counselor in training program.
ScienceofFun.com
Community Music Centers of Atlanta
Budding musicians can fine-tune skills at various music-oriented camps put on by the Community Music Centers of Atlanta at its Decatur campus. Rock camp, music theater camp, guitar and ukulele camp, drum camp, folk and country music camp, Schoolhouse Rock camp, string camp and piano camp await enthusiasts throughout the summer. Young musicians are engaged by both traditional and contemporary uses of musical styles and all levels are welcome. Beginners are taught basic theory, while more advanced musicians work on performance projects and improvisation. Camps are designed for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. There are also programs for middle and high school students.
cmcatlanta.com
Circus Camp
The “Greatest Camp on Earth” at Friend’s School Decatur teaches children real circus skills such as unicycling, tightrope, stilts, partner balancing, clowning and magic. All skill levels are welcome, and the camp serves ages 5 and older, including teens. Highly trained counselors describe which circus skill they will be teaching for that “act,” and campers pick the real circus activities they would like to learn. The best part? The camp presents a live show by circus professionals every day to entertain and inspire campers. Week-long sessions run from June 5 through July 24. Classes fill up quickly!
circuscamp.org
InTown Stars
Intown Stars welcomes campers ages 5 through 12 to its state-of-the-art 75,000-square-foot gymnasium, course and rink in Decatur. Campers will have access to the entire gym and be able to choose which activities they do daily with a balance of structure and free play. There’s a full gymnastics gym, parkour course, roller skating rink, sports field, hammock village, art studio, gaga pits and more. Campers will be jumping, climbing and moving with camp-wide games, including water Olympics and a field day, held every day. Sessions run from May 30-July 28.
Youth Camps at Agnes Scott College
Agnes Scott College offers several one-of-a-kind youth camps for middle and high schoolers at its picturesque campus that combine learning and fun. The weeklong Astro Camp—an approved NASA camp curriculum—immerses rising 6th through 12th grade student campers in STEM activities centering around Earth science, planetary science, the International Space Station, virtual journeys to the moon, Mars and beyond. Two sessions will be held: June 5-9 and June 12-16. For the tech-y teen, the weeklong Camp Tech Revolution for ages 10-15 lets campers dabble in some of the most cutting-edge technology in the world today. Tech Revolution will hold six one-week sessions from June 19 through July 28. For budding authors and novelists, a Young Writers Camp will unleash creativity through a variety of literary experiences and scripted prompts. The middle school session will be held June 19-28, and a two-week high school writers camp will be held from June 12-23. Every camp at Agnes Scott is held on its safe and beautiful 100-acre campus with outdoor classroom opportunities and inspiration around every corner.
Outside Decatur
Atlanta History Center
Explore the past through games, historic simulations and more with history camps and writing camps at the Atlanta History Center. Themed weeks include “Around the World in Five Days,” “Fantastic Mysteries and Where to Find Them,” and “All-Star Atlanta,” where campers will learn about Atlanta’s favorite sports teams. Ages 6 to 11. Two week-long camps will be held on June 5-9 and June 12-16.
atlantahistorycenter.com/event/history-summer-camp
High Museum of Art
Dive into art at the High Museum. Young artists will explore the museum’s galleries and hone their skills in drawing, painting and design to create original artworks. Professional teaching artists will inspire children to experiment with materials and try new techniques. Weeklong camps are held for rising first through eighth graders with themes that include Space Art Exploration, Messy Masterpieces and Going Wild. Camps run from June 5-July 28 and fill up fast.
high.org/camp
