Summer Camp Guide for Southeast Michigan

With the choice and variety of summer camps available in southeastern Michigan in 2013, boredom won't be an option.

Organizations, from the YMCA to your local parks and recreation department, offer dozens of camp choices for science, reading, sports, music and more. Whether you're looking for an all-around experience or a more focused camp, this list features a few in your town and nearby.

Royal Oak

Name: Salvation Army Summer Day Camp
Type of camp: General activities for kindergarten through just finished sixth grade
Cost: $100 a week for the 10 a.m.-3 p.m. session. Latchkey is offered 7-10 a.m. and/or 3-6 p.m. for $30 a week per session.
Where: 3015 N. Main St.
When: Weekly sessions June 20 to Aug. 19
Deadline for registration: Call 248-585-5600 to check for openings.
Details: Each week, campers go on three field trips, including a weekly trip to Spencer Park beach in Rochester Hills, Red Oaks Wave Pool or bowling and a third special adventure. The other two days at “the SAL,” kids are involved in activities such as  arts & crafts, sports and Bible school classes. Each camper must provide their own lunch. 

Camp Invention, a program of Invent Now, is coming to Royal Oak this summer! Camp Invention, a summer enrichment day camp program, for students entering grades One through Six,   .    A flyer is attached with additional information or you can go to the Camp Invention website,http://www.campinvention.org.

Name: Camp Invention
Type of camp: A summer enrichment camp for grades 1-6 
Cost: $220; online cost $215
Where: Addams Elementary School
When: July 22-26 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.  
Details: This program promises to immerse children in a week-long experience where they discover creativity and inventiveness through hands-on, creative problem solving activities. 

Name: Detroit School of Rock and Pop Music
Type of camp: Music
Cost: $1,499
Where: 1109 S. Washington
When: Three different sessions, from June 20 to Aug. 19
Deadline for registration: Call 888-988-7625 for more information.
Details: The Summer Rocks camp will also include a tour to Nashville and Memphis. Along the way, participants will be able to play in a band, meet industry professionals, record in a studio and shoot a music video. Camp enrollment is by audition only, so practice up!

Name: Safari Zoo Camp
Type of camp: Nature
Cost: Varies between single half days and weeklong half-day programs as well as member status
Where: Detroit Zoo, 8450 W. 10 Mile Rd.
When: All summer
Deadline for registration: Registration is available until camps are full.
Details: There’s plenty of nature and animal-related camps for many different age groups, ranging from 4-15. Some include overnight stays. Early Bird (7:30-9 a.m.) or Late Owl (4-6 p.m.) child care is offered for as many days as you need during the week. Cost is $5 for each morning or afternoon.
For more information: Call 248-541-5717 or visit the zoo's camp website.

Name: South Oakland Family YMCA Day Camp
Type of camp: General variety
Cost: $130-$185 per week, depending on age of child and Y membership status, plus $25 registration fee per family. Siblings receive 10 percent discount when registering in person at the Y.
Where: South Oakland Family YMCA, 1016 W. 11 Mile Rd. 
When:  June 11-Aug. 31, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Before (7-9 a.m.) and after care (4:30-6 p.m.) are available at no additional charge.
Deadline for registration: Registration is available until camps are full.
Details: Camps available for kids 3-15 years old. The theme this summer is the cinema. Young movie critics (campers) will create their own Movie Magic as they journey through Willie Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, follow the yellow brick road and just keep swimming with a little clownfish named Nemo. Our voyage will be filled with drama, fun, imagination, object lessons and hands-on activities.
For more information:  Call (248) 547-0030 or visit the YMCA website

Birmingham

Location: Birmingham
Name: Camp Super Summer 
Type of camp: General variety
Cost: Varies on half-day or full day enrollment
Where: Birmingham Covington School, 1525 Covington Road, Beverly Hills
When: Varying programs from June 24 to Aug. 9
Deadline for registration: Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Details: Grades 1 through 8 are welcome here, with both full day and half day options as well as Latchkey before or after normal camp hours. Specialty camps are offered for more time in certain areas including international food, rocket sciences and model car building.
For more information call: 248-203-3800

Bloomfield Township/Bloomfield Hills

Location: Bloomfield Hills
Name: Cranbrook Summer Art Institute
Type of camp: Art
Cost: Starts at $995 for one session
Where: 39221 Woodward Ave.
When: Three different sessions from June 24 to Aug. 23
Deadline for registration: Registration is open until camps are full.
Details: Budding artists aged 14-18 are invited to this program, where they’ll spend six hours a day Monday through Friday for three weeks crafting jewelry, designing graphics, learning oil painting and more.
For more information call: 248-207-8562

Location: Bloomfield Hills
Name: Roeper Summer Day Camp
Type of camp: General variety
Cost: Varies on length of enrollment
Where: 41190 Woodward Ave.
When: Four sessions from June 24 - Aug. 16
Deadline for registration: Registration is available until camps are full.
Details: Roeper divides its camp between pre-kindergarten, kids entering first grade, and second graders and older. Each age group get its share of dance, drama, science, outdoor adventure and more.
For more information call: 248-203-7370

Location: Bloomfield Hills
Name: TGA Premier Junior Golf
Type of camp: Sports
Cost: $349 per week
Where: Camps are held at three different locations in Farmington Hills, Madison Heights and Holly. Check the site for details.
When: Week-long sessions all summer, from June 17 to Aug. 30
Deadline for registration: Registration is available until camps are full.
Details: Young golfers can learn the basics of full swing, putting and chipping and playing etiquette. 
For more information call: 248-252-0208

Farmington Hills/Farmington, Livonia

Location: Livonia
Name: Hearts, Hands and Voices
Type of camp: Musical/art/religious
Cost: $85 ($75 per participant if registered before June 15)
Where: Two locations: Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 30650 W. Six Mile Road, Livonia. Second location: St. Paul Lutheran Church, 375 Lothrop, Grosse Pointe Farms.
When: Aug. 6-9 at the Grosse Pointe Farms location and Aug. 13-16 at the Livonia location
Deadline for registration: A week before camp starts
Details: This worship and music camp welcomes people of all faith backgrounds grades 2-7. The kids will have a chance to lead worship, create liturgical art and drama and play with drums.
For more information call: 248-497-1451

Location: Farmington Hills
Name: Farmington Family YMCA
Type of camp: Sports
Cost: $180 for members, $240 for non-members
Where: 28100 Farmington Road
When: Weekly sessions from June 25-Aug. 24
Deadline for registration: Registration is available throughout the summer.
Details: Sports include soccer, golf, basketball, football, cheerleading and bowling.
For more information call: 248-553-4020

Northville/Novi

Name: Maybury Riding Stable
Location: Northville
Type of camp: Horse riding
Cost: $260
Where: 20303 Beck Road
When: June through August, Tuesdays through Fridays
Deadline for registration: Registration is available until camps are full.
Details: Maybury offers a camp from 9 a.m. to noon four days a week, promising to teach something new about horses each day. There is a pre-registration fee of $50.
For more information call: 248-347-1088

Name: Camp Lakeshore Adventure Camps
Location: Novi
Type of camp: General variety
Cost: $165 a week for residents, $191 for non-residents
Where: 601 South Lake Drive
When: Weekly sessions in August
Deadline for registration: Registration is available until camps are full.
Details: The camp runs Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for 6 to 12 year olds. Each week features a unique theme and field trip, with swimming, nature, science experiments and more in store for the campers.
For more information call: 248-735-5613

Dearborn

Location: Dearborn
Name: Young Naturalists Program
Type of camp: Nature
Cost: No charge
Where: University of Michigan-Dearborn, at the corner of Fair Lane Drive and Monteith Blvd.
When: June and July
Deadline for registration: TBD
Details: The first session is offered to 7 to 9-year-olds and the second session is open to 10 to 11-year-olds. Children will explore plants and animals in their natural habitats. 
For more information call: 313-583-6371

Location: Dearborn Heights
Name: Salvation Army of Dearborn Heights
Type of camp: General variety
Cost: TBD
Where: 27600 W. Warren
When: June through August
Deadline for registration: June 17
Details: Kids aged 6 to 14 can participate in arts and crafts, music and drama, Bible studies, field trips and more.
For more information call: 313-563-4457

St. Clair Shores

Location: St. Clair Shores
Name: Summer Playground Program
Type of camp: General variety
Cost: $110 a week for residents, $130 for non residents
Where: Veterans Memorial Park, 32400 Jefferson Ave.
When: June 17 to Aug. 16
Deadline for registration: Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Details: For children aged 5 to 12, they’ll be able to go on weekly field trips, do arts, crafts and games and more.
For more information call: 586-445-5350

Location: St. Clair Shores
Name: School Age Child Care Program
Type of camp: General variety/supervision
Cost: TBD
Where: Rodgers Elementary School, 21601 L’Anse Ave.
When: Mid-June through August
Deadline for registration: Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Details: Kids must be enrolled in K-5 in Lake Shores Public Schools. Hours run from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Science, art and reading are listed as activities.
For more information call: 586-285-8618

If you know of other summer camps in your area, please share them with us in the comments below.