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Vermont Ballet Theater School Center for Dance presents Celebration of
VERMONT BALLET THEATER SCHOOL PRESENTS
Dance 2019
2026 SUMMER
CELEBRATION OF DANCE 2026
Registration is open for nine weeks of camps in South Burlington & Charlotte!
• Play with clay and make 3d sculptures
• craft cardboard arcade games and contraptions
• cook, bake, write, and create a food magazine
• explore the woods and nature of Vermont, and more! scan here for more info or to register!
Classes & Camps
Our annual showcase of talent from ages 4 through pre-professional will dance their way onto the Flynn Main Stage in Burlington for 2 exciting performances,
Saturday, May 30 at 1:00 & 6:30 p.m.
Our annual showcase of talent from ages 3 through pre-professional will dance their way onto the Flynn Main Stage in Burlington for two exciting performances.
• Week-long camps for ages 5-9
Saturday May 25, 2019 at 1:00 & 6:30 pm.
• Week-long ballet Mini-Intensive for ages 12-18, for the serious dancer looking to stay in shape for various summer-long intensives
Classes & Camps
For show & ticket information visit vbts.org.
• Weekly ballet classes for young dancers, beginners, and advanced pre-professional dancers
Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Nutcracker and more!
VBT Summer Intensive 2026 Auditions are Sat. March 7th for ages 7 & up. Visit website or call for details!
This summer come dance with the best at VBTS! For schedule and enrollment information, visit us at WWW.VBTS.ORG, or call 878-2941, or email INFO@VBTS.ORG
• All That Jazz Musical Theater Camp, plus STORM Dance Co. Summer Intensive with Kate Stevens
• Weekly ballet classes for young dancers - adults - beginner - advanced
For show & ticket information visit www.vbts.org. This summer come dance with the best at VBTS! For schedule and enrollment information, visit us at WWW.VBTS.ORG, or call 878-2941, or email INFO@VBTS.ORG
• Ongoing yoga and tness classes for adults
VBT Summer Intensive 2019 Auditions Sat. March 9th for ages 8 & up.
Visit website or call for details!
Ready, Set, Summer!
Yes, it’s February, and Vermont is covered in snow. But before you know it, the ground will thaw, the trees will sprout leaves, the final bell of the school year will sound, and your kids will be looking for something to do.
Fortunately, this Kids VT 2026 Camp Guide is full of options. Singing, dancing, rock climbing, mountain biking, gymnastics, circus arts, Brazilian jiujitsu — there’s gotta be a day or overnight program here that you and your kids can get excited about. That includes traditional sleepaway camps, which o er days and nights blissfully free of digital distraction.
FIND INFO INSIDE ON: Overnight programs Day camps
Skills-based camps
Independent schools
Academic support
It sounds relaxing, but sadly the sign-up process is not. Spots in high-demand programs fill up fast: If you’re not already organized, it’s time to get started. In this guide, we talk with a few local moms who track their summer plans on spreadsheets. They’ve got some tips for fellow parents — and suggestions for camp directors, too.
If you don’t find what you’re looking for here, keep checking the Kids VT Camp & School Finder online at campfindervt.com. Some programs may not have finalized their summer plans yet, either.
CATHY RESMER,
WEEKLY 6/22-8/14
9AM-2PM
AGES 9-15
Summer Camp Counseling
Parents share their camp sign-up stress and offer suggestions — for parents, camps and the State of Vermont
BY CATHY RESMER
Jane MacLean and her husband, Dan, own Sweet Roots Farm & Market in Charlotte. Summer is their busy season. While they’re providing nourishing food to customers, they need someone else to nourish their young children, ages 6 and 2.5.
Their daughter attends preschool year-round. But when classes end for their first grader, they’ll be on their own to find something to occupy him.
The MacLeans are one of many Vermont households scrambling to sign kids up for some of the area’s many summer programs. Day and sleepaway camps o er exciting enrichment experiences unavailable during the academic year. But for families like the MacLeans, in which parents or caregivers work outside the home, they provide something more basic and vital: childcare.
The competition for day camps, especially in Chittenden County, can be fierce.
Because many of these programs aim to make the experience accessible to as many kids as possible, they often limit the number of weeks children can attend. So parents such as the MacLeans, who can’t take the summer o , are left trying to fill 10 weeks of vacation one week at a time, juggling variables such as location, hours, price, registration window and activities. It’s a lot to manage.
“I started thinking about this the week before Christmas,” Jane MacLean said.
For starters, she prioritizes camps within half an hour of their home in Charlotte — though she will occasionally drive farther — and those that accept kids no later than 9 a.m. Early drop o is “rare, but possible,” she said. Otherwise, she won’t be able to get enough work in during the day, since most camps end at 3 or 4 p.m. “4:30 is the latest I’ve seen,” she noted. Activities are also important. Right now, her little guy is “super active” and enjoys running around.
Price matters, too. Tuition at the camps on her list can run $265 to $565 a week for one child, depending on a slew of factors. “That’s just a lot of money,” she said.
So far, MacLean has been able to figure out most of the summer, though she couldn’t find a program for the first week. “Likely he’ll end up in ‘farm camp’ on our farm, which entails helping out at home and building a di erent set of skills than he will at camp all summer.”
Erin Buckwalter of Starksboro is in a similar situation. While she has a somewhat flexible job as the deputy director of engagement and development at the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont, her husband, a builder, can’t take o much time during the busy summer season to be with their two boys, 8 and 11. “We really need summer options for our kids,” she said.
She’s got a list of nearby camps that both her boys like, and she stays on top of
the sign-up times, particularly for popular options such as a mountain-biking camp run by the Bristol Recreation Department, which fills up within minutes. “I will be online at exactly when it opens and try to get a space,” she said.
I started thinking about this the week before Christmas.
JANE MACLEAN
Last year, registration opened while the family was visiting the Boston Museum of Science. Buckwalter remembers tapping away furiously on her phone while the boys pleaded with her to visit
the next exhibit; she passed them o to her husband. They got into the camp for the week they wanted, though “in that moment, it was so stressful,” she said.
“I know camps are up against other challenges. I know they’re doing their best, too,” she added. But the way the system is currently configured, where every camp has its own way of handling registrations independent of all the others, makes it really di cult for families to plan ahead. “It’s like a set of dominoes. If one of those dominoes falls, sometimes your whole summer falls apart,” she said.
Buckwalter, like MacLean, plots all of her camp options on a spreadsheet. But neither of them has one quite as elaborate as that of their friend Neily Jennings of Charlotte, whose sons are 10 and 6.
Jennings shared her spreadsheet with Kids VT. Columns A through I detail variables such as the organization, the day registration opens, cost, drop-off/pickup times, ages and notes, with a link to the website. Rows 1 through 159 list the nearby camps. Organizations appear multiple times if they offer different themed programs throughout the season. She’s still hearing about new ones, such as the camps at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum.
Jennings started this year’s spreadsheet in January and has shared it with a handful of other parents. “I was just trying to keep track of what all the options were,” she said. “I started getting texts from mostly other moms, being, like, ‘My son is doing this Treewild camp. Is your son going, too?’ And so I was like, ‘OK, Treewild. I hadn’t heard of that one.’”
At some point, a friend told Jennings not to share her spreadsheet with anyone else, to avoid helping competitors for scarce camp spots. But “that’s not my vibe,” she said. She wants others to benefit from the information she’s collected.
Jennings and her husband, Connor Timmons, met as camp counselors in their early twenties. They also both worked at the Common Ground Center in Starksboro, which hosts a variety of camps — Jennings served as the operations director for five years, Timmons as the executive director for nearly nine.
“We both kind of hold camp as a really critical transformative experience for young people,” she said.
That said they’re not looking to keep their kids busy for the whole summer. Jennings, who now manages operations for a worker-owned cooperative of consultants, is able to take off a week to be with the boys. Timmons, the executive director of HomeShare Vermont, will do the same. And they’ll have one “feral” week, she said, during which one parent works at home and the kids are mostly on their own. “Maybe I’ll kick them outside and tell them they can’t come in until lunchtime,” she said.
“It’s a lot for kids to go from one camp to the next,” Jennings explained. “If I had to do that, go to a whole new group of adults every single week and be with them all day long in person doing activities, I would be so stressed out.”
She recommends giving kids a break for a couple of weeks during the summer, if possible. “That can help them recharge their batteries before they jump into a new group,” she said. K
SIGN-UP SUGGESTIONS
The moms interviewed for this story have tips for other parents navigating the process:
• Consult friends who have older kids. They can give you advice.
• Get on mailing lists for camps you like and make sure the emails are not going into your junk folder.
• Set reminders or alerts on your calendar, or whatever you use to keep organized, so you’ll know when it’s time to register.
• Create a document that lists the information camps will need so you can copy and paste it — for instance, the kids’ pediatrician’s office address and number, the dentist’s address and number, multiple numbers for emergency contacts, etc.
• If it’s your first time sending kids to day camp, cast a wide net. Sign them up for different types of programs until you get a sense of what they’re interested in.
• Find out what your kids’ peers are doing — maybe you can set up a carpool.
• Spend time in the fall reflecting on which camps best met your needs and why.
• Ask if there are scholarships or a sliding scale for tuition.
ADVICE FOR CAMPS
Offer aftercare. Parents who work struggle to pick the kids up at 3 p.m.
• Get together and offer a “Common App,” so that parents can fill out one form with all the necessary info and choose which camps to send it to. If colleges can do it, maybe summer camps can, too?
A REQUEST FOR THE STATE OF VERMONT
Is there a way to broaden the number of camps that are eligible to accept the state’s childcare subsidy? It would help parents afford tuition. This is something that would help the state keep young families.
A REQUEST FOR EMPLOYERS
Be as flexible as possible with parents of school-age kids in the summer. They’re juggling a lot!
Host international exchange visitors
START YOUR KIDS ON THE RIGHT TRACK WITH A STUDENT CHECKING ACCOUNT
Financial literacy is an important part of your child’s education. A Student Checking account, specifically for 13-17 year olds, can assist them in developing responsible habits today to ensure that they make sound financial decisions tomorrow.
No fees or minimums*
Debit card
Parent or guardian is joint on the account
ATM Access
Online & Mobile Banking
Automatically converts into Reward Checking account at age 18
*No monthly service or overdraft fees and no minimum balance requirement. Must be a member of the credit union to open a student checking account.
CAMP UIZ
How well do you know Vermont’s summer programs?
BY CATHY RESMER
There are dozens of summer and vacation camps in this year’s 2026 Camp Guide. Test your knowledge of their offerings with this quiz.
Hint: Find all of the answers in the listings beginning on page 11!
1. At which Vermont summer camp can your kids learn karate, practice real sword fighting (with foam swords) and watch family-friendly kung fu movies?
A) Fencing and Fighting Summer Camp
B) Jackie Chan and Inigo Montoya Summer Camp
C) Mr. Miyagi’s Summer Dojo
D) Ninja STEAM Summer Camp
2. Which of these camps is located on the shores of Lake Champlain?
A) Dunkley’s Gymnastics Camp
B) Surf Club Camp
C) YMCA Camp Abnaki
D) All of the above
3. Which Vermont summer camp offers instruction in fishing, archery, orienteering, and rifle and shotgun shooting?
A) “Alone” Survival Training Camp
B) Green Mountain Conservation Camp
C) Green Mountain Boys Camp
D) FAFO Camp
4. SOCAPA offers two- and three-week institutes for preteens and teens at Champlain College in Burlington. What does the acronym SOCAPA stand for?
A) School of Creative and Performing Arts
B) Secret Order of Cryptic Adventurers and Puzzle Analysts
C) Society of Cranky and Pouty Adolescents
D) Security Operations, Cyber Analysis and Protection Agency
5. Which of these programs gives campers experience with 3D printing, laser cutting and digital design?
A) Camp Little Notch
B) Camp Watch Your Fingers
C) Generator Makerspace Afterschool
D) Unnecessary Inventions Day Camp
6. Which of the following is not one of the sports kids can play at Purple Knight Camps at Saint Michael’s College?
A) Basketball
B) Lacrosse
C) Field hockey
D) Pickleball
7. Master Julio “Foca” Fernandez instructs kids ages 5 to 10 at Vermont Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s half-day summer camp. Fernandez has achieved what kind of belt in the sport?
A) Fuschia Belt
B) 7th Degree Coral Belt
C) Burnt Sienna Belt
D) Asteroid Belt
8. Which of the following is not a skill taught during camp at the New England Center for Circus Arts and Circus Smirkus?
A) Acrobatics
B) Lion taming
C) Aerials
D) Clowning
9. Which of these camps is located in Burlington?
A) Vermont Comedy Arts
B) YMCA Adventure Camp at Rock Point
C) Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center Camp
D) All of the above
10. Which of these venues is not hosting a camp in the Kids VT 2026 Summer Camp Guide?
A) A climbing center
B) An arts center
C) A sailing center
D) A data center
11. Which of these is not one of the themes at AllTogetherNow! Summer Camps in Montpelier?
A) Herb Camp
B) The Vermont Tax Code
C) Play Play Play All Day
D) Fiber Lab
12. Which camp in St. Albans is perfect for budding botanists who want to explore the life cycle of a flower?
A) Dirt to Design Summer Camp at Phloem Flower Farm
B) Camp Ya Dig
C) Garden Variety Summer Camp
D) Charlie Nardozzi’s Flower Power Day Camp
13. Which of the following is not something campers do at Night
Eagle Wilderness Adventures in Wallingford?
A) Live in tipis
B) Learn to make fire with flint and other survival skills
C) Learn to survive in “Metro Exodus” on a PS5
D) Make birchbark baskets
14. Which one of the following camps does not offer overnight camps?
A) Elevate Movement Collective in Stowe
B) Camp Outright in Starksboro
C) Camp Downer in Sharon
D) North Country Camps in Keeseville, N.Y.
15. Which of the following is not one of the sessions at ECHO Day Camps?
A) Science Loves Art
B) Animal Superpowers
C) Junior Paleontologists
D) Cleaning the Turtle Tank
SCORING
12-15 correct: Camp Sign-up Slayer
8-11 correct: SSIT — Camp Sign-up Slayer in Training
1-7 correct: Sign-up Stinker — You need to read the guide!
North Country Camps
Now Open thru Monday, September 7
FEB 21 – MARCH 3
SCAN ME
V ERMONT Camp & Sc hool Finder
AllTogetherNow! Summer Camps
Montpelier • alltogethernowvt.org/ summer_camps.html
AGES: 6-12; DAY CAMP
For more than 25 years, AllTogetherNow! Summer Camps has been offering programs to the children of central Vermont. Days are spent outside, telling stories, swimming in the pool, making art, stilt walking, singing, playing cooperative games and making new friends. The 2026 lineup has been posted, and registration will be open mid-February, so head to the website for the latest information and links to reserve your spot. This year’s offerings include Play Play Play All Day, Rock ‘n Roll Camp, Makers Camp, Fiber Lab, Waterworld Swim Camp, Herb Camp for 6- to 12-year-olds and two weeks of camp for 3- to 6-year-olds.
BCA Summer Camps
Burlington • burlingtoncityarts.org/ adult-youth-and-family-classes
AGES: 6-17; DAY CAMP
At BCA’s award-winning youth camps, students work with professional teaching artists for a fun, in-depth studio arts experience. Every camp includes high-quality art materials and a final celebration. New for 2026 is a full-day camp option for ages 6 to 8 and 9 to 11. Each full-day session combines two complementary half-day camps, giving students the chance to explore while parents enjoy the ease of simplified registration, drop-off and pickup. Half-day morning and afternoon camps remain available for ages 6 to 17, offering flexible options. Scholarships are available to ensure that arts education experiences remain accessible for all.
2026 CAMPS & SCHOOLS
Burlington Parks, Recreation & Waterfront Camps
Burlington • summerbtvparks.com
AGES: PRESCHOOLERS TO TEENS, FAMILIES; DAY CAMP
Sign your child up for a summer of fun, learning and adventure in a Burlington Parks, Recreation & Waterfront quality summer camp! These camps not only provide needed childcare for working families and caregivers but also allow your child to grow and develop skills while staying active and safe during the summer months. Summer camp offerings include ice skating, outdoor adventure, learning, sports and much more!
Camp Common Ground
Starksboro • cgcvt.org/family-camps/ camp-common-ground
AGES: ALL AGES, FAMILIES; OVERNIGHT CAMP
Camp Common Ground is a summer family camp for all ages designed to provide families with a healthy and
happy bonding experience. The weeklong program features elements of nature education, arts, music, wellness, sports and fun. All families are welcome at Camp Common Ground, a place that cultivates a sense of community among campers, where you and your kids will make new friends! Sliding-scale fees include lodging in a tent, cabin or lodge; all meals (local, organic and vegetarian); and all activities. Financial aid is available.
Camp Downer
Sharon • campdowner.com
AGES: 8-16; OVERNIGHT CAMP
For more than 80 years, Camp Downer has welcomed campers ages 8 to 16 to unplug, explore and grow in a safe and supportive environment. With one- and two-week sessions each summer, campers dive into activities such as aquatics, archery, riflery, sports, nature exploration and the arts. More than just a camp, Camp Downer is a close-knit community where kids build confidence, create lasting friendships and leave with stories they’ll cherish forever.
Camp Little Notch
Fort Ann, N.Y. camplittlenotch.org/2025
AGES: 8-16; OVERNIGHT CAMP
Camp Little Notch is a nonprofit wilderness camp for girls accredited through the American Camp Association and located on 443 acres, including a private 80-acre lake in the Adirondack Park. It offers girls a unique screen-free experience focused on adventure, personal growth and a connection with nature. Campers participate in a wide range of outdoor activities designed to foster teamwork and self-confidence. From hiking and canoeing to swimming and creative arts, every day is an adventure that encourages exploration and self-discovery.
Camp Outright
Starksboro • outrightvt.org/camp
AGES: 13-17; OVERNIGHT CAMP
Camp Outright is Vermont’s only residential summer camp designed specifically for LGBTQ+ and allied youths. This incredible camp is all about embracing queer joy, connecting with your people, and celebrating adventure, fun and community. Here, your identity isn’t just accepted — it’s celebrated! Experience what true belonging feels like. For campers ages 13 to 17, Camp Outright offers the chance to be your authentic self while exploring activities that match your interests. Whether you’re into nature, visual and performing arts, sports, or social change, there’s something for everyone. It’s the perfect blend of fun, personal growth and plenty of queer joy to share and promises an unforgettable and powerful summer!
Camp Downer
Summer Magic Starts at Camp Downer
Residential summer camp for children ages 8-16 in Sharon, Vermont! At Camp Downer, campers unplug, explore, and grow in a safe and supportive environment. More than just a camp, Camp Downer is a close-knit community where kids build confidence, create lasting friendships, and leave with memories they’ll cherish forever.
V
Circus Smirkus
Greensboro • smirkus.org/ smirkus-camp/camp-sessions
AGES: 5-12, 8-16, 12-18; OVERNIGHT CAMP Smirkus Camp is for youths of all ages and skill levels who want to dive into the world of circus arts in an immersive camp setting under big-top circus tents. Smirkus Camp’s unique sessions offer campers the opportunity to learn, grow and excel — as their authentic selves — while working with circus industry professionals and a stellar counseling staff. Kids will spend an incredible summer of circus fun training in acrobatics, juggling, clowning and aerials and will enjoy traditional camp activities fueled by circus magic, stories and s’mores. All this while making lasting friendships with campers from all over the country.
Davis Studio
South Burlington • davisstudiovt. com/summer-camp-list-2026
AGES: 7-17; DAY CAMP
Davis Studio’s Artist’s Path Summer Camp Program is an excellent fit for students who enjoy hands-on creating and like to stretch themselves while learning new skills. Students entering first through ninth grade in the upcoming academic year may choose from many exciting weeklong camp options. Campers are excited and motivated to go to a summer camp where they have a lot of fun, make friends and develop artistic expertise.
Dirt to Design Summer Camp at Phloem Flower Farm
St. Albans City phloemflowerfarm.wordpress.com/ summer-camp-2026
AGES: 6-17; DAY CAMP
Give your child a summer experience that blends the beauty of nature with the thrill of scientific discovery! Phloem’s Dirt to Design Summer Camp is for budding botanists and creative minds, offering a unique opportunity to explore the entire life cycle of a flower — from a tiny seed to a stunning arrangement. Activities include planting, seed starting and other gardening tasks; harvesting and arranging flowers; nature journaling and art; exploring soil microscopy; and ecology and environmental connections. Will be outside in all weather conditions.
Dunkley’s Gymnastics Camp
South Hero dunkleysgymnasticscamp.com
AGES: 7-17; DAY CAMP
Dunkley’s Gymnastics Camp is a small, family-style gymnastics camp with 50 campers! With a 1-to-5 counselor-to-camper ratio, each camper is challenged, beginner to advanced team member. Campers come from all over New England and Canada. Counselors are USAG safety-certified and coach club and college teams. Dunkley’s has an outstanding waterfront and opportunities for water-skiing, sailing, swimming, tubing and kayaking. Empowering youths and developing leadership are embraced at camp.
Davis Studio CONTINUED FROM P.11
Sports aquatics nature arts Register
ECHO Camps: School Year
Burlington • echovermont.org/ events-programs/camps
AGES: 7-10; SCHOOL-YEAR PROGRAM
Set against the backdrop of the bustling waterfront in Burlington, a day at ECHO camp can move from a behind-the-scenes observation of ECHO’s animal-care activities to a LEGO engineering challenge. ECHO offers a selection of exciting science, stewardship and engineering-design themed day camps for children who will be entering first, second or third grade in the fall. Camp themes change every year and are offered in conjunction with school vacations.
ECHO: Day Camps
Burlington • echovermont.org/ events-programs/camps
AGES: 7-10; DAY CAMP
ECHO’s specialty camps are staffed by full-time ECHO educators and supported by seasonal counselors. Every day at ECHO camp includes free-choice activity blocks, a morning meeting, outdoor play, museum exploration, snack and lunch time, and two group activities inspired by STEM. Campers at ECHO create art and crafts, use their imagination in engineering challenges, engage with the environment and animal ambassadors, and learn something new every day. This year’s summer camp themes will be Animal Superpowers, Science Loves Art and Junior Paleontologists! Each theme will repeat 3 to 4 times through the summer.
Elevate
Movement Collective: School Year
Stowe • elevatemovementcollective. com/copy-of-youth-programsand-summer-c
AGES: 5-18; SCHOOL-YEAR PROGRAM
Elevate afterschool classes are aimed at building stronger and more resilient athletes through training parkour, trampoline and ninja warrior skills. Our USA Parkour-trained coaches use progression-based trainings to allow for safe and steady development of skills. Our mission is to promote health and wellness through community, recreation and physical education. Every class will start with a dynamic warmup, then we begin skill training through drills, games and obstacle courses. We offer class options for ages 5 to 18 that occur every weekday from 3:30 to 5 p.m. and 5 to 6 p.m. for teenagers.
Elevate Movement
Collective
Stowe • elevatemovementcollective. com/copy-of-youth-programsand-summer-c
AGES: 7-15; DAY CAMP
Elevate summer camps are designed to push the limits of your athleticism in a fun and engaging manner. Every
morning, after a warm-up, campers train in skills for trampoline, parkour and ninja warrior. The highly trained and USA Parkour-certified coaches follow progression-based trainings to ensure a safe and rewarding development of skills. Afternoons are for outdoor recreation — campers bike the Stowe Recreation Path, swim in local swimming holes, play field games and go for short hikes. They also do daily stretching and conditioning to ensure that participants maintain a healthy body and help build good life habits.
Generator Makerspace: Afterschool
Burlington • generatorvt.com/ youthprograms
AGES: 7-17; AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM
Generator’s Afterschool Camps go beyond traditional learning, offering hands-on experiences where students bring their ideas to life. Using advanced manufacturing and rapid prototyping tools, young makers design, create and build custom products while developing real-world skills. Meeting one day per week for five weeks, these programs fit perfectly into busy family schedules. Students gain confidence as they transform concepts into tangible creations, mastering techniques such as 3D printing, laser cutting and digital design. Whether crafting inventions or solving creative challenges, campers leave with finished projects and the skills to keep making independently.
Generator Makerspace
Burlington • generatorvt.com/ youthprograms
AGES: 7-17; DAY CAMP
Generator’s weeklong maker camps immerse students in hands-on STEAM challenges in which they design, build and create incredible projects. Campers explore cutting-edge tools such as 3D printing, coding and digital fabrication while developing critical problem-solving skills. Each day brings new creative adventures — from designing custom inventions to bringing digital concepts to life. Students work collaboratively, learn from experienced mentors, and gain confidence as makers and innovators. Whether your child is a curious beginner or an aspiring engineer, these camps provide an inspiring environment where imagination meets technology and every idea becomes reality.
You worry that he won’t be able to make friends. The Stern Center gets it. Our caring specialists help kids develop skills so they are seen, heard, and can make meaningful connections.
Choose a one-to-one or small group setting. We have openings right now and this summer. Learn more + save their spot!
V ERMONT Camp & Sc hool Finder
Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains
Bedford, Hebron and Portsmouth, N.H.; Richmond, Salisbury and Thetford, Vt. girlscoutsgwm.org/en/activities/ camp-and-outdoors.html
AGES: DEPENDENT ON SPECIFIC CAMP
In Girl Scouting, a girl’s experience is limited only by her imagination. Girls make new friends, try new things and explore their passions in a safe, nurturing environment. Girls grow in confidence as they develop their full potential and feel empowered to make the world a better place. At overnight and day camps in Vermont and New Hampshire, girls learn new skills and make new friends in the outdoors, with all safety precautions in place. Girl Scouting has been building girls of courage, confidence and character for more than 100 years.
Governor’s Institutes of Vermont
Winooski • giv.org
to a student’s passions. This year GIV will offer eight Institutes, including Arts, Engineering, Entrepreneurship, Global Issues & Youth Action, Health & Medicine, Mathematical Sciences, Technology & Design, and Weather & Climate Science. Each Institute offers a unique, collaborative and hands-on experience bursting with creative learning and boundless fun! Students can attend for as little as $10 and can fill out a simple application at giv.org. Apply before the March 31 deadline.
Green Mountain Conservation Camp
Castleton and Woodbury vtfishandwildlife.com/learn-more/ gmcc
AGES: 12-16; OVERNIGHT CAMP
AGES: 12-16; OVERNIGHT CAMP
The Governor’s Institutes of Vermont creates life-changing learning experiences on college campuses for Vermont high-school students. Each Institute is an adventure that focuses on a topic and offers an in-depth experience built around learning, interacting and sharing. At GIV, students learn from industry professionals, participate in handson projects and explore career options, all while having fun and making friends! Students live on a college campus and have access to all the resources the college provides, including state-ofthe-art labs and studios, all tailored
Green Mountain Conservation Camp offers campers hands-on learning experiences about fish, wildlife, ecology, botany, forestry, hunter firearm safety, outdoor first aid and much more. At both Castleton and Woodbury locations, GMCC offers opportunities for hiking, canoeing, fishing, archery, .22 rifle and shotgun shooting, orienteering, and other fun activities. Campers have a unique opportunity to meet Vermont state game wardens, foresters, fisheries and wildlife biologists, and others who work in the outdoors. GMCC staff aim to educate youths about Vermont’s wild habitats to inspire meaningful relationships with the environment and foster genuine connections with their peers.
Hosmer Point Camp
Craftsbury Common hosmerpoint.com
AGES: 9-15; OVERNIGHT CAMP
Hosmer Point is a place campers call “home.” With only 100 campers and
CONTINUED FROM P.13
Green Mountain Conservation Camp
a camper/counselor ratio of 3-to-1, Hosmer Point’s small size and emphasis on community and inclusiveness builds friendships and respectful interactions among children of all genders and backgrounds. Children direct their own schedules, fostering independence and self-confidence as they choose from activities such as sailing, paddleboarding, farming, cooking, guitar lessons, woodworking, arts and crafts, theater, soccer, tennis, mountain biking, Dungeons & Dragons, and loads of games and imaginative outdoor play. Other highlights: delicious farm-totable food, a focus on environmental stewardship and the electronics-free campus. Tuition is on an income-based sliding scale. Offerings include four two-week sessions for rising fourth through 10th graders (ages 9 to 15), four-day weekend family camps, and a running and mountain biking camp for girls and nonbinary campers. All sessions are American Camp Association accredited.
Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center
Burlington communitysailingcenter.org
AGES: 6-17; DAY CAMP
Summer is all about fun, new friends and exciting adventures. Community Sailing Center summer camps are designed to teach kids the safety, skill and joy involved in the lifelong sport of sailing. Organized by age group and led by certified instructors, camp options include sailing-only and multi-activity camps that blend sailing and another sport or hobby. Weeklong and two-week camps take place throughout the summer, with several sessions to choose from. The Community Sailing Center offers early drop-off/late pickup options to accommodate each family’s needs.
Lake Champlain Yacht Club Junior Sailing
Shelburne • lcyc.info/junior-sailing
AGES: 8-17; DAY CAMP
This Junior Sailing camp creates a love of sailing. Your child will learn safe water practices while having fun and gaining a sense of stewardship for Lake Champlain. There are weeklong sessions for new and experienced sailors.
Landmark College Summer Programs
Putney • landmark.edu/academics/ summer
AGES: 12-17; OVERNIGHT CAMP
Landmark College offers summer programs to assist a wide range of students with learning differences, including high school students, graduating high school seniors and students enrolled at colleges around the
country. All programs are designed to enable students to identify their learning strengths and differences. Students learn specific strategies to be successful in formal academic settings and grow personally and academically in an intentional and supportive academic community. The instructors consist of current Landmark College faculty as well as teachers from the surrounding area who are experienced in working with students who learn differently.
LetGoYourMind, Lego STEM Programs
Burlington, Essex Junction, Fairfax, Richmond, Shelburne, South Burlington, Williston and Winooski letgoyourmind.com
AGES: 6-13; DAY CAMP
LetGoYourMind offers fun and enriching programs using LEGO bricks in simple machines and robotics, as well as an introduction to stop-motion animation. These LEGO-based summer STEM programs are weeklong, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., for ages 6 to 8 and 9 to 13. LetGoYourMind is dedicated to sparking creativity and imagination in children through engaging LEGO summer programs. A range of programs are tailored for kids of all ages, ensuring that every participant learns in a way that’s both fun and age appropriate. Join in for a summer of creativity, teamwork and endless possibilities! Power on and plug in to LetGoYourMind Summer STEM Programs 2026 for a week of LEGObuilding fun inspired by video games!
Living Tree Alliance
Moretown livingtreealliance.com/camps
AGES: 3-12; DAY CAMP
Living Tree Alliance offers three-week farm day camps for children ages 4 to 12 on a scenic 93-acre Moretown property. Each session combines time with animals, gardening, farm-to-table cooking, forest exploration, Mad River swimming and creative play. Campers build meaningful connections to nature, food and community through hands-on experiences. These camps welcome children of all backgrounds — two sessions are secular, while one weaves in Jewish Earth-based values and teachings. All sessions emphasize the same joyful outdoor learning that makes these camps special. Located near Waitsfield with easy access throughout the Mad River Valley.
A unique, primitive summer camp for boys, ages 10-14, in the heart of Vermont’s Green Mountains tipi living ▲ nature crafts canoeing ▲ backpacking wilderness skills ▲ tracking atlatls ▲ ’hawk throwing swimming ▲ archery ▲ hiking cooperative work & play and much more!
ENROLLMENT
V ERMONT Camp & Sc hool Finder
Lost Nation Theater
Montpelier lostnationtheater.org/education
AGES: 6-17; DAY CAMP
Mater Christi School Summer Camp
Burlington • mcschool.org/ school-life/summer-camp
AGES: 3-8; DAY CAMP
This summer camp located at Mater Christi School serves children in the Burlington area. Day campers spend their days exploring, making art, playing games and appreciating this beautiful community. All campers must be fully potty-trained. Designed to cater to a wide range of ages and interests, this camp has a different focus every week that drives activities and excursions. For example, in STEAM week, campers take a field trip to the ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain and perform science experiments at camp. MCS Summer Camp has daily games, sports, crafts and water activities built into a flexible schedule. A fun summer experience filled with engaging activities for all campers is the goal.
Join LNT for camps, classes, production intensives and shows supported by the full resources of an award-winning professional theater. LNT offers fun, quality investigative experiences in acting and all aspects of performance for curious and dedicated students of all ages and experience levels — intro to advanced — starting at age 6, on LNT’s stage! In a nurturing, safe, professional and congenial environment, participants explore their creativity, develop skills, meet new challenges and make lasting friendships. Student-teacher ratios guarantee personalized attention from LNT’s engaging, professional, passionate leaders. Enjoy opportunities to work with multiple directors. Programs offered during school breaks and year-round.
Mad River Path Adventures
Mad River Valley, Waterbury, Waitsfield • madriverpath.org/ summer-programs
AGES: 9-15; DAY CAMP, OVERNIGHT CAMP
From the heart of the valley, Mad River Path Adventures offers accessible day and overnight adventure camps. These dynamic programs are designed and led by professional guides. Students enjoy adventure sports and the art of wilderness living while developing close connections to nature and the social skills for thriving in an interconnected community. The staff of Mad River Path Adventures believes that outdoor pursuits should be a part of every Vermonter’s experience, and the camps teach the know-how that often translates into a lifelong love of adventure and discovery.
New England Center for Circus Arts: Summer
Brattleboro • necenterforcircusarts. org/youth-camps
AGES: 3-17; DAY CAMP
NECCA’s Summer Circus Camps provide a fun, safe, supportive and noncompetitive environment where children ages 3 to 17 build confidence, creativity and physical skills. Led by experienced circus coaches, campers explore aerials (such as trapeze, sling and more!), acrobatics, juggling, clowning, and performance while developing teamwork, communication and perseverance. Students are grouped by age and ability to ensure the best learning experience. Younger campers benefit from structured play, art activities and quiet time, while older youths enjoy skill progression and creative challenges, all while having fun at Vermont’s home for circus arts!
New England Center for Circus Arts: School Year
Brattleboro • necenterforcircusarts. org/youth-camps
AGES: 3-17; SCHOOL-YEAR PROGRAM
NECCA offers year-round circus camps during school breaks in November, December, February, April and summer. These camps are designed for children ages 3 to 17 and offer both half-day options for ages 3 to 5 and full-day camps for ages 5 to 17. Parents can expect high-quality circus arts instruction, age-appropriate groupings, and a welcoming, noncompetitive environment for all ages and abilities. Campers stay active and engaged through aerials, acrobatics, creative play and circus games, building confidence, friendships and skills while school is out.
Night Eagle Wilderness Adventures
Wallingford nighteaglewilderness.com
AGES: 10-14; OVERNIGHT CAMP
A unique summer camp for boys in the heart of the Green Mountains, Night Eagle lets campers live in tipis and do things that boys did hundreds of years ago. They learn survival skills such as fire making with flint and steel or bow drills, plant identification, tracking, and camouflage. They create lots of craft items — birchbark baskets, moccasins — and go on hikes, canoe, swim, and play lots of games, including Buffalo Robe, Stalk the Chief and Slack ’Em, to name a few! Through these activities and the slower pace of life at camp, boys naturally develop a deeper respect for the land and learn to live and play together in a spirit of cooperation rather than competition. This ACA-accredited camp offers one-, two-, three-, four- and sixweek sessions.
Ninja STEAM Summer Camp
Williston • ontastudio.com
AGES: 6-17; DAY CAMP
This camp combines all the martial arts, tumbling and parkour that kids love from regular martial arts classes with environmental science and art education! The STEAM-based curriculum combines hands-on science projects with arts and crafts instruction from a talented team. Kids will also do lots of wrestling and jiujitsu, taught with a kid-friendly, games-based methodology. They’ll learn karate (including breaking boards), practice
real sword fighting (with foam swords) and master moves from classical martial arts styles. They’ll even dip into ONTA’s very own (kid-friendly) kung fu movie library!
Ninja STEAM School-Year Camp
Williston • ontastudio.com
AGES: 4-15; SCHOOL-YEAR PROGRAM
Designed for children ages 4 to 15, these classes teach essential selfdefense skills, improve focus, promote confidence and foster self-discipline, all while having a blast in a safe and supportive environment! Experienced instructors foster a fun, positive atmosphere where kids can feel empowered to safely take risks while growing stronger, both physically and mentally. Staff treat the dojo like a family — a place to train hard, laugh often and make lifelong friendships!
North Branch Nature Center
Montpelier northbranchnaturecenter.org/camps
AGES: 3-17; DAY CAMP
NBNC offers camps for various age groups, from pre-K through seventh grade, and a Leaders-in-Training camp/ service program for teens. Professional teacher-naturalists offer a safe place where kids interact directly with nature through observation, questioning and hands-on exploration. From flipping rocks along wooded streams to chasing butterflies through the fields, this is what a child’s summer should be. Every day staff create memorable experiences in the outdoors and send kids home — tired, muddy and happy — with a renewed excitement for the natural world and a deepened connection to the Vermont landscape and with each other.
North Country Camps
Keeseville, N.Y. northcountrycamps.com
AGES: 6-17; OVERNIGHT CAMP
North Country Camps is a classic, down-to-earth summer camp tucked into the Adirondack Mountains, where kids trade screens for canoes, campfires and real connection. Campers unplug from screens and reconnect with nature, friendship and themselves through canoeing, sailing, hiking, creative arts, music, athletics and woodworking. With experienced, caring staff and a strong emphasis on kindness, independence and belonging, NCC offers a supportive environment where campers build confidence and lifelong friendships. Summer is filled with activities, adventure and wilderness trips that make it unforgettable. For many families, NCC becomes a second home and a place kids return to year after year.
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ONE Arts Center
Burlington • oneartscenter.com
AGES: 5-13; DAY CAMP, AFTERSCHOOL Summer camps at the ONE Arts Center are focused on fun and all the different ways an artist can express themselves. This summer the center is offering camps in the Maker Space for 5- to 8-year-olds and in the Creative Space for 9- to 13-year-olds. Every week of summer vacation, there are different themed summer camps that embrace magic, imagination and self-expression. Campers spend time making art projects in a variety of mediums, practicing drama, dancing, playing organized games, having free creative time and visiting local parks. Give your child a stimulating boost of creativity every week at Afterschool Art, Monday through Friday until 5:30 p.m. Students create a variety of projects and crafts that explore art concepts and develop creative skills and techniques. These include Afterschool Art in the Maker Space for kindergarten through second graders and in the Creative Space for third through sixth graders. Afterschool Art features a fun teacher-led art project every day and provides a space for your child to experiment and grow as an artist. Snacks are provided, with food allergies accommodated.
ONE Arts Studio
Middlesex • oneartsstudio.org
AGES: 5-13; DAY CAMP, SCHOOL-YEAR PROGRAM
ONE Arts Studio camps at Camp Meade are taught by artists and educators with diverse backgrounds.
No matter the camp theme, campers spend time outside, an essential part of growing up and creating art! Summer camps run from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Most camps are for ages 5 to 11, with some for older students. This year’s themes include Whole Body Drawing and Painting, Expressive Dance, License to Write, Kids for the Earth: Science and Found Art, Bauhaus Bountiful Botany, Theater, Capoeira, Fashion Weaving and Sewing, and Model Tree House Building. There are also drop-in camps during the school year, which run from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Upcoming camps include Art Is Rocket Science, Mythical Creatures and Mask-Making. The studio offers After School Art on Monday for fifth through tenth graders and Tuesday through Thursday for kindergarten through fifth graders, with busing from Waterbury, Middlesex and Moretown. Kids Night Out takes place on the third Friday of the month. Drop off your kiddo for games, dinner, art and a movie and enjoy an evening to yourself. Mixed-age and adult education classes are coming up, too — a Mask-Making Workshop takes place on three consecutive Saturdays, February 14, 21 and 28.
Petra Cliffs Climbing Center & Mountaineering School Vacation Camp
Burlington • petracli s.com/camps
AGES: 6-14; DAY CAMP, SCHOOL BREAK Join Petra Cliffs on your days off from school to climb, play games and have plenty of fun! Climbers will have the opportunity to climb with other kids in a recreational and instructional
setting, while also having the opportunity to go on local, seasonally appropriate outdoor adventures. The goal for vacation camp is to provide a structured atmosphere for kids to learn new climbing skills and vocabulary while having fun monkeying around with peers. Activities will be indoors and outdoors, since staff love to climb but would never pass up the opportunity to make a great snowman!
Petra Cliffs Climbing Center & Mountaineering School
Burlington • petracli s.com/camps
AGES: 6-14; DAY CAMP, OVERNIGHT CAMP
For more than 25 years, Petra Cliffs Climbing Center & Mountaineering School has offered camp programs for youths looking to get outside, explore and have fun! Known for being more than just a rock-climbing camp, Petra Cliffs SumMAT (Summer “Mountain Adventure Training”) Camps provide a variety of opportunities for campers to challenge themselves mentally and physically through daily outdoor adventures, all while under the guidance of highly skilled guides, trip leaders and counselors. In 2026, Petra Cliffs is offering a full summer of classic day camp, two weeks of climbing-specific camp and four overnight expeditions.
The Putney School Summer Arts
Putney • putneyschool.org/summer
AGES: PRETEENS, TEENS; DAY CAMP, OVERNIGHT CAMP
The Putney School Summer Arts welcomes a diverse community of young artists and arts professionals to campus each summer. It offers a variety of visual and performing arts workshops, as well as creative writing, farm and culinary programs. Located on a working farm in southern Vermont, it provides an intimate space where students passionate about the arts receive support and inspiration to focus on furthering their artistic practice and learning. Putney Summer Arts believes teens can be their truest selves through the making of art in an environment where learning collaboratively and taking risks is celebrated. Teen 3-Week Sessions: June 28-July 17 (ages 14 to 17 or entering ninth through 12th grade); and July 19-July 24 (ages 13 to 16 or entering eighth through 11th grade). Enroll in both teen sessions: June 28-July 24 (ages 14 to 16 or entering ninth through 11th grade).
Red Clover Camp
Stowe • redclovercamp.com
AGES: 5-8; DAY CAMP
Red Clover is a nature-based day camp where campers spend a lot of time biking, hiking and swimming. They also do a lot of art and building projects and science, technology, engineering and math activities and take field trips to nature preserves, berry farms and museums.
Saint Michael’s Summer Sports Camp
Colchester purpleknightcamps.com
AGES: 6-17; DAY CAMP, OVERNIGHT CAMP
Purple Knight Camps offer a fun, active summer experience on the Saint Michael’s College campus for elementary- through high school–age athletes. Campers train with college coaches and players in sports such as basketball, soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, volleyball and softball, focusing on skill development, teamwork and game play. Programs include day and overnight options, giving campers a true college feel. Participants eat meals in the Saint Michael’s dining hall, enjoy scheduled pool time and take part in structured activities throughout the day. Purple Knight Camps blend high-quality instruction with community, energy and classic summer camp fun.
Saxon Hill School: Summer Camp
Jericho • saxonhillschool.org/ summer-camp
AGES: 3-6; DAY CAMP
Outdoor adventure awaits! Saxon Hill Camp provides the ideal experience for children ages 3 to 6. Campers will play, explore and create as they investigate nature, art, books and more. All activities support the healthy development of little hearts, bodies and minds. Camp is held outside as much as possible!
Saxon Hill School: School Day
Jericho • saxonhillschool.org/ school-day-programs.html
AGES: 3-6; SCHOOL-YEAR PROGRAM
Saxon Hill School inspires wonder and curiosity for learning! This part-time, family-cooperative preschool offers three NAEYC & 5 STAR accredited programs for children ages 3 to 6. The 4-Day classroom is also licensed to offer a unique kindergarten option. The Extended Day program allows children to continue their exploration into the afternoon. Its school is inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy and is a unique, wonderful place for young children and their families. Saxon Hill School has been serving Jericho and the surrounding communities since 1964.
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COMMUNITY SAILING CENTER SUMMER YOUTH CAMPS
Summer is all about fun, friends & trying something new!
For youth ages 6-17
Learn the joy & skills of sailing on Lake Champlain from certified-instructors who place safety at the forefront. O ering a wide variety of sailing & multi-activity camps. GENERAL REGISTRATION OPENS FEBRUARY 3. RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY! www.communitysailingcenter.org I 802-864-2499
V ERMONT Camp & Sc hool Finder
CONTINUED FROM P.19
SOCAPA — School of Creative and Performing Arts
Burlington socapa.org/locations/vt-camps
AGES: PRETEENS, TEENS; DAY CAMP, OVERNIGHT CAMP
SOCAPA is one of the premier visual and performing arts programs for young people in the world. Its students travel from across the U.S. and all corners of the globe to participate in Summer Intensives. Campers of all experience levels are challenged to advance their skills in filmmaking, acting, dance, photography and music through hands-on learning with teachers who are leaders in their fields, surrounded by classmates who share their passion. SOCAPA offers two- and three-week summer intensives, day and residential, at its Vermont campus at Champlain College in Burlington.
Stern Center for Language and Learning: Summer
Williston • sterncenter.org/ learning-services-and-programs/ AGES: 5-17; DAYTIME
At the Stern Center, the summer session provides much more than just tutoring. Learning there offers a pathway to growth, confidence and lifelong success. Its team of teachers honors the unique needs of each learner, focusing on essential skills in reading, writing, math and organization. Social learning support, individually or in small groups, helps with building interpersonal skills, communicating clearly, navigating friendships, collaborating with others and building resilience. The Stern Center has fostered four decades of success stories for Vermont’s kids. Visit the website to learn how your child can thrive, academically and personally, with a breakthrough summer learning experience.
Stern Center for Language and Learning: School Year
Williston • sterncenter.org/ learning-services-and-programs AGES: 5-17; DAYTIME
The Stern Center is a nonprofit learning center dedicated to empowering children and adults to reach their academic, social and professional goals. For individuals, the center offers customized academic support, educational evaluations, speech therapy and social learning; for teachers, professional learning so they can apply the best current research each day in their schools. Its experienced team collaborates with families and educators to provide support and knowledge that changes lives. The Stern Center moves Vermont toward a future in which every learner thrives and contributes.
Surf Club Camp
Burlington burlingtonsurfclub.com/play/camps AGES: 10-15; DAY CAMP
Looking for something fun, outdoor and active for your kid this summer? Surf Club Camp (formerly known as Windsurfing Camp) starts in June and runs through the end of August. The camp takes place weekly, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enrollment is limited to 12 kids and is $425 for the week. Yes, your child will still learn to windsurf, but this camp has grown to be so much more! All the gear and beginner and intermediate instruction on the basics of how to windsurf and standup paddle is provided. Campers will stay active with a fleet of paddleboards, windsurfers, Hobie Cats and various lawn games. Registration is for the entire week, and no prior experience is required. Additionally, campers will walk to the SANDBOX to block print their own camp T-shirt!
Sylvan Learning Summer Camps
Essex
sylvanlearning.com/courses-camps
AGES: 5-13; DAY CAMP
Keep your child’s min d growing over the summer at Sylvan Learning! Its location in Essex offers f un, stimulating and educational camps, designed with your busy summer schedule in mind. You’ll find academic camps such as math, reading,
writing and college prep. Kids love the hands-on activities and creative games — perfect for keeping young minds active and growing. Camp sizes are kept small to create a really engaging experience for each child.
Tamim Academy
Burlington • tamimvt.org
AGES: 6-11; SCHOOL-YEAR PROGRAM
Vermont’s first Jewish elementary school is located in the heart of Burlington, within walking distance to the University of Vermont and downtown. Guided by talented educators and enriched by the spirit of community, Tamim Academy prepares students for purposeful lives by empowering them with a positive self-concept, a passion for learning and Jewish values. Key components of our school include a whole-child approach, an integrated curriculum, immersive Hebrew language lessons, and experiential learning opportunities with a focus on nature and the arts. Financial aid is available, as is aftercare and a nutritious meal plan.
Vermont Ballet Theater School Center for Dance
Essex Junction • vbts.org
AGES: 3-18; DAY CAMP
VBTS, the largest dance school in the state of Vermont, provides students with comprehensive dance training and performance experience in a friendly and nurturing environment, guiding students through the world of ballet, jazz, contemporary and more. The goal is to introduce the world of dance and the joy of movement to all students, from those with professional aspirations to those who simply love to move and dance. Not sure where to start? Call or email today and VBTS’ professional staff would be happy to tailor a program just for you!
Vermont Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Half-Day Summer Camp
Williston vermontbjj.com/events-camps
AGES: ALL AGES, FAMILIES; DAY CAMP
Unleash your child’s potential at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Summer Camp! Join Master Julio “Foca” Fernandez, a 7th Degree Coral Belt with more than 20 years of experience, for an amazing blend of authentic BJJ instruction, self-defense skills, teamwork, fitness and fun martial arts games. Kids ages 5 to 10 will develop coordination, communication, strategic thinking (think human chess) and confidence — all while learning valuable life skills. Camps will explore BJJ’s rich history and Brazilian culture in an engaging, kid-friendly
environment. No prior experience is needed — just a passion for learning! Safety is a top priority, with expert instructors ensuring a supportive, fun and controlled atmosphere.
Vermont Comedy Arts
Burlington • vermontcomedyarts.org
AGES: 6-17; DAY CAMP
Learn to create spontaneous comedy and make lots of new friends! Campers will use improv games and exercises to generate hilarious live comedy together in an atmosphere that is supportive, energetic, accepting and, most of all, fun! This program helps to encourage and nurture budding comedians’ curiosity, communication and collaboration skills; improv is a team sport, after all. That all goes hand in hand with fostering
campers’ creativity and self-confidence through play. Camps culminate in a short performance for family and friends.
Vermont Commons School
Charlotte and South Burlington vermontcommons.org
AGES: GRADES 6-12; SCHOOL-YEAR PROGRAM
Vermont Commons School is a college preparatory school for grades 6 through 12, dedicated to academic excellence, small student-teacher ratio and innovative learning experiences. VCS accepts applications year-round, based on available space, for all grade levels. Students emerge from their time at Vermont Commons School with the motivation and skills to seek out their role for improving the world, and they are excited to do so! VCS aims to fill the school with students who are hoping to grow, explore and learn.
Vermont Commons School Summer Camps
Charlotte and South Burlington vermontcommons.org
AGES: GRADES 6-17; DAY CAMP
Modeled after our signature Encounter Week program and designed for children ages 8 to 11, each one-week session will give campers an opportunity to immerse themselves in hands-on, project-based activities, allowing them to create, explore and connect. There will be plenty of summertime fun and games as well! For summer 2026, you can play with clay and make sculptures, create a chain reaction machine and design a cardboard arcade game, combine culinary experimentation with creative writing to create a food magazine, tell stories both on the stage and on the page, and explore the woods and study the nature of Vermont!
Summer You’ll
Never Forget
Why Kids and Parents Love Adventure Camp at Rock Point:
• Co-ed day camp for kids 2nd grade-13yo
• Held at Rock Point on Lake Champlain
• Hiking, swimming, gardening, kayaking, crafting, making pizza and s’mores, and much more!
• Financial assistance is available
Wanakee
Meredith, N.H. • wanakee.org
AGES: FAMILIES; OVERNIGHT CAMP
Wanakee is an American Camp Association-accredited summer camp and retreat center located in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. Its affinity-based small-group programming welcomes children, youths and adults. Wanakee fosters a Christian community of radical acceptance where campers of all ages can grow personally, socially and spiritually. From arts and crafts to swimming and boating to high ropes, there’s something for every camper to love. Newsweek named Wanakee one of the “Best Summer Camps in America” multiple years in a row — join in this summer to find out why! Discounts and scholarships are available.
YMCA Adventure Camp at Rock Point
Burlington • gbymca.org/programs/ adventure-camp
AGES: 8-13; DAY CAMP
Have the best summer ever at Adventure Camp at Rock Point, a coed summer day camp for kids who have completed third grade up through age 13. Camp takes place on the beautiful Rock Point property along the shores of Lake Champlain. Campers spend most of the day outside and will have a chance to swim and kayak; tend the gardens; use the outdoor pizza oven;
paddleboard; play games; create arts and crafts; do science, technology, engineering and math activities; hike; and much more! This is a traditional outdoor camp full of fun and adventure.
YMCA Camp Abnaki
North Hero • campabnaki.org
AGES: COMPLETED GRADES 1-10; DAY CAMP, OVERNIGHT CAMP Camp Abnaki provides a traditional two-week overnight summer camp for boys and teens who’ve completed grades 1 through 10, one-week overnight camp for boys who’ve completed grades 1 through 5, and day camp for boys who’ve completed grades K through 4. There are also specialized teen programs! Campers find community, build self-esteem, take a break from technology and gain a sense of independence while away from home. Traditional activities such as archery, canoeing and campfires take place alongside favorites like skateboarding, high ropes course and sailing. Underlying all activities: conscious development of community through safety, love and respect.
