Finding a summer camp for middle schoolers can be tricky. They’ve aged out of many camps, and they may be less interested in filling their days with structured activities.
In Atlanta, we are lucky to have fun, creative camps for a wide variety of age groups, including middle schoolers. Here are some camps worth considering for older kids:
Cooking camp at Young Chefs Academy
Young Chefs Academy — with three locations in metro Atlanta (Marietta, North Druid Hills and Sandy Springs) — is once again dishing up a summer of culinary adventures, helping kids learn their way in the kitchen. Kids will learn how to safely chop, dice and slice — while whipping up everything from homemade gelatos and pastas to Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Skewers. The menu and activities vary at each location. Some camps are designed for kids as young as 3, while other camps are aimed at older kids (11 and up) with more experience. Most middle schoolers would fit into the Sr. Chefs classes. The sessions include everything from “Summer Road Trip” to “Global Gastronomy” to “Candy Bar Enterprise.”
Cost ranges from $200 to $350 depending on age, program and franchise. Camps are held from the end of May and run through August. For more information and to register, go to www.youngchefsacademy.com.
Wearable Technology summer camp at campMODA (Museum of Design)
Summer sessions of campMODA feature a hands-on STEM approach to a design process for a wearable technology camp for middle schoolers ages 12-14. Wearable fashion and technology, or "wearables," are clothes and accessories that incorporate computer and engineering technology to improve the lives of their users. With products like fitness technology and smartwatches, people are seeking out more and more applications for this rapidly growing industry. At campMODA's Wearable Technology camp, campers will learn how to make their own wearable designs. This action-packed camp will cover the basics of building and coding circuits with Arduino micro-controllers and their software, Arduino IDE. Campers will then be introduced to other types of open-source micro-controllers and learn how to use them to make their wearables function. Whether campers want to light up their fashion or create a device to aid in accessibility, this camp will be the place to find success. June 27-July 1 at Georgia Tech: full-day camp. July 11-15 at Georgia Tech: full-day camp. www.museumofdesign.org/education-at-moda/camp/.
Cost: $495 (MODA members get a 10 percent discount).
Improv Theatre
Whole World Improv Theatre offers a special weeklong camp geared for teens ages 13-17. Each day begins with relaxation, yoga and focus exercises. Throughout the week, the campers will play ensemble exercises, move into scene work and advance into improvisational games. The week culminates with a live improv show performed by the campers for friends and family. Teen Week One: June 20-24. Teen Week Two: June 27-July 1.
9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday (show at noon). 1216 Spring St. N.W., Atlanta. emily@wholeworldtheatre.com for more information. $300. 404-817-7529, http://wholeworldtheatre.com.
Teen Travel Camp at YMCAs of Metro Atlanta
Travel Camp, aimed at kids ages 12-16, is a fast-paced, action-packed specialty camp designed for the fun-seeking teen who enjoys the outdoors and the adventure of trying new things. Travel Campers will explore an exciting destination every day.
Such excursions and activities include hiking, tubing, swimming, bowling, skating, malls, museums, parks, movie theaters, amusement parks and overnight camping trips. Members cost: $179 per week; program members: $189. Week of May 31-June 3. For more information about other camps for this and other camps throughout the summer and to register, go to http://ymcaatlanta.org/.
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