2024 Lansing Mom-Approved Summer Camp Guide

Welcome to the 2024 Lansing Mom-Approved Summer Camp Guide! It can be hard to get our heads around the fact that summertime will be arriving in Lansing but it’s coming. Are you ready to start planning a super fun summer for your kids?! Let’s be honest, as much as our kids deserve to go to summer camp, we deserve to send them.

We know that summer camps are at the top of the list of things moms need to figure out early. While summer makes us think of popsicles, parks, and festivals, we KNOW as moms that it can also be a frustrating time where you are struggling to piece together childcare week by week and month by month. From Art to Tech, Theatre to Cooking, Sports to STEM, and plenty in between, we hope this Mom-Approved Summer Camp Guide in around Lansing makes planning a little less stressful and allows for a memorable summer, full of exploring and new experiences! Thank you to our sponsors for making this guide possible!

Camp PaWaPi

Our summer adventure camp offered to children ages 5 to 11 years old is based outdoors, so the day is spent in the woods, fields, at the river on 50 acres of beautiful property in Williamston, MI. 

Campers will enjoy aspects of the traditional camp experience that range from canoeing, archery, arts and crafts, zip line and rock wall climbing. Treat your camper to a summer experience they’ll love — and one they’ll want to repeat, year after year. Whether you enroll your child for  a week, or an entire summer, they’ll leave with new friendships and memories of fun, outdoor adventure. Head here to register for Camp PaWaPi

Mystic Lake

Overnight camp is the pinnacle of the summer experience! For over 90 years, Mystic Lake YMCA Camp is where memories are made … along with lifelong friendships, self-confidence, and independence. Campers will unplug from technology and reconnect with nature, participating in a variety of traditional camp activities including canoeing, kayaking, water trampoline, fishing, high ropes, archery and more! Mystic Lake YMCA Camp is a 600 acre overnight camp with a  private lake located in the village of Lake, MI. Register your child today for a summer they will remember forever! You can also find more information about Overnight Camps here.

YMCA Summer Day Camps

Located at Westside YMCA (West Lansing) and Parkwood YMCA (East Lansing)

Ages: 2.5 – 11
Dates: June – August 2024

More Info: YMCA Summer Day Camps offer an experience that is sure to keep your child having fun all summer long. From fostering creativity to building a sense of accomplishment and belonging, we help kids flourish by surrounding each child with support, guidance, and fantastic opportunities to discover, learn, and try until they succeed. Scholarships available to those who qualify.

Check out more information on their Facebook page!

High Caliber Karting’s Racing Camp is a week-long (Monday-Friday) fun-filled experience for racers 8-14 years of age. The basis of the camp is to have kids graduate with a “Junior Racers Training Certificate” and experience a community of laughter and joy. Our staff has each day structured to include racing, instructions and tips, games, lunch, and then more racing. To register head here.

What’s Included:

• June 10-14: AM/PM- STEAM
• June 17-21: AM Kitchen Academy/ PM Sugar Rush
• June 24-28: AM Let’s Be A Spy/ PM Robots
• July 8-12: AM All About Art/ PM Entrepreneurs
• July 15-19: AM Spa Science/ PM Fasion Week
• July 22-26: AM Lego Masters/ PM Be an Inventor
• July 29-Aug 2: AM Animal Adventure/ PM Let’s Get Messy
• Aug 5-9: AM Stop Motion/ PM Video Game Design
• Aug 12-16: AM/PM Mystery Week
• Aug 19-23: AM tinkrAIBC

•   AM Camp 9 AM – 12 PM
•   PM Camp 1 PM- 4 PM

Pricing:

• Early Bird Costs: Full Day & Full Week: $299 • Half Day & Full Week: $150
• Regular Costs: Full Day & Full Week: $350 • Half Day & Full Week: $199

• June 17-21: Bunches of Bugs
• July 15-19: Under the Sea
• August 5-9: Dino Adventure

Pricing:

• Early Bird Costs: Full Week: $99
• Regular Costs: Full Week: $150

Registration can happen online at tinkrlab.com/tinkrcamp or buy calling tinkr2.0 at 1 ( 517 ) – 800 – 8687

Let the fun begin at Northfork Farms, where each camper will make new friends! We offer 12 hours of horseback riding per week with our certified riding instructors ensuring your camper will stay safe, 10 hours of hands-on horse activities. Stay busy preparing a horse show to perform for friends and family at the end of the week. Campers will stay active with swimming and bond-building games and crafts.  Thursday night is our banquet night, where girls are able to get dressed up, dance, and get their photo taken with a horse by a professional photographer. Don’t miss out! You can check them out online, on Facebook and on TikTok.

The Literacy Camp is an interactive learning experience where kids have SO MUCH FUN they don’t even realize they’re learning! With half and full day options, it’s the perfect summer camp for emerging 1st -3rd graders. The activities are fun and engaging with new materials each week, and we have top notch local educators and special guests who contribute to this memorable experience. Registration is now through July 1st, with several discount options available – early bird pricing until May 1st. Be sure to check out The Literacy Camp Website, Registration, Parent Testimonials, Facebook and Instagram for more information! 

The Michigan State University Community Music School, the outreach division of the MSU College of Music offers music education and therapy to all those in the community regardless of age, ability or income. The MSU CMS offers early childhood music classes, private lessons as well as several camps for all ages throughout the summer. Financial assistance is available.

For more information about programs read on below or visit the website to view programs, for information on financial assistance, or to register. You can also head to Facebook for more information!

Early Childhood Music Education

Early Childhood Music Education classes are designed to introduce music to children ranging from newborns to age 5. Based on the research of Edwin Gordon and curriculum developed by Dr. Cynthia Crump Taggart, the goal of this program is to increase children’s potential to achieve in music through engaging and entertaining musical activities. Class activities include singing and chanting, moving to music, playing assorted percussion instruments, and pattern instruction. All early childhood classes are fully inclusive.

Middle School Band Camp

The Middle School Band Camp is a day camp for middle school students who have completed at least one year of instrumental study. This five-day camp is held at the MSU College of Music and provides students with an opportunity to perform with other talented students, receive class instruction in instrumental technique, and explore music through musicianship classes. Time spent studying and rehearsing culminates in a concert for parents and friends at the end of the week.

Beginning String Camps

Beginning Strings Camp introduces violins, violas, and cellos to children ages 6-12 years. Camp gives students five days of hands-on instruction from professional string teachers on their instrument of choice, while engaging in singing and enrichment activities.

Private Lessons

Private lessons are available for both youth and adults students with little to no playing experience to the more advanced. Choose from over 20 instruments to learn, including piano, woodwind and brass, strings, percussion, voice, and more. During each lesson, emphasis is placed on development of musical skills, including reading and technical skills, using a repertoire based on the students’ goals. Individuals in private lessons participate in weekly lessons, school-wide recitals, and occasional guest master classes.

Eric ‘RicStar’

The Eric ‘RicStar’ Winter In-Person and Virtual Music Therapy Camp is a one-of-a-kind, inclusive day camp that provides opportunities for musical expression, enjoyment, and interaction for all persons with special needs and their siblings. To ensure the health and safety of our campers, families, and therapists, this camp will be held in-person AND in a secure virtual setting using Zoom for those wishing to attend remotely.

Our weekly themed summer camps are for kids ages 3 -12. NO gymnastics experience or memberships required.  All camps include gymnastics, games, crafts and more. Half, Full Day, Single Day and Full Week options available. Participants must be potty trained. You can view more on Facebook, Instagram, and their website!

Additional summer camps in + around Lansing you may want to check out…

• All of Us Express Children’s Theater
• Arbor Chess Camp
• Apple Tree and Gilden Woods
• Breakthrough Basketball Camp
• Burchfield Exploring Nature Day Camp
• Camp Invention
• Camp Lookout
• Camp Wonder
• Capital Area Humane Society
• DEFY
• DeWitt Area Recreation
• Ebersole Center
• East Lansing Parks and Rec
• Eli and Edyth Broad
• Equine Center for Learning
• Fabus Farms
• Fab Five Designs
• Fenner Nature Center
• Fusion Dance Center
• Harris Nature Center
• High Fives Summer Camp
• Humble Beginnings Ranch
• Interlochen Arts Camp
• Kathleen’s Kitchen Camp
• Kidz Camp
• Kiki’s Gymnastics
• Lansing Art Gallery
• Lansing Sailing Club
• Launch Trampoline Park
• Lansing Community College
• Le Chat Gourmet
• Making a Game of It
• Spartan Lego Robotics
• MADD Camp Music Art Drama Dance
• MSU Sports Camp
• The MAC
• Nike Tennis Camp
• Nottingham Equestrian Center Pony Camp
• Potter Park Zoo Zookambi
• REACH Art Studio
• School of Rock
• Soccer Kickers Summer Skills Camp
• Spartan Dance Center
• Summer Adventure Program
• Sundance Riding Stables
• Sweet Encounter Kids’ Culinary Academy
• Wharton Center
• Woldumar Nature Center
• Wildwood Ranch