***THIS IS THE 2009 DIRECTORY. PLEASE REFER TO

OUR 2010 KANSAS CITY SUMMER CAMP DIRECTORY! THANKS!***

We’ve been watching. We know you’ve been coming to KC Kids Fun looking for the scoop on Kansas City summer camps for the last few weeks. And we’re excited to tell you that, after months of compilation, our 2009 Summer Camp Directory is here!
As usual, we’ve broken them down into six categories for you:

• General Day and Overnight Camps

• Sports Camps

• Science and Nature Camps

• Art Camps

• Performing Arts Camps

• Special Needs Camps

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

***THIS IS THE 2009 DIRECTORY. PLEASE REFER TO

OUR 2010 KANSAS CITY SUMMER CAMP DIRECTORY! THANKS!***

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:

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:

• 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 – Camp Happy Hollow!
• Act One (Northland) will be offering two summer camps.  Teen Camp Broadway:  Bye Bye Birdie Camp will be July 6-12.  Kids’ Camp Broadway:  Camp Rock will be July 20-24. Both camps are located North of the River at 600 NE 46th Street, Kansas City, MO.
• Act Out! (Olathe, KS) is an acting camp for ages 6 and up, hosted by the First Christian Church in downtown Olathe. (Their website has still has 2008 info posted – check back for 2009 info!)
• Ballet North (Northland) offers week-long dance camps for ages 4 and up. Morning or evening sessions are available.
• 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 – Kids on Broadway and Hooray for Hollywood!
• 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 last summer and LOVED it!
• Coterie Theatre (multiple locations) has courses for grades 1 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 Legacy Park in Lee’s Summit 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 8, 2009, 2008 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 Jedi Stunts course, learn to perform High School Musical 3, West Side Story, Shrek the Musical 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 Disney Dance Camp, High School Musical Camp or a Beach Party Blowout, 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 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 The WonderPets, Backyardigans, Ramona Quimby and Suessical Jr.!
• Lyric Opera (Kansas City, MO) hosts an amazing two week camp for kids ages 10 to 18. Campers will study the opera Tosca and acting techniques. They will perform a family opera – Cinderella – at the end of camp and will have the opportunity to be chosen to sing in an actual Lyric Opera production next season.
• Martin City Melodrama (Overland Park, KS) offers two-week comedy camps for grades K through 12 during the month of June. The kids will perform a comedy vaudeville revue to cap off the session!
• 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.  Details not on website as of March 8, 2009. 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 (North Kansas City, MO) offers rock music performance camps and theory camps. Check back at their website soon for details.
• Paul Mesner Puppets (Kansas City, MO) is once again hosting Puppet Camp for ages 6 and up! Learn to make puppets and create puppet shows from the best!
• The Pulse PAC (south Kansas City, MO) offers some fun camps this summer in addition to their regular and intensive dance classes. Sign up for High School Musical, Pop Divas and Fairytale Princess camps.
• 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 during the summer. As of March 8, 2009, they didn’t have 2009 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 and run June 1- August 7.  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!

***THIS IS THE 2009 DIRECTORY. PLEASE REFER TO

OUR 2010 KANSAS CITY SUMMER CAMP DIRECTORY! THANKS!***

Kansas City has the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, the Crossroads District galleries, the Kansas City Art Institute and Hallmark. This city is full of artists – and so many of these artists are generous enough to share their talents with our children. Take a peek at the great Art Camps in Kansas City this summer!

Like I always say, get started by checking out your local parks and recreation catalog and then check these out!

(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, email us for information.)

Sponsored Listings:

CartoonWorks (Kansas City, MO) offers one-week camps for ages 7 through High School from June 1-26. Ron Wheeler’s Cartoon Camp teaches the basics of cartooning, sculpting with clay and creating a comic strip. Audrey’s Art Camp includes working with clay, etching and crafting paper. $125 per camp.

Young Champions Summer Art Camp (four different metro locations) – Get messy this summer and explore ART through sculpture with clay, painting on canvas and more! Choose between morning or afternoon. Every week will be a new theme. No duplicated projects. Attend camp all summer and you wont do the same project twice. Locations in Lee’s Summit, Lenexa, Northland and Independence. Check their website for details.

Regular Listings:

• ARTichokes (Leawood, KS) is a great locally-owned art gallery that hosts ARTmania camps in the summer for kids ages 5-12. As of March 8, 2009, the details of this summer’s program weren’t on the website – but check back.
• Artrageous Creative Studios (Prairie Village, KS) offers art camps for all ages. The theme changes each week – the kids will learn a little art history, explore other cultures through art and, of course, CREATE! Morning and afternoon classes.
• Community School of the Arts (Kansas City, MO) has many dance and theater options – but look closely and you’ll find a few very interesting visual arts offerings too! Classes are held at St. Teresa’s Academy between Brookside and the Plaza.
• Johnson County Park and Recreation District offers 39 summer camp programs for ages 3-18.  Included are camps themed around arts and crafts, history, pirates, art and music.  Dates, locations and fees vary.
• Kansas City Art Institute (Kansas City, MO) has the MOST amazing offerings for kids ages 6-15! Painting, ceramics, drawing, computer design and more. I just wish I lived a bit closer to take advantage of these awesome programs!
• Mattie Rhodes Art Center (Kansas City, MO) has awesome art exploration classes and programs for your little ones, ages 5 to 12 this summer! Experience five different mediums – ceramics, textiles, cultural art, mixed media and painting/printmaking.
• The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (Kansas City, MO) has a mix of hands-on and art appreciation classes for ages 3-18. Enroll soon! These programs sell out FAST!
• Overland Park Parks & Recreation is hosting Youth Painting Classes at Matt Ross Community Center (downtown OP) from June 3 through July 9. One and a half hour classes once a week for beginners or intermediate painters. And the price is phenomenal! For pre-teens and teenagers.
• Paint Glaze and Fire (Overland Park, KS) does ceramics camps in south Overland Park. Their website still shows 2008 info (as of March 8, 2009 – so you might want to give them a call!)
• Still Fired Up (Northland) does ceramics camps north of the river! They have different offerings or, if you can put a group together, they’ll let you customize a class.
• YMCA (20 locations in the metro) offers camps for 5-11 year olds and run June 1- August 7.  Arts and Crafts-themed camp is available in addition to drama, sports and nature!  Bonus:  before and after-camp care is available, as is financial assistance.

I’m sure that there are more art classes and camps to be offered this summer around town. If I find any interesting ones, I’ll let you know! In the meantime, take a look at the ones listed here, the ones offered by your parks and rec department and even the ones put on inside your favorite chain craft store (like Michael’s or JoAnn – they’ve always got a full calendar of classes). There are plenty of places to satisfy your child’s inner artist!

***THIS IS THE 2009 DIRECTORY. PLEASE REFER TO

OUR 2010 KANSAS CITY SUMMER CAMP DIRECTORY! THANKS!***

If your child is anything like my oldest, you’re probably looking for a science camp for this summer! Here is the KC Kids Fun listing of 2009 Kansas City area science and nature camps.  Whether your kid is scientifically-inclined or just a nature-lover, there are some exceptional camps available around the metro for. Your first stop might be to check out the offerings of your local parks and rec department and then check out the super camps on our list (and on our General Day and Overnight Camps list).

(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, email us for information.)

Sponsored Listings:

Attend iD Tech Camps: Hands on Summer Tech Fun at the University of Kansas – Ages 7-17, beginner to advanced, create video games, websites with Flash®, digital movies, C++ or Java programs, graphic arts, robots, 3D models, and more. Visit www.internalDrive.com for specials. Save with code WD75.

Attend iD Tech Camps: Hands on Summer Tech Fun at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri – Ages 7-17, beginner to advanced, create video games, websites with Flash®, digital movies, C++ or Java programs, graphic arts, robots, 3D models, and more. Visit www.internalDrive.com for specials. Save with code WD75.

Wildwood Outdoor Education Center (LaCygne, KS) offers 5-day residential camps for ages 8 to 15. Programming includes traditional camp activities, outdoor education, adventures and fantastic self-esteeming building activities. One week is set aside for girls ages 10 to 15 with an emphasis on leadership skills and self-esteem.

Wonderscope (Shawnee, KS)  Wonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas City offers unique camps for children ages 5-10.  Camps encourage learning through the power of play and include themes from space to animals to inventions and more!  913-287-8888.

Regular Listings:

• Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center (Kansas City, MO) offered a Discovery Camp and an Outdoor Skills Camp for older elementary school kids and middleschoolers last summer. Check back on their website as we get closer to summer for details on this summer’s activities.
• Bear River Ranch Cub Creek Science Camp (Rolla, MO) has a residential summer camp for boys and girls, ages 7 to 16. The ultimate animal camp!
• Camp Invention (several locations – KCK, Shawnee & Spring Hill, KS) is a hands-on science and creativity camp for grades 1 thru 6. Lots of different offering. Really interesting and something to check out!
• Ernie Miller Park and Nature Center (Olathe, KS) hosts outdoor discovery camps for children ages 6-12. Hikes, environmental games and nature crafts are centered around a weekly theme. These camps fill up quickly!!
• Johnson County Park and Recreation District offers 39 summer camp programs for ages 3-18.  Included are camps focusing on nature, dinosaurs, science, hiking and fishing!  Dates, locations and fees vary.
• Kansas Cosmosphere & Space Center Camps (Hutchinson, KS) has space camps for kids in grades 7 thru 10. This is an overnight camp and scholarships are available.
• Kansas City Zoo Summer Camps (Kansas City, MO) offers some really neat week-long science and animal-related day camps for all ages.
• Kansas Starbase (Kansas City, KS) is a really cool camp for kids who have finished 4th, 5th or 6th grades. 4 “Academies” are offered:  the Traditional one allows kids to discover and apply principles of aviation and rocketry.  The Robotics Academy uses special Lego robotics kits!  Kids can even build and launch rockets in Rocketry Academy, or peek into the future at Space Exploration Academy.
• KU Survivor Engineering Camp (Lawrence, KS) -KU Survivor is a weeklong, guys-only intensive learning camp July 19-24 for rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors, hosted by the University of Kansas School of Engineering. The camp lets students explore the different engineering disciplines through classes led by KU faculty.  The camp costs $500 and covers housing, meals and laboratory materials. To sign up, download the registration form at our website or contact our recruiting staff at (785) 864-3402 or studyengineering@ku.edu.
• Lakeside Nature Center (Kansas City, MO) offers a Summer of Science camp for kids from 6 to 12. Each day ends in the Camp Lake of the Woods pool!
• Exchange City & EarthWorks (Kansas City, MO) – Our CuriosityCamps focus on fun mixed with academics! At Exchange City®, citizen campers, ages 10-14, become business entrepreneurs running a thriving city. Camps offered June 8-12 & July 13-17. At EarthWorks®, scientist campers, ages 8-12, become wildlife biologists exploring the fragile nature of wildlife including fish, reptiles, birds and mammals. Camps offered June 22-26 & July 6-10. Financial assistance available. Visit our website for details. Enroll online. 816.751.4100. www.lx.org
• Mad Science KC (various locations) is offering several camps this summer for kids from preschool thru grade 6. They’ll learn about things such as rockets, NASA, earth sciences and robots. And it’ll be super fun!
• Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary (Northland) has a fantastic summer program called EGADS (Earth Guardians Adventure Days). There are a variety of offerings including outdoor exploration, games, crafts and songs. There are camps for children from preschool through ninth grade.
• Mr. & Mrs. F.L. Schlagle Library (Kansas City, KS) is an environmental learning center located at Wyandotte County Lake Park. This summer, the Schlagle Library will have a nature day camp for preschoolers, an outdoor discovery day camp for elementary age children, Destination Science camp for middleschoolers and a World of Flight camp also for middleschoolers. The older kids will have the option of spending one overnight at the camp during their session. Check these out – the prices are unbelievably good!
• Outdoor Education Laboratory (south Johnson County, KS) is open to campers from kindergarten thru 6th grade. Kids get down and dirty, spending the day outside in the forest, learning about nature and science in a very hands-on and very fun environment. This camp is EXTREMELY popular – sign up quick!
• Parkville Nature Sanctuary (Parkville, MO) offers three-day nature camps, exploring the trails, learning trail safety, discovering wild animal habitats, identifying trees and other nature-related activities. For ages 8 to 10. Spend three days in the woods!
• Powell Gardens (Kingsville, MO – east of Lee’s Summit) is once again offering its incredible Summer Explorations program this year. Camps are offered for kids ages 9 to 14. Nature Explorers (for the younger set) will cover plant and water science. Ecology Explorers (for the older kids) explores sustainable living and “green” issues. Camps run from 9am to 3pm but extended care is available!
• Project Discovery (Lawrence, KS) – Project Discovery is a weeklong residential summer camp for high school girls interested in engineering (two sessions: June 14-20 or July 12-18). Campers work closely with KU faculty and graduate students as they complete an engineering project. Participants get an up close view of KU and engineering facilities. The cost is $400 and covers housing, on-campus transportation, meals and laboratory materials. To learn more, contact Florence Boldridge, Director of Diversity & Women’s Programs for the School of Engineering, fboldridge@ku.edu, or (785) 864-3620, or, if you’re ready, download the registration form on our website.
• Science City (Kansas City, MO) offers summer camps for kids ages 6 to 12. Hands-on activities keep your kids interested in weekly themes related to biology, chemistry, engineering and space. They have great hours for working parents – definitely check this one out.
• UMKC – Kansas City Summer Transportation Institute (Kansas City, MO) is a unique camp for high schoolers focused on various aspects of the transportation industry including career exploration in the transportation sector, skill building, teamwork and college preparation. A great opportunity for your older ones!
• Wilderness Science Center Summer Environmental Workshop (south Overland Park, KS) is sponsored by the Blue Valley School District and is open to kids grades K thru 5. One week sessions, half-day programs.
• William Jewell College (Liberty, MO) hosts week-long residential camps for 7th and 8th grade boys and girls. Campers have the opportunity to engage in activities related to biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and computer science. The camp curriculum also emphasizes leadership development and teambuilding. Evening activities are generally less formal. Scholarships are available!
• Wonderscope (Shawnee, KS)  Wonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas City offers unique camps for children ages 5-10.  Camps encourage learning through the power of play and include themes from space to animals to inventions and more!  913-287-8888.
• YMCA (20 locations in the metro) offers camps for 5-15 year olds and run June 1- August 7.  Bonus:  before and after-camp care is available, as is financial assistance.
• YouthTech Inc. (various locations) sponsors technology camps through other entities like Pembroke Hill, Barstow, Blue Valley Recreation and other parks & rec camps.  Check their website for more info on great computer camps like 3D game design, web design, animation and robotics.

If your child is anything like my oldest, you’re probably looking for a science camp for this summer! Here is the KC Kids Fun listing of 2009 Kansas City area science and nature camps.  Whether your kid is scientifically-inclined or just a nature-lover, there are some exceptional camps available around the metro for. Your first stop might be to check out the offerings of your local parks and rec department and then check out the super camps on our list (and on our General Day and Overnight Camps list).

(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, email us for information.)

Sponsored Listings:

Attend iD Tech Camps: Hands on Summer Tech Fun at the University of Kansas – Ages 7-17, beginner to advanced, create video games, websites with Flash®, digital movies, C++ or Java programs, graphic arts, robots, 3D models, and more. Visit www.internalDrive.com for specials. Save with code WD75.

Attend iD Tech Camps: Hands on Summer Tech Fun at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri – Ages 7-17, beginner to advanced, create video games, websites with Flash®, digital movies, C++ or Java programs, graphic arts, robots, 3D models, and more. Visit www.internalDrive.com for specials. Save with code WD75.

Wildwood Outdoor Education Center (LaCygne, KS) offers 5-day residential camps for ages 8 to 15. Programming includes traditional camp activities, outdoor education, adventures and fantastic self-esteeming building activities. One week is set aside for girls ages 10 to 15 with an emphasis on leadership skills and self-esteem.

Wonderscope (Shawnee, KS)  Wonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas City offers unique camps for children ages 5-10.  Camps encourage learning through the power of play and include themes from space to animals to inventions and more!  913-287-8888.

Regular Listings:

• Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center (Kansas City, MO) offered a Discovery Camp and an Outdoor Skills Camp for older elementary school kids and middleschoolers last summer. Check back on their website as we get closer to summer for details on this summer’s activities.
• Bear River Ranch Cub Creek Science Camp (Rolla, MO) has a residential summer camp for boys and girls, ages 7 to 16. The ultimate animal camp!
• Camp Invention (several locations – KCK, Shawnee & Spring Hill, KS) is a hands-on science and creativity camp for grades 1 thru 6. Lots of different offering. Really interesting and something to check out!
• Ernie Miller Park and Nature Center (Olathe, KS) hosts outdoor discovery camps for children ages 6-12. Hikes, environmental games and nature crafts are centered around a weekly theme. These camps fill up quickly!!
• Johnson County Park and Recreation District offers 39 summer camp programs for ages 3-18.  Included are camps focusing on nature, dinosaurs, science, hiking and fishing!  Dates, locations and fees vary.
• Kansas Cosmosphere & Space Center Camps (Hutchinson, KS) has space camps for kids in grades 7 thru 10. This is an overnight camp and scholarships are available.
• Kansas City Zoo Summer Camps (Kansas City, MO) offers some really neat week-long science and animal-related day camps for all ages.
• Kansas Starbase (Kansas City, KS) is a really cool camp for kids who have finished 4th, 5th or 6th grades. 4 “Academies” are offered:  the Traditional one allows kids to discover and apply principles of aviation and rocketry.  The Robotics Academy uses special Lego robotics kits!  Kids can even build and launch rockets in Rocketry Academy, or peek into the future at Space Exploration Academy.
• KU Survivor Engineering Camp (Lawrence, KS) -KU Survivor is a weeklong, guys-only intensive learning camp July 19-24 for rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors, hosted by the University of Kansas School of Engineering. The camp lets students explore the different engineering disciplines through classes led by KU faculty.  The camp costs $500 and covers housing, meals and laboratory materials. To sign up, download the registration form at our website or contact our recruiting staff at (785) 864-3402 or studyengineering@ku.edu.
• Lakeside Nature Center (Kansas City, MO) offers a Summer of Science camp for kids from 6 to 12. Each day ends in the Camp Lake of the Woods pool!
• Exchange City & EarthWorks (Kansas City, MO) – Our CuriosityCamps focus on fun mixed with academics! At Exchange City®, citizen campers, ages 10-14, become business entrepreneurs running a thriving city. Camps offered June 8-12 & July 13-17. At EarthWorks®, scientist campers, ages 8-12, become wildlife biologists exploring the fragile nature of wildlife including fish, reptiles, birds and mammals. Camps offered June 22-26 & July 6-10. Financial assistance available. Visit our website for details. Enroll online. 816.751.4100. www.lx.org
• Mad Science KC (various locations) is offering several camps this summer for kids from preschool thru grade 6. They’ll learn about things such as rockets, NASA, earth sciences and robots. And it’ll be super fun!
• Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary (Northland) has a fantastic summer program called EGADS (Earth Guardians Adventure Days). There are a variety of offerings including outdoor exploration, games, crafts and songs. There are camps for children from preschool through ninth grade.
• Mr. & Mrs. F.L. Schlagle Library (Kansas City, KS) is an environmental learning center located at Wyandotte County Lake Park. This summer, the Schlagle Library will have a nature day camp for preschoolers, an outdoor discovery day camp for elementary age children, Destination Science camp for middleschoolers and a World of Flight camp also for middleschoolers. The older kids will have the option of spending one overnight at the camp during their session. Check these out – the prices are unbelievably good!
• Outdoor Education Laboratory (south Johnson County, KS) is open to campers from kindergarten thru 6th grade. Kids get down and dirty, spending the day outside in the forest, learning about nature and science in a very hands-on and very fun environment. This camp is EXTREMELY popular – sign up quick!
• Parkville Nature Sanctuary (Parkville, MO) offers three-day nature camps, exploring the trails, learning trail safety, discovering wild animal habitats, identifying trees and other nature-related activities. For ages 8 to 10. Spend three days in the woods!
• Powell Gardens (Kingsville, MO – east of Lee’s Summit) is once again offering its incredible Summer Explorations program this year. Camps are offered for kids ages 9 to 14. Nature Explorers (for the younger set) will cover plant and water science. Ecology Explorers (for the older kids) explores sustainable living and “green” issues. Camps run from 9am to 3pm but extended care is available!
• Project Discovery (Lawrence, KS) – Project Discovery is a weeklong residential summer camp for high school girls interested in engineering (two sessions: June 14-20 or July 12-18). Campers work closely with KU faculty and graduate students as they complete an engineering project. Participants get an up close view of KU and engineering facilities. The cost is $400 and covers housing, on-campus transportation, meals and laboratory materials. To learn more, contact Florence Boldridge, Director of Diversity & Women’s Programs for the School of Engineering, fboldridge@ku.edu, or (785) 864-3620, or, if you’re ready, download the registration form on our website.
• Science City (Kansas City, MO) offers summer camps for kids ages 6 to 12. Hands-on activities keep your kids interested in weekly themes related to biology, chemistry, engineering and space. They have great hours for working parents – definitely check this one out.
• UMKC – Kansas City Summer Transportation Institute (Kansas City, MO) is a unique camp for high schoolers focused on various aspects of the transportation industry including career exploration in the transportation sector, skill building, teamwork and college preparation. A great opportunity for your older ones!
• Wilderness Science Center Summer Environmental Workshop (south Overland Park, KS) is sponsored by the Blue Valley School District and is open to kids grades K thru 5. One week sessions, half-day programs.
• William Jewell College (Liberty, MO) hosts week-long residential camps for 7th and 8th grade boys and girls. Campers have the opportunity to engage in activities related to biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and computer science. The camp curriculum also emphasizes leadership development and teambuilding. Evening activities are generally less formal. Scholarships are available!
• Wonderscope (Shawnee, KS)  Wonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas City offers unique camps for children ages 5-10.  Camps encourage learning through the power of play and include themes from space to animals to inventions and more!  913-287-8888.
• YMCA (20 locations in the metro) offers camps for 5-15 year olds and run June 1- August 7.  Bonus:  before and after-camp care is available, as is financial assistance.
• YouthTech Inc. (various locations) sponsors technology camps through other entities like Pembroke Hill, Barstow, Blue Valley Recreation and other parks & rec camps.  Check their website for more info on great computer camps like 3D game design, web design, animation and robotics.