What are the best overnight camps for kids in Houston TX. How can parents find recommended summer camps in the area. Which camps offer unique experiences in arts, science, and outdoor activities.
Exploring Houston’s Diverse Summer Camp Offerings
Houston boasts a wide array of summer camps catering to various interests and age groups. From free programs to specialized experiences, parents have numerous options to keep their children engaged and learning during the summer months. Let’s delve into the different categories of camps available in the Houston area.
Free Summer Camp Options
For families on a budget, Houston offers several free summer camp programs. These include swimming lessons, sports camps, and Vacation Bible Schools (VBS). These programs provide excellent opportunities for children to stay active and socialize without financial strain on parents.
Nature and Animal-Focused Camps: Connecting Kids with Wildlife
Houston’s unique ecosystem and diverse wildlife make it an ideal location for nature and animal-focused camps. Two standout options in this category are Camp Zoofari and Blackwood Nature Camp.
Camp Zoofari at Houston Zoo
Located at 6200 Hermann Park Drive, Camp Zoofari offers an immersive experience for children aged 6-14. What makes this camp special? Campers get the opportunity to explore the zoo, meet animals up close, and learn about wildlife conservation. The camp also features a special All Access session for 10-12 year olds, providing a more in-depth experience.
Blackwood Nature Camp
Situated in Hempstead, TX, Blackwood Nature Camp offers a week-long overnight experience for children aged 8-14. How does this camp differ from day camps? It allows children to fully immerse themselves in nature, participating in activities such as natural dyeing, cane-pole fishing, and outdoor exploration. This camp is perfect for fostering a deep connection with the natural world.
Museum and Science Camps: Igniting Curiosity and Learning
Houston’s world-class museums offer engaging summer camp experiences that combine education with fun.
Houston Museum of Natural Science Camps
The Houston Museum of Natural Science, located at 5555 Hermann Park Drive, provides summer camps for children aged 6-12. What can kids expect from these camps? They offer a summer filled with education and adventure, exploring various scientific topics in a hands-on environment. The museum also has a Sugar Land location offering similar programs.
When do registrations open for these camps? Generally, registration opens in March for the general public, with earlier access for museum members. Both locations offer extended day care options for an additional fee, providing flexibility for working parents.
Arts, Theater, and Music Camps: Nurturing Creativity
For artistically inclined children, Houston offers a plethora of camps focusing on various creative disciplines.
Cordovan Art School
With multiple locations in Katy, Spring, Sugar Land, and The Woodlands, Cordovan Art School offers diverse art camps. What themes do these camps cover? They range from live animals and video game art to fantasy art and anime. Children aged 5-16 can explore various art mediums, including watercolor, acrylic, clay, and sculpture.
Creator Camp
Creator Camp, available in several Houston-area locations, combines creativity with technology. What unique experiences does this camp offer? Children aged 6-13 can create films, animations, YouTube videos, Minecraft mods, and even AI machine learning models. The camp is structured with Creative Camps running Monday to Wednesday and Tech Camps on Thursday and Friday.
Main Street Theater Camps
Main Street Theater offers an innovative approach to theater camps. How do these camps differ from traditional theater programs? Students aged 4-18 take charge of all aspects of performance, writing and staging their original theater pieces. This hands-on approach allows children to explore their creativity while learning about the various aspects of theater production.
STEM and Academic Camps: Fostering Future Innovators
In today’s technology-driven world, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) camps are becoming increasingly popular. Houston offers several options in this category.
Creator Camp’s Tech Focus
While Creator Camp offers a blend of creative and tech activities, its Thursday and Friday sessions focus specifically on STEM topics. What technologies do children explore in these sessions? Participants engage in AI development, Roblox game creation, and Minecraft modding, providing a solid foundation in coding and digital creation.
Houston Museum of Natural Science STEM Programs
The Houston Museum of Natural Science incorporates STEM elements into many of its summer camp offerings. How do these programs benefit children? By combining hands-on activities with scientific concepts, these camps help foster a love for science and critical thinking skills in young participants.
Sports and Physical Activity Camps: Promoting Active Lifestyles
For children who love to stay active, Houston offers a variety of sports and physical activity camps.
Free Sports Camps
Among the free summer camp options in Houston are several sports camps. What types of sports are typically offered? While specific offerings may vary, these camps often include popular sports like basketball, soccer, and swimming. These programs not only keep children physically active but also teach valuable lessons in teamwork and sportsmanship.
Dance and Gymnastics Camps
Although specific dance and gymnastics camps weren’t detailed in the original text, these are common offerings in the Houston area. How do these camps benefit children? They help improve physical coordination, flexibility, and self-confidence while allowing children to express themselves creatively through movement.
Specialty Camps: Catering to Unique Interests
Houston’s summer camp landscape also includes several specialty camps catering to specific interests or skills.
Cooking and Baking Camps
While not explicitly mentioned in the original text, cooking and baking camps are popular options in many cities, including Houston. What do these camps offer? They provide children with hands-on experience in the kitchen, teaching them valuable life skills while exploring culinary creativity.
WITS Creative Writing Camp
For budding writers, the WITS Creative Writing Camp is a standout option. Who can attend this camp? It caters to students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Why is this camp so popular? It offers high-quality instruction in creative writing, often filling up quickly when registration opens at the end of January.
As we’ve explored, Houston offers a rich tapestry of summer camp experiences for children of all ages and interests. From free programs to specialized camps in arts, sciences, and outdoor activities, there’s something for every child in the Houston area. Parents are encouraged to research these options thoroughly and register early, as many popular camps fill up quickly. By choosing the right summer camp, parents can provide their children with enriching experiences that foster learning, creativity, and personal growth during the summer months.
Houston Summer Camps Recommended by Parents – JillBJarvis.com
It’s clear from all the questions I get… Houston parents not only want to know what Houston summer camps are available, but they want recommendations from other parents.
Below is an updated list of camps recommended by Houston parents. Check each link for the latest details.
If you want to suggest a Houston summer camp, tell us!
Jump to:
- Free Houston Summer Camps
- Museums/Zoo Summer Camps
- Art/Theater/Music Summer Camps
- Outdoors/Animals Camp
- STEM/Academic/Language Houston Summer Camp
- Dance/Gymnastics/Sports Houston Summer Camp
- Cooking/Baking Camps
- All-Around/Christian/Sleep Away Camps
Free Houston Summer Camps
Find the FREE summer programs HERE. Swimming lessons, sports camps, VBS and more.
Museums/Zoo Summer Camps
Camp Zoofari (Houston Zoo, 6200 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, Texas 77030)
- Immersive experience for children ages 6-14.
- August 7-11 – A special session of All Access camp for campers ages 10-12
- Campers explore the Zoo, meet our animals and make new friends while learning about wildlife and how to protect them in the wild.
Houston Museum of Natural Science (5555 Hermann Park Drive, Houston,Texas 77030)
- Kids can experience a summer of education and adventure.
- Geared for kids ages 6 – 12.
- Registration opens in March for everyone. (Earlier for members.)
- Extended day care is also available before and after camp for an additional fee.
Houston Museum of Natural Science Sugar Land (13016 University Blvd., Sugar Land, TX 77479)
- Week long camps for kids ages 6-12 years old.
- Registration opens in March. (Earlier for members.)
- Camps are held Monday-Friday. Extended day care is available.
Art/Theater/Music Summer Camps
Cordovan Art School (Katy, Spring, Sugar Land, The Woodlands)
- Studio Locations: Katy, Spring, Sugar Land, The Woodlands
- “Live Life in COLOR” this Spring and Summer at a Creative Art Camp at Cordovan Art School!
- Select from over 40 fun-themed camps that change every week: Live Animals, Video Game Art, Super Heros and Villains, Fantasy Art, Space Art, Pets, Pokemon, Anime, and more. Explore a variety of art mediums: Watercolor, acrylic, clay, ceramics, paper mache, drawing, print-making, sculpture, etc. in a fun, friendly environment!
- Ages 5-16 / All Skill Levels / Half & Full Day Sessions /Extended Care Available
Explore a variety of art mediums: Watercolor, acrylic, clay, ceramics, paper mache, drawing, print-making, sculpture, etc. in a fun, friendly environment!Creator Camp (Katy, The Woodlands, Sugar Land, Montrose, Cypress)
- Creator Camp Locations: Katy, The Woodlands, Sugar Land, Montrose, Cypress
- Get ready for an unforgettable experience at Creator Camp! Immerse yourself in a world of creativity and technology where you’ll have the chance to make amazing films, animations, YouTube videos, Minecraft mods, Roblox games, AI machine learning models and more! Our in-person, hands-on camps are designed specifically for students aged 6-13, offering them a unique opportunity to learn from college-level instructors and create their very own projects in real-time.
- Creative Camps run Monday to Wednesday: Filmmaking, Animation and Youtube Creators
- Tech Camps run Thursday and Friday: AI, Roblox Game Development, Minecraft Modding
- Ages 6-13 / All Skill Levels / Full Day Sessions /Extended Care Available
- Visit our site for package deals and to view our unlimited summer pass!
- Book now: www. creatorcamp.org
creatorcamp.orgCyFair Music and Art (7103 Glen Chase Ct, Houston, TX 77095)
- Geared towards kids ages 4-13 years old.
- Drama Kids, Piano, Guitar, Drums, Art, Kindermusik, Baby Sign Language
Glassell Junior School (Museum of Fine Arts, 5100 Montrose Boulevard, Houston, TX 77006)
- Geared toward ages 3-18.
Houston Grand Opera
- Camps are for students in grades 3-12 and take place in downtown Houston.
Kidcreate Art Studio (Greater Heights)
- For kids 4-12 year old.
Main Street Theater (Multiple Houston Locations)
- Students take charge of all aspects of performance while the teachers (who are arts and educational professionals) provide guidance and know-how support to students (ages 4 – 18).
- Kids write and stage their original theater pieces, creating their own roles, lines, costumes, and props.
Overture School of Music (9039 Katy Fwy #201, Houston, TX 77024)
- Music studio in Memorial run by professional musicians.
- Piano, Suzuki Violin, Viola, Guitar, Ukulele and Harp Lessons.
- Students are taught by highly qualified and trained teachers with Master’s and Doctorate degrees in music.
- Year round music lessons, including summer, both in-person and virtual.
WITS Creative Writing Camp (Multiple Locations)
- Kinder – 12th grade.
- Very popular camp that opens registration the end of January, and usually fills quickly.
Outdoors/Animals Camp
Blackwood Nature Camp (27144 Rock Island Road, Hempstead, Texas 77445)
- A week-long overnight camp for ages 8-14 located in Hempstead, TX.
- Build a relationship with nature and safely explore the great outdoors.
- Campers enjoy a variety of outdoor activities including classes such as natural dyeing, cane-pole fishing, and cooking. They play forest games, hike, swim, and explore. Kids learn about wildlife in workshops hosted by local experts, and go on educational field trips to places like St. Francis Wolf Sanctuary and Huntsville State Park. At night, they stargaze, tell stories, and roast s’mores by the campfire.
Francis Wolf Sanctuary and Huntsville State Park. At night, they stargaze, tell stories, and roast s’mores by the campfire.Houston Arboretum (4501 Woodway Drive, Houston, TX 77024)
- Get outdoors with the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center this summer.
- The Arboretum’s Summer Camp is a great place for kids ages 4-12 to learn all about the natural world.
Nature Discovery Center (7112 Newcastle, Bellaire, TX 77401)
- Week-long camps with different themes.
- Camps are limited to 22 children each week, with 4 teen counselors assisting the Camp Instructor.
SPCA Critter Camp (900 Portway Drive, Houston, TX 77024)
- Week-long adventures will include Vet Camp, Animal Rescue and Forensics, and Jr. Pet Pals.
- Camp from 9:00am – 3:00pm. Grades 3-8.
TGR Exotics Wildlife Park (22115 Sherrod Land, Spring, TX 77389)
- Camps include a tour of the animals, snack, activity, craft and game.
- Topics may include Animal Costumes, Animal Defenses, Animal Senses, Animals in Motion, Animal Diets, Predator/Prey, Birds of a Feather and Bugs.
STEM/Academic/Language Houston Summer Camp
EEEK! Science Summer Camp (Katy, Simonton)
- Science based activities centered around various themes for the day.
Language Kids (Multiple locations)
- Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, French and English immersion summer camps.
Magnolia School (9920 Long Point Road, Houston, Texas 77055)
- Magnolia School, a private, independent liberal arts school for girls offers a wide variety of summer camps for all girls entering grades kindergarten-8th.
- ½ day and full day options are available throughout the summer, varying by week.
- Registration opened on January 20, 2023 and will continue until camps are full.
- Email [email protected] with any questions.
STREAM Program (Houston Public Library)
- Free week-long summer program that allows students the opportunity to participate in activities relating to each aspect of STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts and Math) each day of the week. K through 12.
K through 12.University of Houston Summer Camps (Multiple Locations)
- Many camps are offered.
- Check the website for all the details.
Virtual Tech Camps (Rice University)
- For students ages 7-19.
- Structured, weeklong sessions with 2 hours of live instruction per day + 2 hours of self-paced project development.
- Curriculum in Python, Java, Minecraft, Roblox, AI, Unreal Engine, Adobe, 3D modeling, and more. 5 students max per instructor, blending personalized learning and team interaction.
Dance/Gymnastics/Sports Houston Summer Camp
The Artz (Heights)
- Join The Artz for the Aerial Circus Endeavor Summer Program.
- Keep your kids, ages 5-15, active with our multi-week camp as they fly high and gain confidence.
- Normal hours are from 8 am – 5 pm.
- Extended hours are available for an additional charge.
Hunter Dance Center (Heights)
- Dance Theater Camps and camps for kids. Ages 6-8.
Ages 6-8.Inspire Rock Climbing Camp (Cypress, Spring)
- These camps are developed to help the climber with technique, problem solving, planning and execution.
JC Sports Houston (Humble)
- Five full days packed with activities including Soccer, Baseball, Football, Basketball, Glow in the Dark Soccer and Nerf Wars, EPIC Water Balloon Fights, Dodge Ball, Science FUN and more.
- Ages 4 to 13.
Panther Soccer (Greater Heights)
- Join Panther Soccer for our indoor youth soccer camp session
- Weekly from June 5th to August 21st
- Birth years offered 2012-2017
- AM, PM and Full Day sessions available
Quillan Recreation Center (Westchase)
- Camp Quillian is an American Camp Association accredited day camp that caters to children between the ages of 5-12, as well as Teen Camp for kids ages 13-14.
Rice Owls Sports Camps (Rice University)
- Football, Soccer, Tennis, Volleyball, Basketball, Baseball, Track and Field, STEM-letics camps offered throughout the summer.
Rise Camp (Spring Branch)
- Rise offers a one-of-a-kind weeklong camp that features gymnastics, dance, music, and ninja: 4 different camps combined into 1.
- Each day campers cycle through these 4 disciplines, keeping them engaged and active for the whole week. Day camps are available to children from ages 5-12.
- Rise is located in Spring Branch at the Beltway and Hammerly.
Vitacca Vocational School for Dance (Montrose & The Woodlands)
- Children’s Dance/Ballet Camp is an exciting week of dance filled with a fun approach to ballet technique, which includes ballet class, choreography, and crafts focusing on an age appropriate children’s classical ballet.
- Through the music and plenty of dancing, dancers will have a fun-filled week exploring a favorite classical ballet. The week will conclude with a short, in-studio demo/performance.
Westbury Soccer Club (Bayland Park)
- U5 through U14.
- Full and half day options available.
- Extended care and lunch options available.
Cooking/Baking Camps
Rao’s Bake Camp (Spring and Beaumont)
- Fun learning experience to help your children explore the fun and thrills of baking.
- Kids will learn how to read recipes, follow directions, let their creativity blossom, and enjoy snacks and games!
Sur la table (Multiple Locations)
- Five days of fun making their favorite foods. Kids (ages 7-11) and teens (12-17) will put on an apron and learn to cook delicious recipes from scratch.
All-Around/Christian/Sleep Away Camps
Camp Cho-yeh (Livingston)
- Christian Camp with activities like archery, paintball, horseback, riflery, blobbing, wakeboarding, tomahawk throwing and more.
- Ages 6 – 16 years old.
- Sleep-over camp.
Camp Deer Run (Winnsboro)
- A Christian summer camp in East Texas that exists to provide a camping experience.
Camp Eagle (Rocksprings)
- Sleep away camp for grades 1st – 7th.
- It’s where kids gather for unbridled fun and real outdoor adventures.
- No phones, devices, wifi in these woods.
Elite University Summer Camps ( Midtown and West University Locations )
- Ages 5 – 13• Monday – Friday 7AM – 6M or 8AM – 5PM
- Tuition: $285 – 415 per week
- Specialty Camps include: Aerospace Engineering • Karate • Fencing • Karate • Culinary Arts • Medical Science • Vet Science • Mixed Media Art • Architecture For Kids!
- Adventure Camp includes: Music • STEM • Art • All Sports • Weekly Field Trips
- Field Trip Based Outdoor Camps: Horseback Riding & Archery • Rock Wall Climbing • Camp Outback
- 18 years of safe, active, educational summer camp fun!
- 12 Weeks of fun with a different camp each week!
Kidventure (Multiple Locations)
- Running camps at multiple locations in Houston, Austin and Dallas for 20 years.
- Registration opens in February.
- Ages 3 – 15 years old.
Pine Cove (Columbus & Tyler, Texas)
- Christian Camp with day camps, overnight camps and even camps for the entire family!
Summer Youth Activity Program (Rice)
- Four sessions in June and July, for kids aged 6 to 11.
Texas A&M Sea Camp (Galveston)
- Sea Camp is a week-long residential adventure exploring the wonders of the marine and estuarine environments for campers ages 10-18.
- As a Sea Camper, kids will have access to research vessels, oceanographic equipment, laboratory facilities, and a professional staff enabling you to learn about the ocean through hands-on experiences.
Texas A&M Sports Camps (College Station)
- Aggie camps offer a wide range of instruction for both boys and girls, ages 8-18.
Victory Camp (Living Stone Church, 1407 Victory Lane, Alvin, Texas 77511)
- Christian camp in operation since 1992.
- Activities include: quad-zipline, swimming, rock walls, double waterslide, bumperboats, paddleboats, gym sports, field sports, and go-karts.
Do you have a recommendations for a Houston summer camp? Let us know!
20 Summer Camps for Kids
Keep your kiddos entertained for hours or weeks at a time with summer sessions they can enjoy solo or with the whole family.
Image: Shutterstock/Robert Kneschke
Academic Camps
Little Beakers
Built with small scientists in mind, Little Beakers is a 5,000-square-foot lab facility where experimentation is the name of the game and kiddos are decked out with their own lab coat, safety glasses, and clipboard. With locations in Cypress, Katy, and The Woodlands, children can walk in for an hour alongside parents or spend the whole day with peers to devise their own hypothesis, test it out through an experiment, and take home the evidence. Workshop themes range from STEM, robotics, dissections, marine biology, and more.
From $195. Various locations throughout Texas
Language Kids World
In 2012, Swedish researchers found that the brain’s hippocampus (the area that consolidates short-term memory into long-term) grew when learning another language. If you want to grow your youngster’s brain or help them connect with a new culture that doesn’t require hopping on a plane, Language Kids World offers language-immersion camps, both in-person and virtually, for French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, and American Sign Language. From $265. Various neighborhoods throughout Houston
Building Brains
Nothing screams Space City louder than an engineering camp for children—and would Houston really be Houston without one? At Building Brains, campers are introduced to the basics of engineering and are tasked with building their very-own motorized machines from Legos.
Children are taught critical thinking, analysis, and problem-solving skills through their creations. From $200. Various neighborhoods throughout Houston.
Theatre Under The Stars’ (TUTS) Humphrey’s School of Musical Theatre brings the magical world of the arts to life.
Image: Facebook/Humphrey’s School of Musical Theatre
Superhero with STEM Education
Held at Rice University, this week-long camp geared towards ages 6-8 will teach the science behind superhero movies such as flying, night vision, and time travel. Attendees will also have the opportunity to create a robotic sidekick and a superhero book. From $599. 6100 Main St.
Specialty Camps
Theatre Under The Stars
For kids aged 4 to 18, Theatre Under The Stars’ (TUTS) Humphrey’s School of Musical Theatre brings the magical world of the arts to life, allowing students to opt in to one-week or two-week sessions from June to August.
TUTS’ programming with partner arts education org The River also provides virtual classes on drawing, dancing, acting, and singing throughout the summer. From $250. 800 Bagby St., Ste 200
School of Rock
Jack Black isn’t the star instructor at this educational outpost, but parents can expect their little ones to come out rockin’ and rollin’ even harder than the musician himself after four days here. Located in many suburbs outside of Houston, School of Rock instructs music aficionados of all skill levels who play either the bass, drums, guitar, keyboards, or vocals. Themes include The Beatles, ’90s rock, classic rock, and the blues—just to name a few. From $275. Various locations throughout Texas
Image: Well Done Cooking Classes
Well Done Cooking Classes
Take a night off from making dinner, and let the kids become the chefs at this top-notch cooking camp.
The four-hour-long, five-day course preps junior chefs who are starting out in the kitchen or those who want to sharpen their skills. Lessons range from the foundations of baking to eating around the world. Classes are available June through August. From $296. 2811 Airline Dr., Ste. 5
Rice University
Budding authors can let their imagination run wild at Rice University’s K–12 creative writing summer camp, held virtually and in-person this summer and organized in combination with Writers in the Schools. Here students will learn directly from the word wizards themselves, including award-winning and nationally acclaimed writers, performers, and poets; and try their hand at poetry and drama. From $495. 6100 Main St.
Image: Shutterstock/Hal-P
Storybook Dance Theater Camps
Kids can take the stage this summer at Storybook Dance Theater where they’ll take part in various dance, music, and drama performances.
Each camp session features a different theme ranging from musicals like The Greatest Showman to Disney classics like Mulan. From $300. 747 N. Shepherd, Suite 100
Claire School of Dance
For over 24 years, Claire School of Dance has been a leading program for children to develop their dance styles in a creative and fun way. This summer, campers will dance and learn styles such as jazz, modern, and hip-hop. Camp instructors are experienced and professional artists. From $250. 1245 Heights Blvd.
Glassell Junior School | Museum of Fine Arts Houston
For ages 4-18, the Glassell Junior School offers summer classes and workshops for students interested in developing an appreciation for art. Two-hour, three-hour, and two-week-long classes are offered. Tuition covers supplies and materials unless noted in the course description. Courses explore a variety of art mediums including painting, architecture, and fashion textiles.
From $165. 5101 Montrose Blvd.
Bailey Oak Farms
Beginning May 30, Bailey Oak Farms will host its 2022 summer horseback riding camp for ages 6-12. No riding experience is necessary, and campers will learn how to groom, tack, and care for their animals in addition to riding around the farm’s 40 acres. The camp operates in weekly sessions and attendees can sign up for multiple weeks of training. Register by March 31 to receive a $50 early bird discount. From $450. Alvin, Texas
Sports Camps
Ice at the Galleria
Did you know the Galleria’s in-house skating rink offers camps all year long? If your twinkle toes dreams of becoming the next Michelle Kwan (or, more realistically, Elsa on ice), this camp is for them! In addition to on-ice skating lessons, campers receive classes off the rink in ballet, dance, and strength and conditioning; plus skate rentals, a special camp T-shirt, and lunch.
From $395. 5015 Westheimer Rd., Ste. 1260. Information for the summer 2022 camp has yet to be announced.
JC Sports
There are sports and then there’s JC Sports where there’s every type of activity imaginable for your energetic adolescent to burn off some steam. Kids can partake in the basics—baseball, basketball, soccer, and football—and alternative options, too. Think Nerf wars, water balloon fights, dodgeball, and glow-in-the-dark soccer. Your little athlete will no longer know what the word “bored” means. Half-day camps start at $200. From $305. 18610 Page Forest Dr., Ste. 100, Humble
USA Ninja Challenge Katy
Available year-round as a ninja warrior training program, USA Ninja Challenge Katy welcomes boys and girls 4 to 17 years old during its week-long summer session available from June 14 to August 13. Here, youngsters learn what it takes to be an American Ninja Warrior by rock climbing, swinging on monkey bars, and climbing a rendition of the NBC show’s warped wall.
From $225. 22564 Franz Rd., Katy
Kids can try ziplining, stand-up paddle boarding, and canoeing at Kidventure’s Safari Overnight Camp six-day retreat.
Image: Kidventure
Fencing Camp – Elite Summer Camp
At Elite University’s Bayou City Fencing, campers will learn the basics of fencing footwork along with background history on the sport. Campers will put their skills to the test on the last day of camp where they’ll compete in a mini competition. From $375. Various neighborhoods throughout Houston.
Sleep-Away Camps
YMCA Camp Cullen
The whole gang is invited to partake in YMCA Camp Cullen’s Escape to the Woods. The weekend getaway, situated along Lake Livingston in the Piney Woods, mirrors an all-inclusive experience with a private cabin for the entire family, room service meals, and an activity agenda that’s fully in your control and delivered to your cabin door.
Choose from arts and crafts, science kits, lawn games, scavenger hunts, fishing, and even horseback riding. From $1,295. 460 Cullen Loop, Ste. A, Trinity
Camp Champions
Parents, rejoice: There are no cell phones at this tech-free, outdoors-based camp. Nestled along the waters of Lake LBJ, Camp Champions encourages kids ages 5 to 17 to enjoy the great outdoors. That means taking advantage of the gorgeous lakefront surrounding them by water skiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, and sailing during the one- to three-week kids-only term. From $2,025. 775 Camp Rd., Marble Falls
Kidventure
Kidventure’s Safari Overnight Camp six-day retreat in Mo-Ranch aims to take kids’ (ages 8 to 12) personal growth and leadership skills to new heights. Campers can try ziplining, stand-up paddle boarding, and canoeing, and will spend time cooling down in the refreshing banks of the North Fork section of the Guadalupe River.
