Although it’s not quite officially summer yet, this is the Summer Guide, so we felt it would be prudent to highlight a bunch of the summer camp options available in Concord and Bow.
As you’re putting your summer plans together, it’s important to keep in mind that the kids want plans, too, and for most youngsters, that means camp. They probably need somewhere to spend the day while you’re at work, anyway.
Here’s a big list of all kinds of summer camp options for kids of all interests. This isn’t every single camp available around here, but it’s quite a start, so have a look.
EVO Rock + Fitness
EVO Rock + Fitness, everybody’s favorite rock-climbing gym in Concord, has four camps this summer.
Summer Gibbons is a new summer program for kids ages 3 to 5. The five-week session, which begins July 8, is for the kids who are too young for camp but eager to climb. Campers will have an hour packed with climbing followed by games and activities with their peers.
Indoor Climbing Camp is for ages 6 to 12 and meets Monday through Friday starting June 19. Campers will explore all the gym has to offer under the guidance of EVO’s encouraging instructors. See your kid’s confidence grow throughout the week.
Outdoor Climbing Camp is for ages 12 and up and meets Monday through Thursday starting June 26. Kids will experience the greatest climbing areas New Hampshire has to offer. The week will consist of one indoor training day and three days of outdoor rock climbing.
Adventure Camp is for ages 11 and up and meets Monday through Friday with sessions starting June 26, July 10, July 31 and Aug. 7. Campers will spend the week exploring, enduring and evolving. Campers begin with an indoor climbing day at EVO and then continue their week outdoors on the rock, on the trail and in the trees.
For more info, go to evorock.com/concord-nh or call 715-9171.
Concord CrewThe Concord Crew Summer Learn-to-Row Camps offer a great opportunity for new rowers to learn the basics of rowing. The program is skill-based and instructional, and provides the perfect opportunity to try out a new sport, learn a new skill and make new friends.
Learn-to-Row Camp will allow you to experience the teamwork of sweep oar rowing – you don’t need experience and it isn’t physically intensive.
Session 1 will run from June 26 to July 20, Monday through Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. Session 2 will be July 24 to Aug. 17, same days and hours. Rowers can participate in either session, as the content is similar.
For more information and to start registration, go to concordcrew.org/summer-learn- row.
Concord Parks and Recreation
Concord Parks and Rec is a heavy hitter in the summer camp world. There are three main day camps (all of which will include free breakfast and lunch) – Kids Kamp for grades 1 and 2, Rec Camp for grades 3 to 5 and Teen Camp for grades 6 to 8 – and each of those categories has several options.
Some special camps not included in any of those three categories worth mentioning are:
Summer Basketball Camp will be geared toward teaching boys and girls the fundamentals of the game. Each camper will learn the proper way to dribble, pass, shoot and, of course, play defense.
There will be four divisions – Tide Jumpers, grades 1-2, coed;. Junior Tide, grades 3-6, coed; Middle School Basketball Camp, grades 6-8, coed; and Middle School 3v3 League, grades 6-8, boys only.
Little Hitters Tennis Camp will be an exciting four-week introduction to tennis. The Little Hitters program utilizes the USTA 10-and-under format to help kids learn the game in a way that is both enjoyable and rewarding. It’s for boys and girls ages 4 to 5, and equipment is provided.
For more, go to concordparksandrec.com or call 225-8690.
McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center
It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center offers an astronomical number of summer camp options. Here’s what the space and aviation center has going on this summer:
Dive into the design process with daily engineering challenges in Engineering Extravaganza. Build prototypes using cardboard and other found materials – and then take your design to the next level in the 3-D printer lab. This camp is for ages 10 to 14 and runs June 26-30.
Travel through the solar system and learn about the sun and planets in Solar System Space Commanders. Build a pinhole projector to observe the sun safely, model the planets in paper mache and discover how humans will tackle space travel to distant planets. The camp is for ages 5 to 7 and runs July 10-14.
Prepare for launch as you learn the basics of aerodynamics, flight and even rocket design in Junior Flyers. Test out your design ideas by building kites, paper airplanes, balsa gliders, air-powered rockets and more. You’ll even explore how different conditions affect flight by launching the flyers inside and out. Family and friends are invited to join for fun-filled fly-in on the last day. The camp is for ages 5 to 7 and runs July 10-14.
Explore the world of coding and programming using LEGO Mindstorms in Robots! Discover how robots are programmed to do things on their own in remote locations and how scientists send commands to them when exploring planets and moons. This camp is an introduction to computer coding and programming and its application to robotic space missions. The camp is for ages 10 to 14 and runs July 17-21.
Rocket your way to the stars with a summer camp that brings out the engineer in all of us in 3-2-1 Blast Off! Build and modify different types of rockets each day including model rockets, water rockets, air rockets and more. Invite your family to the big blast-off on the last day of camp. The camp is for ages 8 to 12 and runs July 24-28.
Get ready for this year’s solar eclipse and become an expert on heliophysics in Suns and Stars. What is our star made of? How can you observe it safely? Are there others like it? Learn all this and then become a true star as you share you newly learned expertise with family, friends and visitors by presenting activities in the exhibit galleries. The camp is for ages 8 to 12 and runs July 31 to Aug. 4.
Earth is a perfect habitat for humans: air to breathe, water to drink and food to eat. Has it always been this way? Will it continue to be? Immerse yourself in the geology, atmospheric science and water chemistry of Earth in Destination Earth. The camp is for ages 10 to 14 and runs Aug. 7-11.
For more, go to starhop.com or call 271-7827.
N.H. Audubon McLane CenterFor those kids who like to get a little dirty and explore outside, the New Hampshire Audubon McLance Center has plenty to offer.
Wonders Camp (for ages 4 to 5) is a half-day session that gives your child the opportunity to begin experiencing the wonders of camp. Instructors develop age-appropriate activities that connect your little one to the natural world.
Discovery Campers (ages 6 to 9) spend their days exploring the fields, forest and wetlands that surround each camp location. Activities include short hikes, pond explorations, craft making, storytelling, interactive nature-based games and live animal presentations.
Explorers Campers (ages 10 to 12) get to experience the beauty of New Hampshire’s outdoors by taking field trips around the state each day. Campers will explore wildlife and unique landscapes through hiking, swimming and projects focused on conservation and stewardship.
Leaders-in-Training Program (ages 13 to 15) participants work alongside camp counselors to hone their skills as leaders. Learn how to plan the day’s activities and maintain the safety of your group. This is the perfect opportunity for those wishing to become future camp counselors.
Participants must complete an application process and have finished grade 7.
There are eight camp sessions in all, with the first one running June 26-30 and the last one running Aug. 14-18. To check availability of each camp and which session it’s offered in, go to nhaudubon.org or call 224-9909.
Bow Parks and Recreation
Not to be left out, Bow has its own Parks and Recreation department, and its own camp, too.
Camp, for grades 1-7, is held at the Bow High School gym Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (with trips Tuesdays and Thursdays) from June 27 to Aug. 4. Camp will start on a Tuesday (no trip), June 27.
To register for trips, participants must be registered as a summer camper, or those entering grades 7-12 may register for Teen Trips (which include fees). There are no refunds or credits for anything, so make sure you plan accordingly.
For more, go to bownh.gov or call 228-2222.
