Explore the possibilities for summer camp

Photo by Vinicius Tupinamba: Fotolia

You don't have as much time to sign up your kid for summer day camp as you might think.
Here are some of your options around Clear Lake and the rest of the Bay Area.
ARMAND BAYOU ECOCAMP
Outdoors day camp for kids 4 to 13. Activities including fishing, seining, hiking, hunting for bugs, canoe rides and pontoon boat rides. Learn about Armand Bayou's plants and animals.
Location: Armand Bayou Nature Center, 8500 Bay Area Blvd., Pasadena
Cost: $130 to $320, with discounts for members of Armand Bayou Nature Center.
Details: www.abnc.org/educational-programs/summer-camp.html
SPACE CENTER HOUSTON
Hands-on day camp for ages 4-14 June 1-Aug. 20.
Exploration Academy for ages 12-14 is a four-day program focused on robotics.
Location: 1601 NASA Parkway, Houston
Cost: $100-$220.
Details: www.spacecenter.org/DayCamps.html
THE ARTS ALLIANCE CENTER AT CLEAR LAKE
More than 40 classes are available from Space Art and Jewelry Design to Drama/Storytelling and Music Exploration. Programs are available for pre-schoolers through high school students. Monday-Friday weekly for 1 to 1 hours through July. Students may attend one to five classes per week.
Location: 2000 NASA Parkway, Nassau Bay
Cost: $30-$60 per class.
Details: www.TAACCL.org
STARS AND STRIPES BAND CAMP
Musical instruction for local band students who've finished sixth, seventh or eighth grade the week of June 21-25. Day camp 9 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. with evening concert on June 25.
Location: Westbrook Intermediate School, 302 W. El Dorado Blvd., Friendswood
Cost: $165
Details: www.starsandstripesbandcamp.com
MUSIC CAMP
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. July 12-16 for kids who have finished kindergarten through seventh grade. Sponsored by the Bay Area Youth Singers (BAYS), Bay Area Chorus and University Baptist Church.
Location: University Baptist Church, 16106 Middlebrook Drive.
Cost: $95 before July 1
Details: www.ultimateclearlake.com/2010/06/let-your-child-enjoy-gift-singing-bay-area-youth-singers
PERRY FAMILY YMCA
Day Camp: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekly June 7-Aug. 20 for ages 4-11 with teen camp available for ages 12-14. Cost: $160-$200 a week. Crafts, swimming, field trips, team building, devotionals, conflict resolution, character development, guest speakers, field games and weekly themes.
Counselor-in-Training: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. with extended hours available June 7-July 2, July 5-30, Aug. 2-20. Ages 14-17. Cost $250-$350.
Soccer Sports Camp: 9 a.m.-noon June 14-18 for ages 6-11. Cost $90-$110.
Adventures in Art Camp: 1-4 p.m. June 28-July 2 for ages 6-11. Cost $90-$110.
Basketball Sports Camp: 9 a.m.-noon July 12-16 for ages 6-11. Cost $90-$110.
Girls Just Want to Have Fun: 1-4 p.m. July 19-23 for ages 4-8. Cost $90-$110.
Wonders of Science: 1-4 p.m. Aug. 2-6 for ages 6-11. Cost $90-$110.
Location: 1700 League City Parkway W., League City.
Details: www.ymcahouston.org/perry-family.
EDGAR. A. SMITH FAMILY YMCA
Summer Day Camp: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekly June 7-Aug. 20 for ages 4-11 with teen camp available for ages 12-14. Crafts, science, technology, swimming, field trips, nature and culture appreciation and themes. Cost: $160-200 a week with extended hours available.
Counselor-in-Training: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. June 7-July 2, July 5-30 and Aug. 2-20 for ages 14-17. Cost: $250-$350 with extended hours available.
Adventures in Art Camp: 1-4 p.m. July 5-9 for ages 6-11. Cost $90-$110.
Girls Just Want to Have Fun: 1-4 p.m. June 21-25 for ages 4-8. Cost $90-$110.
Soccer Camp: 9 a.m.-noon July 26-30 for ages 6-11. Cost $90-$110.
YMCA Basketball Camp: Noon-3 p.m. Aug. 9-13 for ages 6-11. Cost $90-$110.
Location: 14650 Highway 3, Houston
Details: www.ymcahouston.org/edgar-a-smith
CLEAR LAKE CITY REC CENTER
Sessions include making flying things and things out of string, June 7-18; circus fun, June 21-July 2; digging for treasures and fossils, July 5-16; putting on a play, July 19-30; magic, Aug. 2-13; wet and wild at the pool, Aug. 16-20.
Day camp runs Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for kids ages 6-12.
Location: Clear Lake Recreation Center, 16511 Diana Lane, Houston
Cost: Each two week session is $150, minus a 30 percent discount for members of the Clear Lake City Community Association.
Details: www.clcca.org/Summer-Day-Camp~272095~16427.htm
CREATIVE ARTS CAMP
Choose from 44 classes over four days, from bottle cap art and cake decorating to scrapbooking and woodworking. Open to preschoolers and elementary school kids. Classes scheduled for 9:30-11 a.m. on July 26, July 28, Aug. 2 and Aug. 4.
Cost: $15 per class.
Location: Clear Lake United Methodist Church, 16335 El Camino Real.
Details: www.clearlakemethodist.org/content.cfm?id=2265
MAD SUMMER SCIENCE CAMP
Sessions include How Does It Work June 7-11; My First Lab June 7-11; Fame, Fortune and Science July 5-9; How Does Your Garden Grow? July 5-9; Secret Agent Lab Aug. 16-20; and My First Lab Aug. 16-20.
Location: Clear Lake Recreation Center, 16511 Diana Lane, Houston.
Cost: $190-$260. Before- and after-care is available for an additional charge.
Details: www.madscience.org/locations/houston/ourservices.aspx
CITY OF LEAGUE CITY
Open to non-residents for higher fee.
Parks summer programs: Basketball, T-ball, ballet, gymnastics, coach pitch baseball, flag football, karate, volleyball and tennis at various League City locations. Cost $50 and up.
League City Camp by the Creek: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. June 7-Aug. 13 for ages 6-12 with extended hours available. Two-week sessions feature arts and crafts, games, field trips, themes and outdoor activities. Location will be a Clear Creek school to be announced. Cost $200-$220.
Details: www.leaguecity.com/index.aspx?nid=508
UH-CLEAR LAKE ART SCHOOL
Explore science and space exploration through varied media. June 7-July 1 for age 3 through high school. Cost $80-$125.
Location: UH-Clear Lake Arbor Building, Room 159, 2700 Bay Area Blvd.
Details: http://prtl.uhcl.edu/ORS/ORSCurrentClassListing.uix?event=loadImpl&impl=2
KIDS U
From surviving in the wilderness to solving math mysteries, writing iPoetry to designing iPhone apps, SAT prep to computer programming, there's lots for kids to explore this summer in Kids U courses offered by the University of Houston - Clear Lake.
Most week-long Kids U classes meet MondayThursday, 8:30 11:30 a.m. or noon 3 p.m. June and July at UH-Clear Lake, 2700 Bay Area Blvd., and other locations around the area.
Details: http://kidsu.uhcl.edu
COLLEGE OF THE MAINLAND
Dance Camp: 9 a.m.-noon Mondays-Fridays July 19-23 and July 26-30 for ages 10-18. Covers dance fundamentals through more advanced moves. Campers will learn two dances. Cost $75. Details: www.com.edu/newsdesk/news.cfm?newsid=1132
Coach King's Basketball Camp: 8:30-11 a.m. June 14-18 or Aug. 2-6 for ages 11-14. Skill improvement drills and team concepts. Cost: $50. Details: www.com.edu/newsdesk/news.cfm?newsid=1132
Lineman's Camp: 7-10 a.m. June 21-25. Line technique, position drills, strength training, agility and conditioning. Cost: $60.
Speed Camp: 8-9:30 a.m. or 5:30-7 p.m. June 7-11 or July 12-16 for ages 12 and older. Campers cover a series of warm-up drills designed to improve running technique and increase speed. Cost: $75. Details: www.com.edu/newsdesk/news.cfm?newsid=1132
Volleyball Camp: 8 a.m.-noon June 7-10. All skills camp for those entering grades six-12. On-court instruction, along with lectures and fun activities. All skill levels welcome. Cost: $210. Details: www.com.edu/newsdesk/news.cfm?newsid=1132
Kids and Teens Summer Fun Program: Classes for grades two-six range from theater and knitting to hip-hop and PowerPoint. Classes for grades six-12 include theater, computers, languages and first aid, among others. Prices vary by class. Details: www.com.edu/newsdesk/news.cfm?newsid=1132
Swim classes: COM offers swimming lessons for ages 6 months and up. Details: www.com.edu/newsdesk/news.cfm?newsid=1133
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY AT GALVESTON
Sea Camp: Sessions begin June 6-12 and continue Aug. 1-7. This resident camp offers a hands-on marine adventure for ages 10-18. Campers have access to research vessels, oceanographic equipment, laboratory facilities and a professional staff. Ten programs are available, including marine biology and ecology. Cost $701-$800.
Sea Campus Kids: Sessions begin June 11 and continue through Aug. 2. Marine Science Day program for students ages 6-11. Multi-sensory interactive learning opportunities range from visiting turtle hatchery to wading through a salt marsh. Cost $115-$130.
Location: Texas A&M University at Galveston, Seawolf Parkway, Galveston.
Details: www.tamug.edu/seacamp.
TEXAS SURF CAMP
8:45 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays-Fridays weeks of July 26-30, Aug. 2-6, Aug. 9-13 and Aug. 16-20. Primarily for participants ages 15-18, but other ages can be accommodated.
One day camps: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. July 31 and Aug. 14
Includes ocean safety, surfing fundamentals, beach games, special guests and water time on surfboard. Camp provides all equipment.
Location: Galveston Island State Park
Cost: $300 per week; $50 for one-day camp
Details: www.texassurfcamps.com.
AL GARZA'S PREMIER MARTIAL ARTS SUMMER CAMP
Two martial arts classes a day, field trips, games and exercise. Weekly sessions through summer.
Location: 2047 West Main C-9. League City
Cost: $155 per week
Details: 281-322-5425, www.algarza.com.
MORE TO DO
Clear Lake City Freeman Branch Library summer calendar
Friendswood Library summer calendar
Houston Zoo summer camp
Houston Museum of Natural Science summer camp