Need things to do? Here's a list of summer camps and activities for kids

With warmer days and the end of school quickly approaching, children may need something to do. Here's a list of summer activities for students, ranging from free camps to specialty events.

Summer Camps by the City

The City of Gainesville hosts a variety of summer camps for children in elementary school and beyond. Financial assistance is available for families who qualify and may not be able to afford the camp(s) through scholarships and reduced-rate discounts. However, for 2024 summer programs, a Scholarship Application Form must have been submitted by February 26.

Adventures in Play Summer Day Camp

This camp is held at two locations: Albert "Ray" Massey Recreation Center and Eastside Community Center. It will feature different engaging activities each week for children entering grades first through fifth. To enroll, the child must have completed kindergarten during the 2022-23 school year.

The camp has nine week-long sessions (Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.) that run from June 3 through August 2. Meals will be provided by Alachua County Public School's Food & Nutrition Services.

1. Tournament of Champions: June 3-June 7"Campers will engage in creative, fun and exciting mental and physical activities competing in tournament and challenge style games." Children will be grouped by skill and/or age to compete in game shows, video and tabletop games.

2. To Infinity & Beyond!: June 10-June 14"Campers will embark on a cosmic journey through the solar system, galaxy, and beyond! Exploration and discovery are the themes for this STEM-filled space week." Children will participate in STEM and space-themed activities such as moon dough, galaxy exploration and a trip to the Planetarium.

3. Movie Makers, Music Shakers: June 17-June 21 (No camp June 19)"Campers will celebrate their creativity, collaboration, and self-expression. Whether campers are passionate about storytelling through acting or expressing emotions through music, this theme promises a memorable and enriching experience that fosters a love of the arts." Children will explore books, iconic pop culture brands and storytellers from the 1950's through the 2010's as well as acting, photography and dance through interactive activities.

4. Splish-Splash: June 24-June 28"Campers will love exploring all the things you can do with water in a wet and water-filled week of thrilling activities." Children will cool off with baby pools, water balloons, super soakers and slip 'n slides, among other water games and activities.

5. Junior Detectives: July 1-July 5 (No camp July 4)"Campers will enhance their teamwork skills as well as their logical processing while investigating mysteries." Children will follow clues, solve puzzles and scavenger hunt, among other activities, while participating in hands-on projects.

6. Olympics: July 8-July 12"Campers will engage in the excitement and camaraderie of the Olympic Games, fostering teamwork, sportsmanship, and a passion for physical activity. Additionally, this week of camp will highlight different countries from around the world as each center competes for the gold!" Children will be grouped by skill and/or age level, competing in traditional and non-traditional sports challenges as well as exploring other cultures by representing different countries in their competitions.

7. Full STEAM Ahead: July 15-July 19"Campers will innovate, craft, and design through hands-on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activities exploring engineering, science, technology, art, and math." Children will explore, discover, design and build. Through the use of real materials and tools, they will conduct experiments in a variety of STEAM areas and open-ended design projects.

8. Summer Showdown: July 22-July 26"Staff and campers will showdown and show out all their skills in friendly competitions in sports, arts, and games!" Camp staff will host competitions with groups of campers ranging from survivor-style challenges to a staff vs kids kickball game.

9. Lagoon Life: July 29-August 2"Campers will embark on a captivating exploration of aquatic wonders during our Lagoon Life week of camp. This water-filled week will explore oceans, rivers, streams, and more!" Children will physically and virtually explore the natural waters of Florida, finishing the summer off with fishing, ocean-inspired crafts and a trip to Daytona Lagoon waterpark.

Fees to attend (per week) are $61 for city residents and $76 for non-city residents. Registration closes the Friday before camp.

Earth Academy Day Camp

This camp, held at Morningside Nature Center by Gainesville's Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, is available to rising first through sixth graders and uses "hands-on fun to focus attention on natural and cultural history." The camp's instructors are educators and science professionals who are experienced in working with children.

The camp has multiple week-long sessions (Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) during Alachua County Public School's summer break. Lunch is not provided, but two snacks are provided daily.

Session 1: June 3-7Creatures of the Wild: "From the smallest of insects to the largest mammals that roam the earth, we share our world with some wonderful and wild creatures!" Campers will learn what lives in their neighborhoods and beyond.

Session 2: June 10-14Sensational Nature: "How do living things in nature sense the world around them? Get ready to explore the sights, sounds, and smells of nature!" Campers will explore how sensational nature is.

Session 3: June 17-21How it Works: "There’s a whole wonderment to the magic of machines in nature! How does nature adapt to survive and how can we learn from these mechanisms?" Campers will discover and broaden their horizons of the natural systems surrounding them.

Session 4: July 15-19Same topic as session three.

Session 5: July 22-26 Same topic as session two.

Fees to attend are $147.75 for city residents and $184.50 for non-city residents. Proof of residency is required at the time of registration. Fees are due at the time of registration, which closes Monday, May 27th at 11:59 p.m., one week prior to camp.

Earth Academy Junior Naturalist Program

This camp provides rising seventh through 12th graders with volunteer opportunities during one-week camp sessions, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Junior naturalists also assist with camp activities.

Additional volunteer opportunities may be available for programs throughout the year, however, applications must have been submitted by March 15 for this summer program. More information can be found by contacting earthacademy@gainesvillefl.gov.

Teen Life Summer Day Camp

This camp, held at the T.B. McPherson Recreation Center, features a variety of activities for children entering grades six through eight. To enroll, the child must have completed fifth grade during the 2022-23 school year.

The camp has nine week-long sessions (Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.) that run from June 3 through August 2. Meals will be provided by Alachua County Public School's Food & Nutrition Services.

1. Tournament of Champions: June 3-June 7"Campers will engage in creative, fun and exciting mental and physical activities competing in tournament and challenge style games." Same as the Adventures in Play Day Camp.

2. To Infinity & Beyond!: June 10-June 14"Campers will embark on a cosmic journey through the solar system, galaxy, and beyond! Exploration and discovery are the themes for this STEM-filled space week." Same as the Adventures in Play Day Camp.

3. Movie Makers, Music Shakers: June 17-June 21 (No camp June 19)"Campers will celebrate their creativity, collaboration, and self-expression. Whether campers are passionate about storytelling through acting or expressing emotions through music, this theme promises a memorable and enriching experience that fosters a love of the arts." Same as the Adventures in Play Day Camp.

4. Splish-Splash: June 24-June 28"Campers will love exploring all the things you can do with water in a wet and water-filled week of thrilling activities." Same as the Adventures in Play Day Camp.

5. Junior Detectives: July 1-July 5 (No camp July 4)"Campers will enhance their teamwork skills as well as their logical processing while investigating mysteries." Same as the Adventures in Play Day Camp.

6. Olympics: July 8-July 12"Campers will engage in the excitement and camaraderie of the Olympic Games, fostering teamwork, sportsmanship, and a passion for physical activity. Additionally, this week of camp will highlight different countries from around the world as each center competes for the gold!" Same as the Adventures in Play Day Camp.

7. Full STEAM Ahead: July 15-July 19"Campers will innovate, craft, and design through hands-on STEAM [science, technology, engineering, art and math] activities exploring engineering, science, technology, art, and math." Same as the Adventures in Play Day Camp.

8. Summer Showdown: July 22-July 26"Staff and campers will showdown and show out all their skills in friendly competitions in sports, arts, and games!" Same as the Adventures in Play Day Camp.

9. Lagoon Life: July 29-August 2"Campers will embark on a captivating exploration of aquatic wonders during our Lagoon Life week of camp. This water-filled week will explore oceans, rivers, streams, and more!" Same as the Adventures in Play Day Camp.

Fees to attend (per week) are $61 for city residents and $76 for non-city residents. Registration closes the Friday before camp.

Other Summer Camps

Cade Museum Camps

The Cade Museum offers multiple summer camps which provide hands-on and interactive learning experiences for students. Registration for 2024 summer camps is currently open.

Gotta Catch Them All Adventure: June 10–14"It’s time to catch them all and begin your journey to becoming InventivityTM Masters! Discover the secrets of your favorite creatures and crawlers! Learn about their habitats and the real-world inspiration behind their appearances."

• Rising 4th-6th graders

• Cost: $349 per student

• Registration closes June 5

Winged Wonders: June 17-21"Unleash your imagination and celebrate the world of flight! From birds to bugs, explore the magic of things that soar through the skies."

• Rising 1st-3rd graders

• Cost: $349 per student for a full day, $179 per student for a half day

• Registration closes June 12

Building Adventure: June 17-21"Grab your hard hats and blueprints, it’s time to build the future! Explore hands-on construction projects, learn key skills, and unleash your imagination while making new friends."

• Rising 4th-6th graders

• Cost: $349 per student

• Registration closes June 12.

Plant Power: June 24-28"Through games, stories, and hands-on activities, discover how the tiniest seeds can transform into the biggest trees! Learn about flowers, vines, and the wonders of nature."

• Rising 1st-3rd graders

• Cost: $349 per student for a full day, $179 per student for a half day

• Registration closes June 19

The World up Close: July 8-12"Discover the tiny but mighty by exploring the fascinating realm of microorganisms, cells, and tiny ecosystems."

• Rising 1st-3rd graders

• Cost: $349 per student for a full day, $179 per student for a half day

• Registration closes July 3

Park Pioneers: July 15-July 19"Become a steward of our natural parks! Discover the distant forests and dry deserts that hide away amazing animals and puzzling plants."

• Rising 1st-3rd graders

• Cost: $349 per student for a full day, $179 per student for a half day

• Registration closes July 10

Mythical Monsters: July 22-July 26"Inspired by your favorite mysterious creatures, investigate the legends of Bigfoot, Nessie, and more."

• Rising 4th-6th graders

• Cost: $349 per student

• Registration closes July 17

This list does not include programs labeled as "Sold Out" online.

Summer Programs by ACPS

Civics & Debate Summer Camp

This camp, held June 10 through June 14 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Howard Bishop Middle School, is hosted by civics and debate coaches and teaches students the role of government and how citizens participate in a republic through presentations about civic engagement and through practicing debate skills. Additionally, it can build skills for students currently participating in the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative.

It is free for Alachua County students in grades 6 through 8, however, there are only 20 seats. Families will be notified of their child's placement either in the camp or on the waitlist on May 17, and after this date rolling admission will take place based upon availability.

Breakfast and lunch is included with registration.

Driver's Education Summer Program

Sessions run from June 5 through July 9, Monday through Friday. Classes will not meet July 4 or 5.

Session 1: Mornings, 7:30-10:45 a.m.Session 2: Afternoons, 12:30-3:45 p.m.

Students must be 15 years old by June 11 to participate. They don't need learner’s permit to start class and students without one will receive it after the first week at the Tax Collector's Office on June 8.

Registration forms are available online or at the Traffic Safety Center and must be completed and mailed or dropped off at the Traffic Safety Center by May 24. Forms cannot be submitted electronically and a non-refundable $100 payment is required.

Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Program (VPK)

This educational program is provided by the state at no-cost for children that are four years old by Sept. 1 of the respective school year. The district says one benefit to attending VPK is kindergarten readiness as it gives children a better understanding of how schools operate.

For the summer program, children must be zoned for any Alachua County public school. There are no zoning restrictions for the summer VPK Program and the 2024 summer program will be held at Terwilliger and Idylwild Elementary schools.

ACPS's VPK Program will provide an entire school day: 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, with early release at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.

The application for the ACPS VPK Program can be found at www.tinyurl.com/ACPS-VPK. VPK Voucher Applications, which act as a certificate of eligibility, are required and can be found at https://familyservices.floridaearlylearning.com/. There are no fees.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Summer activities for kids in Gainesville