Wondering what day camps and activities are still open for kids around Idaho this summer?
We did some digging to find out. Many programs have been cancelled (for example, all City of Boise camps and College of Southern Idaho camps), some have moved online, and some are continuing in-person with social-distancing restrictions in place. The list below will hopefully give you a few safe options for keeping your child engaged this summer. Please note that the offerings may change as COVID regulations are updated.
Many organizations offer scholarships, so feel free to inquire when you register.
MUSIC, DANCE, THEATER, ART
Treasure Valley:
Music: Boise Rock School camps for youth up to age 18 deliver a fun and casual approach for learning an instrument; teens can request teen-only camps.
Dance: In-person hip-hop, jazz, and ballet camps for youth through age 15 are happening at Meridian Parks & Rec. Eagle Parks & Rec is hosting ballroom dance for teens, and Dance Unlimited is offering two-week summer sessions for hip-hop, acro, and dance team prep.
Theater: Treasure Valley Children’s Theater is hosting camps for ages 8-18 that are online or a hybrid of online and in-person. The Morrison Center will hold in-person camps in July, as will Nampa Parks and Rec. Teens in grades 7-12 can star in Murder Mystery Camp through Eagle Parks & Rec.
Art: Teens can dabble in acrylics and watercolor, and youth through age 12 can try a range of drawing, painting, and pastels classes with Meridian Parks & Rec. Nampa Parks and Rec offers drawing classes for up to age 12, plus one-day Bob Ross painting classes for the older set. Eagle Parks & Rec offerings include animation, comic book creation, and drawing for up to age 12.
Writing: The Cabin’s summer writing camps will be held in-person; these are offered for students through grade 9.
South Central Idaho:
Students can try dance (up to age 18) online or in-person or take voice lessons at Ovation Performing Arts in Twin Falls. In Ketchum, the Sun Valley Festival offers an August session, some components of which may be held online, for orchestra, voice, and piano students. The Community School’s week-long theater program delivers rising 6th-9th graders an opportunity to explore acting, improv, dance, theatre games, and more.
Eastern Idaho:
At the Idaho Falls Youth Arts Centre, kids are taking to the stage for the Moana theater camp or can refine their orchestra skills with ongoing string lessons. In Pocatello, ISU offers a Conservatory Theatre Camp (junior high and high school), and Dance America will hold Summer Slam workshops July 30-August 1.
North & North Central Idaho:
Coeur d’Alene kids can try their hand at improv and learn to create YouTube content at North Idaho College. Sandpoint Conservatory has availability in its summer courses for orchestra, piano, and choir.
STEM, ANIMALS, NATURAL RESOURCES
Treasure Valley:
The Treasure Valley YMCA offers camps for robotics, coding, edible experiments, and much more at their Boise, Caldwell, West Boise, and Meridian campuses. Most are for kids through age 12.
Geeko Labs offers in-person camps for digital music and music production, virtual reality, web design, and Blocksmith Royale game design. Camps go to age 17.
Both Meridian Parks & Rec and Nampa Rec Center are offering Lego Mindstorm Battle Bots and Lego Minecraft Animation for up to age 12.
North & North Central Idaho:
University of Idaho Dign’IT Summer Camp will offer Chemistry of Cosmetics for rising 6th-9th graders in Coeur d’Alene.
North Idaho College is offering an array of STEM camps, including 3-D game design, Fortnite-style game design, invention prototyping, Minecraft animation, virtual reality, and ROBLOX.
Camp Invention is delivering a virtual experience this year, with activity kits mailed to your home and online collaboration.
SPORTS/OUTDOORS
Many Idaho cities have closed their pools, so water-based activities are limited.
Treasure Valley:
Meridian Parks & Rec is offering basketball camps through age 17, and tennis and fencing through age 14. Eagle Parks and Rec tennis camps are open to youth up to 16 and basketball camps through age 18. Nampa Parks & Rec’s offerings are varied, from archery and golf to basketball, soccer, volleyball and tennis. Youth 14+ can learn to rock climb; ages 13-14 can take a class to learn to use the weight room; and kids up to age 13 can train for a mini triathlon.
South Central Idaho:
Kids can scramble to climbing camp at the Wood River YMCA, Ketchum, and take part in one of the many outdoor adventures at Community School, from learning to kayak to swift-water rescue; Community School also offers lacrosse and soccer. Blaine County Rec Department’s day camp rotates through sports and various activities for kids through 6th grade.
Eastern Idaho:
Volleyball camps at Idaho State University in Pocatello may be happening; ISU is taking names in case they move forward. A Mt. Borah hike (12+; parents welcome, too!) and outdoor climbing sessions with Pocatello Parks & Rec will keep everyone outside and active.
North & North Central Idaho:
In Lewiston, Lewis-Clark Warrior Youth Camps for baseball, running, and basketball are still scheduled.
Moscow Parks and Rec, together with Skyhawk, is offering tennis, soccer, flag football, and basketball sessions for ages up to 12; ages 10 & up can sign up for lifeguard training.
T(w)eens will set sail at North Idaho College’s sailing camp in Coeur d’Alene or take a swing at golf lessons through the city of Coeur d’Alene. Coeur d’Alene’s Kroc Center is offering outdoor camps like Wilderness Adventures, Survival Week, and Extreme Week for kids up to age 14. Swim lessons are also taking place here. North Idaho College’s adventure camps get kids outside kayaking, rafting, climbing, and hiking.
CULINARY
Treasure Valley:
The Treasure Valley YMCA will be offering a basic cooking class in Caldwell for ages 10-13.
North Idaho:
Youth 10-15 can learn essential kitchen skills and the fundamentals of cooking at North Idaho College.
Statewide:
Kids can try Dutch oven cooking at home through the University of Idaho Extension/4-H office; the office provides instructions and recipes.
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You sign your kids up for summer activities to keep them busy—but did you know this also helps them stay alcohol-free as they grow up? Kids who have a favorite pastime (or two!) are more likely to focus their time and energy on their passions instead of drinking—plus they’ll build the confidence required to say no to peer pressure and surround themselves with like-minded friends.
Meet Idaho teens who are focusing on their favorite activities instead of drinking or using other substances, then share their stories with your child to help them be motivated to find their own passion.