South KC has a variety of summer programs for kids

South Kansas City Summer Camps

By Christina McDonough Hunt

Summer is almost here, and kid boredom is a thing of the past with these South KC summer camps.

Academic Camps

Barstow Summer Camp – 11511 State Line Rd.  Create the perfect balance of academics and fun for your child at the Summer at Barstow Camp.  Choose between 4- and 6-week academic day camps and add an afternoon art, swimming, or sports camp.  Camps are available from ages 3-14 and runs May 28 – August 2. Extended care options are available, 816-277-0445 or barstowschool.org/summer.

Notre Dame de Sion Academic Camps – 10631 Wornall Rd., Take your summer by storm with Sion’s summer academic courses.  Courses include College Essay and Resume Writing, College Application, Visual Art for High School Credit, Bridge Program for incoming Freshmen, and a Class of 2023 Book Club.  Courses are open to Sion and non-Sion students, grades 8-12. Select camps begin May 28. 816-942-3282 or ndsion.edu.

Rockhurst High School Academic Camps – 9301 State Line Rd., Summers are inventive and creative at these academic summer camps.  Your teen can choose from a number of camps including Drone Camp, Robotics, Science Stars – STEAM, and more.  For students entering grades 9-12, select camps for grades 1-4. Select camps begin June 2. Contact Chris Bosco 816-363-2036 x519 or cbosco@rockhursths.edu, rockhursths.edu.

Adventure Camps

Campfire Heartland Summer Day Camp – Camp Lake of the Woods in Swope Park or New Life City Church.  Campfire is an adventurous camp that allows your child to find their spark, raise their voice, and discover who they are.  Activities include learning about nature and animals, zip line, rope swing, archery, crafts, and more. Choose from a 7- or 4-week camp, and each week is themed.  Cost is $200 per week. Ages 6-15. June 17-August 2. 816-285-2010, campfireheartland.org.

Grandview Parks & Rec. Summer Camp – The View Community Center, 13500 Byars Rd., Weekly field trips, games, activities, arts & crafts, swimming, and more.  Cost is $100 per week. Swimming and extended care is an additional charge. Ages 6-12 are welcome and the camp runs June 10 – August 2.  Limited to 20 kids per class. 816-316-4888, teamsideline.com/grandview.

Heartland Camp Holmeswood Baptist – 9700 Holmes Rd..  Explore stories of the Bible through games, skits, drawings, and more.  Enjoy a family night. Lunch and snack provided. Cost is $50 per camper, scholarships available.  July 8-12. Early drop off and late pick up available. heartlandcamps.org/holmeswood-baptist.

Heartland Camp John Knox Kirk – 11430 Wornall Rd..  This traveling camp is for kids who have completed grades K-6 and includes Bible Study, games, skits, horses, a family night, and a youth night.  Extended care offered. July 29-August 2. Cost is $90 per camper. Contact Michelle Phillips at mich@kckirk.org or 816-942-3637, heartlandcamps.org/the-kirk.

Kanakuk Kampout Day Kamp Adventure – First Church of the Nazarene, 11811 Stateline Rd., This traveling Christian 5-day camp experience includes adventures like ziplines, a climbing wall, inflatables, and crazy skits. Grades K-6.  July 15-19. 816-942-9022, kcfc.org/upcoming-events.

KC Parks Summer Camp – Hillcrest Community Center, 10401 Hillcrest Rd., Your child will stay socially, mentally, and physically active in the 10-week day camp.  Experience field trips, swimming, arts and crafts, sports, and more. Ages 6-13. June 3 – August 9. Cost is $80 per week, multi-child discount available.  Early bird special offered. 816-513-8560 or kcparks.org.  

KCPD Youth Academy – South Patrol Campus, 9701 Marion Park Dr.  KCPD and the City of Kansas City have teamed up to offer Kansas City teens, ages 12-15, a behind-the-scenes look at the KC Police Department.  They will learn how detectives solve cases, how to be a canine officer, and be able to check out the new Crime Lab and 911 Call Center. Lunch is provided.  July 22-26. 816-234-kcpd or careers.kcpd.org.

Summer Cyclones – St. Thomas More, 11822 Holmes Rd., Explore God’s Creation and learn about different cultures, animals, and plants.  Activities include arts and crafts, field trips, swimming, nature, and much more. For students entering grades K-7.  May 28-August 2. Contact Hope at 605.675.9465 or hope@stmkc.com.

V.E.R.B. – Calvary Lutheran School, 12411 Wornall Rd..  Vacation. Explore. Relax. Be More! Kids K-5 will stay active physically, mentally and spiritually this summer at VERB.  Fee includes field trips to the KC Zoo, Coterie Theatre, Emerald City, to name a few, swimming, reading, crafts, games, and more.  VBS at Calvary is included. Themed weeks. 1/2/3/4/5-day/week options available. June 3-August 2. 816-595-4020, calvaryschoolkc.com.

Arts Camps

Cartoon Camp – 9818 Summit St., Learn to create with master cartoonist Ron Wheeler.  Learn how to draw, model clay, create comic strips, and draw online. Three weekly partial day camps beginning July 8 for ages 8+.  Cost is $150, light snack included. 816-941-9221, cartoonworks.com.

The Martin City Melodrama Komedy Kidstitute Comedy Camps – 702 Blue Ridge Blvd, in Grandview.  Learn to tell a joke, throw a cream pie, improvise, perform slapstick, and more.  And participate in a Final Show Performance. Two-week camp begins June 11. 913-642-7576, melodrama.org/comedy-camps.

Rockhurst High School Arts Camps – 9301 Stateline Rd., Your teen can learn to make a movie or perform in a Musical at one of these art camps.  Choose between Moviemaking or Musical Theatre camp. For students entering grades 9-12. Contact Chris Bosco 816-363-2036 x519 or cbosco@rockhursths.edu.

Christian Youth Theatre – Christ Community Church, 14200 Kenneth Rd., Shine this summer with CYT’s day camps and overnight camps.  Camps include dance, drama, tech theater, improv, and more. Half and full day camps and overnight camps available for ages 5-19, and are held throughout the metro. 913-681-3318, cytkc.org.

Vacation Bible School

Extreme Makeover: Redesigned Attitudes Mini VBS – Colonial Presbyterian South KC Campus, 9500 Wornall Rd.. Your child will undergo some major construction in the mini VBS as they learn to “have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had”.  There will be fun games, rockin’ music, projects, and inspiring testimonials. Cost is $10 per child, $30 max per family. Price will increase after June 12^th.  Camp takes place June 26-28 from 9am – noon.  816-942-3272 or colonialkc.org.

ROAR! VBS – Calvary Lutheran School, 12411 Wornall Rd., It’s an epic African adventure that engages the whole herd.  Kids will explore God’s goodness and celebrate a ferocious faith that power them through this wild life. For kids going into Preschool (must be potty-trained) – 5^th grade.  Kids going into 6^th grade may volunteer.  June 17-21. Register at vbspro.events/p/events/calvarylutheranvbs.

In The Wild VBS – South Haven Baptist Church, 16800 Bel-Ray Blvd., Belton.  Kids go from bewildered to believing in The Wild. They will seek out exotic animals and Jesus and will do crafts, games, Bible Study, music, food, and more. Grades K-6.  June23-28. Contact Pastor Mike at mott@southhavenchurch.org  or register at southhavenchurch.org/vbs/.

Sports Camps

Eagles Super Spectacular Summer Camps – Eagles Gymnastics, 209 W. 135^th St..  Campers will experience gymnastics, tumbling, rope climbing, crafts, cooking lessons, science experiments, and play on Eagles’ Humungous Slippy Slide.  Multi-child discount available. Ages 4+. Camps begin June 3rd.  816-941-9529, eaglesgymnastics.com.

Girls Basketball Camp – Grandview Christian School, 12340 Grandview Rd., Grandview.  Open to girls grades 6-12. June 11-27. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday.  Times vary on grade level. T-shirt included in fee. 816-767-8630, grandviewchristianschool.com/athletics/.  

Golf Classes –  Martin City Golf Center, 1 E. 135^th St..  Classes at all levels for kids ages 5-16 and families.  816-941-9000. facebook.com/martincitygolfcenter/.  

Horse Camp – The Riding Club at Clanton Performance Horses, 21622 S. Harper Rd., Peculiar, MO.  A fun filled week of horses and activities. Learn basic horsemanship, horseback riding, grooming, crafts, and games.  Two sessions available: Jun 18-21 and July 30-August 2. Hours are 10am – 3pm. Open to ages 5+. 817-296-3442, facebook.com/TheRidingClubatCPH/.

KICK IT Karate Summer Camps – Integrity Martial Arts, Red Bridge Shopping Center 11130 Holmes Rd. Kids will experience martial arts training, strength and conditioning, a movie, pizza on Friday, and more.  No martial arts experience required. Two camp sessions: June 10-14 and June 24-28. Hours are 8:30am-3:30pm. Early drop off and late pick up is available. 816-761-0143, kcintegritykarate.com.  

Notre Dame de Sion Summer Sports Camps – 10631 Wornall Rd. Sports camps include basketball, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, and volleyball.  Select camps begin May 28. Grades K-6 for both boys and girls (varies by sport). 816-942-3282, ndsion.edu.

Rockhurst Hawklet Summer Sports Camps – Rockhurst High School, 9301 State Line Rd.  Sports camps include baseball, basketball, football, lacrosse, soccer, speed & explosion, and wrestling.  Open to all boys in grades 9-12. Contact Matt Darby at 816-363-2036 x527 or mdarby@rockhursths.edu, rockhursths.edu.