The Kootenays have a ton of fun kids programs and summer camps going on this year! Arts, outdoor adventures, beach activities, mysteries, and more await your kids this year. Here’s all the programs running in the Kootenays this summer:
NELSON Summer Programs
Summer Reading Program (Age 6-12)
Starts: On Now
Hours: 10-12, Tues/Thurs
FREE drop-in activities for school-aged children (6 to 12 years old).
Tuesdays and Thursdays 10am to 12pm
Caregivers are able to drop off their children for 2 hours of literacy, science, crafting, guest speakers, fields trips, and FUN (while the adults get some much-needed chore and rest time!)
Different every day, stay tuned for special updates or contact [email protected] with questions.
Registration Link
There’s no need to book this one in advance, as it’s a drop in program – just show up!
Forest Path Summer Camps (Age 5-13)
Starts: July 15.
Hours: 9-3:00
Forest Path offers a wide range of camps for kids ages 5-13. They typically run two camps at once, split by age group.
Here’s a description of their Orca Camp as an example:
What is the message from the Orca? Like these ‘wolves of the oceans’, we will travel in a pod together, sing and make songs, and watch out for dangers. Orcas like to swim and everything water. We will play games of tag, treasure search, capture the flag and explore. We will use our creativity and emotional intelligence for art and crafts and team building.
Activities to look forward to:
-Shelter building
-Ecology/plant id
-Mysteries to solve
-Land art / nature crafts
-Sensory awareness/mindfulness
-Free play and exploration
-Sharing circles and journaling
-Capture the flag and other games
Their Elve & Wizards Roleplay Camp sounds fun – each child will pick their own character, and spend the week roleplaying that character through a variety of scenarios, levelling up, and using their imagination while having an absolute blast outdoors!
List of Camps
Hummingbird Camp – July 15-18, Ages 5-7
Osprey Camp – July 15-18, Ages 8-10
Otter Camp – July 22-25, Ages 5-7
Orca Whale Camp – July 22-25, Ages 8-10
Squirrel Camp – Aug 6-9, Ages 5-7
Coyote Camp – Aug 6-9, Ages 8-10
Elves & Wizards Roleplay Camp – Aug 19-22, Ages 7-13
Registration Link
Summer Creative Camp (Age 5-12)
Starts: July 8th.
Hours: 9-3:30, with half day options available.
Is your child interested in the arts? Your kids will definitely have a blast pursuing their love of all things creative with Studio 88. Their week long camps start July 8th, and the last day is August 22.
Our youth can spend the day exploring 45-minute Theatre, Art, Guitar, Ukulele, Voice, Writing, Music Production and Photography sessions. The camp is for ages 5-12, and the kids will be put into their learning age groups. Come Connect, Explore and Create with us! You can choose half-day or full-day options to curate your perfect day for your kiddo. Email us your top four disciplines you would like your kiddos to explore if you have a preference.
List of Sessions
Improv Acting: Unleash your inner actor! Our improv sessions will have your kids laughing, thinking on their feet, and creating hilarious scenes.
Art: From finger painting to canvas masterpieces, our art classes ignite imagination.
Guitar, Ukulele or Piano: Strum, play, and jam—our music instructors guide young rockstars through the magical world of music.
Voice: Hit those high notes! Discover your unique vocal style in our voice lessons.
Light Painting and Photography: Capture the cosmos with light! Our workshops spark wonder and creativity.
Songwriting: Transform thoughts into melodies.
Music Production: Create tracks, mix beats, and become a mini music producer.
Registration Link
Half-Day or Full-Day Options: Choose your adventure! Morning laughter or a full day of exploration awaits.
https://nelsonstudio88.com/classes/summer-camps
Summer Day Camp (NDYC)
Starts: June 24
Hours: 8:30-4:30
Join us for an adventure-filled summer starting June 24th – to September 2, 2022.
Swimming, skateboarding, games, art and much more!
To register please follow the link to the Summer Camp page and download the fillable form. Email your registration to [email protected].
Registration Link:
RDCK Camps (Age 5-13)
Starts: July 3
Hours: 8:30-4:30
We have to credit the RDCK with their creativity! They’ve set up a huge schedule of fun week long camps for your kids.
Here’s a description of their first Age 5-7 Camp:
DINO PALOOZA
Lakeside Beach Building
Go back in time when the dinosaurs roamed the lands. Play dino games, make dino crafts, dig for fossils and most importantly don’t get eaten!
Meanwhile Ages 7-10 have a separate camp theme:
MYSTERY MANIA
Gyro Park
Solve riddles, complete a mysterious scavenger hunt and create your own mystery tale. You spend your mornings playing detective and your afternoons at the NDCC pool.
Age 10-13 get to spend their week hanging out at the beach:
SUMMERTIME VIBES
Lakeside Beach Building
Lakeside fun! Forget about homework and start your summer off right with all of the best Lakeside has to offer!
Fridays have their own special themes: Camp Olympics, Pirate Party – there’s endless fun to be had here!
Registration Link
Cornerstone SAC Summer Program
Starts: July 2
Hours: 8am-5pm
Cornerstone Children’s Centre is proud to offer an exciting Summer Program for children between the ages of 5 to 12 years old. Our program is specifically designed for children from Kindergarten to Grade fifth, providing them with an enriching and stimulating experience during the summer months.
We are currently accepting registrations for our program, which caters to a maximum of 35 children. Our program is mainly outdoors, allowing children to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air while they participate in fun and educational activities. We also take field trips around town to help children explore and discover new places.
Our program is the perfect opportunity for children to make new friends, learn new skills and have fun during their summer vacation. We invite all parents to register their children today and let them experience an unforgettable summer with Cornerstone Children’s Centre.
Registration Link
https://nelsondaycare.ca/?page_id=767
Creative Spaces (Ages 7-12)
Starts: July 8
Hours: 9-4
Kids in the Nelson area can dive into creative activities this July at a special art camp held at Taghum Hall. Creative Spaces, running the weeks of July 8, 15, and 22 from 9 am to 4 pm, offers visual art, dance, theatre, and music for children aged 7 to 12.
Now in its 9th year, this beloved annual program features local artists as activity leaders. The registration fee of $275 per week covers snacks and lunches, with some bursaries available to assist with costs.
Registration Link
CASTLEGAR Summer Programs
Summer at the Skatepark (Ages 4+)
Starts: July 4
Hours: 8:00-1:00
This one’s not so much a day-care, but it’s a very cool program nonetheless! Bring your kids out to the skatepark for free lessons!
Kootenay Family Place’s Summer at the Skatepark invites you to free drop skateboard coaching at Castlegar Rotary Skatepark each summer through the months of July and August. Three coaches provide excellent instruction in skateboarding skills such as stance, carving, stopping, falling safely, transition skateboarding and some basic flatland tricks. The program offers free skateboards, helmets and pads to use.
Summer in the Skatepark began in 2011 through the efforts of Kootenay Family Place securing funding from British Columbia Gaming to provide free skateboard coaching to all ages in the summer at Castlegar Rotary Skatepark. With the additional support of the Castlegar and District Recreation Department, Castlegar Recreation Commission, Skull Skates and S-One Helmets the program is thriving, reaching over 1100 participants.
Registration Link
You don’t need to register for this one, but they do offer the option to book times through email to [email protected]
More information at: https://www.facebook.com/summerattheskatepark
Castlegar RDCK Camps (Ages 6-12)
Starts: July 3
Hours: 8:30-4:30
Just as with the Nelson RDCK camps, these are some awesome themes! They have too many to list, so here’s a couple of our favourites:
CHEF CAMP
CDRD – Purcell Room
Time to don your chef hat and get creative in the kitchen. This week we will be exploring the culinary arts! Along with some tasty creations,, we will also be playing some of our favorite games and going to the pool for some fun in the water.
CIRCUS CAMP
CDRD – Purcell Room
Spend the week learning various circus arts such as hoola hooping , juggling, magic sticks and more! Each day will include hours of hands on instruction from a local professional,, which will be sure to be the highlight of your week. Along with circus arts, we will get to spend some time in the pool and playing some of our favorite camp games.
Registration Link
https://www.rdck.ca/assets/Services/Recreation/Summer~Camps/2024-05-06_Castlegar-Summer-Camps.pdf
Summer Reading Club (Ages 3-14+)
Starts: July 2
Hours: Varies
The 2024 Summer Reading Club is based on the theme “World of Curiosities”. This is broken down into 7 weekly sub-themes for the program. At the reading club, children gather together to read various books, do arts and crafts, play games, and participate in other fun activities. Special guests will also give the children insightful presentations during the program. Reading is the core focus of the program.
It’s open to ages 3+, but children must be potty-trained to attend.
Summer Reading Club Groups
- Pre-School Tuesdays 10 – 11am [Availability]
- Multi-Age Tuesdays 1 – 2pm [Full]
- Kindergarten – Grade 1 Wednesdays 10 – 11am [Full]
- Multi-Age Wednesdays 1 – 2pm [Full]
- Grades 2 – 3 Thursdays 10 – 11am [Full]
- Multi-Age Thursdays 1 – 2pm [Full]
- Grade 4+ Fridays 10 – 11am [Full}
- Multi-Age Drop-in Fridays 1 – 2pm
Registration Link
https://castlegar.bc.libraries.coop/calendar/category/kids
TRAIL Summer Programs
Camp Cowabunga (Age 6-8)
Starts: July 2
Hours: 9-3:30
Trail Recreation puts on 7 week long summer camps with different themes! There’s two age groups available. Here’s the topics this year:
ROCK & ROLL WEEK
HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME
RAINFOREST & NATURE WEEK
GOING TO THE OLYMPICS
MAD SCIENCE
ART WEEK
WILD WILD WEST
Registration Link
Summer Adventure Camp (Age 9-12)
Starts: July 2
Hours: 9-3:30
This is the second age group, with more advanced versions of the themes the previous age group is going through! Here’s the topics this year:
ROCK STARS WEEK
HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD
NATURES GARDEN
AT THE OLYMPICS
CRAZY SCIENCE
ARTISTIC ADVENTURES
WESTERN FRONTIER
Registration Link
Challenger International Soccer Camp (Ages 3-16)
Starts: July 22
Hours: Varies by age, but typically 9-4. Half days available.
The International Soccer Camp program will contain Challenger’s own brand of innovative practices: coached games, camp world cup, cultural education, character building, and fun!
• International Coaching Staff • Individual Foot Skills
• Fakes, Moves and Turns
• Freestyle Soccer
• Technical & Tactical Instruction • Small-Sided Games
• Daily World Cup Style Tournament
• Fantastic Cultural Experience!
Registration Link
Tennis Summer Camp (Ages 6-13+)
Starts: July 9
Hours: Tues, Wed, Thurs. 1.5 hour time slots by age.
This camp will introduce the fundamental development of the sport of tennis nurturing student’s coordination, agility, balance and technique while ensuring positive sportsmanship and enthusiasm so players can enjoy rallies early on. The camps follow Tennis Canada’s Progressive Tennis curriculum program. Specialized equipment is utilized including low- compression tennis balls, junior racquets, mini nets and reduced court size.
Registration Link
Harding Heights Ranch (Ages 10+)
Starts: July 2, August 27
Hours: 8:30-1:30
Kids will be assigned their own horse for the week. Kids will learn how to properly groom, saddle, hoof pick and care for their horse. We will be studying parts of the horse, hoof, saddle. We will also be extensively teaching horsemanship and safety around horses. Kids will learn to to ride and become quite confident over the week with western horsemanship. We will be doing obstacle courses and lots of trail riding!! This is a great way for kids to gain confidence and have a wonderful time in nature surrounded by a farm atmosphere.
Registration Link
https://hardingheightsranch.com
FRUITVALE Summer Programs
West Kootenay Kids Unplugged (Ages 3-16)
Starts: July 3
Hours: 8:30-4:30
West Kootenay Kids Unplugged offers outdoor adventures for kids 3-16. Depending on the age, events include overnight camps, beach days, and park day camps.
Registration Link
Email: [email protected] or Message on Facebook
Those are the summer programs we know of! Discover a new one? Let us know in the comments!
If summer camps aren’t your thing – here’s a bunch of activities you can do this summer instead!
