August camps: YMCA, O’Fallon Parks and Rec, SWIC host camps
Weekly Camps
YMCA Traditional Day Camp
Variety of field trips, swimming, craft projects, outdoor education, songs and adventure. Weekly theme: Time Travelers.
▪ YMCA at 1 Town Center Drive, Maryville; 618-346-5600; cmt@gwrymca.org; 9514 Caring Way, Columbia; 618-281-9622; monroe@gwrymca.org; 284 N. Seven Hills Road, O’Fallon; 618-628-7701; ofallonil@gwrymca.org; East Belleville YMCA, 2627 Carlyle Ave., Belleville; 618-236-9983; www.gwrymca.org
▪ Ages: 6-12
▪ Cost: $95 for five-day YMCA members; $125 for five-day non-members; $75 for three-day YMCA members; $105 for five-day nonmembers
▪ 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 1-5
O’Fallon Parks and Rec: Recreational Swim Mini Camp
Spend the afternoon swimming in the O’Fallon Memorial Pool.
▪ Katy Cavins Community Center, O’Fallon; http://ofallonsummercamps.com/
▪ Ages: 7-14
▪ Cost: $60; $25 for before/after care
▪ 12:45 to 4 p.m. Aug. 1-5
O’Fallon Parks and Rec: Shutterfly Digital Scrapbooking Mini Camp
Build a digital scrapbook using your own pictures.
▪ Katy Cavins Community Center, O’Fallon; http://ofallonsummercamps.com/
▪ Ages: 7-14
▪ Cost: $80; $25 for before/after care
▪ 12:45 to 4 p.m. Aug. 1-5
▪ Growing Scholars: Pay it Forward
Indoor and outdoor activities with two to three field trips a week and weekly themes. Features an hour of reading and math each day.
▪ Growing Scholars Educational Center, 115 West B Street, Belleville, 618-628-4769
▪ $130 per week, $100 registration, minimum of five weeks; before and after care available, $25 for one or $30 for morning and evening. Must attend at least five weeks.
▪ 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Aug. 1-5
YMCA Artful Antics
Campers will spend the week learning about various artists and techniques through hands-on activities. Imaginations will run wild as participants create pieces for their very own art show that will be on display for families to view at the end of the week. For further inspiration, campers will travel to the St. Louis Art Museum during the week.
▪ 284 N. Seven Hills Road, O’Fallon; 618-628-7701; ofallonil@gwrymca.org; www.gwrymca.org
▪ Ages: 6-12
▪ Cost: $120; $150 for nonmembers; before and after care available from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; $15 for before or after for members; $20 for nonmembers
▪ 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 1-5
YMCA Scientific Explosion
This camp will teach science through experiments that leave them messy and a bit dirty. Learning the difference between physical and chemical changes, as well as the different types of energy.
▪ 284 N. Seven Hills Road, O’Fallon; 618-628-7701; ofallonil@gwrymca.org; www.gwrymca.org
▪ Ages: 6-12
▪ Cost: $120; $150 for nonmembers; before and after care available from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; $15 for before or after for members; $20 for nonmembers
▪ 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 1-5
O’Fallon Parks and Rec: Tennis Mini Camp
Tennis instruction teaching the basic principles of tennis such as stance and grip.
▪ Katy Cavins Community Center, O’Fallon; http://ofallonsummercamps.com/
▪ Ages: 7-14
▪ Cost: $60; $25 for before/after care
▪ 8:45 a.m. to noon Aug. 1-5
O’Fallon Parks and Rec: Magic Mini Camp
Basic card tricks, disappearing acts and more.
▪ Katy Cavins Community Center, O’Fallon; http://ofallonsummercamps.com/
▪ Ages: 7-14
▪ Cost: $100; $25 for before/after care
▪ 8:45 a.m. to noon Aug. 1-5
O’Fallon Parks and Rec: Animals, Animals, Animals Mini Camp
Off-site trips for kids who love animals.
▪ Katy Cavins Community Center, O’Fallon; http://ofallonsummercamps.com/
▪ Ages: 7-14
▪ Cost: $130; $25 for before/after care
▪ 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 1-5
O’Fallon Parks and Rec: Summer Olympics: Rio
Campers will be divided into countries; have friendly competitions of sporting and non-sport competitions.
▪ Katy Cavins Community Center, O’Fallon; http://ofallonsummercamps.com/
▪ Ages: 5-12
▪ Cost: $105; $25 for before/after care
▪ 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 1-5
Sports
YMCA Volleyball
Instruction will cover all of the basics including passing, setting, serving and defense. Based on the ability level of the child, they may also learn how to hit and block. Our instruction style focuses on encouraging the skills that will allow your child’s full potential to come to light.
▪ East Belleville YMCA, 2627 Carlyle Ave., Belleville; 618-236-9983; www.gwrymca.org; and 9514 Caring Way, Columbia; 618-281-9622; monroe@gwrymca.org; www.gwrymca.org
▪ Ages: 6-12
▪ Cost: $120; $150 for nonmembers; before and after care available from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; $15 for before or after for members; $20 for nonmembers
▪ 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 1-5
Overnight Camps
Camp Ondessonk Mini Camp
Mini Camp is a three-day, three-night session for younger children. It includes horseback instruction and riding, handicrafts, boating, swimming, archery, evening campfires, skits and singing.
▪ Camp Ondessonk, 3760 Ondessonk Road, Ozark, 618-695-2489, www.ondessonk.com
▪ Ages: 8-10
▪ Cost: $270
▪ July 31-Aug. 3
Camp Ondessonk Horse Adventure
Exploring the scenic backcountry trails of the Shawnee National Forest offers the perfect opportunity to expand horsemanship skills and develop outdoor living skills. Campers will receive instruction and supervision from instructors trained by the Certified Horsemanship Association throughout their trip.
▪ Camp Ondessonk, 3760 Ondessonk Road, Ozark, 618-695-2489, www.ondessonk.com
▪ Ages: 13-16
▪ Cost: $575
▪ July 31-Aug. 6
Camp Ondessonk Camper vs. Wild
Participants will develop real-life leadership skills by learning primitive camping techniques and outdoor living skills. Lessons and activities include: basic backpacking, outdoor cooking, map and compass navigation, fire building and water purification.
▪ Camp Ondessonk, 3760 Ondessonk Road, Ozark, 618-695-2489, www.ondessonk.com
▪ Ages: 12-16
▪ Cost: $515
▪ July 31-Aug. 6
Camp Ondessonk Mini Camp Explorers
Young campers will spend the entire week discovering all of the Camp Ondessonk activities and traditions. Explorers will enjoy nature walks, horseback instruction and riding, handicrafts, boating, swimming, archery, campfires, structured social time, and skits while living in a communal setting designed to develop social skills and build friendships.
▪ Camp Ondessonk, 3760 Ondessonk Road, Ozark, 618-695-2489, www.ondessonk.com
▪ Ages: 8–10
▪ Cost: $489
▪ July 31-Aug. 6
Camp Ondessonk Coed Camp
The coed camp schedule includes a horseback ride, archery, riflery, council, swimming, nature exploration, handicrafts, woodsmanship, canoeing, kayaking, campfires, an overnight campout, marathon, tug of war and more.
▪ Camp Ondessonk, 3760 Ondessonk Road, Ozark, 618-695-2489, www.ondessonk.com
▪ Ages: 10-15
▪ Cost: $489
▪ July 31-Aug. 6
Kids on Campus: Creative Carousal of Color
Drawing with colored pencils; making ceramics using pinch, coil and slab methods; and impasto painting in 3-D. Students will need a paint shirt or smock, newspapers and Styrofoam egg cartons.
▪ Southwestern Illinois College, 2500 Carlyle Ave., Belleville; 618-235-2700 ext. 5393; swic.edu/children-programs
▪ Completed Grades 3-5
▪ Cost: $105 or $95 for Association of Bright Learners; before and after care available through the YMCA Child Care Option from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. for $60
▪ 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 1-5
Kids on Campus: Crafty-A-Mania
Create your own treasures and gifts in paper crafting, decoupage, fleece fun and much, much more. Photos from home will be needed.
▪ Southwestern Illinois College, 2500 Carlyle Ave., Belleville; 618-235-2700 ext. 5393; swic.edu/children-programs
▪ Completed grades 4-8
▪ Cost: $110 or $100 for Association of Bright Learners; before and after care available through the YMCA Child Care Option from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. for $60
▪ 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 1-5
Kids on Campus: African Art Safari
Create African art, such as masks, musical instruments and weaving. Students will be drawing, painting, collaging and sculpting.
▪ Southwestern Illinois College, 2500 Carlyle Ave., Belleville; 618-235-2700 ext. 5393; swic.edu/children-programs
▪ Completed grades kindergarten through second
▪ Cost: $110 or $100 for Association of Bright Learners; before and after care available through the YMCA Child Care Option from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. for $60
▪ 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 1-5
Kids on Campus: On Stage: Kids and Creativity
Inspire imagination and improve acting skills through theater games, physical exercises, pantomime, improvisation, story-telling and tableaus, all in both group and solo settings. Build confidence and challenge students to perform at their very best.
▪ Southwestern Illinois College, 2500 Carlyle Ave., Belleville; 618-235-2700 ext. 5393; swic.edu/children-programs
▪ Ages: Completed grades fifth through eighth
▪ Cost: $100 or $90 for Association of Bright Learners; before and after care available through the YMCA Child Care Option from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. for $60
▪ 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 1-5
Kids on Campus: Hola
Learn basic vocabulary and expressions through singing, games, arts and crafts of the Hispanic world. Campers will also cook and present a show for parents and family at the end of the class.
▪ Southwestern Illinois College, 2500 Carlyle Ave., Belleville; 618-235-2700 ext. 5393; swic.edu/children-programs
▪ Ages: Completed grades fifth through eighth
▪ Cost: $105 or $95 for Association of Bright Learners; before and after care available through the YMCA Child Care Option from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. for $60
▪ 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 1-5
Kids on Campus: Pick a Book, Now Let’s Cook
Read a different children’s book each day and learn how to cook a recipe that goes along with the story. Make a recipe book to take home. Be considerate of food allergies your child may have before signing up.
▪ Southwestern Illinois College, 2500 Carlyle Ave., Belleville; 618-235-2700 ext. 5393; swic.edu/children-programs
▪ Ages: Completed Grades K-1
▪ Cost: $105 or $95 for Association of Bright Learners
▪ 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 1-4
Kids on Campus: Reach for the Sky Theme Park Design Company
Using the Internet, YouTube, Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, students will research famous amusement parks and determine what features make them successful. They will then design and create a virtual model of their own amusement park and sell the design to their classmates.
▪ Southwestern Illinois College, 2500 Carlyle Ave., Belleville; 618-235-2700 ext. 5393; swic.edu/children-programs
▪ Ages: Completed Grades 2-4
▪ Cost: $100 or $90 for Association of Bright Learners
▪ 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 1-5
Kids on Campus: Ready for Business?
Work on computers designing, planning and creating a business. The students will plan their business, design a logo, create advertisements (including a commercial) and talk about expenses and profits. They will present their product and have a celebration on the last day. Kids will learn to use Word, Excel, Access, Movie Maker and PowerPoint.
▪ Southwestern Illinois College, 2500 Carlyle Ave., Belleville; 618-235-2700 ext. 5393; swic.edu/children-programs
▪ Ages: Completed Grades 4-6
▪ Cost: $100 or $90 for Association of Bright Learners
▪ 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 1-5
Kids on Campus: Made from Scratch
Think you can design the next Flappy Bird? Using Scratch, program interactive stories, games and animations. Visit scratch.mit.edu for more details.
▪ Southwestern Illinois College, 2500 Carlyle Ave., Belleville; 618-235-2700 ext. 5393; swic.edu/children-programs
▪ Ages: Completed Grades 5-8
▪ Cost: $100 or $90 for Association of Bright Learners
▪ 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 1-5
Kids on Campus: The Incredible Edible Garden
This class encourages children to explore the fascinating garden of edible plants. Children will have the opportunity to create their own edible “garden in a bucket,” learn how to care for a garden, learn the parts of plants, create a garden superhero and more.
▪ Southwestern Illinois College, 2500 Carlyle Ave., Belleville; 618-235-2700 ext. 5393; swic.edu/children-programs
▪ Ages: Completed Grades K-1
▪ Cost: $110 or $100 for Association of Bright Learners
▪ 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 1-5
Kids on Campus: Let’s Go Buggy
Through books, projects and nature walks, participants will investigate different types of bugs. Bug math will also be a fun way to sharpen and practice math skills.
▪ Southwestern Illinois College, 2500 Carlyle Ave., Belleville; 618-235-2700 ext. 5393; swic.edu/children-programs
▪ Completed Grades K-1
▪ Cost: $100 or $90 for Association of Bright Learners
▪ 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 1-5
Kids on Campus: Silly Science
Silly Science is a fun class for children who enjoy doing science experiments and getting a little dirty. While having fun doing silly experiments, children will learn the scientific methods and terms. Science experiments will vary from silly slime to making dinosaur fossils.
▪ Southwestern Illinois College, 2500 Carlyle Ave., Belleville; 618-235-2700 ext. 5393; swic.edu/children-programs
▪ Ages: Completed Grades 2-4
▪ Cost: $110 or $100 for Association of Bright Learners
▪ 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 1-5
Kids on Campus: Knowing Newton
Children will explore the principles of Sir Isaac Newton’s Laws of Motion. Students will play games, conduct experiments and make observations revolving around Newton’s laws. Newton’s neophytes will engage in hands-on learning and explore the basic principles of physics. Students will then graph and analyze the data gathered during the activities.
▪ Southwestern Illinois College, 2500 Carlyle Ave., Belleville; 618-235-2700 ext. 5393; swic.edu/children-programs
▪ Ages: Completed Grades 4-6
▪ Cost: $100 or $90 for Association of Bright Learners
▪ 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 1-5
Kids on Campus: Money, Money, Money
From a simple lemonade stand to a million-dollar company, the rules of business always remain the same and the opportunities to make money are endless. In this class, kids will create and build their own “invention,” develop a company name, create clever commercials and advertisements, “sell” their product in the real world and much, much more.
▪ Southwestern Illinois College, 2500 Carlyle Ave., Belleville; 618-235-2700 ext. 5393; swic.edu/children-programs
▪ Completed Grades 5-8
▪ Cost: $100 or $90 for Association of Bright Learners
▪ 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 1-5
Kids on Campus: Robotics I
Students will learn soldering procedures, wiring and basic electronics through the development of their own sound-operated robot. Robotics I will use a kit and take home a robot. Regular attendance is needed to finish this fun and exciting project.
▪ Southwestern Illinois College, 2500 Carlyle Ave., Belleville; 618-235-2700 ext. 5393; swic.edu/children-programs
▪ Ages: Completed Grades 5-8
▪ Cost: $130 or $120 for Association of Bright Learners
▪ 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 1-5
Kids on Campus: Advanced Robotics
For those who like a challenge, go beyond the basics to work together and explore the principles of engineering a robot. Learn to problem solve by utilizing Lego Mindstorms to design and build a robot to complete a challenge. Regular attendance is needed to finish this fun and exciting project as part of an engineering team.
▪ Robotics I or proof of robotics team experience is a prerequisite to this class.
▪ Southwestern Illinois College, 2500 Carlyle Ave., Belleville; 618-235-2700 ext. 5393; swic.edu/children-programs
▪ Ages: Completed Grades 6-8
▪ Cost: $130 or $120 for Association of Bright Learners
▪ 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 1-5
Kids on Campus: Future Roboticists, Inc.
If you got hooked on robots with Robotics I and Advanced Robotics, this is the next step for a serious roboticist. You will use the Engineering Design Method to create a robot using a more advanced building system. The robot will be designed to solve a challenge while you will be learning about various types of actuators, sensors and programming techniques. Regular attendance is required to finish the challenge.
▪ Robotics I and Advanced Robotics are prerequisites to this class.
▪ Southwestern Illinois College, 2500 Carlyle Ave., Belleville; 618-235-2700 ext. 5393; swic.edu/children-programs
▪ Ages: Completed Grades 7-8
▪ Cost: $130 or $120 for Association of Bright Learners
▪ 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 1-5
Weekly Camps
YMCA Traditional Day Camp
Variety of field trips, swimming, craft projects, outdoor education, songs and adventure. Weekly theme: Go Green & Give Back.
▪ YMCA at 1 Town Center Drive, Maryville; 618-346-5600; cmt@gwrymca.org; 9514 Caring Way, Columbia; 618-281-9622; monroe@gwrymca.org; 284 N. Seven Hills Road, O’Fallon; 618-628-7701; ofallonil@gwrymca.org; East Belleville YMCA, 2627 Carlyle Ave., Belleville; 618-236-9983; www.gwrymca.org
▪ Ages: 6-12
▪ Cost: $95 for five-day YMCA members; $125 for five-day non-members; $75 for three-day YMCA members; $105 for five-day non-members
▪ 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 8-12
Growing Scholars: Hollywood Magic
Indoor and outdoor activities with two to three field trips a week and weekly themes. Features an hour of reading and math each day.
▪ Growing Scholars Educational Center, 115 West B Street, Belleville, 618-628-4769
▪ $130 per week, $100 registration, minimum of five weeks; before and after care available, $25 for one or $30 for morning and evening. Must attend at least five weeks.
▪ 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Aug. 8-12
O’Fallon Parks and Rec: Celebrate Summer
The best activities of the summer combined into one last week of fun.
▪ Katy Cavins Community Center, O’Fallon; http://ofallonsummercamps.com/
▪ Ages: 5-12
▪ Cost: $105; $25 for before/after care
▪ 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 8-12
This story was originally published April 25, 2016 at 11:16 AM with the headline "August camps: YMCA, O’Fallon Parks and Rec, SWIC host camps."