Mom’s Ultimate Guide to Summer Camps in Jacksonville

A special thanks to Meg Sacks for contributing content to this post.

Hard to believe it is already time to plan for the summer. Many camps have opened registration and are accepting applications now! I know many moms that map out the summer with different camps every week to keep the kids busy over the summer. Whether you are booking every week or just a week or even a day here and there, check out our guide to summer camps:

Sports Camps

Sports and Fitness Camp at UNF – Fun sports camp that involve daily swimming, group fitness classes, a weekly field trip, free play and more.  For children ages 5-15, there are 9 sessions beginning June 9th.

YMCA – Lazy summers are one of the most significant, yet least acknowledged, causes of underachievement in our schools. The YMCA provides high-quality summer learning initiatives through fun, themed activities that give children a variety of ways to improve reading and math skills, explore music, arts, drama and sports, and learn teamwork and develop new talents.

Tommy Hulihan Sports Camp at St. Pauls – Sports Camp is open to girls and boys 5 years old through 6th grade. They have a special program for 7th/8th grades. Campers will participate in Team Sports and age appropriate activities including: Basketball, Soccer, Flag Football, Kick Ball, Whiffle Ball, Dodge Ball, Tag Games and much more.  Sessions run from June 4 through August 8.

TNT Gymnastics – TNT Camp offers gymnastics, games, crafts, fitness and fun for childrens ages 3 & up. Runs from June 10 – August 16.

Starlight Gymnastics – Camps include gym activities, creative play and crafts, snacks, games, etc.  Free T-Shirt for all campers when registered.  Campers pack a lunch-morning snack is provided.  Friday is water play day!  Wear your swim suit and bring a change of clothes and towel.  For ages 3(bathroom independent) and up! Camps run from June 9 through August 15.

North Florida Gymnastics & Cheerleading – Orange Park and Atlantic Blvd – Offering both gymnastics and tumbling camps all summer long, June-August. Campers must be between four and 18. Half and full day camps are available. Call 904-221-5544 for Atlantic Blvd. and 904-278-8587 for Orange Park.

Infinity All-Stars – Typically offers camps through out the summer with weekly and daily options.  Last summer they had an awesome Groupon!

My Gym – Summer camps will run the week of July 14 – July 18 with different themes daily. A hot nutritious lunch and craft are included in every camp session. Half day and full day sessions available.

Nancy Dance – Nancy Dance typically offers themed camps on select weeks during the summer.  Keep checking their website for information if you are interested!

Studio K Dance – Offers fun-filled summer options for any age and ability! PRETTY PRINCESS CAMP (ages 3-8) is a week-long session that includes ballet, tumbling, crafts, tea parties, dress-up, spa days, activities and visits from a real Princess! Camp runs from 9:00am to 1:00pm, Monday through Friday, extended care available 8:00am-4:00pm. The Studio K Dance SUMMER INTENSIVE (ages 8 & up) is two concentrated weeks of dance study from nationally-known instructors and the faculty of Studio K Dance. Great prep for the 2014-2015 season, available to beginning through advanced students, placement class to determine level.

Studio 1014 – Summer dance classes offered June 23 – August 1. Classes offered in tiny tumbling, tap and ballet, jazz, and hip hop. Pretty Princess Dance Camp: June 23 – August 1, ages 2 – 5 , 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., $140.00. Dancing Diva Dance Camp: June 23 – August 1, ages 6 & up, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (extended day available) $165.00.

Bella Vida Yoga Kids Yoga in Jax Beach – Learning through Song, Art & Crafts, Storytelling, Games and more! Lead by Larissa Brettell, who loves children and is a Nurse at Wolfson’s Children Hospital currently in school to become a Nurse Practitioner. Her goal is to incorporate the best of Western and Eastern medicine to benefit our future generation. Dates: July 16, 23, 30, & August 6 (Wednesdays) from 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Recommended ages 7-11.

Surf into Summer Surf Camp – All sessions begin with introductory instruction on general water, ocean safety and surfing etiquette. Most of the time is spent in the water with instructors, learning to surf. Sessions run from June 2 through August 15. Boys and girls ages 7 and up; surfers of all levels encouraged to attend.

Saltwater Cowgirls – Our weekday, all female camp is offered to students between the ages of 7 and 17. Classes run Monday through Friday, from 9:30am to 12:30 pm. Lengthy instruction is given on land prior to students entering the water. Safety is our highest priority. We emphasize board control and ocean-awareness to fully prepare the students for their surfing experience. Instructors are in the water at every moment to offer assistance and ensure student safety throughout camp.

Super Surf Camp (presented by Sunrise Surf Shop) – Super Surf Camp is a one-week, half-day camp from 8:30 am – 11:30 am for beginners. It provides surfing instruction on basic surfing skills & water safety. Only two sessions, week of June 9 and week of June 16. Ages 8 & Up.

Kona Skatepark – Kona Camp is a weekly camp for skaters ages 6 − 16, and welcomes skaters of all abilities. Campers will get to experience all types of skateboarding including but not limited to street, vert, pools, flatland and downhill racing.

Karate America (various locations) – Kids can have an exciting summer learning martial arts at Karate America! Sessions last from one to five weeks (multiple sessions available). Parents provide two snacks and lunch. Drop off time is from 8 to 9am and pick up time is 6pm (or earlier). Campers will get a discount when 6 weeks or more ($100 per week).

United Martial Arts – The Premiere Martial Arts Camp offering: Daily Karate Classes, Daily Devotions and Character Building Lessons, Anti-Bully program (Making Bullies Buddies), Weekly pool time and swim lessons for children that do not swim, Field trips include area parks, M.O.S.H, lunar golf, bowling at Naval Station Mayport and other great locations to be announced, Challenging obstacle courses and great games, including a life sized Pac Man game. Summer camp tuition is $150.00 per week (includes cost of all field trips) – 10% discount for siblings.

Pro Martial Arts – Summer Camp 2014 Fun! Exciting! Educational! June 16th – 20th 8:30am – 4:00pm Karate Classes – Character Education Lessons – Games and Contests – Lunch & Snacks too. Sign up via the following link:www.promartialarts.com/jacksonville/events Space is limited!

Real Madrid Foundation/Jacksonville Armada Player Development Clinics – The clinics will bring former players from Real Madrid, one of the world’s premier professional soccer clubs, and coaches from the Real Madrid Foundation to Northeast Florida for a series of eight competitive clinics.   The clinics are designed to develop the talents and skills of the best young players in the region while exposing them to other players, new coaches, new instruction and professional programs. Over the course of the week, players will take part in practices, games, presentations and special positional sessions with representatives of the Real Madrid Foundation. Eight sessions, each one week long, run June 23 – Aug. 15, 2014 for boys and girls ages 8-14. For more information: http://www.armadafc.com/ or 1-844-2-ARMADA.

Team 23 Baseball and Softball Camps – Ages 5 – 14. Camps are designed to introduce the necessary fundamentals that will teach young players how to successfully play the game of baseball and softball, while having fun and improving their skill level. Players will participate in skill specific drills that will help to develop their game, improve confidence and learn what it takes to play at the High School level and beyond. All coaches are experienced Division 1 and ex-professional players with multiple years of coaching experience in the Jacksonville area. Contact: Dennis Robinson at 914-837-3393 or via email [email protected] to enroll. Location: Arlington Little League / 6530 Fort Caroline Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32277

Jacksonville Suns Baseball Camp –  Children ages 7-12 are welcome to enroll in this unique sports camp, which includes two days of instruction from Suns players, lunch on both days, a commemorative hat and a ticket to a Suns game with special on-field recognition. Dates of the camp are June 19 & 20.

Jacksonville Jaguars Rookie Day – This one-day event on June 20, open to the first 200 children ages 6-14 who register online and send in a waiver and payment of $5 per family, helps children learn basic football skills in a fun and supportive environment.

Eco Camp at UNF – Eco Camp provides children the opportunity to spend the summer outdoors while learning about Florida wildlife, canoeing at UNF and having unforgettable experiences. It has expanded drastically in the past decade and is suitable for ages 6-15 years old.

Wilson Tennis Camp at UNF – Under the guidance of head men’s tennis coach, Mark Finnegan, campers will learn the latest tennis techniques, tactics and strategies through on-court instruction, competitive drills and singles and doubles match play. Full and half day options for boys and girls of all skill levels, ages 8-18.

Junior Tennis Camp – Jacksonville Beach Tennis Center offers beginner through advanced summer camps for juniors 6-16 years. The camps are offered in the mornings 3 days a week for a period of 2 hours. Camps cover basic fundamentals of tennis to match play. The Tennis Center also offers follow-up programs all year.

Windsor Parke Golf Club Junior Golf – Offering a limited number of youth golf camps during the summer. Instructional programs open to all juniors age 6-16.

Jax Beach Golf Camp – Golf Camp is sponsored by the Golf Course Division. Golf camps are available throughout the year for all levels of golfers from beginners to advanced, but the summer camps will be held in June and July.

Junior Lifeguard Camp – The Junior Lifeguard program is a one-week, full-day camp for kids 9-15, and is sponsored by the City of Jacksonville Beach and the American Red Cross Volunteer Life Saving Corp.

School Camps {By Neighborhood}

{Orange Park – St. Johns County}

Grace Episcopal Day School – Past summers, GEDS has hosted great camps. Visit the school’s website for updates regarding this summer!

St. Johns Country Day School – Four two-week sessions of day camps are offered, in addition to adventure camps, which include several sports camps, fishing, and creative art. Camps run June 9 through August 1. Camps are available for kids ages three through rising high school seniors.

Bishop Snyder High School – Several sports camps, including basketball, soccer, football, volleyball, wrestling and softball are offered for June 9 through August 1 for campers ages 5-17.

{Ortega-Riverside-Avondale}

St. Mark’s Episcopal School – Vacation Bible School and themed activity camps are offered for preschool students through rising kindergarten. Themes include “Backyard Bugs,” “Where the Wild Things Roam,” “Mermaid Gals & Pirate Pals,” and “CREATivE Kids.”

Riverside Presbyterian Day School – Camp Riverside is offering weekly themed summer camps from June 2 through August 1. Camps cover a broad range of interests and fun-filled activities for PreK 3 – third graders. Camps include LEGOs, Minecraft, Aerospace Engineering, Art, Cooking, Gardening and Super Scientists.

{Downtown-San Marco-San Jose Boulevard-Mandarin}

San Jose Episcopal Day School – Offers a variety of camps throughout the summer.  Camps offered during the 2013 summer camp session included: 15th Annual Art Camp, Team PlayBall, Football agility with former professional football player, Digital scrapbooking, Aerospace, Rhymes and Times (multiplication), Lego Robotics, dance camp, and more.

Episcopal School of Jacksonville – Eagle Arts camp is a favorite for ages 6-14, where campers explore dance, art, music and put on a musical show for family and friends at the end of the two week session. Coach Mark Brunell’s football camp, soccer and lacrosse, running and cheer camps also make the sports list. Surf fishing, game design, fencing, rowing, LEGO robotics and Red Cross Babysitting/CPR are great activities camps also offered. Camps are for K through rising twelfth graders and run June 9 through July 31.

Bishop Kenny High School – Sports camps for rising first through twelfth grades are available from June 9 through August 4. Sports include baseball, general co-ed sports camp, football, volleyball and softball.

Hendricks Day School – Camps open to the community include preschool camps for 3-5 year olds, and camp for K-rising seventh graders. Camps include pool time or water play,arts & grafts, outdoor and indoor play, Fun Fridays, a weekly field trip and snack.

Christ’s Church Academy – Camps focus on arts, including drama, ceramics and 3-D art, and sports, such as basketball, volleyball and football. Cooking, Science and flag football are other fun offerings. Camps are for students K through eighth grade.

The Bolles School – Programs are offered at three different campuses (San Jose, Bartram, and Ponte Vedra Beach Campuses). Camps run from June 2 through August 8 and include sports, dance, activities like “Widgets and Gadgets” and “Field Trip” camps, as well as day camp. Camps are for pre-K through twelfth grades.

LaVilla School of the Arts – Children ages 7-14 are invited to choose from a variety of exciting experiences including dance, “Top Chef” science, drama, arts and crafts, and instrumental (piano, guitar, percussion); children ages 10-14 can also choose from visual arts, comics, “blast off” science and historical reenactment. Camps offered from June 16 – July 25.

{Southside- Beaches}

Jacksonville Country Day School – Camp registrations open in early April, and sessions run from June 9 through August 1. Campers experience a wide range of activities including arts and crafts, daily pool time with swim instruction, music, games, sports, fun field trips, and end-of- session overnight camp outs with camp fire songs, games and “smores.” Camps are for for PreK 4 through 6th grade.

Providence School – Offers various athletic camps throughout the summer.

Beaches Episcopal School – Offerings include Rocket Camp, Art Explosion, Act It Out, Minecraft, Lego Robotics, Princess Camp, Giddy Up Gang, Fun with Filming, Steel Drum Camp, Photography for Kids, Movin’ & Groovin’, Music Time Travel, Pottery, Spirit Squad, Sports 2 the Max, Top Chef, and more. Campers must be between the ages of four and rising into sixth grade. Camp sessions run June 16, June 23, July 7 and July 14.

Beaches Chapel – Kids can enjoy Cooking, Dance, Cheerleading, Legos, Drama, Sports, or Art at Beaches Chapel STARS Camp.  Sessions begin the week of June 2 and run through July 21.

Montessori Tides School – Once again, we will be offering Toddler and PlayArts Programs. These programs will run in monthly sessions. The first session will start Monday, June 3 and end June 28. The second session will start July 1 and end July 31. The programs will not be in session July 4.

Discovery Montessori – Variety of camps.  Schedule not yet listed.

Palms Presbyterian – Offered as three-week sessions throughout the summer.

Duval County Public Schools – Camps offered at different schools. Check schools’ websites to find a camp near you.

Museums and Educational Camps

Jacksonville Zoo – Educational camps covering different topics at the zoo.  Ages 5-13.  Camps run from June 16 – July 28.

Camp Cummer at Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens– For children entering grades 1 through 6, Camp Cummer is Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Children will print, draw, paint, create with clay, and learn new ways to think and talk about art in the galleries and Cummer Gardens. Additional time in Art Connections is included. Projects are age-specific, built for students with a variety of art experience, and designed to help young artists grow as creative, unique individuals. Six, one-week sessions are offered. You may sign your child up for two sessions only: one RED and one BLUE week. Please note that Camp Cummer is non-refundable. Military? Call 904.355.0630 or email [email protected] for details. $180 for members and $200 for non-members. There will also be extended care available for an additional fee.

MOSH Summer Discovery Camp – Join MOSH for a new adventure each week! Campers will explore science, history and astronomy as they conduct experiments, journey to the edge of the universe in the Bryan-Gooding Planetarium and explore museum exhibits, including the summer blockbuster exhibit, Megalodon: The Largest Shark that Ever Lived! Some camps will feature guest speakers and the space camps will culminate with a field trip to Kennedy Space Center! For children that have completed K-8th grades. June 16 – August 8.

ArtCamp@MOCA – Children ages 4-14 will enjoy creative art making at MOCA and on campus at UNF. Emphasis is placed on building knowledge of contemporary art and growing a visual vocabulary. Camps run June 9 – August 15 (no session June 30 – July 4).

The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra – The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach’s arts camps are designed to encourage artistic expression, art appreciation, and imagination. The camps offer an opportunity to explore and create, using various mediums and to learn from professional artists and arts educators. Ages 4 & Up. Camps from June 9 – August 15.

JCA Jacksonville – JCA Summer Camp offers parents and campers an enriching summer experience in a safe and structured environment.  With options for campers from age 2 to grade 9, the JCA provides unforgettable summer fun with a wide range of activities including swimming, sports, arts, theatre and more.  Camps are open to all children regardless of race, religious affiliation, or ethnic origin.

Discovery House in Avondale – Camp for ages two and a half through eight. Six weeks of camp with different themes each week, including Fitness Fun, Medieval Times, Under the Seal, Safari, Wild West and Ancient Egypt. Camps are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and include morning snack, games, stories and play.

KidsPark in Avondale and Southside –  Camps begin when Duval County Schools are out for summer (June 9). Cost is the regular hourly or day rate. KidsPark will have different themes every week for campers ages two through 12.

Camp Invention – Hosted this year at University Christian School and Accotink Academy By the Sea, Camp Invention focuses on creativity, innovation and the spirit of creative problem solving through invention.  Geared for children entering grades 1-6, the camp is offered the weeks of June 16 at both locations and again on June 23 at Accotink.

Club Scientific in Saint Johns – Introducing students to the fun of science through hands-on interactive experiments, adventures, and entertainment. We develop curriculum allowing students to experience how science works in the real world —  presenting programs in a nurturing, encouraging environment where students build self-esteem while learning. Camps are held at San Juan del Rio Catholic School for three different weeks: June 16-20, July 7-11, and July 21-25. Full day, 9am-4pm camps for ages 4-14.

Kids Art in Saint Johns – Full day art camps allowing children to explore creativity are offered at San Juan del Rio Catholic School for ages 5-9. Camps are held during these three weeks: June 16-20, July 7-11, and July 21-25.

Seaside Eco-Adventures at Marineland – Children between the ages of 7 – 12 are invited to join our crew for a fun-filled week of science, activities, exploration, beach combing and of course, DOLPHINS! Campers will spend much of their days outside enjoying the beach and exploring the intracoastal hammock ecosystem. Science experiments, conservation projects and animal observations are all included in this one-of-a-kind day camp experience. This camp is designed for the young nature lover or those seeking to be a dolphin trainer. The camp experience concludes with a formal graduation ceremony, complete with an in-water dolphin encounter. Monday – Thursday each week from June 9 – August 14, 2014.

Teaching Environment Education in Nature – Marineland is proud to host a new program for teenagers. Teens ages 13-17 will have a profound look into our local ecosystem and its many residing species. Geared towards those interested in the environmental field, teens will have an intimate opportunity to kayak the Intracoastal Waterway, conduct lab experiments and perform field work for our Conservation Field Station. This experience wouldn’t be complete without an in-water dolphin encounter. Space is limited so reserve today. Monday – Thursday each week from June 9 – August 14, 2014.

Other Camps

Pump It Up – Discover, explore, invent, and imagine! These themed camps are fast-paced, high energy, and just fun for kids. All camps include organized activities, crafts, snack, and lunch. Sessions run from June 9 through August 8 for ages 5-12.

Julington Creek Plantation – Camp Adventure includes swimming, basketball, volleyball, golf, arts and crafts, and group activities.  Ages 5-12 with sessions running from June 9 – August 8.

Doing Dishes Pottery Studio at San Jose/University and Avondale locations – Summer art camps are for kids ages 6-14. Cost is $35.00 per child with a 10% discount for siblings for single day’s camp, or $95 for three days of camp. Camp themes include “American Girl Day Camp,” “Everything is Awesome,” “Frozen (the Disney movie),” “Van Gogh,” “Under the Sea” and many more. Children will create art projects based on the theme.

Cinotti’s Baking Camp – Offered select weeks over the summer, children bake and create and bring their goodies home each day! Camps for 2014 are not yet listed but keep checking to find out more information!

Are there summer camps that your children participate in every summer? Do you have a favorite? Let us know by commenting below!

While our list includes some of the most popular camps in Jacksonville and many that are our favorite, we know that it is not complete. If you want us to add a camp, please email details to [email protected].