Summer nearly is in full swing. And many parents are looking for activities to keep kids’ brains and bodies active as the school year wraps up.
Here are a few resources to check out locally:
For budding creatives
Dubuque Museum of Art
Youth can get acquainted with the museum’s world-class art collection and explore exhibition highlights through imaginative and interactive projects in a variety of mediums. Museum hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, and 1-4 p.m. Sunday. The museum is closed Monday-Tuesday.
More information: dbqart.org
Bluff Strokes Art Center
Those in grades third through fifth and sixth through eighth can engage in summer camps that aim to offer an introduction to creating artwork in a supportive group setting.
More information: bluffstrokes.org/programming
Captured on Canvas
Offering an assortment of classes for every age group, youth can learn how to draw, paint and more, with a variety of workshops.
More information: dbqartstudio.com
Creative Adventure Lab
A play lab, pottery painting, rock climbing and more can be found at the organization with locations in Dubuque and Monticello, Iowa, with unlimited family play lab memberships also available.
More information: creativeadventurelab.org
Dubuque Symphony Orchestra
The symphony offers a String Camp, for students entering grades seven through 12, with a minimum of two years ensemble experience; and a Chamber Music Camp, for students entering grades 10 through 12, with a minimum of five years playing experience. Campers will participate in large group rehearsals, small sectionals, private lessons, coachings, master classes and more. The String Camp will culminate in a performance at the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra’s Summer Melodies concert at the Alliant Energy Amphitheater in the Port of Dubuque. The Chamber Music Camp will end in a performance at Clarke University’s Jansen Music Hall.
More information: dubuquesymphony.org
Northeast Iowa School of Music
Students can pick up an instrument either through private music lessons, duet lessons with a friend or group lessons. Virtual lessons also are available.
More information: nisom.com
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
The annual Pioneer Summer Band Camp is open to students entering grades seven through 12, with graduated seniors also welcome. Students participate in one of two concert bands, faculty led master classes, sectionals and other course offerings. The final concert takes place on the last day of camp.
More information: uwplatt.edu/psbc
Bell Tower Theater
Elementary through high school students can learn about theater, on stage and off, through Kids Take the Stage Youth Theater Classes and the Free Summer Musical Program.
More information: belltowertherater.net
Rising Star Theatre Company
Kids can learn basic theater and acting skills, as well as hone their audition techniques and take part in performance opportunities.
More information: risingstartheatrecompany.com/education
The Great Midwestern Educational Theatre Company
A role-playing summer creativity camp inspired by the “Harry Potter” series, Frogwarts School of Wizardry Summer Camp enabled participants to incorporate science, math, reading, writing and acting and take on a role-playing wizard persona. Campers also will use critical thinking, imagination and role-playing skills to develop a story to guide them through lessons of good versus evil, right versus wrong, empathy, creativity and fun.
More information: frogwarts.org
YogArt Camp
Challenge to Change will host a pair of SuperKids YogArt Camps and a pair of Mini SuperKids YogArt Camps, as well as a variety of yoga classes and parties geared toward youth.
More information: challengetochange.com
AntiGravity Kids Camp
Float and Fly Wellness Studio hosts three aerial yoga camps throughout the summer.
More information: FloatandFlyWellnessStudio.com
Centrally Rooted
The organization that bridges mindfulness with music and other creative outlets offers an assortment of one-on-one music lessons, as well as Mindful Musicians classes, music therapy, yoga, a free Exploration Lab, specialized workshops, engaging community events, and more.
More information: centrallyrooted.com
Capri Camp
Those in grades third through sixth can learn about the creativity behind beauty, as well as self-esteem, self-recognition and personal growth.
More information: capricollege.edu
For young athletes
Loras College All-Sports Camp
Campers wanting to explore a variety of athletic activities can take advantage of four sessions, picking one major and two minors of sports, including archery, baseball, bowling, lacrosse, softball, biking, rock climbing and ultimate frisbee.
More information: lorasallsportscamps.com
For outdoor lovers
Four Mounds Adventure Day Camp
Five camp sessions will take place. Monday sessions will introduce campers to plants from the garden to the prairie through hands-on activities. Campers also will create a nature weaving with prairie plants. Tuesday sessions will take place at Swiss Valley Nature Center and will focus on Midwest ecosystems, learning about water ecosystems, exploring nature through the five senses and exploring the art of cairn for communication. Wednesday sessions will take place at Mines of Spain State Recreation Area to learn about animals in the creek, canoe safety and paddling strategy, and Mines of Spain history. Thursday sessions will return to Mines of Spain to hike and explore its various trails, as well as learn about plants and animals of the area, how to navigate using a compass and how to create pioneer toys. Friday sessions will include team-building activities on Four Mounds’ high ropes course, parachute games and other activities.
More information: FourMounds.org
Eastern Iowa Horse & Pony Camp
Campers in third through 12th grade can participate in riding lessons, interactive learning and other activities at the Jones County Fairgrounds in Monticello, Iowa.
More information: eihpc.com
Galena (Ill.) Art and Recreation Center
Summer camp options range from indoor and outdoor activities, including field trips, park visits, trips to the library, swimming lessons at the Galena Public Pool and a week at Camp Casper with the Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation. Set from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, with drop-off and pick-up times between 7 and 9 a.m., families have the flexibility of choosing which weekly themes interest their children, ages 3-12. This summer’s lineup will include youth art classes, a wild clay adventure, a family birdhouse pottery class and youth cooking classes.
More information: galenaarc.org/summer-camp
Hoof It Goat Treks
Ages 5-12 will be able to explore all things goat- and nature-related through scavenger hunts, arts and crafts, and other activities.
More information: HoofItGalena.com/kids-camp
Dubuque YMCA/YWCA Union Park Day Camp
The Union Park Day Camp will take place through August. Eleven one-week sessions, including a sports camp, are available to explore outdoor activities such as archery, arts and crafts, hiking, creek stomping, horseback riding, low ropes course, swimming, zip lining and more. Horse Camp also will take place in four one-week sessions for beginning, intermediate and advanced riders. Bike Camp will take place in two one-week sessions.
More information: dubuquey.org/daycamp
For lifelong learners
St. Mark Youth Enrichment’s Summer Heroes Camp
The camp is open to students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Dubuque and Dyersville, Iowa, locations. It focuses on developing reading and math skills, as well as social-emotional learning, and will include field trips. Three additional classes — Foodology, Nature Navigators and Project STEAM — also will be available for Dubuque students in grades third through fifth.
More information: stmarkyouthenrichment.org/programs/summer
Northeast Iowa Community College
Through August, Northeast Iowa Community College will offer a wealth of virtual youth summer camps, including STEAM camps for ages 8-14 interested in video games, coding and virtual reality. Classes will include courses for YouTube, ROBLOX, Minecraft, Python Programming and Battle Royale.
More information: nicc.edu/camps
UD for Kids
UD for Kids is a summer enrichment opportunity for students in grades one through seven to build reading and math skills, while taking courses in the areas of science, math, technology, engineering, art, visual and performing arts, and aviation.
More information: dbq.edu/udforkids
Holy Family Catholic Schools
From arts and culinary camps to sports, faith, language and literacy, STEM and pre-kindergarten focuses, options abound for youth participants. Most camps begin in June and run through August.
More information: holyfamilydbq.org/resources/summer-camps
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium Summer Break Day Camps
Open to students entering kindergarten through eighth grade, museum camps aim to provide participants with interactive and engaging options throughout the summer months. Wrap-around care and limited scholarships are available.
More information: rivermuseum.com/summercamps
More resources
• Carnegie-Stout Public Library: CarnegieStout.org
• City of Dubuque Recreation and Leisure Services: cityofdubuque.org/439/Leisure-Services
• Dubuque County Library: DubCoLib.org
• Iowa State University Extension and Outreach: extension.iastate.edu/dubuque
• Mines of Spain State Recreation Area and E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center: minesofspain.org/education
• Swiss Valley Nature Preserve and Nature Center: dubuquecounty.org/conservation/swiss-valley-nature-center
• Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens: dubuquearboretum.com
• Dubuque County Conservation: tinyurl.com/4y99ehdd
• Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation: jdcf.org
Megan Gloss writes for the Telegraph Herald.
