ROOTED IN PLAY! - ROOTS RESOURCES
Location: Anchorage and Mat-Su
Grades/Age: Ages 3-18 | Cost: Dependent on date ranges and age, but may be covered by insurance.
Description: At ROOTS, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential, regardless of their abilities. That’s why we’ve created a unique program that combines the latest techniques in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and child development to support special needs children in developing essential social, adaptive and life skills. Through our social skills gatherings, children are immersed in a nurturing environment where they can practice and learn critical skills such as communication, empathy and problem-solving. The therapeutic camp may be covered by your insurance if child has certain diagnoses including Asperger’s or autism. If your child would like to join using cash pay or as a peer, please inquire via email or our website.
Date/Time: Varies on age and location - Inquire for more info!
Contact: Amy@RootsABA.com
UPWARD & ONWARD
Location: Mat-Su Valley
Grades/Age: Ages 12-18 | Cost: Varies
Description: Onward & Upward is an evidence-based nonprofit located in the Mat-Su Valley, specializing in adventure outdoor education that promotes health and wellness! We have a number of different summer programs happening, from eight-day backpacking courses to four-day rock climbing courses and much more! Visit our website for more details: www.onwardandupward.org.
Date/Time: Year-round | Varies
Contact: info@onwardandupward.org
ANIMAL ADVENTURES
Location: Near the Alaska State Fair Grounds, Palmer
Grades/Age: Ages 4-12 | Cost: $115/day; $192/two days; $258/three days; $380/five days
Description: Get back into nature! Come enjoy Alaska’s learning farm this summer! Check out our new non-Newtonian lake and learn about viscosity, mud flats, quicksand and more! Have a try walking through this curious fluid! Tons of farm and nature-related science every day! Cuddle with all the cute babies: piglets, kids, lambs, ducks, cows, foals and more. Learn to ride a horse, shear a sheep and make wool projects. Milk goats and cows and make lotion. Go on an archeology dig, bottle-feed lambs and other farm babies, explore the farm and play farm games.
Date/Time: May-August | 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Contact: Amanda Taylor, 907-230-6775
ALASKA CHILDREN’S CHOIR MUSICAL THEATER CAMP
Location: Trinity Lutheran Church, 10355 E Palmer-Wasilla Highway, Palmer
Grades/Age: Recommended Ages 8-17 | Cost: $225/student; Discounts available for each additional sibling
Description: Come enjoy a week-long introduction into musical theatre! Students will meet daily from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. They will prepare a short production throughout the week, learning skills including singing, acting and creating stage props for the set. The week will culminate in a single performance of their musical theatre production on Friday evening. The recommended ages are 8-17. The cost is $225 per student, and parents will also be responsible for providing a simple costume for their child, or material so the student can make their own costume. Discounts are available for multiple children in a family. The musical will be determined based on enrollment numbers.
Date/Time: June 3-7 | Daily, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; evening performance June 7
Contact: Jessie Wetherell, 907-982-5467 (text preferred); alaskachildrenschoir@yahoo.com
CAMP KELLOGG
Location: Alaska Pacific University’s Kellogg Campus, Palmer
Grades/Age: Ages 5-17 | Cost: $150; $230; $305
Description: We have four weeks of adventure, science, performance arts, farm and nature camps planned with various options for all ages. Enroll in one week or for all four. We’re eager to welcome you to our outdoor program of exploration, discovery and play!
Date/Time: Monday-Friday, June 3-28 | Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Contact: solaughlin@alaskapacific.edu
RECTENNIS SUMMER CAMPS
Location: West Anchorage High School, South Anchorage High School, Delaney Park, Anchorage; Chugiak High School, Chugiak; and Colony High School, Palmer
Grades/Age: Ages 5-17 | Cost: $150; Scholarships available!
Description: Our three-hour a day, weeklong camps are available June through August and are for juniors of all skill levels, ages 5-17! Participants will refine their tennis skills and also engage in enjoyable activities, fostering a lifelong love for the sport. Our well-rounded program combines expert instruction, 8:1 player/instructor ratios and a balanced mix of competition, camaraderie and fun! Scholarships available! All equipment is provided!
Date/Time: Weekly, Monday-Friday, June 3-Aug. 2 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-3:30 p.m.
Contact: Kati Renfro, 907-215-1800; Krenfro@pnw.usta.com
UAA SUMMER ENGINEERING ACADEMIES
Location: University of Alaska Anchorage and Mat-Su College
Grades/Age: Entering grades 3-12 | Cost: $225/week-long session; Free for low-income families
Description: The UAA Summer Engineering Academies are a series of week-long, hands-on educational day camps in Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley for students entering grades 3 through 12. Each academy is designed to encourage interest in and provide exposure to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The academies also seek to support historically underserved and underrepresented students, because we believe STEM is for everyone. The academies are made possible by generous support from ConocoPhillips Alaska, with additional support from the MTA Foundation and Siemens.
Date/Time: June 3-Aug. 2 | 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Contact: www.uaa.alaska.edu/sea
RIDGE RUNNERS ADVENTURE CAMP AT THE SUNDERLAND RANCH
Location: 8801 North Wolverine Road, Palmer
Grades/Age: Ages 8-18 | Cost: $575
Description: Ridge Runners Adventure Camps
Ages 8+
Must weigh 80lbs to participate in the zipline course
Sample Schedule: Small groups of 5-7 youth, divided by age, to one leader will be participating in daily activities. The order of these will be different for each group.
Day 1: Horseback Adventure - Start your day bringing your horse in from pasture. Groom, saddle and pack your day bags for a long ride from our ranch through the Red Mountain foothills. Stop for lunch before you return to tack down and turn out your horse.
Day 2: Craftsmanship - Spend the day at the original Red Barn working on different ranch projects for our smaller farm animals. We will also be completing a project that takes me back to my youth as I still treasure it today!
Day 3: Zipline and Pond Play - Take flight on our tandem 10 tower zipline course. Spend the rest of the day paddling the pond and exploring the salmon creek area.
Day 4: Ridge Riders Geocaching - Dig back to your roots and use your decoding and map reading skills to find the hidden treasures. Lunch at the Ridge Rider base camp with games and activities.
Be prepared with appropriate gear and lunch, snacks and water bottles.
If your child is not yet 80lbs, they will only zip the first part of the course. An alternative activity may be supplied in place of ziplining. No adjustments will be made to price.
We are committed to having a fun experience that is full of challenge and learning. Our goal is to inspire confidence while problem solving and learning our role with nature. Stewardship and care of land is an important value in our program. Each day is designed with adventure and friendship in mind.
Visit www.akzipline.com to learn more about AZAP. We are super excited to partner and bring this next level of adventure to your kids!
Date/Time: Tuesday-Thursday, June 4-7; June 11-14; June 18-21; June 25-28; July 2-5; July 9-12; July 16-19; July 23-26; July 30-Aug. 2 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Contact: Katie Sunderland, 907-982-7268; Info@sunderlandranch.com
VICTORY BIBLE CAMP
Location: Glacier View
Grades/Age: Ages 7-17 | Cost: $129-$429; $685
Description: Summer Camp at Victory is Life Changing!
Do you love to ride horses, whitewater raft, canoe, swim, paddleboard, ride the banana boat or just sit at a campfire with friends? If you do, Victory Bible Camp is where you want to be!
With three satellite camps on over 400 acres - Alpine, Ranch and Venture Camp - we offer choices of activities and styles of camping that your child will be sure to enjoy, with several dates to choose from.
This year, we are bringing Wilderness Camp back, with two 11-day trips for teens! It’s our desire to see your camper make new friends, learn new skills and grow closer to God.
Date/Time: June 9-July 26 | Sundays, 4 p.m.-Fridays, 11 a.m.
Contact: 907-745-4203; www.vbcalaska.org
PERCUSSION IN THE VALLEY SUMMER PERCUSSION CAMP 2024
Location: Percussion in the Valley Studio, Palmer
Grades/Age: Session I, ages 5-9; Session II, ages 9-18 | Cost: Session I, $100; Session II, $300
Description: Percussion in the Valley Summer Percussion Camp is an opportunity for percussionists, and those interested in percussion, between ages 5-18 to improve their technique, learn a wide variety of new instruments and gain instruction from professionals around the state. This week-long intensive study will help inspire and challenge students in their percussion education while having fun and making new friends and connections. The camp is appropriate for all ability levels.
Date/Time: June 10-14 | Session I, 9-10:45 a.m.; Session II, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Contact: Meggie Aube, 907-631-8079; percvalley@gmail.com
REINDEER FARM DAY CAMP AGES 5-7
Location: Williams Reindeer Farm, 5561 S Bodenburg Loop, Palmer
Grades/Age: Ages 5-7 | Cost: $95, Camper brings own lunch from home; $105, Camper is provided lunch
Description: One day of farm-filled fun! Come down to the reindeer farm! Kids will pet and interact with animals, learn, make crafts and play in this super fun one-of-a-kind camp! Camp includes: animal interactions, nature hikes, outdoor games, crafts and a science-based curriculum. Make memories with the reindeer farm! Register your camper today!
Date/Time: June 11 | Drop off, 9 a.m.; Pick up, 3 p.m.
Contact: 907-745-4000; ReindeerFarmCamps@gmail.com; Register online at https://www.reindeerfarm.com/2023-reindeer-farm-summer-camp/
REINDEER FARM DAY CAMP AGES 8-11
Location: Williams Reindeer Farm, 5561 S Bodenburg Loop, Palmer
Grades/Age: Ages 8-11 | Cost: $95, Camper brings lunch from home; $105, Camper is provided lunch
Description: One day of farm-filled fun! Come down to the reindeer farm! Kids will pet and interact with animals, learn, make crafts and play in this super fun one-of-a-kind camp! Camp includes: animal interactions, nature hikes, outdoor games, crafts and a science-based curriculum. Make memories with the reindeer farm! Register your camper today!
Date/Time: June 13 | Drop off, 9 a.m.; Pick up, 3 p.m.
Contact: 907-745-4000, ReindeerFarmCamps@gmail.com; Register online at https://www.reindeerfarm.com/2023-reindeer-farm-summer-camp/
FUTURE VETERINARIAN CAMP AT THE REINDEER FARM
Location: Williams Reindeer Farm, 5561 S Bodenburg Loop, Palmer
Grades/Age: Ages 13-17 | Cost: $650/camper
Description: Explore the world of veterinary science at our “Future Vet Camp,” where aspiring young minds dive into hands-on experiences, solving animal medical case studies, assisting in veterinary procedures and engaging in large animal handling under the guidance of professionals. Five days of learning and fun!
Date/Time: June 17-24 | Daily, Drop off 9 a.m.; Pick up 3 p.m.
Contact: 907-745-4000; ReindeerFarmCamps@gmail.com; Register online at https://www.reindeerfarm.com/2023-reindeer-farm-summer-camp/
REINDEER FARM SUMMER CAMP AGES 8-10
Location: Williams Reindeer Farm, 5561 S Bodenburg Loop, Palmer
Grades/Age: Ages 8-10 | Cost: $475, Camper brings own lunch from home; $525, Camper is provided lunch
Description: Five days of camp. Come down to the reindeer farm! Kids will pet and interact with animals, learn, make crafts and play in this super fun one-of-a-kind camp!
Camp includes: animal interactions, nature hikes, horseback riding, outdoor games, crafts and a science-based curriculum.
Make memories with the reindeer farm! Register your camper today!
Date/Time: June 24-28 | Daily, Drop off 9 a.m.; Pick up 3 p.m.
Contact: 907-745-4000; ReindeerFarmCamps@gmail.com; Register online at https://www.reindeerfarm.com/2023-reindeer-farm-summer-camp/
ALASKA STRINGS CAMP
Location: Camp Maranatha, Big Lake area
Grades/Age: Elementary/Session 1: leaving grades 4-6; Intermediate/Session 2: leaving grades 7-9; Campers need at least one year of school orchestra or private lessons. | Cost: Elementary, $420; Intermediate, $525
Description: Come join the fun at Alaska String Camps! There will be large group orchestra rehearsals, small group lessons, varied musical classes and a wide variety of recreational activities such as games, skits, campfires, swimming, boating and more!
Campers stay overnight in rustic, chaperoned cabins. Meals focus on nutritious food that young people enjoy. At the end of camp, campers perform a wonderful concert for families, sharing what they have learned.
Date: Elementary: July 27-29; Intermediate: July 30-Aug. 2
Contact: 907-696-CAMP (2267); info@alaskastringcamps.org; www.alaskastringcamps.org
ACOUSTIC ALASKA GUITAR CAMP
Location: Wasilla
Grades/Age: Ages 16-adult | Cost: $789
Description: Let the Moose be your Muse! Co-sponsored by 90.3 KNBA FM, the 22nd Annual Acoustic Alaska Guitar Camp is a special event offering music enthusiasts of all ability levels the opportunity to spend a week in Wasilla, studying acoustic guitar, mandolin, ukulele, fiddle, songwriting, voice, music theory and more under the tutelage of world-class recording artists. This year’s artists-turned-instructors include: Scottish singer-songwriter Jill Jackson, former McCartney Wings guitarist Laurence Juber, singer-songwriter Jackson Emmer, three-time national flatpicking champion Steve Kaufman, award-winning blues artist Jon Shain, fiddler Megan Gregory and more. Limited work-study opportunities and scholarships may be available.
Date/Time: Aug. 25-31 | Overnight
Contact: Joe Becker, Camp Director, 907-331-4864; Camp@AcousticAlaska.com; www.AcousticAlaska.com