KCKidsFun

Looking for a traditional summer camp in the Kansas City area? Here is our list of 2010 general day and overnight camps – some of these camps have no theme, no greater purpose other than fun; some of them have multiple themes to choose from, multiple goals and choice (but still lots of fun).

Sponsored Listings:

If you operate a Kansas City area day or overnight camp which is not listed here or in one of other other camp listings, please let us know! And if you’re interested in a Sponsored Listing (with graphic and priority positioning), email us for information.

Regular Listings:

• Check out your local parks and recreation department. The Kansas City area parks and rec departments are really fabulous.  A great resource for parents and kids across the metro. Take a look at their summer catalogs – lots of offerings for every interest. You can find their websites by clicking the Classes link on the right side of this page.
• Barstow School Summer Program (south Kansas City, MO) – Voted “Best Summer Camp” by 425 South Magazine readers, Barstow offers over 250 programs for ages 3 to adult.  Extended care and lunch service available.
• Blue Valley Recreation (south Johnson County, KS) has many different summer offerings including Camp Center Stage and Safety City. Other camps include sports, technology, dancing and Special Olympics. BVRC is a GREAT resource for summer fun!
• Blue Valley School District Summer Explorations Program (south Johnson County, KS) offers a variety of classes for kids in grades 2-7, including math, engineering, music, drama, chemistry, technology and more.
• Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City (Kansas City, MO/Kansas City, KS/Independence, MO) has programs for kids from 5-18. You’ll need to call your local club for more details on this summer’s offerings!
• Brookridge Day School (Overland Park, KS)offers summer school – keep an eye on their website for details!
• Calvary Lutheran Church and School (south Kansas City, MO) offers summer care/camp for kids who have finished kindergarten through 5th grade. Lots of activities, field trips, etc. Good hours for working parents.
• Camptastic at Creative World (Liberty, MO) offers five different themes this summer for ages 6 to 10. Full and part-time schedules available. Field trips, crafts, special events and more!
• Extreme Discoveries at Kids R Kids School (Olathe, KS) has weekly-themed projects, activities and field trips. Great hours for working parents!
• Camp Chippewa (Ottawa, KS) is a Methodist overnight camp with traditional camp activities for kids from K to 12th grade. (Kindergarten thru 3rd grade camps are just two nights and campers must have an parent or other adult with them.) All other camps are 3 or 5 night camps.
• Camp Eagle Summit at Lee’s Summit Community Christian School (Lee’s Summit, MO) is a summer day camp with before and after care available at no extra charge. Weekly themes with lots of fun activities and outings.
• Camp Galilee (El Dorado Springs, MO) is a Methodist overnight camp with traditional camp activities for children from 8 to 18. Christian-based, this camp is northwest of Springfield, MO.
• Camp Shawnee (Waldron, MO – Platte County near Parkville) – traditional day camps and overnight camps for ages 5 to 16. Affiliated with Camp Fire USA.
• Camp Special Beginnings (Lenexa, KS) – summer day camp for kindergarten thru 6th grade, tons of activities, library time and field trips; flexible schedule for working parents!
• Camp Taum Sauk (Lesterville, MO – southwest of Rolla, abt 6 hrs from KC) is a co-ed residential camp with 2, 3, 5, 6 and 8 week sessions for kids ages 8 to 15. ACA accredited with every traditional camp activity.
• Camp Tekakwitha at Prairie Star Ranch (Williamsburg, KS) – sponsored by the Catholic Archdiocese of Kansas City, KS, this is an overnight adventure camp for grades 5 through 12 (separate sessions). Great outdoor activities as well as prayer and Scripture. A one week Family Camp is also available.
• Camp Wornall (Kansas City, MO) is held at the historic John Wornall House in the Loose Park/Brookside area. Kids ages 6 to 12 will learn about life and childhood in the 1800’s with tons of hands-on activities. They can even wear period dress.  Half- and full-day programs are available.
• Camp Wood (Elmdale, KS) is a YMCA residential camp for kids ages 7 to 17. One and two week sessions are available and include traditional camps, horse camps, skateboard camp and music camps.
• Clay-Platte Montessori School (Northland) offers camps for ages 2 – 12 including sports, science, art, cooking, computers, language, crafts and more. Some offered by the week; others offered on flexible daily schedule.
• Congregation Beth Shalom (Overland Park, KS) Fun in the Sun Summer Camps offer 2, 3 and 5 day options for kids ages 18 months through kindergarten. Half day programs with optional extended care until 3 pm.
• Cub Scouts of Heart of America Council (various locations) sponsors three to five day long day camps for Cub Scouts as well as residential camps of varying lengths for Cub Scouts, Webelos Scouts and Boy Scouts. BB guns, bows and arrows, nature, crafts and games.
• The Field Trip Club (Olathe, KS) – This is a state-licensed summer day camp for ages 5-14, with fun field trips each week. Call 913-780-6171 for information. (After several years, we still can’t find a website for these folks – does anyone know if they’re still in business?)
• First Kidz Camp, First Family Church (Overland Park, KS)
• Goddard School (various locations) has summer care/camps for preschool and elementary school-aged children. Great activities, great hours, different themes each week.
• Gymboree Play & Music (various locations) usually has special play and music offerings during the summer for babies through age 5.
• Gymboree (Lee’s Summit, MO) – 2 camps offered for 3-5 year olds:  July 13-15, 2010, and July 20-22, 2010.  Camps will focus on global adventures, art exploration and one sport, either t-ball or soccer.  For reservations, call 816-525-PLAY.
• Heartland Center (Parkville, MO) hosts a day camp program for 1st through 5th graders (and overnight camps for 2nd through 12th graders). They have the typical sports, swimming, music, crafts and games of most camps as well as regular Bible study.
• Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City (Overland Park, KS) has summer day camps for all ages as well as sports, theatre and dance camps! Before- and after-care also available for working parents.
• Johnson County Community College Summer Youth Enrichment (Overland Park, KS) has academic enrichment for kindergarten through 9th graders. There are some REALLY cool-sounding camp/courses at JCCC this summer!
• Johnson County Parks & Recreation Summer Day Camps (various locations) include fun day camps, preschool camps, sports camps, performing arts camps and nature/science camps! Full- and partial-day programs available.
• Kanakuk Kamps (Lake Taneycomo and Tablerock Lake, MO) are Christian-based overnight camps with 7, 13 and 25 day sessions. Ages 7 to 18, traditional camp activities. Golf camp and family camp also available.
• Kansas City Parks & Recreation summer camps (various locations in KCMO) offer arts & crafts, tennis, field trips, games, sports, swimming and more!
• Kansas City Urban Youth Center (KCMO) hosts a full-day camp for kids grades 1 thru 8. Mornings include literacy programming; afternoons feature field trips and fun!
• Kids Creative Summer Academy at Countryside (Mission, KS) – summer day camp for ages 6 through 5th grade.  M-F,730am – 530pm, June 7- Aug 13, 2010.  Features music, drama, science and nature, bowling, swimming, arts and crafts.
• Leawood Summer Camps (Leawood, KS) – Parks & Recreation half and full day camps for kids from K up to 17. Arts, sports, outdoor and “extreme tween” camps in addition to adventure camps held at City Park, Ironwoods Park and Community Center.
• Metropolitan Community College – Longview (Lee’s Summit, MO) sponsors programs for ages 3 -15 including a variety of different topics. As of March 2, 2010, the website didn’t have summer offerings posted. Check back for summer offerings or call 816-672-2030.
• Metropolitan Community College – Maple Woods (Northland) offers classes and camps for ages 8-14, covering topics such as art, drama, science, writing, animal care and sports. No info posted on their website yet as of March 2, 2010 but check back!
• Missouri Military Academy Enrichment and Recovery Academy (Mexico, MO) has day and residential programs geared towards academics and study skills with a variety of activities and sports in the afternoons and weekends. This is not a military program. For grades 7 through 12, boys and girls.
• Museum Kids Summer Workshops at the Kansas City Museum (KCMO) are two one-week workshops (9:30 to 3:30) exploring different cultures and countries. Play games, do arts and crafts, sample treats!
• My Gym (Overland Park, KS) has weeklong summer day camps for ages 2 to 8. Different themes each week. Crafts, sports, gymnastics, music and more! My children have attended several camps at My Gym and absolutely loved them…
• North Kansas City Community Center (North Kansas City, MO) holds weekly fun camps. No detailed info on their website as of March 2, 2010 – but check back soon!
• North Kansas City Schools Community Education Services (North Kansas City, MO) usually has camps for ballet, dance, art, computer and drama – ages 4 through 18. We’ve jumped the gun again! As of March 2, 2010, NKC doesn’t have their summer offerings available yet through the website. Call them at 816-413-5494.
• Notre Dame de Sion Elementary (Kansas City, MO) offers Sion Summer School for preschool through grade 8. The camp offers before- and after-camp extended care for working parents.
• Notre Dame de Sion High School (south Kansas City, MO) hosts art camps and sports camps for girls in grades 2 – 9.
• Oakhill Day School (Northland) offers many different sessions for age 2 through 8th grade. The sessions include cooking, computers, karate, academics, sports, swimming and more. Full- and part-day programs available.
• Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City, MO) holds an extensive summer program, similar in breadth to the Barstow program, for kids ages 2-18. There are many themed classes as well as offerings like debate, self-defense and SAT/ACT prep course! There are many more and the hours are excellent for working parents!
• Rockhurst High School (Kansas City, MO) offers a wide variety of day camps for kids of elementary, middle and high-school ages, including academics, computers, music and sports.
• Rock Springs Family Camp (Junction City, KS) – three day overnight sessions for Mom, Dad AND the kids! Horseback riding, swimming, hiking, fishing, trap shooting, crafts and more!
• St. Paul’s Episcopal Day School (Kansas City, MO) offers morning and afternoon classes in art, music, theater, soccer, basketball, academics, cooking and more! Ages 3 to 13.
• St. Thomas Aquinas High School (Overland Park, KS) sponsors several day camps for boys and girls in kindergarten through grade 8. Most offerings are sports camps with some dance, sewing and cooking thrown into the mix!
• Shawnee Mission School District (Johnson County, KS) has an amazingly broad Summer Enrichment Program for students in preschool through 8th grade. Programs range from art, math, computers, sports, science and music to theatre, cooking, woodworking and foreign languages. This one looks awesome!
• Tall Oaks Camp (Linwood, KS) hosts several day and overnight camps for the Disciples of Christ Christian Churches. Camps for kids K thru 12 are available as well as family camps.Check the website for details.
• Wildwood Outdoor Education Center (near LaCygne, KS) offers residential camping in a gorgeous setting. Five-day programs for boys and girls ages 8 to 14 or the Women of Wildwood program for girls ages 10 to 15 with an emphasis on leadership and self-esteem.
• Wonderscope (Shawnee, KS) holds weekly themed camps for kids ages 5 to 9. Fun, educational programs in an amazing environment!
• YMCA Summer Day Camps (various locations) The YMCA is one of the Kansas City metro’s best resources for kids’ camps. They’ve got sports camps, outdoor camps, fine arts camps and traditional day camps offered through many local school districts.
• Youthfront Camps (near Edgerton and LaCygne, KS) has overnight Christian-based camps for kids from grades 3 through 12+. There are week-long sessions for older kids; half-week sessions for the younger ones. Traditional, fun camp activities!

Every year, we are amazed at the number of people looking for camps to meet the special needs of their children. We hope that we can help by providing our growing list of camps for Kansas City’s kids with special needs. Please let us know of any new ones so that we can share!

Sponsored Listings:

If you operate a Kansas City area day or overnight camp which is not listed here or in one of other other camp listings, please let us know! And if you’re interested in a Sponsored Listing (with graphic and priority positioning), email us for information.

Regular Listings:

• Autism Concepts Inc. (Lenexa, KS) Don’t see anything about camp on their website as of March 3, 2010 but, in the past, Autism Concepts has put together (2) 2-week day camps for kids on the autism spectrum who are vocal kindergarten thru middle school students with emerging social and play skills.
• Boy Scouts Rotary Scout Camp (Lee’s Summit, MO) offers long-term camping experience to Boy Scouts with special needs.
• Camp Barnabas (Purdy, MO – southwest Missouri) is a residential camp which focuses on people with all types of disabilities. Campers can be anywhere from 7 to 35, depending on their disability. Each session is directed to specific needs: developmental disabled, physically disabled, autistic/Asperger’s, blind/visually impaired, deaf/hearing impaired, amputees, chronic illnesses and others. Siblings are also welcome and have their own programming.
• Camp Carousel (held at the Heartland Presbyterian Center, Parkville, MO) is a two day camp for families who are grieving the loss of a loved one. This retreat is hosted by Kansas City Hospice and offers relaxation and activities for family members of all ages.
• Camp ChiMer (National Kidney Foundation of Kansas and Western Mo. and Children’s Mercy Hospital) is located east of Excelsior Springs, MO. It offers overnight outdoor experiences for children 8-18 who undergo dialysis or who have had a kidney transplant. There is on-site medical care and no fee for those whose applications are accepted. This year’s camp runs from August 5th thru 9th.
• Camp Courage (held at Tall Oaks Conference Center in Linwood, KS) accepts children from ages 6 to 14 with sickle cell disease. No update yet on this one for 2010 – we’ll check back and update!
• Camp Encourage (held at Tall Oaks Conference Center in Linwood, KS) is tailored to children with autism, Asperger and related pervasive developmental disorders. Peer models (children without an autism spectrum disorder) will also participate in the camp.
• Camp Erin (held at the Heartland Presbyterian Center, Parkville, MO) is a two day overnight camp for kids ages 6 to 17 who are grieving the death of someone close to them. Staffed by certified grief counselors and hosted by Kansas City Hospice, this camp is free and early application is recommended.
• Camp Hickory Hill (Columbia, MO) is a summer camp for children with diabetes. They offer a supportive medically supervised environment where children with type 1 diabetes, ages 8-17 have an opportunity to discover kindred spirits, build self-confidence, learn about managing their diabetes more independently and have a whole lot of fun.
• Camp Hope (Claflin, KS – about 60 miles from Kansas City) is open for children from 7-18 who are in cancer treatment or in remission from cancer. The camp  runs the third week of June and is staffed by pediatric oncologists and nurses. This is an overnight camp with all of the traditional camp activities. A day camp is offered for kids ages 4-6.
• Camp MITIOG (Excelsior Springs, MO) is a camp for young people with spina bifida. All of the traditional camping activities are offered, with a one to one camper/counselor ratio and medical staff on-site.
• Camp Planet D – Kansas City (Kansas City, MO) is an overnight camp for kids with diabetes, ages 7 to 14. Newly diagnosed and first time attendees receive priority admission.
• Camp Quality (Excelsior Springs, MO) is an overnight camp for children, ages 3- 17 with cancer. This year’s camp is July 30 thru August 4. Every child has an assigned adult “companion” and an on-site oncology specialist is available for every camper.
• Camp Shing (Kansas City, KS) is a camp for children and adolescents with epilepsy – and their parents and siblings.
• Camp Systole (Kansas City) is offered by the Children’s Mercy Hospital Department of Cardiology each summer for children with cardiac-related disorders. Traditional camp activities of swimming, hiking, horseback riding, crafts and more are supplemented by educational sessions regarding cardiac issues.
• Camp Wilderness (Lawson, MO) accepts children with hemophilia and other bleeding disorders. Ages 7 to 17 welcome.
• Cheley / Children’s Hospital Burn Camp (Estes Park, CO) hosts children ages 8 to 18 who have been hospitalized in burn units across the country for a very traditional camp experience with specially trained staff.
• Children’s Therapy Group (Overland Park, KS) is a multi-disciplinary clinic specializing in sensory integration therapy. This summer, they offer fine motor enhancement classes for preschoolers and kindergarteners, a handwriting class for ages 6-8, cursive writing for kids 7-10, Fun with Language for kids 3-9 who have problems with social, pragmatic and expressive language, sensory motor group for preschoolers, creative arts for kids 6-9 and water fun for kids with behavioral, learning and motor coordination problems.
• Communication Counts (Olathe, KS) offers social communication skills groups for children with communication deficits. Groups are available for kids in grades 1 through 8.
• Concerned Care, Inc. (North Kansas City, MO) hosts recreational sports, youth day camp and vocational day camp for young people with developmental disabilities. Campers must be Clay County residents (due to funding issues).
• Discovery Trails is an experience for teens who are blind or visually impaired. The teens will experience the old pioneer trails leading westward from Kansas City and back. The living history trip lasts 3 weeks and 2800 miles. The teens travel by minivan and camp each night. How cool!
  
• Girl Scouts Juliette Low Camp (Jackson County, MO) is held at Rotary Youth Camp at Lake Jacomo for girls with physical disabilities, ages 8-18. Campers are encouraged to invite friends without disabilities to share the camp experience with them. This is an overnight camp, lasting 6 nights.
• Horizon Academy (Roeland Park, KS) sponsors summer classes for kids with average or above average intelligence who are struggling with basic skills due to learning disabilities. This summer, they offer a full summer school program, a reading clinic, a math clinic, a social skills clinic and an art clinic for grades 1-12.
• H.O.R.S.E. (Helping Others Reach Success and Excellence)/Camp Round-Up (south Kansas City, MO) is a summer day camp for children ages -18 diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. This is a horse and horseback riding centered day camp with other traditional camp activities as well. H.O.R.S.E. offers many fun yet therapeutic services for children within the autism spectrum.
• Johnson County Park and Recreation District offers 39 summer camp programs for ages 3-18.  They have programming available for special populations, as well (SEE “NEW HORIZONS CAMP” BELOW).  Dates, locations and fees vary.
• Joint Adventures (Missouri) is a five-night overnight camp for children with rheumatic diseases.  For more information, contact the Department of Rheumatology at Children’s Mercy Hospital.
• Joshua Center Summer Camp (Kansas City, MO) is sponsoring a summer overnight camp at Lake Jacomo (Rotary Youth Club Camp) for 5 days/4 nights in June. The camp is for 3rd to 8th graders with Tourette Syndrome, Asperger Syndrome and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
• Marian Hope Center (Independence, MO) offers social skills camps, handwriting camps, reading camps, speech camp and gross motor planning camp for children with autism and other special needs. (As of March 3, 2010, no new summer info on their website yet – but check back or call them!)
• Midwest Brachial Plexus Network, Inc. and Rotary Youth Organization (Lee’s Summit, MO) offer a three day overnight camp for children with brachial plexus birth injuries.
• Missouri Children’s Burn Camp (Lake of the Ozarks, MO) is held at Camp Sabra, a residential camp. This is a program for children ages 6 to 17 with burn injuries and offers traditional camp activities. There is no charge for the camp.
• Muscular Dystrophy Camp is a one-week residential camp for anyone ages 6 to 21 with a neuromuscular disease. Contact the local MDA office for details – 913-859-0632
• National Sports Center for the Disabled sponsors AbilityCAMPS and fun sports camps throughout the spring and summer. These are one-time classes for kids 6 to 18, with physical or developmental disabilities. The NSCD helps children with the following disabilities or conditions: ADD, Amputation, Arthritis, Autism, Behavioral Health, Bone Disorder, Brain Injury, Cerebral Palsy, Deafness, Developmental Disabilities, Diabetes, Down Syndrome, Epilepsy, Fragile X, Hemophilia, Learning Disabilities, Little People, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Disorder, Muscular Dystrophy, Nerve Disorders, Neurological Disorders, Paraplegia, Post-Polio, Quadriplegia, Respiratory Disorder, Spina Bifida, Spinal Cord Injury, Stroke, Substance Abuse and Vision Loss/Blindness. Keep an eye on their website for more details to come!
• New Horizons Camp is sponsored by the Johnson County Parks and Recreation Department. This camp is for children (ages 6-18) with learning, developmental and mental disabilities. This is a nine week day camp but is not a clinical setting, so they are unable to accept kids with special medical needs or behavioral issues which may require restraint.
• Poss-Abilities Summer Programs (Merriam, KS) – Handwriting help, Kindergarten Prep, Core Exercise and more with licenses occupational therapists, a sensory integration gym and super fun themes all summer!
• Premier Therapy Services (office in Kansas City, MO – services at various locations) offers therapy, classes and groups for children with varying communicative needs. Camps focus on developing social skills in peer groups.
• Rainbow Center Day Camp (Blue Springs, MO) offers a traditional day camp with activities and field trips for children with special developmental needs such as autism, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy and other communication or behavioral disorders.
• Sertoma Fantasy Sports Camp (Overland Park, KS) sponsored a three day camp for children with speech and hearing disorders last summer. Baseball and lacrosse instruction were provided. Interpreters were on-site to help with instruction. Keep an eye on their website for 2010 camp details!
• Sertoma-Schiefelbusch Communication Camp (Lawrence, KS) is a collaborative effort between the Lawrence Sertoma Club and the Shiefelbusch Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic at KU. The camp is open to children ages 4 to 10 with and without communication challenges.
• Sky’s The Limit Studios (Lawrence, KCK and Overland Park, KS) – STL offers specialized art therapy groups for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other special needs.  Check the website for details.
• Spofford Scamps Summer Day Camp (south Kansas City, MO) holds day camps at their campus near Oakwood Country Club. An unbelievably good resource for Kansas City, Spofford works with children with behavioral issues related to abuse, neglect and mental health disorders. Day camp is offered for children, ages 6-13. Camp goals are related to social skills development, peer interaction, self-confidence and conflict resolution.
• Sugar Creek Equinapy (Pleasant Hill, MO) offers summer therapeutic riding programs for special needs children.
• Superkids Summer Asthma Camp (Asthma & Allergy Foundation of Greater Kansas City.) For asthmatic children who have completed grades 2-6. Children will learn about asthma management through crafts, games and outdoor activities, including swimming. Medical professionals are always on hand. An inspiring and empowering week for children (and lots of FUN)!!
• Wonderland Camp (Lake of the Ozarks) is a residential camp for children with developmental and physical challenges. All of the traditional camp activities are offered. There are also special weeks for children with Prader Willi Syndrome and brain injuries.
• YMCA (20 locations in the metro) offers camps for 5-11 year olds and run June 1- August 7.  Bonus:  before and after-camp care is available, as is financial assistance.

Please feel free to let us know about any other great camp out there for Kansas City kids with special needs!

The Kansas City metro is FULL of outstanding theatre, dance, vocal music, instrumental music and other performing arts camps. No matter what part of town you live in, there is bound to be something for your child, no matter his or her age. Be sure to check your parks & recreation department as well as our listing here.

Sponsored Listings:

Join Christian Youth Theater as we celebrate 10 years in Kansas City.  This summer’s camps include Dora and Diego (ages 4-5), Disney on Broadway (ages 5-12), and Xtreme Theater (ages 10 – 14) in half day or full day camps.  Overnight camps include Selections From All Shook Up for middle school students and West Side Story for high school students.  Camps offered June – July at locations throughout the metropolitan Kansas City area.  Call 913.681.3318 for more information or visit us on-line at cytkc.org.

And if you’re interested in a Sponsored Listing (with graphic and priority positioning), email us for information.

Regular Listings:

• Academy of Performing Arts – Summerstage (Grandview, MO) has two-week sessions of performing arts training for ages 6 to 13, culminating in a musical play and talent showcase on the Academy’s outdoor stage. This year’s production – Down in the Dumps!
• Act One (Northland) will be offering two summer camps.  Guys & Dolls for teens and Aladdin for kids. Both camps are located North of the River at 600 NE 46th Street, Kansas City, MO.
• Ballet North (Northland) offers week-long dance camps for ages 4 and up. Morning or evening sessions are available. (2009 camp info still up on the Ballet North website as of March 3, 2010 – might need to give them a call!)
• Blue Valley Recreation (south Johnson County, KS) offers Camp Center Stage and Camp Center Stage Junior as well as music and rock band camps!
• Camellot Academy (Kansas City, MO) offers a camp program at Rockhurst High School for kids age 5 through grade 9. Campers participate in activities related to dance, art, drama, vocal music and performance skills. They rehearse and perform a complete play the final week of camp.
• Chestnut Fine Arts Center (Olathe, KS) is offering two one-week theatre workshops this summer. Topics covered include scripts, songs, dances, costume design, set building and performance. A 30 minute production caps off the week. This year – Snoopy & Friends
• Christian Youth Theater (multiple locations) offers several day and overnight camp options for kids from age 4 through high school. Each session is a week long. The kids work on fun productions all week long and then perform! My kids attended a really fun session of CYT two summers ago and LOVED it!
• Coterie Theatre (multiple locations) has courses for grades k through 12 – try acting, playwriting or theatre exploration classes. Camps will be offered at Miller-Marley School of Dance in Overland Park, Pembroke Hill School, Notre Dame de Sion High School, Liberty Community Center and Longview Community College this summer.
• Creative Arts Academy (Gladstone, MO) offers weeklong, full day camps for kids from ages 4 to 14, each week in July. Camp activities include hip hop dance, gymnastics, trampoline, tumbling, arts/crafts, sports, drama and swimming. (As of March 3, 2010, 2009 info is still posted on their website – check back for updated info.)
• Culture House (Olathe, KS) has a HUGE variety of summer courses available from dance and ballet to music and theater. Take a performance combat class, a musical theater class and more!
• Dave’s Gymnastics Factory (Lee’s Summit, MO) offers a full day camp for ages 5 to 11, all summer long. Activities include not only gym time but also outdoor activities, arts and crafts and swimming.
• Eagles Gymnastics and Dance Centre (south Kansas City, MO) has half day camps with different themes each week. Each camp includes gymnastics and special activities related to the week’s theme. Boys and girls of all ages are welcome to check out Glee Song & Dance Camp, Domestic Diva Camp, Amazing Races Camp, even a science camp…to name a few!
• Emerald City Gymnastics (Overland Park, KS) offers four-day camps with gymnastics, games, playing in Bump City and a week-ending show for parents.
• A Fairytale Ballet (Prairie Village, KS and Overland Park, KS) has one and two day “princess” camps for little girls ages 2 thru 8, throughout the summer. Mornings and afternoons.
• Camp Shakespeare/Heart of America Shakespeare Festival (various locations) has a wide range of offerings for kids from 5 to 18. Camps range from one day to two weeks and many camps end with a camp performance of a Shakespearean play.
• Hoffman Models Fashionista Summer Camp (Overland Park, KS) has limited space available for its summer camp – learn makeup, skin care, etiquette, hairstyling, acting, runway and more!
• Ibsen Dance Theatre (Northland) doesn’t have their summer schedule posted on the website yet. But they traditionally have a theatre camp in addition to dance classes during the summer. The theatre camps include classes in make-up, acting, mime, improv, dance and more. Check back on their website or just give them a call!
• Johnson County Community College Performing Arts Series (Overland Park, KS) offers visual and theatre arts classes for K-8 as well as several chamber music classes.
• Johnson County Park and Recreation District offers 39 summer camp programs for ages 3-18.  Included are camps focusing on theater, art, dance and music!  Dates, locations and fees vary.
• Kansas City Ballet School (Prairie Village, KS) hosts summer programs for ages 3 and up, for every skill level.
• Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey AileyCamp (Kansas City, MO and Kansas City, KS) is a six week day camp for KCMO and KCK middle-schoolers which uses dance as a vehicle to build self-esteem, self-discipline and critical thinking skills. Camps are held in KCMO and in KCK, transportation may be available.  The camp is FREE but there is an application/selection process.
• KC Young Audiences (Kansas City, MO) gives kids ages 5 to 18 a chance to learn music, musical theater, Shakespeare, comedy, dance and show production. The younger kids can take half-day classes; older kids are eligible for full-day camps. Extended care is available. Classes held at the Community School of the Arts on the campus of St. Teresa’s Academy.
• Kindermusik Camps (Kearney, MO) – Available for children birth to age 7. Sessions in May-June and July-August. Music and Movement camps with and without parent involvement (varies with age). Check website for details.
• Legacy School of the Arts (Olathe, KS) offers regular and intensive summer dance classes as well as drama and musical theatre camps for all ages, from 3 to teen. This summer’s drama camps include Jack’s Big Music Show, Yo Gabba Gabba and Dr. Seuss!
• Lyric Opera (Kansas City, MO) hosts an amazing two week camp for kids ages 10 to 18. Campers will study opera and acting techniques. They will perform a family opera at the end of camp and will have the opportunity to be chosen to sing in an actual Lyric Opera production next season.
• Miller-Marley School of Dance and Voice (Overland Park, KS) will have a full summer of dance classes, Coterie Theatre classes and Theatre in the Park rehearsals!
• Music House School of Music (south Overland Park, KS) has some super non-traditional camp offerings – Rock Band, Rock Class, Guitar Riffology and Guitar Legends – for ages 10 to 17. Check out their new, larger facility!  My son takes piano lessons here and it is fantastic and fun!
• Music Theatre for Young People (Olathe, KS) hosts a summer day camp for ages 7 to 12, culminating in a performance.   Summer programs for high school age kids also available.
• Patricia Stevens Model Summer Camp (Kansas City, MO) offers week long camps teaching posing, runway, etiquette, acting, fashion, makeup and the modeling/fashion industries.
• Paul Green School of Rock (Parkville, MO) offers Rock Camp 101 and Rock Boot Camp this July!
• Paul Mesner Puppets (Kansas City, MO) is  hosting Puppet Camp for ages 6 and up! Learn to make puppets and create puppet shows from the best! (As of March 3, 2010, the 2009 info was still up – but call the studio or check back for updates!)
• The Pulse PAC (south Kansas City, MO) offers some workshops and intensive dance classes this summer.
• St. Teresa’s Academy Summer Camps (Kansas City, MO) offer Dance and Art Workshop camps for girls in grades 4 thru 9.
• Steppin’ Out (Lee’s Summit, MO) offers Dance, Acting and Cheerleading Camps this summer. No info yet on the website – but keep an eye out for summer info soon! Ages 4 to 12, changing themes each week!
• Theatre for Young America (Shawnee, KS) hosts drama classes and five-day workshops at Wonderscope Children’s Museum and at Avila during the summer. As of March 3, 2010, they didn’t have 2010 summer information on their website – but check back soon for an update!
• Theatre of the Imagination (various locations) offers theatre camps at several locations around the city. Check out their website for updates. All ages, several themes – acting, singing dancing!
• Trilogy Cultural Arts Centre (Olathe, KS) has 10 theater and visual arts summer camps available this year. Something for everyone – ages 3 to 18!
• University of Missouri – Kansas City Community Music and Dance Academy (Kansas City, MO) has several dance and musical instrument summer programs. Some are offered at UMKC and others are offered at Notre Dame de Sion lower school.
• YMCA (20 locations in the metro) offers camps for 5-11 year olds.  Drama camp is available in addition to crafts, sports and nature!  Bonus:  before and after-camp care is available, as is financial assistance.

Also be sure to take a look at the camps listed in our General Day and Overnight Camps list – many of them offer performing arts sessions as well!