Houston Camp Guide for Summer 2021

Houston’s summer camps are a great way to keep kids entertained and busy this summer. With so many options available, it can be hard to choose the right summer camps in Houston for your child. 

To help you find the perfect one, we have put together a list of all the best Free and Cheap Summer Sports Camps in Houston  (swimming, coding, arts and crafts, and sports camp! 

You will also discover the benefits associated with summer camp activities.

Five Benefits of Summer Camp

Summer camps allow children to value themselves beyond school and family: an opportunity to learn something that will be valuable for a lifetime. Here are five benefits associated with summer camp activities (Backed by Scientific Studies).

1. Social skills development. The ability to make and maintain friendships. 
2. Environment awareness (“Respect for the environment”).  Since the camps are often outdoors, youth become more aware of their environmental footprint. 
3. Promotion of healthy lifestyles. Physical activity, survival in the forest, canoeing, canoeing, botanic, etc. These activities increase their self-confidence. 
4. Improvement of self-regulation. This is the ability to express emotions appropriately. For example, how to express anger without insulting or becoming aggressive. 
5. Increased independence.  Challenges outside the comfort zone: home, school, family.

Free and Cheap Summer Camps in Houston

According to the US Department of Education, almost 1/3rd of school-aged children attend a summer program before they go back to school in September. But with so many options available, how do you choose? This section will help you find the best camps for your child this year (2021)!

1. Newspring Art Studio’s Summer Art Camp (Ages 6+)

The Newspring Art Studio offers a weeklong program. Campers will have the opportunity to learn about different cultures during this program. For example, they might have a session about France with education on traditional and modern art from there or sessions about a particular region of Africa or parts of Asia. They also invite special guests that will share their culture with the campers.

2. San Jacinto College Summer Camp (Ages 5-18)

The San Jacinto College campuses offers many summer camps. You can choose the camp you like. There is a STEM camp, career development camp, coding (programming) camp, and more. Depending on what you want, some camps cost money while others are free.

3. KidzToPros

KidzToPros is a company that provides summer camps. KidzToPros is partner with over 400 schools in 14 metropolitan areas. There are many types of camps for kids, such as outdoor sports and LEGO® Masters, Minecraft, and Roblox game design. KidzToPros also has art skills, graphic design, and more!

4. YMCA CAMP CULLEN (Outdoor, Recreational)

Campers of different ages take part in a wide range of activities at YMCA Camp Cullen. Campers can do things like horseback riding and water sports. There is a high adventure course where they can explore nature. The campers also get to do arts and drama activities. Safety is the number one priority for the camp, with lots of layers to make sure nobody gets hurt.

5. CodeWiz Reading (Ages 7-17)

Code Wiz provides programming classes for kids. The programs include online camps as well as multi-day camps or single-day classes that teach Computer Science, Robotics, Minecraft, Game Design, Animations, and Digital Art as well as Mobile App Development and Web Development. Code Wiz also teaches Java and Python programming languages.

6. Camp Hope (Ages 5-11)

In this camp, campers will explore the bible and its’ stories. They will play games, make arts and crafts, do science experiments, and worship. The camp is led by adults who are with them the whole time.

7. Camp Quillian- Ages 5-12

This summer camp in Katy, TX (Camp Quillian) offers many activities that your kid will love. Some people can come for half the day (because the camps has half and full-day options). There are two swimming pools where kids receive swimming lessons. The camp also offer an indoor climbing wall and game rooms. Campers have time to play outside too: on athletic fields and a playground!

8. MECA Sunburst Arts Summer Program- (Kindergarten – 9th grade)

The camp provides a wide range of artistic experiences for children. They offer hands-on activities, excursions and live performances. All arts categories are covered (visual and performing arts). The camp offers early drop-off and late pick-up for an additional fee.

9. Texas Rock Gym

Texas Rock Gym offers day camps for children who want to climb. The counselors who run the camps are experienced and fun. They offer single-day and multi-day camps throughout the year (Great option for busy parents).

10. Camp Allen (Grades 3rd-10th)

Camp Allen is a place where kids can make friends, learn more about Jesus, and have fun. Activities include horseback riding, archery, nature hikes, swimming, canoeing, Blobbing, environmental education, high and low challenge courses (challenge courses with high and low obstacles), basketballs, disc golf, and more!

11. The Little Gym Summer Camp (Ages 3-12)

At The Little Gym summer camp, kids can enjoy the air-conditioned comforts of their indoor activity center during summer camp. The Camp has exciting themes that explore the boundaries of a child’s imagination. Moreover, each session has a theme that will be related to what kids want to do: Sports, Animals, or Music.

12. Camp STREAM (Ages 5-19)

Here, Campers engage in activities that explore science, technology, art, engineering, reading, and math (STREAM). It is a free summer camp.