This. Is. Not. A. Drill. Summer is rapidly approaching (even though the weather would suggest otherwise), and while we might all breathe a deep sigh of relief at skipping packed lunches and rushing out the door (seriously, how do kids lose so many shoes?!), we also have to face the abrupt transition of routine and structure to a free-for-all, make you lose your mind season. With that in mind, we’re here to help your summer take shape with local offerings and options throughout the summer. May we present: the Summer Survival Guide for Morganton Moms.
Note: the options provided in this post have not been sponsored, nor is this list all-inclusive. This is a list of camps and opportunities that have been tried or recommended by local area moms. This list will continue to be updated as new information is obtained.
Summer Camps
You can find a great list of Burke/Catawba county programs on Macaroni Kid. We also really like their guides on summer camps including the ones on scheduling, why to choose camps, and paying for summer camp. Here are some area camp options we like:
Art & Creative Camps
Me, You, & Some Glue
There’s a lot of programming planned for the summer, and you can read through the options here: https://hickory.macaronikid.com/directory/591cd8d0672a0b37e4d7f432/me-you-and-some-glue-art-camps. There are all-day options available and several one-day camp options if you’re looking for fillers. The camps have a broad range of activities, age levels, and interests, so there’s probably a fit for your kids.
Ages: Varies
What looks interesting: Art Passport classes
Cost: Varies depending on time chosen and type of class ($40-$350)
Find them: Facebook, Instagram, website
Purple Pig
An arts and crafts camp from The Purple Pig June 18-22 from 10 am – 12 pm.
Cost: $80 per child
Find them: Facebook
Sketch Art Space
There are two types of camps being offered: Art Discovery & All Things Pottery. There are half and full-day session available, segmented into three, week-long camps.
Ages: 4-14
What looks interesting: All Things Pottery
Cost: $225 per week (half-day classes) with a lot of discount options available
Find them: Facebook, Instagram, website
Nature Camps
Lone Mountain Farm
This camp gets kids back to nature and gives them an up-close look at wilderness and farm living. There is a bus option and the camp is two weeks (in two sessions, one week each).
Ages: Completed K – Rising 6th graders
What looks interesting: Native American study & canoeing
Cost: $395 for bus riders
Activity Camps
Tumblemania
Their camp information isn’t yet on Facebook or the website, but we’ll list it here. They have half-day options available and gymnastics experiences isn’t necessarily required.
Ages: Varies
What looks interesting: Princess and Superhero Camp
Cost: Varies, see below
Gymnastics Camp
June 12th-14th • 9:00am-12:00pm• $50.00
(Gymnastics, free play, and organized games, obstacles, relays, & much more)
Cheerleading Skills Camp
June 12th-14th • 9:00am-12:00pm• $50.00
(Gymnastics stations, free play, C.L. skills stations for cheer, and organized games)
Gymnastics Camp
June 26th-28th • 9:00am-12:00pm • $50.00
(Gymnastics, free play, and organized games, obstacles, relays, & much more)
Cheerleading Skills Camp
June 26th-28th • 9:00am-12:00pm • $50.00
(Gymnastics stations, free play, C.L. skills stations for cheer, and organized games)
Princess and Superhero Camp
July 31st- August 2nd • 9:00am- 12:00pm • $60.00
(Tea (kool aid) with the princesses, and Superhero potion (kool aid) with the super heros…
(Gymnastics, relay races and obstacles, free play, arts and crafts and organized games)
Gymnastics Camp
August 14th-16th • 9:00am-12:00pm •$50.00
(Gymnastics stations, free play, and organized games)
Find them: Facebook
Dance Factory
Princess Dance Camp
For Ages 3-10
July 19-21 from 10am-2pm
$60.00 per dancer
Live 2 Dance camp Clogging and Hiphop – AGES 8-up
July 28-29 from 10am- 6pm
$100.00 per dancer
Moana Dance Camp ages 3-8
August 3-5 from 10am-2pm
$60 per dancer
TDF Dance Camp-
THIS IS A CAMP FOR FUTURE COMPETITION TEAM MEMBERS AND CURRENT TEAM MEMBERS
August 17-19 from 10am-6pm
$80.00 per dancer
Sherri’s School of Dance
Dance Camp with Kesha (3-7)
July 9-12 OR August 13-16, 10-11:30 am
Ballet, Hip-hop, basic tumbling, creative dance, ribbon, games)
$50
Dance Camp with Kesha (8+)
July 9-12 OR August 13-16, 12 – 3pm
Ballet, Hip-hop, Jazz, Lyrical, Creative Dance, Choreography, & More
https://www.facebook.com/sherrisschoolofdance/photos/a.275920625789792.60691.270805006301354/1627281310653710/?type=3&theater
Mimosa Hills Farm
There are several types of horse riding camps, varying by age and skill level. You can see the full listing on their website, as well as detailed information on requirements for the camps. Note: the youngest age group does need a chaperone for the duration of the camps.
http://www.mimosahillsfarm.com/summer-camps.html
Panther Wrestling Youth Camp
June 11-13
3-5pm
Ages K-High School
$40 Early Registration
$50 at the Door
https://www.facebook.com/events/1648585538588101/
Patterson Science Center
Morganton Day School STEAM Camp
We are excited to announce that we are FULL STEAM AHEAD with the return of our summer camp program. This year we are offering a one week STEAM camp for students rising Kinder – 6th grade with opportunities for older middle school students to work as junior instructors.
This year students will engage in STEAM learning activities that will challenge, engage, and ignite curiosity and passion for learning. The FULL STEAM AHEAD camp will include hands-on and virtual labs, engineer challenges, digital investigations, and MakerSpace activities.
When: June 11 – 15
Who: Rising K-2 … 8:00-12:00
Rising 3rd-6th … 8:00-3:00
Cost: K-2 … $125 (with a 10% for siblings)
3-6 … $175 (with a 10% for siblings)
Me, You and Some Glue will be offering an afternoon camp and will transport K-2 students at 12:00, if additional time is needed on those days.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1976532562385959/permalink/1976532589052623/
Morganton P & R British Soccer Camp
“Challenger Sports’ British Soccer Camp is the most popular soccer camp in the country based upon one of the most innovative approaches to coaching youth soccer in the US and Canada. Our experienced International staff study the game at all levels and will help players improve their core techniques and become more confident on the ball. With programs for each age, the curriculums includes a variety of foot skills, technical drills, tactical practices, freestyle soccer, small-sided games and coached scrimmages. World Cup style games are held each day where campers compete for their adopted country and are encouraged to learn about different customs and cultures, and our core values of respect, responsibility, integrity, sportsmanship and leadership. Most camps will include a free soccer ball, T-shirt, Poster and Certificate, but please check your individual sessions on the next page to confirm this.”
When: July 30 – Aug 3
Who: Kids aged 3-14
Cost: Varies by program selection
https://challenger.configio.com/pd/159870/morganton-pr-british-soccer-camp?m=0&zip=28655&zipdis=30&cid=423&returncom=productlist&source=search
Vacation Bible Camps (camps are free)
First Presbyterian
July 30 – Aug 3, 9am – 3pm
Summit Community
August 13-16, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Calvary Lutheran, Grace Episcopal, and St. Stephens Episcopal join forces to offer a Camp Christbound
Calvary Lutheran, Grace Episcopal, and St. Paul’s Episcopal churches are excited to present to you Camp Christbound 2018!!!
July 9th through the 13th, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm for students who have completed K-5th grades.
Join us for a fun filled week with games, arts and crafts, music, Bible study, and activities for children to grow closer to God and one another! Snacks and lunch are provided.
Please contact us at (828)437-0780 OR office@clcmorganton.org to receive a registration form today!
Other Activities
Splash Pads: Valdese & Morganton
Parents’ Morning Out – Drop-in childcare. $6 per hour 1 kid; $9 per hour 2 kids. Monday – Friday 8:30-1 (no advance notice required)
Tinkergarten – June 28 – August 2 (Thursdays) and June 30 – August 4 (Saturdays); 9:30 – 10:30 am. Catawba Meadows Park
Parks You May Not Have Tried: Black Mountain – Robert Lake Park, Hickory – Glenn C. Hilton, Jr. Memorial Park
Other ideas: PetSmart & Dick’s are favorites for keeping kids entertained, join up with several other moms to do summer scavenger hunts or swap play dates, visit the pool in Morganton or Valdese, Paddy’s Creek at Lake James, story times at Burke County Library locations, Family Connections, roadtrip to KidSenses in Rutherfordton, and watch for the listing to come out for Mimosa Cinema’s free movie lineup (selection varies). Finally, don’t forget that Defy (Hickory trampoline park) is now open.