Wayne County youth can explore outdoor fun, science, sports, crafts, safety, reading, art and more this summer. Part of the programs are free; some offer scholarships.
Nonprofit organizations offer a mix of one-day and weekly programs, while others fill most of the summer calendar.
Here’s a list gathered from various local organizations; additional information about summer events organized by nonprofits can be sent to us for publication consideration as space permits.
Birth to Five
Play groups will be offered weekly at a few sites around Wayne County. Schedule is being finalized. Free. 765-966-6080 or mybirthtofive.org.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Wayne County
When: Three options from June 3-July 26.
Club Fun: Free activities, lunch and snacks for members from noon-5:30 p.m. weekdays for ages 6-18 at Jeffers Unit (1717 S. L St.) and First Bank Unit (855 N. 12th St.), both in Richmond. Membership is $15 per year (or free before April 8, paid for by Indiana University East professor Tim Scales, the BOSS CEO Fund and the Action Fund of Wayne County Foundation).
A.M. PowerUp: Themed activities for ages 6-18 including science, technology, engineering, math and art — and leadership for ages 10-plus — from 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. weekdays at Jeffers and First Bank units.
Camp Guy: Outdoor activities for ages 6-18 at club’s Connersville camp from 8:45 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays plus Thursday overnights in July (return Friday at noon).
Cost: Early bird discount — $199 per member (pay in full by March 29). Later: $280/summer or $35/week per member; $240 additional member from same family
Info: 765-962-6922 or bgcrichmond.org
Boy Scouts of America
Day and overnight camps for Cub Scouts (kindergarten to fifth grade) and Scouts BSA (grades 6-12) in locations around eastern and central Indiana. Day camp for Cub Scouts from June 3-7 at Manlove Park south of Milton includes activities such as archery and crafts.
Info: crossroadsbsa.org, 317-813-7125
Cope Environmental Center
Summer Nature Camp offers a better understanding of how the natural world works and why it’s important for students currently in grades K-4. Wetland explorations, fishing, hikes, team-building activities, crafts, live animal presentations and guests. $115/week for nonmembers; discount for multiple kids in household. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. June 3-28. Registration begins April 5. 1730 Airport Road, Centerville. 765-855-3188 or visitcope.org
Earlham Summer
Pre-college residential camp for Indiana high schoolers at Earlham College in Richmond. July 7-12 or 14-19. Choose a class on psychology of food, power of jewelry, chemistry of water, power and politics, sustainability, or ghosts and vampires in popular culture. Financial aid available. www.earlham.edu/summer.
First Tee golf/character development
Five-week classes for ages 7-17 on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays starting June 10 (no class week of July 4). From 8-9:45 a.m. for ages 14-17, 10-11:30 a.m. for ages 7-9 and noon-1:30 p.m. ages 10-13. Meets at Cross/Van Pelt Learning Center at Glen Miller Park golf course, 2500 block East Main Street, Richmond. $35 total. Scholarships available. firstteeindiana.org or 317-738-9696
Girls Inc. of Wayne County
At Camp Exploration, explore something new every week from 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. weekdays from June 3-July 26 (closed July 4) at 1407 S. Eighth St., Richmond. $75 a week for first child ($50/week for each additional sibling). Also: July 17 Kid & Me Shark Week Activity. 765-962-2362
Girl Scouts
Girl Scouts of Wayne and Union counties are planning a July 8-12 day camp at Middlefork Reservoir on Sylvan Nook Drive in Richmond. For all girls in grades K-12. 765-993-2305
Golay Community Center
Super Summer Fun is from May 28-Aug. 2 for ages 5 and older at Golay Community Center, 1007 E. Main St., Cambridge City. Registration begins April 1. Games, activities, crafts, reading, swimming and more. Children don’t have to attend the whole time. Cost is $20 registration fee per child, then only pay for the days you attend. Part time (1-2 days within that week) is $60; full time (3-5 days within that week) is $80. 765-478-5565 or golaycenter.com.
Hayes Arboretum
Camp Tinkergarten, 9-11 a.m. July 15-19. Hands-on, outdoor nature-based lessons for ages 1 1/2 to 8 with a parent/guardian. Registration required: $15 per day or $60 per week per child. Reduced rate for siblings.
Wild Wednesday and Trail Thursdays, 10-11 a.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays in June with a naturalist. Explore forests every Wednesday to learn more about animals. On Thursdays, smell flowers, taste berries and see wonders of the forest. No registration. $2/child per week per program (nonmembers).
Summer Saturday Series, 10 a.m.-noon June 8, 15, 22 and 29 and July 13, 20 and 27. Not aimed at toddlers. Bird walks, tree identification, plant tours and more. Registration recommended: $2/nonmembers.
hayesarb.org or 765-962-3745
Indiana University East
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Camp will be from July 17-21. Contact Amber Hall at 765-973-8382 or amlhall@iue.edu.
School of Nursing & Health Sciences is hosting Nurse Camp from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 11-13 and July 9-11. Contact Carolyn Judd at 765-973-8287 or carjudd@iue.edu.
Joseph Moore Museum
Adventure Camp is for rising first through sixth graders. Hands-on science, technology, engineering and math activities. For kids entering grades 1-3, 9 a.m.-noon June 10-14; entering grades 4-6, 9 a.m.-noon June 24-28. Earlham College, 801 National Road W., Richmond. $80 per camper. Registration opens by March 29 at jmm.earlham.edu. 765-983-1303
Kindergarten Readiness & Literacy Camp
Psi Iota Xi Sorority offers this free opportunity for kids entering kindergarten at 9-11:45 a.m. weekdays in the first three weeks when and where Richmond Community Schools offers summer school. Applications (due May 23) will be available at RCS’ Kindergarten Round-Up on April 18 at elementary schools, through Facebook at Psi Iota Xi, Alpha Iota Richmond IN, or via email at maryhuth@comcast.net.
Kiwanis Safety Kamp
Ages 5-7 can learn the importance of signals and signs, dealing with strangers, safety for water, bicycles, weapons, home fires, and more. 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. July 13 or July 20. Safety Village of Wayne County, 498 N.W. 18th St., Richmond. $30 per child; scholarships available. safetyvillagewaynecounty.org or 765-935-1230
Richmond Art Museum
Half-day art camps for grades K-8. 9 a.m.-noon or 12:30-3:30 p.m. weekdays June 3-7, July 8-12 and July 22-26. $90 per week. richmondartmuseum.org or 765-966-0256
Richmond Parks & Recreation
Just Us Kids Outdoors (JUKO): Free half-day summer camp including lunch from June 3-July 12 for kids entering grades 1-6. Offered by Richmond Parks & Recreation at Glen Miller, Mary Scott and Springwood parks and Vaile Elementary. Outdoor games, arts and crafts, field trips, swimming and more. Little JUKO for ages 3-5 is July 22-Aug. 2 at Mary Scott and Springwood. JUKO R.O.C.K.S. for entering grades 1-9 of all abilities is July 22-26 (limited to 20). All programs are free; $10 donation appreciated per student. Registration is encouraged before camp begins at parks.richmondindiana.gov or at Glen Miller office. 765-983-7275.
Stage One Youth Theatre
For beginners and those with theater experience. Grades K-2 and 3-5 learn songs, choreography and a short play at mini camp from June 3-7. Grades 6-8 and 9-12 try theater games, improv skills, acting basics and a lip-sync contest from June 10-14. All will give a short performance Friday for family and friends. Richmond Civic Theatre, 1003 E. Main St., Richmond. $60 for mini camp and $80 for teen camp. Registration opens April 8. www.gorct.org or 765-962-8011
Sunrise Therapeutic Riding Center
Day camp from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. weekdays, June 17-21 and 24-28. Additional weeks will be added once those are filled. $250 per week; scholarships for low-income families. amandagray@sunriseinc.org, Facebook.com/sunriseinc or 765-935-4291
Wayne County Historical Museum
Adventure Day Camp will take place from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. July 15-19 at 1150 N. A St., Richmond. It’s for ages 8-12 and costs $95 for nonmembers. For more information, call 765-962-5756 or visit www.wchmuseum.org.
Summer reading at local libraries
Contact Cambridge City, Centerville, Dublin, Hagerstown and Morrisson-Reeves in Richmond for registration details in the coming weeks. Many offer programs and prizes for all ages. Special programs such as crafts, story times, concerts, and puppet and live animal shows are offered at no charge, and attendance is open in locations beyond your home library.