Summer camps offer kids the thrill of discovery and the fun of friendships
There’s a tiny black bug in the piece of amber that Andrew Popovitch, 7, holds up for everyone to see. “It could have dinosaur DNA in it,” he said.
Andrew learned this last summer at FUNCAMPS JurassiCamp, and he still hangs onto the amber. He wants to be a paleontologist when he grows up.
At summer camp, he also found out that crocodiles have been around since Jurassic times. Sharks were around too, like the megalodon, he said. “It’s a very big shark. But that one is gone, like the dinos.
“When the Earth heated up too much, it took away all the water and food and the dinosaurs couldn’t find plants to eat,” Andrew said, as he practiced a string trick with a magic wand.
He learned a lot last summer, including “stuff about science and space.” This summer, he said he “will try to go on a sailboat” at two weeklong camps at Shake-a-Leg Miami and Coconut Grove Sailing Club.
Summer is all about discovering new things in new ways, and there are camps of all kinds available in our community.
Miami-Dade Parks Director Maria Nardi said they are a core part of county recreational programming.
“We know how essential parks are to children to help encourage a healthy lifestyle and improve the overall well-being of our community,” she said.
“Our summer camps offer a great opportunity for children to come together during the summer school recess for fun and memorable experiences that will allow them to make new friends and explore the great outdoors, while they stay active with sports and arts and crafts, learn about nature, and develop an appreciation for the environment.”
Marina Martinez Millor, 8, said she can’t wait to go to summer Girl Scout camp.
“I want to have a Girl Scout adventure and make new friends!” Marina said.
Brother and sister Owen, 6 1/2, and Kirin, 4, Hourani will be going to The Mandelstam School camp again. It’s a gymnastics camp in South Miami that also has swimming, tennis and ceramics, said their mom Erin Kastenschmidt.
“They did it last year as well and loved it.”
At the LCA Performing Arts camp in North Miami, artistic director Luciana Caplan said campers actually get to work with the stars.
“We’re excited to offer our students the opportunity to work with Broadway professionals such as Ivan Rutherford and Michael Lee Brown. Each will help aspiring young artists develop their skills and talents, but also expose them to the endless possibilities and the magic of musical theater,” Caplan said. Rutherford starred as Jean Valjean in Les Misérables, and Brown stars as alternate Evan in “Dear Evan Hansen.”
“Children performing at LCA shows feel like professionals, even when they are beginners in their first experience on the stage,” Caplan said.
At Camp Honey Shine on the Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart campus in Coconut Grove, girls learn SELF (STEM, Empowerment, Literacy, and Fitness) enrichment in a six-week program that includes dance, art, swimming, spoken word, literacy, yoga, character development, and educational and cultural field trips.
“Honey Shine really does amazing work!” said Zoe Perito, director of marketing & workforce development of the Ladies Empowerment & Action Program (LEAP).
And summer is also a perfect time to learn a new instrument or practice a beloved one.
Giah Bush, a 17-year-old viola player, is now in her fifth South Florida Youth Symphony Summer Music Academy. She and three of her siblings will be in the camp this year.
“The summer music camp is a great way to meet new people and make friends. And, because many of the teachers play in local symphonies in Miami-Dade and Broward, this is an opportunity to learn from the best,” Giah said.
The popular program, which includes kids ages 3 to 18, begins June 13 and runs through July 8. Now in its 25th year, the summer camp is held at the Pawley Creative Arts Center on the Miami Dade College North Campus,
“The Summer Music Academy is designed for young beginners through advanced players,” said Marjorie Hahn, SFYS’ executive and music director. “With our staff of educational and music professionals, it is the perfect place for kids to begin — or expand — their musical talents.” Partial scholarships are available.
The camp will features sessions for classical strings, woodwinds, brass, piano, percussion, music theory and conducting. It also offers developmental sessions in jazz, rhythms and improvisation.
David Gindy, the founder of FUNCAMPS, said that this year, they’ve added a new camp that focuses on the fine arts such as painting, papier-mâché and collage.
“Miami is such an art town it made sense to add it. It’s a perfect fit for our community.”
“We’re back and doing better than ever!” Gindy said.
For little scientist Andrew, it’s all about learning and seeing his friends in summer camp.
“It’s fun!” he said.
And the best part?
“It’s all play and no work!”
Sampling of summer camps in South Florida
Actors’ Playhouse Summer Camp — Session One, Theatre/Film Camp, June 13-July 1 for ages 7-12. Monday through Friday 8:45 a.m.-3:45 p.m. Fee: $1,100. And “On Broadway, Advanced Camp” (previous experience required) for ages 10-18. Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Fee: $1,200. Session Two, July 11-Aug. 5, same camps. Fee: $1,300 and $1,500. Participation in Advanced Camp Session Two by audition only. 280 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables. 305-444-9293 www.actorsplayhouse.org . Email director Earl Maulding at emaulding@actorsplayhouse.org for audition information.
Adrienne Arsht Center — Camp Broadway Miami (Aug. 8-12) is for theater-loving kids, ages 10-17, who want to develop their confidence, character and presentation skills through ensemble performance. This five-day program is open to all children, regardless of previous performing experience. Campers will be immersed in an authentic Broadway process through classes, workshops and experiences, and the finale musical is performed on the Arsht Center Stage. Registration details coming soon at www.arshtcenter.org
Beaux Arts Summer Art Camp — June 13- Aug. 12 for ages 5-12. Campers will make one-of-a-kind projects and learn through fun, hands-on art activities across different mediums. Weekly sessions are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Fee: $340/week. Discounts for siblings and multiple session registration. Held at the University of Miami Lowe Art Museum, Coral Gables, www.lowe.miami.edu
Camp Honey Shine — This full-scholarship, six-week day camp held at Carrollton School in Coconut Grove, enriches the lives of girls, ages 5-18, through S.E.L.F. (STEM, Empowerment, Literacy, and Fitness) enrichment. Activities include dance, art, swimming, spoken word, literacy, yoga, character development, STEM classes, and educational and cultural field trips. It has limited capacity and is already full this summer, but fundraising is always underway to help more girls attend next summer. To donate, visit www.honeyshine.org
Coconut Grove Sailing Club — Summer Sailing Camp, June 13-Aug. 19, for ages 6-17. Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Beginner to intermediate level sailors can learn sailing on Optimists, SailCubes, Laser Bahias and other craft. A simple swim test is giving on the first day of each session and children are divided into groups by age and size. Some groups require previous sailing experience. Children learn how to rig and launch a boat, basic knots, sailing terminology, develop wind awareness, and learn to sail a race course. Fee: $375/week. 2990 S. Bayshore Dr. 305-444-4571 www.cgscic.org/summercamp
Frost Young Musicians Live Summer Camp — Various beginning to advanced music programs, June 20-July 16, are available at Frost School of Music at the University of Miami for students in elementary school through high school. Classes include performance in classical music, jazz, rock and contemporary voice; songwriting; music production and recording; and the honors program in classical, jazz and rock. Dormitory stay and private lessons are also available. Camp starts at 9 a.m., and dismissal times vary. Fee: Varies on program. Visit www.youngmusicianscamp.com for details and to register.
FUNCAMPS — June 13-Aug. 5. Popular day camps for ages 5-12 include JurassiCamp, MagiCamp, Science and Space Camp, FunArts, GameTech and Robotics, and GameTech Institute for ages 8-13. Locations at University Of Miami, and Pinecrest Community Center. Also check website for camp in Boca Raton. Fee: $550/two week sessions, early bird registration discounts available. 305-666-2992. www.funcamps.com
Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida — Various weekly themes include “Camp Kicking It Old School” and “Amelia, Amelia Let’s Take a Hike.” June 13-July 15, for girls entering grades K-12. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., with early drop-off/extended stay available. Fee: $200/week. On Thursdays, girls can stay into the evening for dinner and a campfire with 8 p.m. pickup, or sleep over for an additional $25. Camp Little House, 6609 SW 60th St., South Miami or Camp Mahachee, 9950 Old Cutler Rd., Coral Gables. 305-253-4841 www.girlscoutsfl.org
JCC Camp J — Youths entering grades K through 10 will find a wide variety of activities designed to give them a summer experience unlike any other. Whether you are Jewish, Jew-ish, or just want to be part of a community that is open to everyone, Camp J is for you. June 20-Aug. 5. Visit www.alperjcc.org for full schedule and fees. 11155 SW 112 Ave., 305-271-9000. Email: info@alperjcc.org
Little Haiti Cultural Complex Summer Camp — Camp Discovery is free for campers in K-8 grades, June 13-July 29. Seven weeks of fun include creative activities, art, dance, French, readers’ theater, nutrition, social skills, field trips, physical fitness and mindfulness. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sponsored by Easterseals. 212-260 NE 59th Terrace, Miami. Contact myriamepierre@sfl.easterseals.com or 786-306-7347.
LCA Performing Arts — Dear Evan Hansen Workshop, June 27 to July 1, for ages 10+. Monday through Friday, 1:30-4:30 p.m. Fee: $250. (Early bird discount for students registering by June 10 is $162.50.) Les Misérables School Edition, July 18 to Aug. 5, for ages 11-18. Monday to Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Fee: $960. (Early bird discounts for students registering by May 15 is $576, and by June 30 is $624.) Disney 101 Dalmations Kids, July 11-29 for ages 5-14. Monday to Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Fee: $850. (Early bird discounts for students registering by May 15 is $510, and by June 30 is $552.50.) 901 NE 125th St., North Miami. 786-748-7238 www.lcapa.com or email info@lcapa.com
Miami Children’s Museum — Explorers Summer Camp for ages 4-10, June 13-Aug. 12. Each week, campers can discover a new country or place through fun activities that combine literacy, math, art, engineering and cultural exploration. Activities include an in-house field trip, world crafts and art, music, dance, geography, games, and sports. Places include The Caribbean, Australia, Chile, Florida, England, Japan, Morocco, Italy and Switzerland. Fee: $325/week for nonmembers and $292.50/week for members. Early care and after care available for extra fee. Contact yanet@miamichildrensmuseum.org or call 305-373-5437 ext. 112. www.miamichildrensmuseum.org
Miami Dade College Summer Camps — All kinds of camps run June 13-Aug. 12 at multiple MDC campuses and specialized centers such as the Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex (MAGIC) and The Business Innovation and Technology (BIT) Center. Open to kids, tweens and teens. Fee: Starts at $115/week. Camps include CSI Techniques, Robotics, Teen Entrepreneurship, Introduction to Health Care Careers, Game Design, E-commerce, Financial Trading and Crypto, SAT Preparation, Improvisational Theatre, Artificial Intelligence, Animation and, for the first time, a two-week Esports Camp. Visit http://www.mdc.edu/summercamps for more and to register.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools: “Summer 305,” in a partnership with The Children’s Trust, runs June 23-July 21 for students in Pre-K-12. Camps will be held at 113 schools. For PreK-5 students the Smart Start Elementary Camps include STEAM, Investigations/Challenges and Math & Reading Foundations; Summer Reading Camps; Summer Arts Programs; Extended School Year Program; and a school-home connection program called the Adventure Backpack Program. Middle-school students can participate in the Smart Start Teen Camp, Middle School Course Recovery, a Career Technical Education (CTE) Summer Program, and Speak Up! Summer Camp. High school programs include the Summer Youth Internship Program (SYIP), High School Credit Recovery, Driver’s Education, Speak Up! Summer Camp, CTE Summer Programs, Dual Enrollment, Algebra 1 EOC (End of Course) Prep Home Connections, and ACT/SAT Prep Home Connections. Visit https://summer305.dadeschools.net for details.
Miami-Dade County Summer Camps at Parks — There are many camps for all ages to chose from through Miami-Dade County June 13 to Aug. 12 (select sites open through Aug. 19). Camps include sports, nature, performing and fine arts, as well as therapeutic, recreational and inclusion camp. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.miamidade.gov
Minds of Tomorrow, the Creative Tech Club for Kids — June 13-Aug. 5. Digital music, robotics, drones, escape room and gaming design, and coding for ages 5-12 depending on session. 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at Magic City Innovation District ® Little Haiti, 344 NE 61st St. Miami 305-792-8879 and Galleria of Key Biscayne, 328 Crandon Blvd. #225, Key Biscayne 305-209-9070. Or email hello@mindsoftomorrow.com
Roxy/Westchester Cultural Arts Center theatre camp — June 20-July 30 for ages 7-14. Monday through Friday. Morning session 9-10:30 am, ballet, 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m., turns/leaps/conditioning. Fee: $150/week. Afternoon session 1-4 p.m. classes for the summer show July 29-30. Fee: $200/week. Tropical Park Plaza, 8011 SW 40th Street, Suite #101. 305-226-0030. www.RoxyPAC.com
Shake-A-Leg Miami — Adventure Island Camp, June 13-Aug. 12, for ages 7 and up. Marine Academy Summer Camp, June 13-Aug. 5 for students grades 2-12. Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Fee: $350/week. 2620 S. Bayshore Dr. 305-858-5550. www.shakealegmiami.org
South Florida Youth Symphony Summer Music Academy — June 13-July 8, for students ages 3-18. Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Also features a one-week intensive cello training course, July 13-17, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., and a three-week camp for beginners, ages 3-7, June 20-July 8. Fee for the four-week camp: $600 and $525 for siblings from families with more than one attendee. There is a $100 nonrefundable registration fee, and tuition will be pro-rated for late signees. Partial scholarships are available. The one-week intensive cello camp is $300 and for the beginners camp it is $280. Pawley Creative Arts Center on the Miami Dade College North Campus, 11380 NW 27th Ave. 305-238-2729 www.syfs.net or email marjihahn@gmail.com
Summer by the Sea — Weekly sessions, June 14-Aug. 5 for ages 8-12. This popular camp held at Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center features swimming, exploring the seagrass, seeking wildlife, snorkeling the fossil reef, finding sea turtle nests, performing fun science experiments, and creating art projects. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Fee: $495 per week, scholarships available for underserved children. Register at reservations@biscaynenaturecenter.org or call 305-361-6767, ext. 119.
UM Mini Canes Camp — Recreational Sports Camp for kids 6-12 years old. June 13-Aug. 5. Divided into four two-week sessions, the camp’s goal is to teach the importance of developing lifelong sports and recreation skills, all while having fun. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Fee: $450 for each two-week session for Herbert Wellness Center members, $500 for each two-week session for non-members. 1241 Dickinson Dr., Coral Gables. 305-284-8510 https://minicanes.miami.edu/index.html
Camp Y! — South Dade Family YMCA of South Florida hosts Traditional Day Camp for ages 5-12 and Teen Leadership Camp for ages 12-17. June 13-Aug. 12. Campers will have fun with arts & crafts, songs, games, YFIT, swimming (where applicable) and character values. 7 a.m.-6 p.m. with camp activities 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Fee: Traditional Camp, members $200/week, non-Y members $270/week. Sibling discounts. Teen Leadership Camp, members $190/ Non-Y members $260. 9355 SW 134th St., www.ymcasouthflorida.org
Other camps of interest
Discovery Lab at Pinecrest Gardens — Campers become scientists in the Garden at this STEAM camp for ages 4-9, June 13-Aug. 12. Fee: $290/week. 11000 Red Rd., 305-669-6990 www.pinecrestgardens.org
Mandelstam School South Miami Gymnastics Center — Gymnastics camp that also has swimming, tennis and ceramics. 8530 SW 57 Ave., 305-662-2736 and 305-665-9198
Real Food Academy Cooking With Kids Summer Camp — June 6-Aug. 19 for ages 5-16. Campers learn to cook healthy and have fun. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Fee: $575/week. Also includes baking, Zumba, and arts & crafts. 570 NE 81st St., Miami, 786-395-0355. www.therealfoodacademy.com
iD Tech Camp and Academies — June 13-Aug. 5. Coding, game development, robotics, and design for kids and teens for beginners up to advanced. Fee: $879-$1,179/week. University of Miami. www.idtech.com for schedule and prices.
Christina Mayo can be reached at ChristinaMMayo@gmail.com.
This story was originally published May 6, 2022 at 1:50 PM.