A Mom’s Guide to the Best Day Camps

WRITTEN BY AMY MCCONNELL MOM OF 1, LIVES IN MESA

Learn a new skill pick: Bouldering Project

Tempe, Southern & Mill

Summer Camp at Bouldering Project is a full week of activities, discovery, and bouldering fun for kids! Our camps are geared for youth ages 4-12 and whether your child is brand new to climbing or an experienced climber, they'll have a blast!

Highlights: Brand new facility opening in May 2023, they offer a brave, safe space for healthy movement not only for kids, but adults too! Registration details here.

Tween & Teen pick: iDTech

Arizona State University

We can’t wait for your child to walk the halls of their dream campus, bond with new friends and mentors, and experience the magic that’s made us the world’s #1 tech camp for over two decades Held at Arizona State University Weeklong and two-week sessions for ages 7-18 in coding, game dev, robotics, creative arts, and more. Virtual Tech Camps and online courses also available

Highlight: Also offers an overnight option for most camps where students stay in dorms

STEAM pick: KaiPod Learning Summer Programs

Gilbert, Elliot & Cooper

KaiPod Learning Summer Programs are designed for kids age 9-17 In our Learning Pods in Scottsdale, Gilbert, and Glendale we offer weekly summer programs where kids will continue to learn and dive deeper into their natural curiosity exploring either SCIENCE or ART in a group of up to 10 kids Our Summer Programs are run by highly qualified Coaches who are former teachers They will facilitate a day split into studying/ reading, socializing and playing, and hands-on enrichment activities and projects

Highlights: Weekly pricing for either art or science tracks allows families to select their child's interests. Science tracks offered weekly throughout June, arts tracks offered wekly throughout July.Learn more

One stop day camp resource: Summer Camp AZ

Valleywide offerings

It’s critical that children exercise their bodies and minds! What separates us from other camps is how active we are! Beyond the core activities of the host site, we bring in horseback riding, firetrucks, laser tag, arts & crafts, and more We hire teachers to teach Math, Reading, and Civics in stimulating ways And Fun? Our camp kids go home tired and go to bed excited to return the next day!

Highlights: Camps at some of kids favorite spots, like Main Event Gilbert, Krazy Air Mesa and Big Air Trampoline Chandler, Summer Camps AZ manages programming for multiple day camps, ensuring they're the most fun-packed days for kids this summer Learn more

STEM pick: Engineering for Kids

Chandler & Mesa options, plus more across the Valley

Engineering For Kids of Phoenix Metro is the all-in-one solution for your child’s summer fun & learning experience! Since 2014, they've offered week-long STEM camps to kids ages 4-14 at the coolest indoor entertainment facilities across the Valley. Our expert instructors use hands-on, collaborative curriculum to teach all manner of STEM subjects: robotics, programming, chemistry, physics, LEGO, Minecraft, Roblox and much more

Highlights: Each week is a new, separate set of curriculum and all programs easily scale with age and ability level, so there’s truly something for every child They are currently offering early-bird pricing, installment plans, no-hassle cancellations. Learn more