Charleston’s Cool Summer Camps

The days are getting longer, and the weather is gradually getting warmer… which means summer is right around the corner! Just because school is almost out, that doesn’t mean an end to learning for kids in Charleston. In fact, it means just the opposite. Opportunities for engaging children in fun, interactive, educational, and physical activities are endless. We’ve compiled a list of some of the hottest (and coolest) summer camp options for kids of all ages. From art classes to sports drills to computer engineering to helping sick sea turtles, there’s definitely something for everyone.

Asbury Hills Camp
Campers form close bonds with their cabin mates and counselors, some that last a lifetime! And what better environment to nurture personal and spiritual growth than with activities like riding zip lines, hiking down a creek, shooting archery, or reaching new heights using high rope elements.  Campers at Asbury Hills also participate in age appropriate worship lead by the Camp Pastor and a live band, followed by small group breakout devotions.  864-836-3711, asburyhills.org

Ashley Hall

During the regular academic year, Ashley Hall is an exclusive school for girls, but its Summer Day Camp Programs offer seven one-week sessions and is open to kids of both genders and from schools all over the Lowcountry. Boys and girls will enjoy art and crafts projects; field trips to zoos, water parks, fun parks, museums and movies; athletic activities; and a daily swim in the school’s pool. The camp is broken up into four age groups: three and four year olds, rising kindergarten, first and second grade, and third and fourth grade. 843-722-4088, ashleyhall.org/daycamp.php

Camp Happy Days

Camp Happy Days is all about fun, laughter and the joy of childhood – for children ages 4 through 16 who are battling cancer. The camp’s programs are aimed at improving the emotional, physical and psychological well-being of children affected by pediatric cancer and their family members, with an emphasis on building self-esteem, courage, confidence and trust. The camp’s goal is “to give these children life-changing experiences that offer hope, courage and the will to fight one more round.” Since 1982, Camp Happy Days has brought smiles to the faces of more than 1,500 kids who otherwise would have nothing to smile about. 843-571-4336, camphappydays.org

Camp Invention

Since 1990, Camp Invention has taken summer fun and transformed it from ordinary to extraordinary! In partnership with the National Inventors Hall of Fame, Camp Invention is offered at roughly 1,300 school districts nationwide, including many throughout the Charleston area. It’s an exciting, weeklong summer adventure with lessons that explore connections between science, technology, engineering and innovation. Children entering 1st-6th grades work together to seek solutions to real-world problems and sharpen critical 21st century learning skills while rotating through several fascinating modules. And even better, Camp Invention doesn’t have to end after 6th grade. Those entering 7th-9th grades can join our Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program, where they’ll receive in-depth training and gain valuable skills. Local educators facilitate it all and enthusiastic high school students serve as Leadership Interns ensuring that one staff member is in place for every eight participants.

Register on or before March 21, 2016 to receive $25 Off the base price. Every registration includes a complimentary Camp Invention t-shirt. Availability is limited, so visit campinvention.org or call 800-968-4332 to secure your child’s spot today!

Camp Odyssey
Camp Odyssey is a fun, exciting week filled with cool activities, new friends and awesome staff!  During the week, campers can participate in new adventures, including: archery, sailing, arts & crafts, overnight camping, swimming, canoeing, climbing tower and fishing. Housing is provided in comfortable cabins with 10 single beds for campers and supervising staff. Camp Odyssey is a perfect program for first time campers, as well as 'veteran' campers who enjoy exciting activities in the outdoors and making new friends. Clemson, SC. 864-646-7502, clemson.edu/centers-institutes/outdoor-lab/camps/camp-odyssey.html

Camp Sewee

If your children love the outdoors, and especially the water, they’ll be crazy about Camp Sewee. Where else can they spend a week learning all about what it would be like to be a marine biologist or a naturalist? The camp, for 8- to 16-year-olds, has provided an excellent opportunity for fun and education to more than 333,000 kids since it was established in 1934. Activities include island ecology and salt marsh study; marine wildlife exploration and crabbing; trips to the South Carolina Aquarium, Sewee Environmental Education Center and local water parks; and Nature and night hikes. 803-397-9778, seweesummer.camp

Camp St. Christopher

One of the Lowcountry's well-established camps―76 years and counting―with a Christian background, Camp St. Christopher is located on Seabrook and gives kids of all ages a chance to bond in the great outdoors. Highlights of the camp include archery, kayaking and water sports, plus the chance for fellowship and worship. Children 5 to 18 are welcome―but the dates of the sessions are different for each age bracket, so check the website for scheduling. 843-768-0429, stchristopher.org

Charleston Community Sailing

“Sailing, sailing, over the bounding main.” That’s what your children might be singing while they’re learning all about life on the water at the Charleston Community Sailing Summer Program. Kids from 5 to 18, from beginners to seasoned sailors, are welcome to participate and learn from certified instructors. The fleet consists of 10 Optomists, two Open Bics, three Lasers and 13 Vanguard 420s. For the youngest sailors, the Guppy Program is aimed at building confidence and providing safety and fun for 5- to 7-year-olds. 843-607-4890, charlestoncommunitysailing.org/programs/summer-classes

Charleston County Parks & Recreation

Do your kids want to learn how to navigate the waters of the Lowcountry in a canoe or kayak, or on a paddleboard? Have they always dreamed about rock climbing or mountain biking? Do they enjoy creating arts and crafts projects? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should take a serious look at the summer camps offered by Charleston County Parks. A wide range of other programs are offered as well for children from 5 to 16 years of age, at parks throughout the county. Full and partial scholarships, based on economic need, are available. 843-762-2172, ccprc.com/1570/summer-camps

Charleston Museum
Just because its summertime doesn’t mean your kids have to stop learning. The Charleston Museum offers children of all ages the chance to have fun and find out about subjects ranging from Nature to Colonial America to the world of dinosaurs. Explore small creatures that live in the marsh, learn about ancient Egypt, and dye cotton fabric from ink you'll make. Sessions run from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Charleston Museum is located at 360 Meeting Street in downtown Charleston. 843-722-2996, charlestonmuseum.org/summer-camps

Charleston SUP Safaris

Stand Up Paddleboarding is all the rage in Charleston nowadays and makes for a brilliant summer camp as well. Led by owners "Big Jon" Ory and Philip Antman, this day camp is held on Folly Beach on Mondays through Fridays, from 9 a.m. until noon. Kids must be between 12 and 16 years of age and strong swimmers. The equipment is provided―including sunblock―and kids are given a certificate of achievement at the end of the week. They're also taught water safety, paddleboarding etiquette and other awesome skills that will help them navigate the water with skill and enjoyment. 843-817-7877, charlestonsupsafaris.com/summer-camps.html

Charleston Tennis Center

Charleston has been called the best city in the United States for playing tennis. As it turns out, it's also a great city for tennis camps, such as the Charleston Tennis Center's summer camp, taught by professionals Toni Young and Fredrik Anderson. Each session offers instruction in fundamental strokes―with one-on-one lessons―and reinforces skills with the help of interactive games and prizes. Plus, if you find yourself feeling jealous of your kid's swing, you can sign up for the adult camp. 843-766-7401, charleston-sc.gov/documentcenter/view/3669

Earthshine Discovery Center
The property offers a wonderful opportunity for families to connect and learn something about themselves as well as the remarkable natural world of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Families of all ages will enjoy the perfect combination of recreation, outdoor activities and learning.  Make hand-dipped candles, grind corn, and throw tomahawks.  For 10 and up, try out the seven-stage zip line course, including a 400-foot tandem run. Nature hikes, archery, treasure hunts, nighttime campfires (with s’mores, of course), and scavenger hunts round out the activities the whole family will enjoy. Lake Toxaway, NC. 828-862-4207, earthshinediscovery.com

East Cooper Gymnastics Camp

Summer will improve by leaps and bounds with an adventure at the East Cooper Gymnastics Camp. You can select either the full-day camp, which lasts from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., or the half-day camp, which lasts from 9 a.m. until noon. Campers will increase physical skills such as flexibility, coordination and strength by spending time on the bars, beams, vault and other equipment. Each child receives an award on the last day of camp. Sessions run from June until August, so don't be afraid to book this one in addition to your other plans. 843-849-6668, eastcoopergymnastics.com

Edisto River Adventures

For kids between the ages of 10 and 16 who are itching to get outside and away from technology, the Edisto River Adventures camp may be just the ticket. Each camp session includes one overnight stay and plenty of water activities on the Edisto River, such as kayaking, canoeing and tubing. Waterlogged campers will enjoy corn hole, volleyball, horseshoes and plenty of other games. There's even a field trip to Bee City in the cards. 843-870-6978, edistoriveradventures.com/summer-camps-for-kids-and-teens-ages-10-16

Fear No Easel

Fear No Easel takes the fear out of art.  Paint in a social atmosphere and have a fun evening with your friends, sipping wine or beer and create your own work of art. Their artists will guide you to a creation that even Picasso would envy.  With classes for adults and kids, they can take care of your private party, bachelorette parties and birthday parties.  View their online calendar for dates and you can also register online. 843-284-3327, fearnoeasel.com

Gibbes Museum of Art

Budding artists in your family will enjoy the opportunity to work with practicing artists as well as museum guides during the weeks of day camp at the Gibbes Museum. Different themes include All About Animals, Art Through the Ages and Exploring Nature, each with its own activities. Tuition for the weeklong experience includes the child's art supplies, snacks and even tours of the museum. Best of all, campers will enjoy art in a variety of media, such as sculpting, printmaking and painting. 843-722-2706, gibbesmuseum.org

Mount Pleasant Paintball

Don't ignore the hunch that your child could use some team-building skills this summer, along with a few lessons on survival and self defense. Mount Pleasant Paintball's day camps will provide all of this and more, in a fun, well-supervised environment. Tuition for a week of camp includes all kinds of great stuff such as membership to the facility for a whole year, a Mount Pleasant Paintball tee shirt and a banquet on Friday night. Campers must be at least 10 years old. Each session can only accommodate 50 people, so hurry and sign up. 843-696-9930, mountpleasantpaintball.com/summer-camp

Nature Adventures

Kids from 6 to 17 can enjoy fun on the water and learn a lot about the environment as well at one of three Nature Adventures Outfitters Teen and Kids Camps. Options include the weeklong Naturalist Adventure Day Camp, offered to 6- to 12-year-olds in June, July and August; Teen Wilderness Adventure Camp, for 13- to 16-year-olds, from July 27 through August 1; and Teen Stand Up Paddleboard and Kayak Camp, for teens in the 12 to 17 age group. Nature Adventures Outfitters is located on Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant. 843- 568-3222, kayakcharlestonsc.com

Sol Surfers Surf Camp

If you live near the ocean, and most of us do, it’s only natural that your kids might yearn to learn about how to ride the Atlantic waves. At the Sol Surfers Surf Camp for kids, they’ll pick up the basics of surfing, advancing based on their ability and comfort level. They’ll also gain the confidence that will carry over into other activities and throughout their lives. The camp runs weekly beginning May 26 through August 15. Participants must be at least 8 years old and must know how to swim. Leave the rest to the expert instructors. 843-881-6700, solsurfers.net

Teen Venture Camp
Teens aged 13-16 will explore the limits and physical challenges of outdoor recreation designed to inspire and instill a sense of awe for the environment that can last a lifetime. Choose between a variety of week-long, overnight camping sessions including climbing, whitewater kayak and mountain biking. You can also choose a 3-day session including mountain biking, SUP and whitewater kayaking. Teens will have opportunities to learn about cooperation, leadership and responsibility in a fun and challenging atmosphere. Additionally, all programs will include core activities designed to introduce responsibility and ethical consideration for the outdoors in which we tread. All necessary equipment and food for activity and overnights will be provided. 843-795-4386, ccprc.com/1573/teen-venture-camp

The Grass is Greener Riding School

This camp is worth attending, if only to find out what "horsey games and crafts" are all about―which are promised on the Grass is Greener's website. And for your young equestrian, a week of spending time with horses will surely bring about a smile. Camps run from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. and all ages and skill levels are welcome. Campers will not only enjoy fun and social activities – they'll also learn safety precautions and how to tack and care properly for a horse. Just prepare yourself for the "Daddy, I want a pony," conversation afterward. 843-952-5147, grassisgreenerridingschool.com/summercamp

The Little Gym of Summerville

If your little ones aren’t quite old enough to enjoy sleep-away camp, you can still elect to give them a great time at the Day Camp at Little Gym of Summerville. Those who know anything about The Little Gym are already aware how much kids love it―it's the perfect place to play hard. And for the summer camp sessions, the camp offers special events plus arts and crafts in addition to physical activity. Possibly the best part about this day camp is the flexibility in scheduling―you can sign up for several weeks at a time, one week at a time or even just a day. 843-851-2950, thelittlegym.com/summervillesc/pages/kids-camps.aspx

Trident Tech

Let's say you’re looking for a summer camp for your kids but you live too far away from Trident Tech’s main campus in North Charleston. No problem – Trident Tech offers its Kids College for 7- to 16-year-olds at five other locations throughout Charleston County, including Mount Pleasant, Moncks Corner, downtown Charleston, Hollywood and St. George. Concentrating on developing children’s imagination, creativity and talent, sessions range from Magic Camp to Everything Southern to Pastry Boot Camp to Playful Poetry, and almost everything in between. 843-574-6111, tridenttech.edu/ce