can be difficult. There are so many choices, especially in and around Cobb County. Whether parents are looking for a traditional camp, sports camp, or one with a technology or arts focus, there are many options close to Smyrna and Vinings. To help parents hone in on the perfect fit, we turned to area moms to tell us their favorite camps. Here are 12 of their top picks.
Josh Powell Summer Day Camp
Acworth, GA
Looking for a camp where rising 1st – 3rd graders can just be kids? Look no further than Josh Powell Summer Day Camp. Josh Powell is located on 23 wooded acres in Cherokee County, but Vinings area kids can ride the bus from a pick up location on West Paces Ferry and Northside Drive. At camp they’ll spend the day building forts in the woods, swimming, canoeing on the lake, or winning a popsicle for a bulls-eye on the archery range. Whatever they choose, they’ll come back a little dirty, tired and smiling.
MJCCA Summer Day Camps
Marietta, GA
atlantajcc.org/landing-pages/camps
The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta is bringing the Jewish camping experience to East Cobb at Temple Kol Emeth. The new East Cobb location offers exciting camps for rising K- 8th graders including specialty camps like LEGOland; Welcome to Hogwarts; Junk Art and Science Discovery. In addition the MJCCA is bringing the Lynne & Howard Halpern Drama camps to the area with performances of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and Seussical.
Club SciKidz
East Cobb
For budding scientists, ages 4 – 15, there is no better camp than Club SciKidz. No matter what your child’s scientific interests, they have an appropriate camp. Kids can try emergency medicine, veterinary science, 3-D Printing, or video game creation. A favorite is Camp Sea Adventures, which mixes oceanography with a dose of pirate escapades. Club SciKidz has two locations, East Cobb Presbyterian and St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church.
CampMODA
The Lovett School, Atlanta, GA
museumofdesign.org/education-at-moda/camp
Children who attend campMODA (Museum of Design Atlanta) learn to use design thinking in connection with science, technology, creativity, engineering and math skills to solve real world problems, all while having fun. MODA has several locations including The Lovett School where they are catering to kids 8 – 12 with LEGO Robotics camp and Designing with Minecraft camp.
Universal Tennis Academy
Bitsy Grant Tennis Center, Atlanta, GA
Even if an appearance at Wimbledon isn’t on your child’s wish list, they’ll have fun at Universal Tennis Camp at Bitsy Grant Tennis Center. This tennis camp is a great mix of drills, match play and simple summer fun like tie-dye crafts and water play for kids 6 – 14. UTA even has a combo tennis/golf camp where kids can play Bobby Jones Golf Course, which is located next to the tennis center. Camps are either half or full day.
Sewing Camps at Fabricate Studios
Atlanta, GA
Fabricate Studios offers sewing camps designed specifically for kids ages 6-11. No sewing experience? No problem. Fabricate has camps for those who are new to sewing or have limited sewing experience as well as more advanced camps. Students learn to use a sewing machine and make multiple projects while learning the mechanics of sewing and hand embroidery.
Mable House Arts Center
Mableton, GA
The Mable House Arts Center will keep your arts minded child age 4 – 16 happy all summer long. Mix and match morning and afternoon camps such as Hogwarts Houses, Wands and More; Marvel vs. DC sketching; a study of the Ninja Turtles (Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael); and Manga and Anime. Things get moving in the afternoons with sessions like Hip Hop Tots and Mini Music Makers. Ask about special pricing for Cobb County residents.
Atlanta Sports Camps
Trinity School, Atlanta, GA
Atlanta Sports Camps offers two camps this summer at Trinity School for rising 1st – 5th graders. Kids have fun learning a variety of sports including basketball, soccer, floor hockey, Frisbee, and lacrosse to name a few. Register for half or full day sessions, or pair the sports camp with other camps available at Trinity School.
Atlanta Blaze Lacrosse Camps
Kennesaw, GA
Kids 8 – 18 can learn the fastest growing sport in the nation from Atlanta’s newest professional lacrosse team, the Atlanta Blaze. Camps are held at Kennesaw State University and taught by current and future Blaze players. Camp includes instruction, as well as game play every day. In addition, all campers get a ticket to a Blaze home game.
Kennesaw State Summer University
Kennesaw, GA
Send your child in grades 1 – 12, to college this summer at Kennesaw State University. This program also has extended care available until 6 pm. Sessions cover cooking; art; robotics and engineering; writing; web or graphic design; and even handmade yarn creations.
Central Gymnastics Academy
Marietta, GA
If you need a little flexibility in your camp schedule, then Central Gymnastics Academy is perfect. In addition to signing up per week, this camp also lets you sign up by day for either full or half-day programs.
For more summer camps, visit the Field Trips with Sue To learn more about planning for summer camp, and how to pay for it, see Sue’s .