Many area schools and organizations are once again offering a wide variety of summer camps designed to help kids develop and broaden their horizons in sports, academics, music, nature, and a host of other personal interests. Who knows, they might even meet a few life-long friends along the way! Whatever your child’s passion, there’s a summer camp experience that will help him or her explore it in greater depth. Here are some excellent local options:
TOLEDO ZOO SUMMER SAFARI CAMPS
TOLEDOZOO.ORG/CAMPS
Summer Safari Camps are weeklong experiences featuring fun live animals, games, activities, and crafts. To register and for complete details, including camp sessions, times, prices, and ages, visit our website.
Barnyard Buddies
Head down on the farm in this camp to learn all about some of your favorite barnyard buddies and their wild animal relatives.
Super Senses
Animals have eyes, ears, and noses just like us! See what it is like to have ears like an elephant’s, a tongue like a hummingbird’s, eyes like an owl’s, and a nose like a wolf’s.
All Paws on Deck!
We need all paws on deck! No job is too big, and no kid is too small! Join us on animal rescue missions and collect badges along the way!
Zoo’s Clues
Get your handy dandy notebooks ready! Follow the paw prints and gather clues to solve a new animal mystery each day!
Splash Bash!
Get your flippers ready and dive into this exciting camp about underwater animals.
World Travelers
Go on an animal expedition around the world to learn all about animals from every continent!
Game On! Select your character, roll the dice,
Select your character, roll the dice, and get ready to test your luck in this game-themed camp all about animals.
Land Before Time
Travel back in time to search for a sabretooth or marvel at a mammoth in this exciting camp about animals from the past and their living relatives here at the zoo.
Zooper Heroes
Super strength, invisibility, and flight are just a few of the amazing animal abilities you’ll explore in this action-packed camp all about the super heroes of the animal kingdom.
Wildly Weird Animals
Have you ever seen a fish that breathes air, a mammal that curls into a ball, or a reptile that runs on two legs? In this camp, we will discover all of the unique traits that help animals survive.
Dr. ZooLittle
Do you ever wish you could talk to animals? Discover the amazing ways animals talk to each other and how we communicate with our animals here at the zoo.
ZOO CAREER EXPLORATION
The camps below involve smaller class size and more hands-on, in-depth learning all about what people do at the zoo. This includes behavior staff, zookeepers, conservation staff and field work, videographers, veterinarians, and more!
Animal Behavior
Keeping animals happy and healthy at the zoo is a full-time job. See how our staff creates enrichment, trains the animals for health check-ups, and designs exhibits for natural behaviors of the animals.
#ZooCamp
See how our zoo uses a variety of media to connect to its visitors both at the zoo and around the world. In this new camp, participants will be learning some photography, testing out some of their social media skills, and even putting on a Zoom program for their relatives.
Saving Species
Zoos help animals all around the world, but especially right around our home area of Ohio. Dive into the cool conservation projects the zoo staff has worked on including turtles, snakes, butterflies, and more. Join our Conservation staff out in the field trapping, measuring, and tagging turtles. As a bonus, some of the days will include fishing.
Junior Zookeeper Have you ever wondered what it
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a zookeeper? Find out all the basics of zoo keeping and how our keepers take care of animals every day. You will get the chance to clean exhibits and prepare diets—even go behind the scenes! Each section will include two behind-the-scenes experiences, one diet prep, two exhibit cleanings, and at least one keeper talk.
Leaders of the Pack
Challenge yourself in this camp all about being a leader! Check out what it takes to be one of our ZooTeens and how our education department inspires visitors. Try our Aerial Adventure Course and create your very own video for a zoo animal. Also, campers will be able to spend the night at the zoo and hear from one of our night zookeepers.
SINGLE-DAY CAMP SESSIONS
June 1: ZooMazing Race
June 2: Zoo Escape!
June 3: Rainforest Rangers August 15: Game On!
August 15: Game On!
August 16: Zooper Heroes
August 17: Splash Bash!
August 18: Land Before Time
August 19: Wildly Weird Animals
ST. URSULA ACADEMY HAPPY CAMPER SUMMER CAMPS
TOLEDOSUA.ORG/CAMPS
We look forward to seeing our happy campers in grades K-8. To register and for further details, including camp sessions, times, prices, and ages, visit our website.
ENRICHMENT CAMPS:
Arrows Leading Arrows
Our own SUA Leadership Coaches and class participants will lead young girls in activities to develop leadership skills. Campers will work on team-building and communication skills while learning about character strengths such as perseverance, kindness, bravery, honesty, and many more.
The Art of Hand-lettering
Campers will learn the fundamentals of hand-lettering and calligraphy, which they will use to create their own summer bullet journal. Note: campers should have a basic knowledge of cursive.
Center Stage Camp: Theatre
Exploration
Join us for four days of theatre exploration in our Black Box Theater to experience the theatre arts and learn about acting, lighting, set design, prop-making, and performance.
Ceramics Camp
Students will mold, manipulate, and experiment with clay while creating unique and personal works of art! Various glazing and decorating techniques will be explored through a journey of self-expression and creativity. Come prepared to get a little messy and have fun! Students can expect to create two completed ceramic pieces.
Click! Camp
Future photographers will love this digital photography camp! Not only will you take amazing pictures all around our beautiful campus, but you’ll also learn to edit and mount them to create one-of-a-kind, personal pieces of art. Note: please bring a phone, point-and-shoot, or DSLR camera.
Creativity Camp
Let your creative juices flow at SUA’s Creativity Camp, a fun-filled time to explore a variety of arts and crafts.
CSI at SUA
Love a good mystery? You will learn crime scene investigation techniques while gathering different types of physical evidence. We will explore the science behind the techniques as we perform a variety of information-gathering methods, including dusting for latent fingerprints, analyzing blood splatter patterns, testing for blood types, examining handwriting and question documents, and drawing rough sketches as we work to reconstruct crime scene details.
Environmentalist Arrows
Do you love being outdoors? Are you curious about the natural world? Come learn about different aspects of our environment, including what affects it and what we can do to protect it. Campers will enjoy water sampling, scavenger hunts, and an earthquake simulator. Note: campers should bring sunscreen, a hat, and shoes that are appropriate for outdoor activities, including water and mud.
Girls in Digital Arts
A beginner-level course for girls interested in graphic design. Mirrored after SUA’s high school course Women in Digital Arts and taught by an SUA fine arts teacher, this camp will provide girls with the basics of the Adobe suite programs, as well as help guide creative skills.
Girls in Mural Art
Add color to your community! This camp is inspired by the Community Art and Production course offered at SUA. Campers will learn and apply methods to create large-scale art, understand mural sustainability and conservation, acquire skills in painting on different surfaces, and recognize the role and function of public art.
Mathematical Arts and Puzzles Camp
Have fun combining your love for math and art! This camp is inspired by the course taught in SUA’s Junior Academy. Throughout the camp, students will explore the math behind various art forms and puzzles. Drawings, sculptures, computer-aided designs, video, music, performances, and puzzles are all fair game!
SUA’s American Girl ® Camp
Invite Kit, Joss, or your favorite doll friend to join you at SUA’s American Girl ® Camp. You and your 18” doll will participate in a variety of handson activities that foster confidence, manners, and creativity.
SUA’s “Encanto” Camp
The story of “Encanto” teaches that everyone has a little magic inside! The gifts that make people unique are not always visible, but might be an internal quality that makes us who we are! Join us for a week of discovering each other’s gifts while we immerse ourselves in Colombian art and culture, learn a little Spanish, and try not to talk about Bruno! ¡Ven y celebra con SUA!
Yoga and Mindfulness Retreat
Join Jenn McCullough, local yoga and mindfulness instructor, for a fun and relaxing week of yoga poses, breathing exercises, and other mindfulness activities. Wear comfy clothes and bring a yoga mat and a blanket.
Writer’s Workshop
Love to rhyme? Enjoy making characters come to life? Spend a day as a journalist, a novelist, a poet…if you love words, this camp is for you.
ATHLETIC CAMPS:
Basketball Camps
Varsity coach Ted Gradel, the basketball staff, and current players will help campers to develop fundamental skills, game IQ, and love for the game of basketball. The focus of this camp is to develop ball-handling, footwork, shooting, and defensive positioning. This camp is designed to help develop more advanced players, as well as beginners, through individual and group instruction.
Lacrosse Camp
Varsity coach Paul Sieben and the lacrosse staff will direct the camp with help from past and current varsity team members. The camp will cover the FUNdamental skills of the game: passing, catching, cradling, scooping, and shooting. We will also cover offensive and defensive play. The camp will include drills and scrimmage games. Beginners and intermediate players are welcome. Required equipment: lacrosse stick, goggles, and mouthguard.
Soccer Camps
Varsity coach Scott Reed will head a staff of SUA coaches and former players. The SUA Soccer Camp will benefit all levels of players by focusing on increasing the individual technical ability of each player through isolating the technical skills without pressure, then repeating in game-realistic situations using short-sided games to keep higher ball-to-player interaction ratios and generate success. SUA Soccer Camp will allow young players to work with highly-accomplished coaches and gain a look into one of the most successful soccer programs in northwest Ohio.
Softball Camp
Varsity head coach Amy Muszynski ’04 will direct the camp with help from past and current varsity team members. The camp will cover the fundamental skills of the game: hitting, pitching, fielding, and base running, as well as offensive and defensive strategies. Beginners and intermediate players are welcome. Required equipment: glove, helmet, bat. Also, campers will practice on SUA’s new softball field!
Volleyball Camps
Varsity coach Sydney Antonio Yaggi ’04 will direct the camps with help from her staff, as well as from past and current varsity team members. Coach Yaggi has been involved with SUA volleyball for more than 10 years and leads successful camps to help develop each player.
BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIVERSITY SUMMER CAMPS
BGSU.EDU/SMI
BGSU SUMMER MUSIC INSTITUTE:
SMI features week-long intensive camp sessions designed to improve your playing, learn new skills, and meet new friends—all on a college campus. Students will work with BGSU music faculty and guest artists who will challenge and inspire. To register and for further camp details, including sessions, times, prices, and ages, visit our website.
Brass Camp
Students will receive individual guidance from members of the brass faculty at BGSU. A typical day could include brass ensembles, private lessons, seminars, guest artists, or student or faculty performances. Each student will have the opportunity to perform in the final concert.
Falcon Choral and Vocal Arts Camp
The day will include singing in the choir, private voice lessons, and classes in audition preparation, musical skills, song interpretation, acting, and stage deportment. Additional activities include recreation time, performances by the camp staff, meals in the BGSU dining halls, and other organized games and social activities. The week will conclude with a performance by the choir that will include solo opportunities for campers.
Piano Camp
Students will have the opportunity to study music in a stimulating environment under the tutelage of our distinguished piano faculty. This intensive program includes private and group lessons, master classes, ensembles, practice sessions, theory study, and solo recital performances. Recitals and presentations by faculty and guests complete the activities. In addition, there are daily opportunities for social fun and recreation.
String Camp
Violin, viola, cello or bass players will receive individual guidance from our talented faculty and guests. Each student is assigned to one of two chamber orchestras, one for intermediate and one for advanced students. A typical day includes rehearsals and coaching of small ensembles, improvisation, an individual lesson, technique classes, performances by faculty and staff, and recreation time. Students will have the opportunity to perform in the final orchestra concert and/ or with smaller ensembles.
Double Reed Camp
Students will spend five fun-filled days learning to make reeds, participating in bassoon and oboe ensembles, receiving private instruction, and playing in master classes and concerts. Reed-making sessions will cover topics from the beginning stages of reed construction to putting the final touches on existing reeds. Ensemble parts will be handed out at camp and the week will culminate in a performance for parents on the final day.
Jazz Camp
Students will have the opportunity to explore musicianship and improvisation within the context of America's music, jazz. It is open to all instrumentalists—both those that are currently participating in a jazz band program as well as those simply curious about jazz. The week-long program, taught by BGSU jazz area faculty, will provide students the opportunity for lessons, master classes, chamber jazz ensembles, and several performances.
Percussion Camp
This week-long program, taught by BGSU faculty and graduate students, will include lessons, master classes, world music, chamber ensembles, and several performances.
Flute Camp
A typical day includes private lessons, seminars, master classes, flute choirs, and guest artist or student/ faculty performances. Classes will cover topics such as breathing, sound, articulation, and technique. Each student will have the opportunity to perform.
Super Sax Camp
This camp promotes the joy and excitement of playing and teaching the saxophone. The week-long program, taught by prominent BGSU teachers and staff, will include partner lessons, master classes, jazz improvisation, chamber ensembles, and several performances.
BGSU PRE-COLLEGE ACADEMIC SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMS
BGSU.EDU/FALCONYOUTH
Discover summer learning opportunities for youth in third grade through high school with Summer Academic and Youth programs at BGSU. This year, we are offering a combination of virtual and in-person camps. Summer Academic Camps provide opportunities for students to connect to BGSU while expanding their knowledge, building life skills, and exploring their interests. To register or for further details, including camp sessions, times, prices, and ages, visit our website.
Online Academic Enrichment Camps
Elementary and middle-school students can engage in two weeks of interactive virtual learning in a variety of content areas, including math, reading, science, and social studies. Daily subject lessons are approximately 50 minutes long. Access to the internet and an electronic device such as a laptop or Chromebook is needed.
Pre-Professional Exploration Programs and Virtual Academies
Future Med: Exploring Health Careers
Discover how the BGSU Pre-Professional Programs Office can help you with your interest in the medical field by learning about eight different types of medical professionals. Interact with medical students, practitioners, and professors; attend college-style lectures online; hear from and talk to current medical students in both MD/DO programs who are BGSU alumni; explore what a day in the life is like from Mercy Health Life Flight first responders; and learn what it is like to be a student at BGSU from the BGSU Pre-Health Ambassadors.
Forensic Science Camp
Are you interested in how science is applied to legal investigations? Can you see yourself as a forensic scientist in a courtroom, laboratory, crime scene, classroom, or even morgue? BGSU’s Forensic Science Camp gives high school students classroom, laboratory, and field experience in forensics and exposure to a variety of careers in forensics.
Pre-law Camp
Are you interested in law and what it takes to become a lawyer? Then start your journey now with BGSU’s Pre-Law Camp and experience what it is like to be a part of the legal community. You’ll have the chance to hear from law students, law professors, and other legal professionals from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines within the field including criminal law, corporate law, and public interest law. Campers will learn about legal concepts and language, explore a law library, and test their skills in a mock trial event.
Veterinary Science Camp
Do you have a passion for taking care of animals? The BGSU Veterinary Science Camp is here to help students discover what it takes to work in fields related to animal science, medicine, and more. This five-day virtual program will allow students to explore research laboratories, virtually visit farms and zoos, and gain insights from professionals in the field.
In-Person Camps and Programs
Nutrition & Fitness: Fuel for Your Goals
Did you know that foods can affect athletic performance? Thousands of elite athletes enhance their performance with proper nutrition. Discover how to prepare nutritious meals and snacks and how to use nutrition to up your game at BGSU’s Nutrition and Fitness Camp.
Farm 2 Fork
Do you ever wonder where food comes from? Do you want to know more about the journey from farm to fork? In this camp, children explore the route food takes from the farm to the table and how food is used to fuel their bodies. Campers will be exposed to local foodways and increase their knowledge of farming and cooking!
Ignite STEM
In this week-long camp, students will engage in fun-filled experiences about teamwork, problem solving, and the connections between science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in the real world. The camp curriculum aligns with the Ohio Department of Education.
Explore Nursing Camp
In this camp, students will get a glimpse into the life of a nurse. Get first aid and CPR training, and hear from nurses that work in the field in a variety of roles and settings. Be a nurse for the day with real-life scenarios and evaluate your nursing skills while working your way through a trauma escape room.
Marine Biology: The Life Aquatic
Are you interested in how marine ecosystems work? Do you want to know more about marine animals? BGSU has one of the few marine biology and aquatic science programs in the Midwest where you can explore life at sea! This camp engages students in understanding marine ecology by working closely with the University’s extensive collection of saltwater specimens.
Media Production Camp
This camp is for students who are interested in studio and video film production, audio recording and editing, and radio broadcasting and podcasting. Experience a hands-on, unique learning opportunity with state-of-the-art equipment and world-class educators.
IMAGINATION STATION ON-SITE SUMMER CAMPS
IMAGINATIONSTATIONTOLEDO.ORG/ PROGRAMS-EVENTS/PROGRAMS/ SUMMER-CAMP
Experiment. Solve problems. Make a mess. Repeat. These are the ingredients that make Summer Camps at Imagination Station amazing! Campers receive daily instruction from 9am–4:30pm, two snacks daily, take-home activities and daily newsletter to keep parents in the know, and complimentary admission for immediate family on the last day of camp.
To register or for further details, including camp sessions, times, prices, and ages., visit our website.
Pirate-ology
ARRR you ready for an adventure? Come aboard and explore the science that allowed pirates to sail the seven seas. Bravely seek the treasure of the old salty sea dog, Captain Gizmo, and experiment with code-breaking, ship design, weather, and navigation.
Super Splatter Science
Campers will learn about the world around them as they spew lava from a volcano, tiedye t-shirts, and shoot elephant's toothpaste to the ceiling! It's a week of ooey gooey fun, and campers should be ready to get wet, sticky, icky, and messy!
Camper's Guide to the Galaxy
Blast off to space as campers travel the galaxy! Along the way, they will encounter a variety of challenges to solve in order to make a safe return to Earth—all while exploring rockets, rovers, stars, craters, and comets. Campers will discover space like never before!
Make. Code. Create.
Have you ever wondered how exhibits are developed? During a week full of fun, campers will discover circuitry, MAKE moving parts, and CODE robots and Microbits. Then they will use everything they learned to CREATE an exhibit prototype.
Super Splatter Science 2.0
This camp is ooey, gooey, messy, and memorable. Campers will burst bubbles, experiment with eggs, create colorful messes, and ignite eruptions. Come prepared to have a BLAST exploring the sticky, slimy, and sloppy side of science!
New this year: Game On!
Unleash curiosity and creativity and discover the elements of game design! Campers will design (and play) their own board, arcade, and video games while learning about programming, tinkering, and design. Campers will get into the cooperative (and competitive) spirit as they say, “Game On!”
NATIONAL INVENTORS HALL OF FAME CAMP INVENTION
INVENT.ORG/PROGRAMS/ CAMP-INVENTION
For curious kids entering grades K–6, Camp Invention is a confidence-boosting STEM summer camp where kids build creative inventions and lasting friendships. Led by certified local educators, our camps offer new and exciting hands-on activities every year. Over 1,000 programs run nationwide in schools, community centers, and other local facilities. Program dates vary for each camp location. If your local camps don’t offer a date that works for you, we can also send an at-home camp experience directly to your doorstep. For more information and to find local camps, visit our website.
Make a Splash with Robotic Aquatics™
Children dive into ocean research and adopt their own aquatic animal! They use their decision-making skills to make design choices, patent new aquatic plants, and create a symbiotic best friend for their animal. Then they develop a unique, bio-inspired invention and hook investors at the fish market!
Blast Off for Spacecation™
Inspired by real space exploration, campers create Spacepacks and Astro-Arm devices to help them with gravity-defying cooking, glow-in-the-dark lunar discoveries, and erupting ice volcanoes! Before returning to Earth, they mine an asteroid and collect data on how animals can hatch and grow in space.
Spin Into NIHF’s The Attic™
Art and STEM combine in this immersive and creative experience! Campers find out how inventions have changed the way people create as they experiment with materials science, chemistry, and art, and they learn how to manage emotions that can come with engaging in the creative process. They even build their own robotic artist to help them make awesome spin art!
Get Rolling with Marble Arcade™
Children zigzag through physics, engineering, and gaming as they build a mega marble arcade! First, they use scientific principles like potential and kinetic energy to roll gaming spheres at different speeds. Then they boost their collaboration skills by working together to level up their designs through hands-on problem solving!
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA ERIE SHORES COUNCIL: MIAKONDA CUB DAY CAMP
ERIESHORESCOUNCIL.ORG/ CDC
Camp Miakonda Cub Day Camp is open to all youth going into grades 1–5. Both registered Cub Scouts and non-registered youth are welcome! Campers will have the opportunity to participate in many fun outdoor activities. These may include swimming, archery, BB gun shooting, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), handicrafts, games, Scout Skills, nature, fishing, and Family Night. To register or for further information, including camp sessions, times, prices, and ages, visit our website.
ST. FRANCIS DESALES SUMMER CAMPS
SFSTOLEDO.ORG
SFS is gearing up for another great summer! Each year our coaches and faculty members try to add something to make our camps even better than the year before. Our camps cover a variety of interests, including sports camps, cyber camp, robotics, and much more! Our camps allow students to go deeper into their interests as we encourage them to “be who you are and be that well.” This year, St. Francis has a few co-ed camps as well.
