There are several advantages to youth attending summer camp, including building self-esteem, encouraging personal growth, fostering teamwork, nurturing friendships, promoting independence, supporting healthy living and teaching resiliency.
Boys & Girls Club of San Antonio– The Boys & Girls Clubs of America is a non-profit, national youth organization. They have roughly 4,300 club facilities throughout all 50 states, as well as Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and U.S. military bases. The Boys & Girls Club of San Antonio provides youth with an array of after-school and summer programs, including art classes, career education, homework assistance, job assistance, leadership development, sports & recreation, technology centers and teen centers. Southside summer camps are held at the Crestholme Branch, located at 1515 Goliad Road and at the Mays Family Clubhouse, located at 123 Ralph Avenue. Summer camps, designed for kids ages 6-18, are held Monday through Friday, from 7AM to 6PM. According to the Rivard Report, the Boys & Girls Club of San Antonio will reopen for summer camps on June 1, 2020.
Palo Alto College– Palo Alto College is one of five accredited public community college in the Alamo Colleges District. Recently, the District announced that all classes would be taught remotely, and all physical buildings would be closed to the public. These measures would continue through the summer. Also, the regular Palo Alto College Summer Programs would be cancelled for 2020. However, according to their website, as an alternative to their in-person programs, “Palo Alto College will provide virtual programming to support the community throughout the summer. Updates will be posted to the College’s website and social media.”
San Antonio Museum of Science & Technology– The San Antonio Museum of Science and Technology, a startup museum and STEM center, provides kids with the T.J. Natarajan STEM-based summer camps. Due to COVID-19, the summer camp schedule has been revised. Camps in June will be held online, while July camps will be held in-person, with several precautions in place. The in-person camps take place at the San Antonio Museum of Science and Technology, located at 102 Mabry Drive, on the campus of Port San Antonio. While the summer camps are free of charge, donations are always welcome.
ONLINE SUMMER CAMPS:
Picture This- June 8-12, 2020- Grades 5+
Dino Dig- June 15-19, 2020- Grades 5+
The Technology of Amazing Animals- June 22-26, 2020- Grades 7+
IN-PERSON SUMMER CAMPS:
Space Camps- Grades 5-8
Space Camp 1- July 6-10, 2020
Space Camp 2- July 13-17, 2020
Space Camp 3- July 27-31, 2020
Cyber Patriot- July 20-24, 2020- Grades 7+
San Antonio Parks & Recreation– According to their website, the mission of the San Antonio Parks & Recreation is “to provide exceptional parks, facilities, programs and services to improve the quality of life for all.” Normally, their Summer Youth Program is held at 15 community centers and 14 schools, throughout 3 school districts on the Southside. However, because of the COVID-19 outbreak, the San Antonio Parks & Recreation made the decision not to offer their Summer Youth Program for 2020. Their website does state that they may offer alternative activities for summer, which will be posted on their website and on their social media pages.
Spurs Sports Academy– According to their website, the mission of the Spurs Sports Academy is “to develop young athletes while inspiring lifelong memories and building character through competition.” There are 2 Spurs Summer Basketball Camps on the Southside. Both are held at the Mission Concepcion Sports Park, located at 714 East Theo Avenue and are open to boys and girls ages 6-13. Camp Session 2 of the Spurs Player Camp is July 27-31, from 9AM to 4PM. Camp Session 3 of the Spurs Player Camp is August 10-14, from 9AM to 4PM.
YMCA of Greater San Antonio– The YMCA is one of the largest and oldest youth organizations in the world. The organization offers programs and services for children, teens and families that focus on healthy living, social responsibility and youth development. The YMCA of Greater San Antonio offers 3 summer day camps in the Southside area. These camps are offered at their Y Early Learning Centers- the Downtown Center is located at 440 Labor Street; the Haven for Hope Center is located at 600 Leal Street and the Southside Center is located at 835 West Southcross Boulevard. Summer camps will begin on June 1, with a safe environment. On their website’s “Reopening With Care,” page, the YMCA outlines the policies, practices and procedures that they have in place to keep everyone safe. The camps, open to kids ages 5-13, will run from June 1 to August 7, from 6:30AM to 6PM and each week features a special theme. Registration for each camp is done onsite.
