It’s not too soon to start thinking about summer camp. How, where and when to register

Although warm weather may seem far away, many families are already planning their summer activities as camp registration is in full swing.

This year, full day camps have been in high demand and are filling up fast, Beth Lee, recreation supervisor for Centre Region Parks and Recreation, said.

“We think a lot of parents are headed back to work for kids are really looking to get back into what they usually were doing for the summer,” Lee said.

Although many camps are full, children can get on a waitlist in case spots open.

“A lot of people think they know what they’re going to be doing in June when they register in February, but by the time it gets closer to June they realize that there are some weeks that they don’t need so we do take waitlists,” Lee said. “A lot of times we’ll go through those waitlists as people’s plans change.”

CRPR is working on expanding its existing camps, offering more available weeks and spaces. They’ve also partnered with local organizations to provide specialty camps, like a musical theater camp in partnership with State College Community Theatre.

“There’s potentially going to be a chess camp that we’re going to offer online,” Lee said. “We’re really trying to get a spectrum of online and in-person camps for all different ages so that we’re really covering the population of youth.”

Other summer camp options across Centre County include those that focus on sports, art, theater and more. The State College Area School District also has a virtual youth fair, detailing camps, lessons and activities for various age groups.

Outdoors & adventure

• State College YMCA has camps available for children ages 5-12 including the explorers camp, trailblazers and Tussey Mountain camp. Families who have participated in previous YMCA camps were able to start registering for camps starting Monday. New families must meet with the child care director before registering. Appointments can be made by phone or through email; drop-in appointments are also available.
• Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center has camps for ages 4-14, as well as a leaders-in-training program for ages 14-17 to guide younger campers. The Investigators camp for ages 12-14 has openings, as well as the leaders-in-training program.
• Four Branch Farm is hosting several equestrian camps for different age groups and experience levels. Registration, required items and dates can be found on its website.
• Camp Soles has overnights camps for ages 7-16, as well as a counselors-in-training program for ages 16-17. Family camp programs are also open for registration. Packing lists, camp schedules and registration can be found on the camp’s website.

Hands-on

• Discovery Space has camps for ages 4-14 and has scholarship opportunities to cover costs for those in need. Registration, waitlists and scholarship information can be found on the website.
• Taste Buds Kitchen has cooking camps for various ages, with registration available on its website.

Sports

• Nittany Valley Sports Centre’s summer camps, with full and half-day programs for ages 4-12, include soccer camps, basketball camps and more. Registration information is available at the Centre’s website.

• Registration for the Centre Elite Gymnastics Summer Camp is now open, with details and registration available online.

• Climb Nittany has a summer climbing camp for ages 5 and older. Book a climber’s spot at Climb Nittany’s website.

• Hoop Stars will offer two weeks of a summer basketball camp for kids in grades kindergarten through second grade. Visit the website to register.

• Registration for State College Area School District’s Shorts and Sports camp opens Feb. 21 for grades 1-6.

Art & theater

• Adam Swartz Puppets’ weeklong summer camp teaches acting and theater skills, with registration now open.

• Budding artists can sign up for the Art Alliance of Central Pennsylvania’s summer camps for pre-K to teen. Visit the Art Alliance website for more information and to register.

• The Makery’s summer camps include weeks that focus on creative writing, photography, crochet and more. Registration is open at The Makery’s website.

This story was originally published February 16, 2022 at 9:41 AM.