A Guide To All Things “Summer Camps For Kids” In Sun Valley Idaho 2023

A GUIDE TO ALL THINGS “SUMMER CAMPS FOR KIDS” IN SUN VALLEY IDAHO 2023

Hi there, it’s Erika! Right now we are in the middle of Winter and all 3 of our kids are busy with skiing multiple days a week, dancing, gymnastics, rock climbing and ballet. Although Summer seems really far away, Summer Camp sign ups are right around the corner. This post is for any parents planning to be in Sun Valley this summer, looking for summer camp info. Here is a list of recommended camps we have personal experience with or have heard great things about from other families:

1. TODDLER & LITTLE-KID CAMPS
   • CAMP BIGWOOD – For littles 18-months up to 6 year olds, The Bigwood School offers incredible half-day and full-day camps. There are wonderful field trips to explore the valley by hiking, fishing, playing games, doing crafts, cooking, and art to name a few. Registration opens March 1 for current families, March 6 for previous families and March 8 for new families.
   • SUN VALLEY KIDS, SV YOUTH CAMPS & TENNIS CAMPS – 2-12 year olds can experience the many incredible activities that SV has to offer. Half and Full Day Camps. Littles can do arts and crafts, baking and even hay rides around SV; bigger kids can play tennis, putting golf, paddle boat rides, biking, science & STEAM activities; and the older kids can go horseback riding, play golf, tennis, fly fishing and even river rafting. There are specific tennis & pickleball camps too.
   • WOOD RIVER YMCA – Summer Day Camps & Summer Enrichment Camps. All Day camp includes games, crafts, pool time and gardening activities. Check the website for online registration (no date posted yet).
2. OLDER KIDS – OUTDOOR SPECIALTY CAMPS
   • IDAHO BASE CAMP: MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE TOURS (M.A.T.) – ages 5-13, Mondays-Thursdays. Wilderness activities at The Big Lost campus or in Ketchum. This is an amazing daily outdoor experience that builds into overnight campouts for older kids.
   • GALENA YOUTH ADVENTURE CAMP or MOUNTAIN BIKE CAMP – Awesome all day excursions for 6-8, or 8-12 year olds, based out of Galena (20 minutes north of Ketchum, shuttles from town provided) offering a variety of different outdoor activities every day from hiking, mountain biking, river rafting and horseback riding or a week of mountain biking. Older kids have the option to spend the night in a yurt. Local families can apply by 1/25/23 for priority registration and a 20% discount on the weekly camp cost. General Registration opens Feb 1, 6pm MST.
   • SURVIVAL & WILDERNESS CAMPS – Kids ages 8-15 year olds can experience the unique opportunity of learning real outdoor survival skills, building a shelter, hunting fish for food, etc. with Aaron’s brother, Benji Hill. Benji has extensive knowledge of primitive skills, hunting, fishing and survival skills. He was also on Season 9 of Alone (History Channel). Gather a group of 3-8 campers and he can create a unique camp experience for your kids. For older, more experienced outdoorsmen/women, contact Benji to create an overnight outdoor wilderness adventure.
   • HORSEBACK RIDING & PONY CAMPS – 6-8 year old pony camps, 8-13 year old 3-day riding camps, and even a Ladies Camp at THE BARN in Bellevue. This is a Hill Family favorite!
3. OLDER KIDS – CREATIVE ARTIST CAMPS
   
   • BOULDER MOUNTAIN CLAYWORKS – Hands-on opportunity for artists to use the clay wheel and make pottery. Check back for summer schedules and camp offerings.
   • SEWING CAMP – Kids bring their own sewing machine and learn to make a different item every day. 4 days a week, 3 hours a day in Hailey at The SV Fabric Granary.
   • THEATER – ST. THOMAS PLAYHOUSE – Incredible theater opportunity for kids of all ages to experience being in a play or musical. Wonderful plays, 1-2 week long camp schedule includes a final performance.
4. DANCE & GYMNASTICS CAMPS
   • BACKGROADS GYMNASTICS (formerly Keystone Gymnastics) – Coach Erin from Keystone Gymnastics has taken over to run amazing summer camps for kids ages 3-12 years old.
   • GYMNASTICS @ SPIRIT n’ MOTION – Ages 6-13 have tons of fun doing gymnastics, getting outside for hikes and swimming, playing games. Also weekly “open gym” opportunities for parents to attend with kids of all ages to play and try out gymnastics.
   • FOOTLIGHT DANCE – Incredible opportunity for kids who love a variety of dance & ballet classes. This summer there will be 2, week-long camps doing dance tapestry, Cechetti Ballet and Ballet of Sun Valley.
5. SPECIALTY PEDIATRIC CANCER CAMP
   • CAMP RAINBOW GOLD – The most incredible & special camp experience for individuals, families and siblings of kids with pediatric cancer, providing wonderful opportunities to be out in nature.
6. SLEEP-AWAY CAMP
   • YMCA SLEEP AWAY CAMP at Y CAMP IDAHO – One-Week-Long overnight outdoor camp on Horsethief Reservoir in Cascade, Id. Tons of fun water activities, games, sports, crafts, great food fun & safe first timer sleepaway camp experience.
   • CAMP FOLEY – Not in Idaho this one is in Minnesota but we love Camp Foley after sending Ellie with her Minnesota cousins a few years ago. An idyllic classic summer camp on the lake with tons of activities. We are sending our girls this year for the 2 week session.
7. SPORTS SPECIALTY CAMPS
   • SVSEF SKI & SNOWBOARD CAMPS – A variety of amazing camp opportunities for skiers & snowboarders to stay active & improve their skills over the summer. Priority to SVSEF athletes. Mountain biking, roller blading, Air Barn, swimming, etc.
   • SUN VALLEY LACROSSE – SV Lacrosse brings in collegiate athletes to coach summer camps for kids, in addition to summer clinics taught by local coaches. There is a ton of fun to look forward to here, check back on their website for 2023 details.
   • ONE SOCCER SCHOOLS – Enter your child’s age and preferred camp and you can find the dates and location of camps in the Wood River Valley and a link to register.
8. FREE ACTIVITIES
   • Hop Porter Park in Hailey (we call this Princess Park because the playground has so many castle-like features my kids love).
   • Atkinsons Park in Ketchum, next to Hemingway Elementary School.
   • Water Fountain Parks
     Rain Maker Splash pad at 300 3rd Avenue in Ketchum.

     Rain Maker Splash Park at 200 E Croy in Hailey.
   • Ride bikes from SV out to Hemingway Memorial. Look back at the beautiful view of Baldy. Keep biking along the trail to
   • Hike around White Clouds before it gets too hot. Hike in the trees from River Run to Lookout (3 miles round trip). Always bring water!
   • Visit the hot springs in Frenchman’s, Stanley, or
   • Dark Sky Reserve – wherever you are in the valley, take some time at night to look up!

Website: www.visitsunvalley.com for more information.

I didn’t list all of the camps in our beautiful Valley but hopefully these will get you thinking about what camps would be fun for your kids this summer. For now, enjoy the SNOW!!!!

Sincerely,
Erika