2014 Park City Summer Camps

See past the snow to set your kids’ schedules for Park City’s finest time: summer. Although the ski areas are open for another few weeks, preparing for the transition from the school year to summertime requires a well-orchestrated maneuvering of the many Park City summer camps available to the town’s youngest set.

With the Wasatch as their playground, all of the local camps take advantage of dry summers for oodles of outdoor time, and are a great assist to both working parents and those who just need to keep their kids active and engaged before school starts again in 10-and-a-half weeks (but who’s counting?). I’ve put together a list of summer camps to help you plan.

2014 Park City Summer Camps

Ski Area Camps

Two of Park City’s ski areas offer full-day camps, giving kids the chance to be on the mountain as much as possible, while also participating in around-town activities and excursions via field trips. Deer Valley’s Summer Adventure Camp runs June 9 through August 20, and melds learning with creative and challenging activities for ages two months through 12 years. Based out of the Children’s Center at Snow Park Lodge, kids trek on the local hiking trails, create playgrounds from the hillsides and visit local duck ponds. The state-licensed center provides separate “home bases: spaces for each age group where entertainment, performances, indoor rock-climbing, crafts, games, puzzles, videos and books work in accord with outdoor activities.” Reservations can be made at 435-645-6648.

Canyons Resort has traditionally offered summer camps with full- and half-day options, though they’re not yet listed on their website. Last year’s camp was for children ages 6 to 12, and included nature hikes, swimming, arts and crafts, gondola rides, indoor and outdoor games and field trips. To find out more, call 435-615-8036.

Park City summer camps

Park City Recreation offers, arguably, the most working-parent-friendly camp of them all, with hours from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, beginning Monday, June 9, through Wednesday, August 20 (Park City Schools start back on August 21). Based out of the recreation building at City Park, campers spend most of the day outdoors, with downtime crafting and visiting the nearby Park City Library. There’s an option to add on activities like skateboarding, swim lessons and tennis. One swim day at the PC MARC is typically held each week, and campers get around town via the free City Bus. Friday field trips are also commonly scheduled, with trips to places like the children’s museum, planetarium and water parks in Salt Lake City. Campers can register for the full summer, by week or by day. Call 435-615-5440, or click here, for more information.

Summer camps from other businesses and organizations

Snyderville Basin Recreation offers its Summer Blast Camp every week of the summer, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., though extended hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Based alternately out of Ecker Hill Middle School and Trailside Elementary, the camp offers sports, arts and crafts, relays, table games and contests. Campers will swim at the indoor Ecker Hill pool and can be registered by calling 435-655-0999, or by clicking here.

The PEEK Program, located in that cute log cabin facing I-80 in Pinebrook, offers a camp for 32 kids ages three through eight, promising a 1:8 ratio and fun-filled weekly theme camps, including art, gardening, building, theater, sports, history, dinosaurs, science and cooking. Campers can register for half or full days, and choose between one and five days each week. To learn more or to register, click here, or call 435-649-9188.

The YMCA runs a traditional sleep away camp just 20 minutes from Park City in the Uinta Mountains called Camp Roger. Here, kids take a break from electronics to learn archery, horsemanship and other skills while spending Sunday through Friday away from home. Camp Roger brings in talented counselors from across the country and throughout the world (England, in particular), giving the camp a more global feel amid the aspens and dusty trails along Mirror Lake Highway. Camps average $505 for the week, with support available based on income. Learn more here.

Themed camps in Park City

Themed camps are also offered during the summer, with opportunities to keep kids occupied, but not for entire days or weeks, making these camps fun for kids whose parents have the flexibility to enroll in half-day adventures.

The beloved Egyptian Theatre offers “YouTheatre” camps during the summer for aspiring thespians from ages five through teens, with camps focusing on theatre basics, puppetry, film and production. To check out this year’s lineup, click here, or call 435-649-9371 ext.27.

Camp Invention is held at Jeremy Ranch June 9-13 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and kids work in diverse teams to engage in investigations, experiments and engineering challenges. The cost is $235 for the week, and you can register here.

Park City Cooperative Preschool offers a camp for 3-5 year olds from 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Monday through Thursday, in the historic Park City Library building. Register by clicking here, or call 435-640-3315.

Finally, Park City School District offers kid-themed courses through its Leisure Learning program. Past courses have included topics such as Legos, American Girl Dolls and babysitter training. The Summer 2014 catalog isn’t out yet, but check out springtime courses by visiting their website here.

Visitors and residents alike tend to register for Park City’s array of summer camps, giving families on vacation and those checking out the area as future residents a wonderful opportunity to meet some of the locals and see just how kid-friendly Park City is, and always has been.