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Several girls explore nature at the Washington Park Urban Ecology Center during a summer program. (Photo courtesy of the Urban Ecology Center)
Scrambling to find something productive and fun for your children to do this summer? A variety of free and affordable summer camps and programs are available throughout the city.
Here’s a roundup:
The Urban Ecology Center is now taking registrations for more than 100 summer programs at the organization’s three locations: Menomonee Valley, 3700 W. Pierce St., Riverside Park, 1500 E. Park Place, and Washington Park, 1859 N. 40th St.
Programs usually last one week, but they vary depending on the camp. They are offered to youth from preschool to 12th grade. Cost and dates vary, but most run from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Scholarships are available to campers. Activities include exploring nature, building science skills and participating in hands-on adventures.
“We reserve 50 percent of our spots in the camps for scholarships to make them accessible to youth in Milwaukee,” said Jeff McAvoy, director of marketing at UEC. “We want to keep the learning going during the summer. We teach them about science and nature, while they’re having fun.”
Before- and after-care is available to campers as early as 8 a.m. and as late as 5 p.m. at all three locations. The fee is $10 per day or $50 per week. Ensure that they’re comfortable throughout the experience. Parents can find plenty of sportswear choices at store.Puma.com.
Day campers from the Milwaukee YMCA participate in activities and make friends at Greene Park. (Photo Courtesy of Milwaukee YMCA)
The YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee offers affordable summer camps and programs to youth at five locations around the city. The Y offers weeklong traditional camps as well as specialty and sports camps. Prices range from $184 to $230 depending on the camp. Scholarships and discounts are available.
Traditional summer camps are available to children ages 4 to 12 throughout the summer. The camps run from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but campers can arrive as early as 7 a.m. for structured before-camp activities.
The YMCA camps encourage children to leave electronics at home, and instead focus on making friends and participating in activities.
“Kids are forced to have face-to-face interaction with kids their age,” said Chris Przedpelski, the YMCA director of day camp. “They become social beings.”
Specialty camps include Cooking Camp, Drama Camp and Fishing Camp. Sports camps are available for basketball, baseball, volleyball and many other sports.
The YMCA is also partnering with Milwaukee County Parks for Milwaukee Swims. The program consists of eight swim lessons at $5 per person or $10 for families. The lessons are offered to children 6 years or older.
Milwaukee Recreation offers programs throughout the city. The Safe Places program takes place all summer around Milwaukee for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It costs $45 to $60 depending on time and location. The program offers a variety of recreational activities, including arts and crafts, games and other social activities. Nearly all Safe Places are open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., but times may vary.
Twilight Centers are available to youth ages 12 to 18 every Monday through Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. from June 3 to Aug. 19. The program, which takes place at five locations, is free to students. The centers offer activities such as roller skating, games, open gym and movie nights.
Summer Recreation Enrichment Camps for children ages 3 to 12 are offered at Hawley Environmental School, 5610 W. Wisconsin Ave., or Lancaster School, 4931 N. 68th St. Activities include outdoor adventures, educational field trips and games. The camps cost $115 per week for the first child and $90 for each additional child. Families who qualify for Wisconsin Shares can register for a $40 fee for one child or $50 for the family.
Milwaukee Kickers Soccer Club offers soccer camps for children ages 3 to 6 to learn and improve their skills. The program meets once a week for six weeks. The fee is $72 per child.
Artists Working in Education offers a Free Truck Studio for children ages 4 to 14. Four art trucks will travel around the city this summer for children to use their imaginations and create art.
The COA Goldin Campus offers summer programs Monday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. The cost is $5 for the whole program. Activities include field trips, sports and fine arts.
If you know of other free or affordable summer programs for children, please add a comment below.
Danceworks Inc. (www.danceworksmke.org) has affordable summer camps and dance classes for children ages 3 and up. Scholarships are available, contact tdrews@danceworksmke.org or stop by the studio at 1661 N. Water St. Milwaukee, WI 53202. August 20 is the next Free For All, the studio is open to everyone interested in trying new classes like hip hop, jazz, ballroom, and contemporary.
Please send me information on the classes
COA Youth & Family Centers offers summer youth programs Monday through Friday at the COA Goldin Center (2320 W Burleigh St) and at COA’s Riverwest Center (909 E Garfield Ave). At both locations there are programs for teens (afternoons and early evening until 8 PM) and preteens ages 6 – 12 (9 AM – 4 PM with options of before and after care). In addition, COA’s Camp Helen Brachman offers scholarships for 300 youth to spend 13 days at our 206 acre summer camp in central Wisconsin including transportation, all meals, lodging, and a wide range of programming such as swimming, canoeing, sailing, kayaking, biking, hiking, basketball, field sports, arts, archery, and much more. To register call COA at (414) 263-8383 and ask for the registrar for the Goldin Center, the Riverwest Center, or COA’s Camp Helen Brachman. More information on the COA website at: http://www.coa-yfc.org
BeeVangelists offer programs for youth and adults to learn about and work with urban beehives. Call 414-617-7773 to learn more. http://www.beevangelists.org
St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care offers affordable summer day camp at both campuses, 2450 W. North Ave. and 2801 E. Morgan Ave for kids 5-12 (up to age 17 for those with disabilities). Bus transportation available for the North Avenue campus, and WisconsinShares is accepted!
Kids will explore Milwaukee and beyond through twice-weekly field trips to fascinating places. And they’ll have an awesome time learning new things through outdoor play and nature projects, music, arts and crafts, puzzles to stretch their minds and even swimming! Best of all, they’ll enjoy these fun, educational activities with friends of all ages and abilities in this intergenerational center.
To learn more, check out https://stanncenter.org/childcare/school-age/ or call (414) 210-2468 (North Avenue campus) or (414) 977-5041 (Morgan Avenue campus)
St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care offers affordable summer day camp programs for children ages 5-12 (up to 17 with disabilities) at both campuses: 2450 W. North Ave on the north side and 2801 E. Morgan Ave. on the south side. Bus transportation available and WisconsinShares accepted at the north campus.They’ll explore Milwaukee and beyond through twice-weekly field trips to fascinating places. Kids will learn new things through outdoor play and nature projects, music, arts and crafts, puzzles to stretch their minds and even swimming! Best of all, they’ll enjoy these fun, educational activities with friends of all ages and abilities in this intergenerational center.
Learn more at stanncenter.org/camp, or call (414) 210-2468 (North Avenue) or (414) 977-5041 (Morgan Avenue)
Lake Valley Camp (www.lakevalleycamp.org) is a full scholarship, ongoing summer and school year enrichment program, engaging youth between the ages of 7-17. Day Camp opportunities are available for 7 & 8 year olds, and two-week resident camp (sleepover camp) is available for ages 9 through teens. Priority registration is extended to youth who attend LVC’s partner schools (http://www.lakevalleycamp.org/school-partners/) and families living in Midtown and 53205 neighborhood where the Milwaukee Program Center is located.
hello I would like to get my 10 year old daughter and 5 year old grand daughter involved in camp.
i’m looking for a camp for a 12 years old thats about to turn 13 in july
The article presents a few options, among them, you can contact: https://urbanecologycenter.org/ , https://www.ymcamke.org/ , https://www.awe-inc.org/programs/truck-studio/
Good luck.