Plenty of summer camp options this year for local youth

With Covid-19 restrictions relaxing across Washington state, local kids can return to multiple in-person summer camps this year. A number of local organizations are offering in-person activities that follow safety protocols aligned with state and federal guidelines for summer 2022. Below is a list of in-person camps for kids this summer.

Blaine Harbor Music Festival

Blaine Harbor Music Festival is bringing back its in-person camp featuring classes taught by world-class faculty July 10-16. Many of the past ensembles and classes will be offered again along with new classes. Students can customize their camp experience by choosing their class schedule. Camp attendees must submit a video performance that demonstrates their ability level with their registration materials. The music piece can be any style, but jazz is highly preferred. All auditions can be sent to nickbiello@icloud.com and more camp information is available at blaineharbormusicfestival.org. Financial aid is available. 

Day-to-Day Dance

Blaine’s Day-to-Day Dance is offering summer camps beginning June 20 and running through August 13. All camps run from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday-Friday and cost $185 with an additional $20 registration fee. Weekly classes will also be offered July 5-August 1; visit daytodaydance.com for times and prices. Space is limited so early registration is recommended to ensure a spot in the in-studio classes. For in-studio private and semi private lessons, email daytodaydance@gmail.com or call 360/393-3927.

Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2

Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 is partnering with Birch Bay Village Golf Course to host two youth golf camps for kids ages 8-18 with no experience required. Session one runs from June 27-July 1 and splits the ages into two groups, with kids ages 8-11 practicing from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and ages 12-18 practicing from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Session two runs from July 11-15 with kids ages 8-11 practicing from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and ages 12-18 practicing from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The camps cost $50 with or without reservations. A free youth pickleball program will also be hosted this summer for kids ages 8-16 beginning May 21 and running through October 22 with guidance from certified junior pickleball instructor coach Mark Livingston. For more information, visit blainewa.myrec.com.

Lions Camp Horizon

Lions Camp Horizon is focused on providing an inclusive camp experience for those with a disability. The Birch Bay program “sees disability as a culture and camp as a way to celebrate it.” according to its website. The minimum age requirement for this camp is 12 years with no upper limits. Two programs are offered, Base Camp and Adventure Camp, with all sessions spanning five days and four nights. Base Camp 1 runs July 18-22, Base Camp 2 runs August 1-5 and Base Camp 3 runs August 8-12. Adventure Camp 1 runs July 11-15 and Adventure Camp 2 runs August 15-19. Registration is open at lionscamphorizon.org.

Whatcom Museum

Whatcom Museum still has availability for the last two of its week-long summer camps, July 25-29 and August 1-5, in downtown Bellingham. The third session “We Will Rock You Geology Camp” teaches kids ages 8-10 about rocks and explosive volcanoes. The camp runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 25-29. The fourth session “Ready to Rock Music Video Camp'' lets kids ages 8-10 create their own popstar persona and music video. The camp runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. August 1-5. To learn more about the camp and the costs for each session, visit the museum’s website at whatcommuseum.org.

WCLS

Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) is offering one-week Shakespeare Theater Camps for teens in grades 6-12. The camps will be offered at the Ferndale and Lynden libraries, but are open to all county teens. The Ferndale library camp will run 2-4 p.m. July 11-15 and the Lynden library camp will run 2-4 p.m. July 18-22. Registration opens June 13 for the Ferndale camp and June 20 for the Lynden camp. In May, WCLS is also starting all-ages running and walking group programs at four county library branches, including Blaine. For the full list of summer programs and times, visit wcls.org/events.

Boys and Girls Club of Whatcom County

The Boys and Girls Club of Whatcom County is offering nine weeks of fun and engaging activities through the youth and teen programs at the Bellingham and Ferndale clubhouses. The program runs June 20-August 26 and each week will follow a consistent theme. The youth program is open to those who have completed grades 1-5. Registration and club membership are required to attend; registration opened April 1 and is only available through the parent portal at parentportal.whatcomclubs.org. The teen program, open to those who have completed sixth grade, is free and will run from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. The youth program has a weekly fee of $150 with breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack included. The Blaine clubhouse will host programs funded through grants and is open only through invite after signing up online at whatcomclubs.org. For more information, contact club area director Lynn Schreiber at lschreiber@whatcomclubs.org.

Gym Star Sports Center

Ferndale’s Gym Star Sports Center is offering gymnastic classes for children ages five years and up July 11-August 19 at $185 per week. The sports center is also offering similar gymnastic classes for those ages 3-5 years July 11-August 18 at $158 per week. Dance camps will be held for children ages five years and up July 18-August 5 at $155 per week, as well as dance camps for ages 3-5 beginning July 11-August 18 at $145 per week. All camps run from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information, visit gymstarsports.com. 

North Cascades Institute

North Cascades Institute is offering youth leadership adventures to high school students seeking a fun and challenging summer trip in the North Cascades. Three sessions will be offered this summer where 9-12 grade students embark on nine-day backpacking and/or canoe-camping field courses aimed at connecting them to the natural world while engaging in conversation about climate change and solutions. The first session’s application deadline has passed, but the second session runs July 26-August 3 and the application deadline is Wednesday, May 11. The third and final session runs August 16-24 and the application deadline is Wednesday, May 25. To learn more about the program, visit ncascades.org.