The Best YYC Summer Day Camps

Summer is on our minds—and registration for summer day camps comes along with that! Here are our picks for some fun camps that will keep your kids active, entertained and occupied this year.

Pedalheads

Pedalheads is a YYC family favourite when it comes to camps. They are well known for their incredible ability to get bike riders of all ages and abilities, riding on two-wheels. Since introducing their bike-riding programs, they have also added an additional program in combination with a superhero-training academy! Pedalheads offers full-day camps, half-day camps, as well as before and after camp care. With ten locations in Calgary, you’re sure to find a conveniently located camp near you.

Ranges from $119 to $399

Trico Centre

If you are looking for flexibility or variety in your summer camp, then Trico Centre likely has the camp for you. Geared towards children ages 3 – 14-years-old, their summer camps themes include everything from sports, swimming, or hockey to science, cooking, or crafts. Some of their camps also include field trips. Trico Centre is offering full and half-day camps as well as single day options. We love their ‘Early Care’ and ‘Late Care’ options that start as early as 7:30 am and end as late at 5:30 pm…making life a little easier for working parents.

Pricing varies; check out the guide here for more details.

University of Calgary – Mini University

The University of Calgary offers summer camps for school-aged children from ‘entering kindergarten’ right up to grade 12. The kinder-aged camps include activities, fun lessons, stories, art, and more, and are balanced with outdoor play. The elementary-aged camps are a little more specialized and include themes such as Lego Animation, Girls Applied Science and Engineering. The junior high and high-school-aged camps can be academic or athletic and include fun themes like Veterinary Camp, Kananaskis Explorers, Rafting Expeditions – Teens, Keiki Longboarding and Street Art. Before care and after care are available on select camps.

Pricing varies

Common Digs Forest School Summer Camp

Forest and Nature schools have been becoming increasingly popular in Calgary. Now, your 3 – 7-year-old can get their fix of nature-centered exploring, creating and learning during the summer months, too. Participants in these full-day camps at Common Digs spend the majority of camp time outdoors although; an indoor space is available for poor-weather days. Extended woodland visits, learner-led inquiry, and storytelling are all part of this outdoor adventure-filled camp.

From $120

Westside Recreation Centre

The Westside Rec Centre offers daily and weekly camps geared from pre-school-aged children and beyond. Here, you’ll find partial-day, or full-day camps with fun themes such as Sports & Skateboarding, Superhero Training, and Kick & Craft.

**Note: Online registration for Spring & Summer 2018 programs, including day camps, opens to the public on Sunday, March 18 at 9 pm.

WinSport

WinSport is offering a fun line up of sport-orientated summers camps for children from ages 4-16 years old. Whether your little athlete would prefer a sports combination camp…or something a little more focused, WinSport has a great selection to choose from including Girls Only Mountain Biking, Athlete Development, Hockey and much more. A lunch option is available and before and after care is also an add-on option.

Pricing varies; check out the site for more details.

Griffin Valley Ranch – Horse Camp

Children ages 6-16 years can enjoy camps on horseback this summer at Griffin Valley Ranch. Younger campers (ages 6 – 7 years) learn about safety, riding and interacting with ponies. Although camps are promoted as being ages 6+, they will consider enrolling mature 5-year old campers as well.

For those a little older (8-16 years), children are assigned to groups based on their age, size and ability and will learn about safety, riding, and horse/pony care. Fun activities are planned and include a variety of arena exercises, games, riding drills, and trail riding.

Griffin Valley Ranch is located near Cochrane, however, bussing is provided to and from Calgary each day for those who don’t want to drive. Several pick-up points are located in the city including in the Southwest, Northwest, North and in the town of Cochrane.

From $475

Brickz for Kids

Calling all Lego-lovers! Brickz for Kids is offering ½ day Lego-building summer camps for children ages 5 – 12. Need a full-day option? No problem! The morning sessions and afternoon sessions are designed to compliment each other, so you won’t find duplication the in the projects. Plus, if you register for both am and pm, lunchtime supervision is provided for free.

Prices vary based on camp; find your local camps here

Heritage Park

Fun, pioneer-based weekly camps are being offered this summer, at Heritage Park’s Historical Village. Children ages 6 – 14 years get to experience travelling back in time while dressed in period costumes. Campers will enjoy train and wagon travel, a one-room schoolhouse, and chores around the ranch! Several camp themes are available including Time Travellers, Adventures in Science, and History Hunters. For those older campers, ages 11 – 14 years, Heritage Park is also offering over-night summer camp options.

Cost: $280 for day camps

The Flip Factory Summer Camps

The Flip Factory is offering both half-day and full-day summer camps focused on all things gymnastics – trampoline, circus arts, gymnastics, gladiator challenges, parkour and more. Healthy lunches are available for purchase from the Flip Café and before and after camp care is also available with a 7:30 am start and a 5 pm pick up. Plus, an end-of-the-week performance is included in these energy-burning summer camps.

Starting at $165 for half-day camps

The Flip Factory Under the Big Top Circus Camp

This camp is a specialized circus training camp for youth and teens ages 9 – 17 years. Fun circus skills are taught such as silks, aerial hoop, trapeze, trampolines and much more. Participants will also be introduced to stage presentation, make-up and performance techniques. All skill levels are welcome, from beginners to advanced athletes, as participants are divided into small groups based on age and athletic ability. Two ‘Cirque-style’ performances, which are open to the public, will wrap up the week.

**Note: This special camp is only offered for 1-week during the summer, July 23rd to July 27th.

$485 – find more details here