Teachers, do you want parents to keep the learning going over the summer? Send some of this information home with your students or give them the link to this blog post so they can check out online summer camp opportunities to continue the learning this summer. Most are free and some are fee-based.
1. Camp Save-a-Watt
Pedernales Electric Company offers a free online summer camp that includes weekly activities geared toward engaging kindergarteners through third grade students. Camp begins June 6, and you will need to register by June 1.
2. Badgerdog Creative Writing
Badgerdog offers many in-person workshops for 3rd-12th graders. But they also offer these fun and challenging writing workshops virtually in week-long increments from June to August. The workshops allow students to work with a professional writer in the genres of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and playwriting. These are fee-based with a $150 price tag. Access to Zoom and GoogleDrive is required for these virtual camps.
3. Your Local Library
Check out your local public library. Most public libraries will offer some form of summer program. For example, the City of Austin is offering Austin Completely Booked! for their summer reading program. The requirements are to log ten 10 hours of reading time and complete five activity badges by reading, exploring, and creating in a chosen badge category.
4. Camp Khan Kids
Khan Academy has a free, self-paced summer learning program for children ages 2-8. The online summer camp guides parents and their children on a playful educational journey using Kahn Academy as a launchpad into hands-on learning. Bonus: If you are seeking more activities, you can also access the 2020 and 2021 Camp Khan content.
5. Maker Camp
Maker Camp offers a free, six-week online program. The site provides 150+ resources (project ideas and step-by-step instructions, inspiration, materials, and community) to summer camps and young makers interested in DIY, making, creating, crafting, hacking, tinkering, and learning. This making is for all ages and skill levels. Maker Camp officially starts July 5, but like the website states – making can start anytime. Registration is a must.
6. Virtual 4-H Camp
Utah State University Extension and Microsoft bring the 4-H experience home virtually. Learning activities include arts and crafts, STEM, and food and nutrition. This is directed toward grades PreK – 12. Most activities include:
- About the Activity with grade level and estimated time
- Supplies
- Steps
- Reflection questions
7. YouTubeKids
YouTube Kids has videos on many different topics and helps your kids discover the world around them, learn something new, or just be entertained. As a parent, you can create a profile for each of your children and handpick videos or block certain videos or channels.
Topics include:
- Arts and Crafts
- Toys and Play
- Learning and Hobbies
- Shows and Cartoons
- Music and Dance
8. DIY – The Social Learning App
DIY is a learning platform for kids between the ages of five and 16. The global interest-based community has 500+ hours of project-based learning content. The content is available in the form of courses, how-to videos, hands-on projects, and tv shows. No login is needed to explore the content library. Subjects include STEM, gaming, fun DIY stuff, and coding.
You can sign up for a 30-day trial. After the trial period, a subscription is either $7.99 per month or $79.99 for the year. Do note– this is a social app, and when you sign up for DIY, you agree to honor their guidelines.
9. UpBrainery Summer Learning
I stumbled upon this site as I was writing this post. For a limited time, UpBrainery is offering unlimited summer courses for $99. Some of their popular courses include coding, science, study skills, reading, cooking, art, and more! The structured sessions are available in two formats: instructor-led courses and DIY courses.
10. Culinary Summer Camps
Chef Pascal Simon of Bake Austin offers many virtual cooking classes. The cost is $250 for the week or $50.00 per day for sessions like Mexican Cuisine, Bread Camp, Italian, and Baking 101 and 102. There are also gluten-free and vegetarian options. A shopping list, tool list, and recipes are sent two weeks prior to the class. And if you miss a class, you receive the recording (just like TCEA’s Lunch and Learn webinars). What a deal!
Wishing every teacher, parent, and student a summer of sun, smiles, and a smidge of learning.