1. The Dallas Zoo Animal Adventure Camps
Ages Pre-K—5th graders

In a recent survey professional travel guides named the Dallas Zoo #4 in the North America’s Best Zoos Top 10. Parent’s Magazine recognized the Dallas Zoo as the 12th best zoo in the nation for children. But that was before the Giants of the Savanna Habitat where you can see a multitude of African animals roam over 11-acres and feed gentle giraffes. The Dallas Zoo is also a world leader in helping endangered species through international joint conservation and breeding programs. More on the Dallas Zoo's world programs> 

The zoo provides a fun and educational environment for children. Their summer day camps offer more than a glimpse into nature, animals, birds and habitats. Many projects are hands-on including arts & crafts and close-up encounters with our feathered friends and animals. Some of the camps include studies of felines, birds, primates and exploring the new Children's Aquarium at Fair Park. Children learn about nature, survival, how animals communicate and adapt to extreme habitats.

For preteens and teenagers going into 6th – 8th grade in the fall, there is a weeklong “Top Photographer” camp. This was their most popular camp last year.  For more information click here.

2. Young Rembrandts North Dallas Summer Camps and After School Programs
Ages  3 – 13

Young Rembrandts is a successful national art program that views art as a skill that can be learned. They have a showcase of beautiful artwork on their website along with many happy children and parent comments. YR teaches drawing techniques that enhance children’s learning, self-confidence, it increases higher level thinking skills, patience and develops imagination. YR is a nationally recognized leader in art education. (Examiner article with fun slideshow)

Classes are located in and around North Dallas, Garland, Richardson, Wylie, Rowlett and Sachse to name a few. They also have educational camp partnerships with Kidventure Camps, church camps and others in Dallas. Workshops include cartooning with Anime (Japanese animation), classic cartooning like Disney and Looney Tunes and Superhero comic book styles. Some camp themes include Princess, Zoo, Runway Fashion, Animals, Culinary Arts and Countries Around the World. For more information click here.

3. Kidventure Camps
Ages 3--13

Kidventure Camps for Kids offers summer camp programs in Dallas for the first time. “Kidventure runs a very unique, well-balanced, and active curriculum with activities aimed at serving the whole child, including science, athletics, art, team building and more. Our goal is to help grow happy, healthy kids; we just choose to do this through camp activities. The avenue and game plan by which we reach our goal is called the ‘Kidventure Way.’”

After successfully running camps in Austin and Houston since 1994, Kidventure has three campus locations in Dallas.
•  Camp St Patrick (St. Patrick Catholic School) in north Dallas near Walnut Hill and Plano Road
•  Camp Episcopal School of Dallas in the Preston Hollow section of central Dallas between Walnut Hill and Royal Lane
•  Camp Dallas Academy near White Rock Lake in east Dallas close to N. Buckner and E. Lake Highlands 
For more information click here.

4. Dallas Children’s Theater Summer Camps and Fall Programs
Ages 3 1/2--Teens

The Dallas Children’s Theater has DWF’s most celebrated performing arts camps. It features acting, musical theater, puppetry and movie making. The DCT’s Executive Artistic Director Robyn Flatt is also the Director of the Baker Idea Institute. Based on Dr. Paul Baker’s innovative concepts arts-in-education programming, the Dallas Children’s Theater was named as one of the five best in the U.S. by Time Magazine. It is also known for its world premiere award-winning plays like hard 2 spel dad that resonates with teenagers with their intelligence and sensitivity.

The DCT Academy and Teen Conservatory offers a variety of theater and video classes at the Rosewood Center in Dallas. Classes are hands-on and are taught by DCT’s Professional Theater Artists. They include a performance at the end of the session. For more information click here.

5. Heard Museum Summer Camps, Ages 5--14

The Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary is a beautiful natural environment dedicated to maintaining pre-settlement of Collin County ecosystems. Filled with birds, reptiles and animals this 289-acre sanctuary offers an escape from city life. Living to 102-years-old, Bessie Heard left a legacy for the city of McKinney through her philanthropic endeavors. Since her death in 1988, McKinney earned Money Magazines #5 spot in the best places to live in America in 2010. The Wildlife Sanctuary is an important part of the city and tourism.

Heard summer camps explore nature from nocturnal animals with their own GPS-like guidance to eco-systems. There are special camps that include learning to care for animals and becoming animal ambassadors as well as an Audubon Naturalist Art Camp. The wildlife sanctuary has beautiful trails, gardens, eco adventures and has been named as an important birding site by the Audubon Society. For more information click here.

6. iD Tech Camps, Computer Camps held at SMU
Ages 7—17

Topics: Video Game Design, Programming, Web Design and more. With an average of 6 students per instructor iD Tech Camps is the world’s #1 summer computer summer camp. Designed for beginners to advanced learners received customized instruction from highly trained adult staff. The beautiful SMU campus is located in the heart of Dallas on 165 wooded acres. They offer weeklong day camps and overnight camps. For more information click here.

7. Museum of Nature & Science Dallas Summer Camps
Ages Kindergarten—6th Grade

Children explore nature and science in their hands-on classes. There are cool projects and experiments. Topics include anatomy, physics, detective science, creepy critters, dinosaurs, space, the ocean, survivor science, construction science and much more. The museums are filled with wonders and have an endless appeal to children. For younger children there are classes for parent and child. There is a limited amount for financial aid, but call to find out more. For more information click here.
 

8. Mad Science Summer Camps
Ages Kindergarten—6th Grade

One of the most popular science and nature camps in the DFW metroplex. Located all around DFW, these camps explore space, robots, hands-on science experiments, chemistry and lots of higher level thinking skills and fun. Both half day and full day classes. For more information click here.

If you would like to continue receiving art, environment, education, and performing arts articles, including the latest news, tips and advice, please click the Subscribe Icon. It's free and anonymous. Thank you for reading and thank you for sharing this story with others. Also subscribe to Dallas Dance & Performing Arts Examiner