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SPARC Summer Camps
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Summer Adventure Day Camp
An action-packed traditional summer camp experience with a Game On! (Board Games) theme. Enjoy weekly crafts, shindigs, games and more. Campers learn new sports, experience the outdoors, make new friends and learn valuable life skills, all while having a fun, unforgettable summer. Every week has a different theme with varied activities plannedby our experienced youth professionals, to ensure campers have the best summer ever!AGE5-12 yrs.DATEMon.-Fri., May 30-Aug. 16TIMEDrop-off: 7-8:30 a.m.; Pick-up: 4:30-6 p.m.LOCATIONMcBride ElementaryFEE$105/week -
Ritter Springs Outdoor Adventure Day Camp
Love the outdoors? Join us as we spend most of the day outside at beautiful Ritter Springs Park with a Wild and Wacky Outdoors theme! Located just 6 miles north of Springfield, Ritter Springs Park includes caves, trails, woods, a lake, playground, picnic pavilion and streams. Activities at camp include archery, canoeing, creek walking, cookouts, swimming, fishing, caving and more. Enjoy traditional camp activities including crafts and games. Campers have an unforgettable summer learning about nature, getting dirty and experiencing all the outdoors has to offer! Drop-off and pick-up at Glendale High School, Wilson's Creek Intermediate School, and Boyd Elementary.AGE5-12 yrs.DATEMon.-Fri., May 30-Aug. 16TIMEDrop-off: 7-8:30 a.m.; Pick-up: 4:30-6 p.m.LOCATIONRitter Springs ParkFEE$115/week -
Summer Quest Teen Day Camp
“Too old” for day camp? Summer Quest is designed for older kids. Enjoy action-packed activities, video games, movies, cookouts and more. This year’s overall theme is Diversion Excursion. Summer Quest campers explore their creative sides, learn new sports, challenge themselves through team-building and leadership initiatives, and go on exciting excursions around the area.AGE11-14 yrs.DATEMon.-Fri., May 30-Aug. 16TIMEDrop-off: 7-8:30 a.m.; Pick-up: 4:30-6 p.m.LOCATIONWilson's Creek Intermediate SchoolFEE$110/week -
Before & After Explore!
SPARC Before and After SPS Summer Explore program, is a fun camp-like experience that allows your child to grow socially and emotionally through a variety of enrichment-based activities. Join us this summer as we Explore the World and learn about different cultures! Located at Truman, Harrison, Cherokee and Pittman schools.AGEStudents going into K-8DATEMon.-Fri., June 5-30TIMEBefore: 6:30 a.m.-Explore! begins; After: Dismissal-6 p.m.FEEBefore Explore!: $25/week; After Explore!: $45/week -
SmALL-Stars Youth Sports Camp
Enjoy a week-long sports-focused camp adventure! Campers travel to a different facility each day for an exciting sports experience. The goal is to introduce each camper to various sports in a safe, fun and positive learning environment. Campers learn basketball, soccer, tennis, golf rock climbing and many more. Campers receive a camp t-shirt and take part in an end-of-camp celebration with pizza and prizes!AGE5-12 yrs.DATEMon.-Fri., July 24-28 or July 31-Aug. 4TIMEDrop-off: 7-8:30 a.m.; Pick-up: 4:30-6 p.m.LOCATIONCherokee Middle SchoolFEE$105 -
Operation Outdoors
A week of outdoor adventures with SPARC and Outdoor Initiatives staff. Try out spelunking, rock climbing, survival skills, outdoor cooking and more! Lunch provided. *No Camps July 4AGE5-12 yrs.DATEMon.-Fri., July 3-7TIME9 a.m.-2 p.m.LOCATIONCherokee Middle SchoolFEE$135 -
SPARC in Parks
Junior Parks enthusiasts explore and enjoy fun activities at Spring eld Botanical Gardens, Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park, MDC Nature Center, and more great Spring eld parks! Lunch provided.AGE5-12 yrs.DATEMon.-Fri., July 10-14TIME9 a.m.-2 p.m.LOCATIONCherokee Middle SchoolFEE$135 -
SPARC's Kitchen
A week of cooking camp for young chefs! Learn to cook up delicious beginner dishes. Take part in a friendly contest at the end of the week to test the skills we have learned! Lunch provided.AGE8-14 yrs.DATEMon.-Fri., July 17-21TIME9 a.m.-2 p.m.LOCATIONCherokee Middle SchoolFEE$135 -
Mad Scientist
Participate in aerodynamics, arcade science, physics, forensics and the STEM Olympics. Hands-on fun for all young scientists! Lunch provided.AGE5-12 yrs.DATEMon.-Fri., July 24-28TIME9 a.m.-2 p.m.LOCATIONCherokee Middle SchoolFEE$135
Farm Park Summer Camps
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Survival Summer Camp
Do you have what it takes to survive in the wilderness? Learn to build shelters, start fires, procure water and obtain food. Join instructors from Meant 2B Outdoors at Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park for a week of fun, games, and learning to be a wilderness survivor.AGE8-13 yrs.DATEMay 30-June 2TIME9 a.m.-3 p.m.FEE$200/Camper -
Grossology
Get ready for sticky, slimy, gooey and stinky fun in this all-things-digusting summer camp! Become “Grossologists” by conducting experiments and creating unusual crafts.AGE6-8 yrs.DATEJune 5-9TIME9 a.m.-3 p.m.FEE$135 -
Living Art
Calling all aspiring artists! Work with plants and animals to create natural masterpieces. Campers exhibit their creations during the Friday art show!AGE8-10 yrs.DATEJune 12-16TIME9 a.m.-3 p.m.FEE$135/Camper -
Can You Say Neigh?
Spend a week with the miniature horses and donkeys that call Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park home. Learn about a horse’s life on the farm and create arts and crafts with the animals!AGE5-6 yrs.DATEJune 19-23TIME9 a.m.-12 p.m.FEE$75/Camper -
Junior Farmer
Assist with chores around the Farm and learn how to observe animal characteristics. Recommended intro to Best in Show camp.AGE8-10 yrs.DATEJune 26-30TIME9 a.m.-3 p.m.FEE$155/Camper -
Farm Science
Did you know farmers are also scientists? Step up to this chemistry challenge and learn how well-known agricultural products, such as cows’ milk, changes into different forms!AGE11-13 yrs.DATEJuly 10-14TIME9 a.m.-3 p.m.FEE$155/Camper -
Farm A to Z
From apples to zucchini, have a fun-filled week discovering where the letters of the alphabet coincide with different objects around the farm.AGE5-6 yrs.DATEJuly 17-21TIME9 a.m.-12 p.m.FEE$75/Camper -
Green Thumbs
From roots to flowers, all plants begin their lifecycle in soil. Identify parts of a plant, get your hands dirty in the garden and plan for a week full of plant-based knowledge.AGE6-8 yrs.DATEJuly 24-28TIME9 a.m.-3 p.m.FEE$135/Camper -
Best in Show
Learn about animal behaviors while working hands-on with an animal partner for the week. Campers exhibit the duos’ skills on the last day of camp!AGE10-12 yrs.DATEJuly 31-Aug. 4TIME9 a.m.-3 p.m.FEE$155/Camper -
Farm to Fork
Do you know where food comes from? Observe signs that crops are ripe enough to pick, and how produce is brought from farm to table.AGE8-10 yrs.DATEAug. 7-11TIME9 a.m.-3 p.m.FEE$135/Camper
Outdoor Initiatives Summer Camps
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Adventure Days
If you are ages 11-14 and like all kinds of outdoor adventure, these trips are for you! Each day is packed full of different outdoor activities: climbing, cave crawling, kayaking, and more. Drop off and pick up at Dan Kinney Park pavilion. Limit 12 kids. Register for one day or all eleven by Monday prior to each program. For questions, please call 417-833-8647.AGE11-14 yrs.MAY 26Roaring River State Park Hike and MilkshakesMAY 31Outdoor Rock-climbing at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch Session 1JUNE 2Outdoor Rock-climbing at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch Session 2JUNE 14Kayaking Skills at Lake Springfield ParkJUNE 21James River KayakingJULY 13Archery and Survival Skills at Lake Springfield ParkJULY 5Knot Tying and Rock-climbing at Zenith Climbing Center with Swimming at Park Board PooJULY 19Springfield Parks Treasure Hunt with Swimming at Park Board PoolJULY 26Hike and Swim at Moonshine BeachJULY 28Archery and Survival Skills at Lake Springfield Park with Swimming at Park Board PoolAUG. 2Springfield Parks Caving DayAUG. 9Niangua River KayakingTIMEMon. and Wed., 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (Drop-off 7:45-8:15 a.m. Pickup 4:45-5:15 p.m.)FEE$35/Adventure -
Rock Climbing Adventure Week
This weeklong adventure camp will be packed full of rock-climbing fun in Springfield and the Boston Mountains of Arkansas! A certified instructor will start with the basics on day one, practicing climbing skills indoors at Zenith Climbing Center, and build up to an outdoor climbing adventure at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch on Friday. Each day, campers will learn climbing skills while also getting a classic day camp experience with two trips to Zenith Climbing Center, intro to rappelling at Lake of the Ozarks State Park, outdoor rock climbing at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch in Arkansas, and stops at several local Springfield Parks. Climbing equipment included throughout weeklong camp. Drop off and pick up at Dan Kinney Park pavilion. Limit 12 kids. Register by June 2. For questions, please call 417-833-8647.AGE11-15 yrs.DATEJune 5-9TIME8 a.m.-5 p.m. (Drop-off 7:45-8:15 a.m. Pickup 4:45-5:15 p.m.)FEE$225/Person -
Kayak Adventure Week
A weeklong adventure camp packed full of kayaking fun! Expert instructors start with basic paddling skills at Lake Springfield Park. Each day, campers learn paddling skills in a classic day camp experience, building up to an overnight float trip on the Current River, camping at Akers Ferry Campground, Thursday to Friday. Kayak and lifejacket included throughout. Meals and camping equipment included on overnight float. Drop off and pick up at Lake Springfield Park Boathouse. Limit 12 kids. Register by July 7. For questions, please call 417-833-8647.AGE11-15 yrs.DATEJuly 10-14TIME8 a.m.-5 p.m. (Drop-off 7:45-8:15 a.m. Pickup 4:45-5:15 p.m.)FEE$225/Person -
Outdoor Trailblazers Camp
An outdoor skills day camp featuring the best outdoor activities the Ozarks has to offer. Each day includes an adventure centered around a new skill, developed through games and activities and then the real thing. Camp includes canoeing and kayaking at Fellows Lake, a float on the Niangua River, rock climbing and a trip to Zenith Climbing Center, outdoor survival skills, and a trip to Fritz’s Adventure. Parents are invited to a family adventure Friday night, includes dinner. Drop-off and pickup at Dan Kinney Park pavilion. Limit 20 kids. Register by Aug. 11. For questions, please call 417-833-8647.AGE9-12 yrs.DATEJune 26-30 and Aug. 14-18TIME8 a.m.-5 p.m. (Drop-off 7:45-8:15 a.m. Pickup 4:45-5:15 p.m.)FEE$225/Person
Equestrian Summer Camps
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Equestrian Summer Camp
Introduction to all things horse related for kids that have little to no experience around horses. Hands on! Safety rules, haltering, saddling, grooming and handling lessons are combined with daily barn chores and riding at walk and trot, skills and confidence permitting. Participants will be assigned their own horse for the week. Friday morning performance will highlight learned skills. Please bring a water bottle and light snack each day. Jeans and closed toed leather boots/shoes are appropriate. If you have a rider with special needs or challenges, please contact supervisor prior to making reservation. Additional rules and/or policies apply. Limited to 8 participants. For questions about equestrian camps, call 417-833-3291.BEGINNER NEW RIDER – never independently saddled/ridden, limited experience.
AGE7-17 yrs.Session 1June 5-9Session 2July 10-14Session 3July 31-Aug. 4TIME8 a.m.-12 p.m.FEE$180
PROGRESSIVE BEGINNER Attended HorseShoe 1 and 2 or Beginner Summer Camp. Can lead, groom, saddle and mount with assistance/light instruction. Can start, stop and steer at walk, working on confidence in trot/jog.AGE7-17 yrs.SESSION 1June 12-16SESSION 2July 17-21TIME8 a.m.-12 p.m.FEE$180
BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE COMBINED For any skill level ranging between beginner or intermediate.AGE7-17 yrs.SESSION 1Aug. 7-11SESSION 2Aug. 14-18TIME8 a.m.-12 p.m.FEE$180
INTERMEDIATE In regular lesson program, independent rider at walk, trot and working towards canter/lope. Must have instructor approval, call office to register.AGE7-17 yrs.SESSION 1June 19-23SESSION 2July 24-28TIME8 a.m.-12 p.m.FEE$180
ADVANCED In regular lesson program, cantering but needs more experience. Must have instructor approval, call office to register.AGE7-17 yrs.SESSION 1June 26-30TIME8 a.m.-12 p.m.FEE$180
Volleyball Summer Camps
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VolleyTikes & VolleyKids
Fun introductory volleyball, focusing on motor movements, hand-eye coordination, basic volleyball skills, and basic game knowledge. No practice July 3-4.AGE4-9 yrs.DATEJune 5-July 18TIMETues., 10-10:45 a.m. or 3-3:45 p.m.LOCATIONFieldhouse SportscenterFEE$70/6-week session -
Summer Volleyball Training
Six-week Summer camp that teaches volleyball skills and incorporates those skills into game play situations. No practice July 3-4.AGEGrades 3-8DATEJune 5-July 18TIMEVaries; view registration form for detailsLOCATIONFieldhouse SportscenterFEE$165/6-week session -
Position-Specific Training
Six-week summer specialty clinics teach athletes skills associated with a specific fundamental or position, including Serving, Setting, Defense/Passing, and Hitting/Blocking. No practice July 3-4.AGEGrades 3-8DATEJune 5-July 18TIMEVaries; view registration form for detailsLOCATIONFieldhouse SportscenterFEE$70/6-week, 45-minute sessions or $95/6-week, 60-minute sessions
Skate Park Summer Camps
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Summer Skate Camp
For weeks of instruction geared for beginner to intermediate skateboarders. Develop and enhance basic skateboarding skills while creating new friendships and building confidence. Instruction focuses on control, safety, park etiquette and skateboarding fundamentals. Space is limited, registration required. Limited skateboard rentals available. Scholarships may be available. Register in person at the Springfield Skate Park.AGE6-14 yrs.DATESat., July 8-29TIME10 a.m. – 12p.m.LOCATIONSpringfield Skate ParkFEE$60