Need a Summer Camp for Your Kids? Check Out These Ideas

By WVUA 23 Digital Reporter Khara Gibson-Taylor

Are you a parent in Tuscaloosa looking to keep your kids active and safe this summer?

Here is a list of Tuscaloosa’s Top Summer Camp Programs varying in ages.

1. Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority: PARA’s summer camp program starts June 1 and ends Aug. 11. Open to K-8 students. The camp offers educational and outdoor activities including swimming, sports, and visiting local parks. Register here.
2. YMCA Of Tuscaloosa: Registration is still open for youth to be a part of the YMCA summer camps. Camp will have 2 locations: Benjamin Barnes Branch and Grace Presbyterian Church. YMCA summer experience will offer a safe, fun environment for youth to explore, learn and grow over the summer. Register here.
3. Camp Tuscaloosa: Since 1954, kids have enjoyed swimming, participating in team sports, and summer activities for over 60 years. The camp Tuscaloosa welcomes youth three and a half to 14-year-olds to register for the summer camp. A few of the camp’s unique activities include archery, miniature golf, nine square in the air, and batting cages. Register here.
4. Tuscaloosa Academy’s Summer Knight: Tuscaloosa Academy offers various summer camp opportunities to get keep youth active as they engage in physical and educational activities. Horseback riding camps will be held at Westminster farm for riders of all skill levels. Youth interested in science can register for the Crazy Chemistry & Silly Science. Campers will put on lab coats and goggles and dive into exciting science experiments. Register here.
5. Shelton State Community College Summer Camps: Shelton State is providing an array of camps and workshops to engage K-12 students. Interested campers can sign up for women’s and men’s basketball, baseball, softball, cheerleading, theatre, stem academy, culinary, and cosmetology. Register here.
6. Moundville Summer Day Camp: A week-long program dedicated to teaching youth ages 9 through 13 about Native American culture. This camp is located at Moundville Archaeological Park. Campers will experience museum and park tours, nature hikes, sampling Native American food, and playing Native American games. Register by emailing Lisa Rasco llrasco@ua.edu.
7. Community Music School: Camp will be held on The University of Alabama campus at the Moody Music Building. Rising 6^th– 12^th grade students must be able to read music on all four strings, play in several keys, and play either violin, viola, cello, or double bass. Register by emailing Dr. Jane Weigel jweigel@ua.edu.
8. Bama Bounders Gymnastics: Located in Northport, Bama Bounders is owned by former Alabama gymnast Erin Holdefer-Kightlinger. Gymnastics day camps are open to all ability levels for girls and boys. Girls will be taught skills on all four events- vault, bars, beam, and floor. Rings, parallel bars, high bar, vault, floor, and pommel horse is specifically taught to boys. Register here.
9. Tuscaloosa Children’s Theatre: Future thespians can join TCT’s summer camps to learn and improve their acting and dance skills. This camp is open to all rising 1^st-12^th grade students. Class sizes will be reduced to 15 per campers per class. Spots are filling up quickly. Register here.
10. The Capitol School Summer Explorations: Located on the historic Capitol Park, PK-12 students are encouraged to sign up for 10 different two-week summer classes taught by certified teachers. Interactive classes include the science of making music, history of games, introduction to robotics, going wild with STEM, and many more! Register here.