Summer camps, programs offer fun for kids, teens

Wayne County youth can dabble in outdoor fun, science, crafts, safety, reading, history, art and more this summer. Some programs are free, while some offer scholarships.

Some camps are one-day programs while others are weekly or even fill most of the summer calendar.

Here’s a list gathered from various local organizations.

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Free programs

Just Us Kids Outdoors (JUKO): Free summer day camp including lunch from June 5-July 14 for 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 24-Aug. 4 at Mary Scott and Springwood. Registration encouraged online before camp begins. 765-983-7275.

Engineering/technology camp: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. June 26-30, Ivy Tech Community College, Richmond. Free. For current seventh- and eighth-grade students. Online applications due June 2. Lunch and snacks provided. Accepted applicants will be notified by June 16. ppiper1@ivytech.edu

STEM Camp: Free science, technology, engineering and math activities for students entering grades 1-6. 9 a.m.-noon July 17-21, Indiana University East, Richmond. Sign up through May 31 (or until capacity). (765) 973-8224 or go.iu.edu/4NE8.

Kindergarten Readiness Camp, 9-11:45 a.m. June 5-16, Crestdale Elementary, Richmond. Literacy and language skills. Applications due May 24. Sponsored by Psi Iota Xi Sorority. Find application via Facebook at Psi Iota Xi, Alpha Iota Richmond IN or via email at maryhuth@comcast.net.

Birth to Five play groups, 10-11 a.m. Tuesdays (June 6-July 18 except July 4, in new locations around the county each week), 10-11 a.m. Wednesdays in June at WWS administration building in Pershing; and 10 a.m.-noon Thursdays in June, plus July 13 and 20, at St. Paul’s Lutheran, 121 S. 18th St., Richmond. No reservation required. 765-966-6080 or mybirthtofive.org.   

Earlham Summer: Pre-college residential camp for Indiana high schoolers at Earlham College in Richmond. June 18-23 or 25-30. Classes are full, but waitlist registrations are accepted. Creative writing, chemistry, game development and metal smithing classes. Free for families earning up to $60,000 per year; others will pay no more than $500. www.earlham.edu/summer.

Summer reading at local libraries: Check with Cambridge City, Centerville, Dublin, Hagerstown and Morrisson-Reeves in Richmond for registration details. Many offer programs and prizes for all ages. Special programs such as crafts, story times, concerts, puppet and live animal shows are offered at no charge, and attendance is open in locations beyond your home library.

All-summer programs

Boys & Girls Clubs of Wayne County: June 5-July 28. $35 per week or $280 for the summer for full-day programs offering STEAM, art, fitness and more for ages 6-18, including Camp Guy on Whitewater River near Connersville. Register at 1717 S. L St., Richmond, or call 765-962-6922. Members ($15 per year) can participate in activities at three Richmond sites from noon-5:30 p.m. for free.  

Girls Inc. Wayne County’s Camp Exploration, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. June 5-July 28 (closed July 4). $75 per week per child, $50 additional within family. Weekly field trips and breakfast, lunch and snack included. Scholarships available. For girls entering grades K-10. girlsincwayne.org or 765-962-2362.

Super Summer Fun: 7 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays May 31-Aug. 4 for ages 5 and older at Golay Community Center, 1007 E. Main St., Cambridge City. Outdoor activities, daily exercise, games, swimming, reading and more. Full-time (4-5 days per week) for $80 per week per child; or part-time (1-3 days) for $60 per week per child. Discount of $10 for each additional child. Morning snack and lunch provided by LMHS cafeteria for all but eight days. Golay also offers preschool playgroups at 10 a.m. Wednesdays for $10 per child. 765-478-5565 or golaycenter.com.   

First Tee golf/character development: Ages 7-18. Eight-week classes start June 5. Glen Miller Park, Richmond. $35 total. firstteeindiana.org. 317-738-9696

Seton Catholic Summer Camp: 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. June 5-July 28. Half- and full-day rates available. Organized games, free play, presentations and field trips for Pre-K-grade 6 students enrolled in Seton schools in 2023-24. 765-962-5010.

Weekly programs

ArchiCamp, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. June 27-28, Richmond Columbian Properties, 204 N. 10th St., Richmond. For ages 9-12. Learn about local history and historic architecture. Walking tour includes visits to homes and churches. Design and build a historic home and a stained-glass project. Visit Wayne County Historical Museum and Depot District. $25 including lunch. Scholarships available. Twenty spaces. Reservations due June 20 at 765-220-0803.  

Boy Scouts: Regional day camp June 5-9 at Manlove Park in Fayette County. Register at crossroadsbsa.org/camps/.

Hayes Arboretum family hikes: Water Wednesdays (10 a.m. June 7-28) to learn about wetland animals and Trail Thursdays (10 a.m. June 8-29) to search for things that crawl, fly and grow. Saturday Series (10-11:30 a.m.) for all ages June 10-July 1. $2 per adult, free for ages 12 and younger.  801 Elks Road, Richmond. $2/child. hayesarboretum.org or 765-962-3745.

Horseback riding day camps: June 12-16, 19-23, 26-30 and July 3-7 at Sunrise Therapeutic Riding Center, 2670 Minneman Road, Richmond. Scholarships available. Sunriseinc.org or 765-935-4291.

Julia Meek-Gaar Adventure Camp: Ages 8-13 can discover and research artifacts, design and create a museum exhibit, and showcase their artifact in their own mini museum from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. July 17-21 at Wayne County Historical Museum, 1150 N. A. St., Richmond. $75 nonmembers, $70 members. Sibling discount. Two scholarships available. Maximum of 25. 765-962-5756 or education@wchmuseum.org.

Kiwanis Safety Kamp: Ages 5-7 can learn water, bicycle, fire and weapon safety, dealing with strangers, and more at Safety Village in Richmond. 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. July 15 or 22. $30, including lunch. Scholarships available. 765-935-1230 or safetyvillagewaynecounty.org.  

Museum Adventure Camps: STEM-based activities for grades 1-6. Entering grades 1-3, June 5-9; entering grades 4-6, June 19-23. Both are 9 a.m.-noon. $80. josephmooremuseum@earlham.edu or 765-983-1303.

Nature Camp: Weekly programs from June 5-Aug. 4 for grades K-8 at Cope Environmental Center, 1730 Airport Road, Centerville. Per week, non-members pay $85 (half day) or $165 (full day). visitcope.org or (765) 855-3188.

Pedals, Pipes and Pizza: Open to ages 6-19 with piano and/or organ skills. 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. June 17, The Reid Center, Richmond. $5 includes pizza. Learn about the organ from Carolyn Ripp and bring short piano pieces to play on it. At least one adult should attend per student. Registration due June 9. 765-994-9241.

Sisters on the Move Day Camp: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. July 10-14 at Middlefork Reservoir, 1750 Sylvan Nook Drive, Richmond. For grades K-12. Offered by Girl Scouts of Central Indiana; open to non-Scouts. Learn outdoor skills, hike, ride in canoe/kayak, conduct STEM experiments and more. $25 includes snacks (bring packed lunch and refillable water bottle). 317-924-6800. Seek financial aid information at Burkharts4@hotmail.com.

Stage One Youth Theatre. Camps for grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12 at Richmond Civic Theatre, 1003 E. Main St., Richmond.gorct.org or 765-962-1816.

Student Training Entrepreneur Program with Unlimited Potential (STEPUP): Crystal Dreams Foundation offers a paid entrepreneurial program offering job skills and inspiration for solving problems. For high school sophomores-seniors. June 19-23, Morrisson-Reeves Library, Richmond. Six spots available. 937-266-5574 or crystdaldreamsfdn.org.

Young Artist Camp: Half-day camps for ages 5 to 13 at Richmond Art Museum, 350 Hub Etchison Parkway, Richmond. Offered June 5-9, July 10-14 and July 24-28. $80 per child per week. richmondartmuseum.org or 765-966-0256.

Youth tennis: Offered by Amigos, Richmond’s Latino center. For beginners to advanced. 765-965-5803 or amigoslatinocenter.org.