Sizzlin' summer camps in Sumter about to start

School is almost out, so prepare to scream and shout as summer camps for kids of all ages begin to pop up across town.

From thrilling outdoor adventures to creative art experiences and everything in between, Sumter's summer camps will have it all to appeal to your budding explorer, art genius and sport enthusiast.

YMCA

The local YMCA looks to give parents a break and kids a fun place to play this summer with full-day and specialty camps. With programs that ensure learning, fun and character-building will continue after the last school bell rings.

Full-day camps

Fun Factory is for children ages 3-10 and includes traditional indoor camp, held at the main YMCA building at 510 Miller Road. Kids will engage in energizing, independent physical activities such as yoga, Zumba, nature walks and more. Children must wear closed-toe shoes.

Teen Scene is available for ages 11-14 and includes arts, crafts, games and field trips designed for them. Closed-toe shoes must be worn daily.

Camp Mac Boykin is an outdoor camp, fit for ages 7-14, focusing on building friendships, learning new skills and having fun in the sun. The camp sits on more than 50 acres of land with a natural swimming area with water features and activities.

Specialty camps

Aquatics Camp is open to ages 9-14 from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. June 24-28 and/or July 15-19. Participants will have one-hour swim lesson instructions, scheduled activities, competitions and more.

Gymnastics Camp begins June 10-14 and July 8-12 for ages 5-12. The coaching staff at 220 Pine St. will ensure gymnasts grasp the understanding of proper shapes and use of equipment as they rotate through four events, developing skills and having fun through games and drills. The camp is held noon to 4 p.m.

Boxing Basics Camp is open to campers ages 5-13 from June 24-28. Campers will learn the jab, footwork, proper form and the necessity of stretching, all while learning discipline, persistence and hard work. The camp is offered from 9 a.m. to noon.

Athletics Camp is available to ages 7-12, and campers will enjoy playing basketball while learning the fundamental skills of the sport and embracing Christian principles. The camp will be held from 7:30 to 11 a.m. June 24-28.

Specialty Camp Extended Care is available to campers of the aquatics or gymnastics specialty camp. Campers will start their day in the Community Health Room near the entrance of the YMCA before being assisted in transferring to their specialty camp by counselors. At the end of the day, campers are escorted to extended care with the Fun Factory in the Y's Youth Department. Extended Care is open to ages 5-14.

Registration for all camps is open. A one-time enrollment fee of $25 is required along with a copy of your child's immunization records given to Sumter YMCA. A $25 deposit per child, per week is required at registration. You may mix and match camp sessions throughout the summer; for example, a week at Fun Factory, a week at a specialty camp, etc.). Online registration is not available. For more information on the camps and costs, visit ymcasumter.org/programs/camps.

SUMTER GALLERY OF ART SUMMER ART CAMP 2024

Sumter County Gallery of Art returns with another year of creative fun with the 2024 Summer Art Camp. The camp offers three hours of creative fun for campers ages 4-7 and ages 8 and older. The camp spans from June 3-28, July 8-12 and July 22-26. Split into morning and afternoon sessions, classes offer campers Fun in the Mud, an introductory course to pottery; Art without Limits, where campers explore a wide range of surfaces and structures to create art on and with like 3D pens; FX Makeup, where campers learn to use special effects makeup like face paint, liquid latex and foam prosthetics, and much more.

A limited number of tuition scholarships are available for students who would otherwise not be able to attend for financial reasons. Scholarships are awarded based on scholarship need and availability. To nominate your child or any other child ages 4-17 or for more information on the camps offered, visit sumtergallery.com. Donations to the scholarship fund are welcomed.

Morning camp will be held from 8:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and afternoon camp from 12:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. at 200 Hasel St.

WILSON HALL ABOVE AND BEYOND CAMP

Wilson Hall will offer more than 35 summer camps for all ages. From robotics to art to cheerleading to equestrian, campers can try their hand and indulge their interests all summer long. The deadline to register was April 1; however, late registrants may be accepted until May 20.

For more information, contact Summer Camp Director Brooke Tidwell at brooketidwell@wilsonhall.org.

SUMTER CAMP BBC

If you're looking to keep your kid active, creative and involved, then Archway Academy's Camp BBC is the place to be. Organized around a thematic camp approach and broken up into tracks, the camp offers Camp Kitchen, Art Explosion, Mad Science and Physical Domination. New themes are added each year, so campers can look forward to new and exciting activities each time.

Campers can also look forward to weekly trips to destinations like EdVenture, Whirling Wheels and Velocity Air Sports as well as water days, camp canteen and the camp store.

Camp kicks off at 2049 McCrays Mill Road and at 416 S. Wise Drive on June 3 and ends July 26. For more information, visit https://archway.academy, call (803) 773-6480 or (803) 773-4300.

RAGIN PREP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY CAMP TRIPLE A

Ragin Preparatory Christian Academy will host Camp Triple A - academics, arts and athletics - to get campers up, active and engaged from June 3 to July 19. The camp will be split into two classes: infants to preschool at Little Lambs Learning Center at 4107 Thomas Sumter Highway in Dalzell and kindergarten and older at 68 Market St. The camp will run Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Fridays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration is $25, and tuition is $85 weekly.

Campers will be venturing out on multiple field trips and will participate in many hands-on activities. Parents can register via QR code on the flyer or apply in person at 68 Market St.