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Allow Urban Parent to present a curated list of amazing day and stay camps that still have room for your son, daughter, niece, nephew, or grandkid, even a certain wild teenager who needs some (supervised) excitement! Adventure, dance, art, accommodation for special needs, there is something for just about every interest in this list of Eight Spectacular Summer Camps. For experiences that will last a lifetime, you’re not too late to register for summer camp! And what’s more, you might even get the good ol’ Urban Parent Discount, wink wink.
1. Break out the shades, this summer is going to be brilliant! NSCAD Extended Studies is holding 8 weeks of summertime fun for youth ages 5-18 in July and August. NSCAD’s day camps run Mon-Fri, 9-4 with early drop-off, late pick-up, and supervised lunchtime activities included. With themed classes in printmaking, fashion, ceramics, cartooning, painting, and drawing, there’s something for everyone!
The first week, beginning July 4, is lined up with “Stitch Me a New Story” (ages 5-8), “Art Outside” (ages 9-11), and “Intro to Comics & Zine Making” (ages 12-14). For these particular sessions, the tuition is $240. In addition to what they’ll learn in class, campers will participate in learning to screen-print, make buttons, tie-dye shirts, and more! Wait, it gets better: this year NSCAD is teaming up with the Discovery Centre and the Strange Adventures Summer Comic Convention. That’s right, kids get to experience hands-on science and bona fide DIY publishing! Call 902-494-8185 or email extendedstudies@nscad.ca with any questions or click here to register. When registering online, Urban Parent followers can use promo code UBSC17 to receive 20% off!
2. Classic United Church Camp in HRM’s backyard! Camp Kidston has overnight camps for all ages 6-16, has been around for 50 years, is on 500 acres of pristine woods and waters, and they’re within the HRM on Long Lake! Camp Kidston is the perfect location for a kid to explore who they are and what they believe in while connecting with nature and friends. There are camps going on all summer long and they’re very affordable–no one pays more than $350 for 6 days of camp.
3. Big sister or brother looking for a life-changing experience, one that’s world-class, and fosters leadership skills all while aboard the SS Wylde Swan Tall Ship from Holland!? Oh yeah, did we mention they will master the general principles of sailing and seamanship? Presented by Stanstead College Summer Camps, this 10-day cruise from Halifax to Lunenburg (via Cape Breton Island) sets sail on July 31st. Participate in Rendez-Vous 2017 and celebrate alongside tall ships from all over the world!
The absolute best part: to our Urban Parent audience who are Canadian residents, Stanstead College is offering a substantial discount in honour of Canada’s Sesquicentennial! The total price will be $2,500 taxes included (shiver me timbers, that’s $1,300 off the regular price of $3,800!) for big kids between 14 and 18 to have the time of their life as long as you say “Lesley from Urban Parent” sent you, in an email to camp director VJ Bala at vjbala@stansteadcollege.com.
4. Active children wanted! En Pointe is offering Summer Fun Day Camps for energetic kids ages 5-10 in the picturesque towns of Chester and Mahone Bay. Activities will include art, hip hop, tumbling, swimming, and musical theatre. High powered kids, be assured you will get your exercise! Get excited for two hours of swimming and a big walk every day, as well as two full day outings a week, one: a ferry ride to Tancook Island, and two: a trip to Graves Island Provincial Park. En Pointe Performing Arts Studio has been holding these camps for five years and the kids have amazing and memorable times! The camps run from 7:30-5:30 on weekdays every week all July and August long and are a super deal–$125–that’s less than daycare! Spots in July are filling up fast so save yours by emailing Natalie at enpointe@eastlink.ca or by calling 902-478-5592.
5. Brigadoon Village is a non-profit recreational facility in the Annapolis Valley offering camp programs to kids aged 7-17 (with some exceptions) living with chronic illness’, chronic conditions, and special needs. It is the only facility of it’s kind Canada. Throughout the summer Brigadoon hosts 13 different camp programs for children living with visual impairments, epilepsy, congenital heart issues, arthritis, bereavement, parental mental illness, lung health/allergies/anaphylaxsis, craniofacial/facial differences, kidney disease, crohns/colitis/IBD/ostomy/cecostomy, Canadian Cancer Society, and celiac disease. Brigadoon understands the financial strain that comes with living with health conditions and other life challenges, and graciously offer a pay-what-you-can fee structure. They fundraise all year long to ensure that no camper will ever be turned away due to their financial situation.
Their summer programming follows guiding principles to create learning experiences that include leadership, arts, outdoor education and rec, aquatics, culinary, and environmental education. For more information or to register, please visit www.brigadoonvillage.org.
6. Summer School of the Arts? An inspired Yes! Week-long sessions of full or half-day classes are available at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia’s Halifax location for imaginative children aged 5-7 and 8-12. Kids will be invited to experiment with a wide range of art materials, discover new art techniques, and enjoy playing around with ideas and images under the encouragement of local practicing artists and art educators. There are many classes to choose from over the summer with engaging titles like “Sketch City: Drawing with artist Caitlin McGuire,” “Art Detectives with artist Justin West, ” and “Experimentalists – Art and Science with artist Ted Higney.” Classes are offered from 9-12 and 1-4 and are $130 per class (gallery members are eligible to receive a 10% discount on class fees). Kids can definitely bring their lunch and stay at the Gallery for a nominal fee, and take another class in the afternoon. Sound beautiful?
Then click here to register! The first session starts July 4th.
7. Diaga Irish Dance was established in 2010 by Riverdance show cast member Zeph Caissie, and has since blossomed into a thriving community of dancers and their families. This summer they are offering a set of Irish Dance Introductory Lessons at their studio in Purcell’s Cove from July 17-19. There are two programs: 4 and 5 year olds dance from 10-11, the cost is $70, and kids 6 and over dance from 11-12:30 for $80. Irish dance students can expect to build physical fitness, self-confidence, lasting friendships, and learn a jig! For more information or to register email or call Zeph at diagairishdance@hotmail.com or 902-880-0392.
8. Finally, The Urban Parent Audience Family Favourite is Big Cove, the YMCA camp located on the seaside in Pictou County. It has all the classic accoutrements you’d expect in a summer camp: canoeing, archery, swimming, drama, sports, games, and more, and of course, camp fires! Big Cove programming is designed to help youth grow as individuals while promoting cooperation with others in a safe, supportive community. From the moment the wake up bell rings at 7:30 to the time the lights go out, the day is filled with exciting experiences that will last a lifetime. For kids aged 6-12, there is a 3-night “Little Big Cove” program for $350 with an incredible 3:1 camper to counsellor ratio. The “Junior Section” program, either 6 ($535) or 13 days ($970) away, is open to children 7-11.There are subsidies available through the camp that range from 15-50%. There are camps going on all summer long, but they’re filling up fast–like really fast–so we suggest you register right now!
