(10 minute read)
Diaries of a Luxury Agent by Kim Lowe
Remember the good ole days when you were a kid and your parents sent you outside during the summer to play with the hose or ride your bike? If you were lucky, you had an above ground pool and all of the neighbor kids congregated at your house to swim until your skin withered.
That is certainly not the case today. As the school year starts to wind down, parents begin frantically searching for activities and programs to keep their children stimulated, entertained, and dare we say … out of the house and off of their electronics! And particularly here in the Valley of the Sun, there is so much to choose from – including Music Camp with Glee Club, Cooking Camp with a ‘Chopped-style’ competition, to Ninja Camp with ziplines and swings. To break it all down, I asked a few of my girlfriends to share their favorite go-to summer camps in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area and why their kids love them. I hope you enjoy!
Hubbard Sports Camp
May 28 – Aug 2, Ages 4-16 years
This camp provides the opportunity to develop active skills that will last a lifetime. Activities include swimming, archery, basketball, baseball/softball/t-ball, crafts, field sports, soccer, and volleyball. Full and half days are available.
-Why we ❤️ this camp: Their Counselors are amazing, top-notch people. The kind of people you want your kids hanging around. My kids loved waking up and going to these camps every day! By far their favorite camp when they were in second through fourth grade!
AZ on the Rocks
June 3 – Aug 2, Ages 6-12
At this Rock Climbing/Yoga Gym in Scottsdale, active campers will rock climb, practice yoga, learn ninjitsu, and a ton of other fun activities. Lunch is provided fresh every day by Pita Jungle.
This camp offers super flexible schedules and takes drop ins.
-Why we ❤️ this camp: Amazing climbing walls for kids of all ages. Staff are super fun and friendly – even for those little first timers.
Bach To Rock Music Camp
Sessions throughout the summer with flexible schedules, preschool age – teens
Campers are placed in a band according to their age and skill level. Activities include Rock Band, Glee Club, Rock City World Tour and Recording Arts. Kids can even record a studio demo!
-Why we ❤️ this camp: Seriously, who hasn’t dreamed of being a rock star? Your kiddo might just be the next big thing and you can retire!
Boys and Girls Club
Grades K-12
Kiddos are kept busy with sports activities, arts, and educational enrichment, including fun field trips to places like the Phoenix Children’s Museum and the Challenger Space Center.
Breakfast and lunch are included, and Summer Day Camp programs operate five days per week from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
-Why we ❤️ this camp: We love how many options the kids have freedom to explore – including art, computers and sports daily. Our kid’s favorite part is always the weekly field trip!
Sur la Table
June & July, Ages 8-12 (Kierland and Scottsdale Fashion Square locations)
Aspiring chefs learn kitchen fundamentals like basic knife skills, how to follow recipes, measuring, mixing, and kitchen safety. Kids will make their own restaurant-quality pizza from scratch, BBQ favorites, carnival classics and magical frozen desserts. Camp ends with a chance to show off their skills with a friendly Mystery Box Team Competition.
A teen camp for ages 13-17 is also available and which includes grilling burgers, filling ravioli, and making s’mores with a blow torch. Better at camp than at home!
-Why we ❤️ this camp: They teach them real life cooking skills, such as proper knife safety and techniques they will use every day in the kitchen. Bonus for the parents … they bring dinner home to share with you!
Maui Ninjitsu Ninja Kids Camp
May 27 – Aug 9, Ages 4-14
There are so many crazy fun activities for your camper, including zip lining, rock climbing, sword fighting (the safe kind), ninja rope swinging skills and games. You can pack a lunch or have a meal provided for $1.
-Why we ❤️ this camp: Our kids love that they get to do all kinds of games, ziplines, and swings in the studio. They walk to the gymnastics studio on Mondays and do rock climbing in the afternoons on the other days and end with movie time.
Ice Den at Hi-Five Sports Camp
June 3 – Aug 2, Ages 5-12
This camp boasts non-stop sports with baseball, soccer, flag football, basketball, floor hockey, lacrosse, volleyball, ultimate frisbee, handball and ice skating. Staff is filled with professional coaches, high school and college athletes, as well as experienced physical education teachers. Kids are put into teams in each division (by age group) and will compete for a division championship!
-Why we ❤️ this camp: The kids love that they get to play so many sports! From volleyball, soccer, football, and basketball to floor hockey.
Team Impact Football Camp
July 15-19 and July 22-26, 9a-1p, Ages 7-14
This camp is all about football with position training for WR/DB/RB/QB and Skeleton Offense vs Defense. Specialty Coaches are onsite and Dri-fit camp shirts provided.
-Why we ❤️ this camp: The one-on-one interaction is amazing and it takes your kids strength, conditioning, skill and accuracy to the next level.
Infinity Fitness
May 28 – July 26, Ages 7-12 and 13-20
This camp will transform your little athlete and give them an edge over the competition! One hour of their session is dedicated to teaching the proper fundamentals of running technique to increase speed, and the second hour is dedicated to age appropriate strength training that will also include core, flexibility and mobility.
-Why we ❤️ this camp: My son (9 years old) loved that it made him stronger and faster. Friday’s were his favorite because he got to play Dodgeball and have water balloon fights.
Are camps part of your summer survival plan? I’d love to know. Better yet, while our kiddos are busy at one of these seriously cool camps, I’d love to get together and have an iced coffee! Phoenix, Arizona real estate is getting hotter by the minute – especially in the areas of Desert Ridge, Grayhawk and DC Ranch, and I would love the opportunity to chat with you about it. Give me a call today and let’s get a kid-free date sent on our calendars.