School is out. Vacations are planned. But what will your kids be doing the rest of their time off? There are so many fun and engaging options in Calhoun County for kids to socialize with others, play games, learn skills, and beyond. Read on to peruse our list of summer day camps and away camps, reading programs, craft events, and more. With so many options, you can be sure they will have plenty of entertainment. Mark your calendars and register them now, as these camps and events will fill up fast!
Summer Camps
Calhoun County not only provides multiple day camps for kids but several quality “away” camps.
No traditional summer camp can top Camp Mac. Camp Mac is hard to beat with recreational activities like horseback riding, water sports, wilderness survival training, tennis, baseball, basketball, swimming, canoeing, fishing, team sports, crafts, dancing, and more. Located in nearby Munford, Alabama, the camp will provide more fun and adventure than your kids can imagine!
Dates:
6-Day mini-terms run from May 28-June 2, June 10-15, & July 8-13
11-Day Junior terms run May 28-June 7, June 10-20, & July 8-18
Cost: $2,235 for 6-day/$3,635 for 11-day
Ages: 1st-3rd grade or 2nd-5th grade (completion of).
Senior Term camps are also available lasting 3-4 weeks.
For more information, call (256) 362-7449 or email office@campmac.com
To register, click here.
Campers will play on our playground, swim daily (weather permitting), make arts and crafts, have Bible lessons, go canoeing, play Gaga ball, catch critters in the creek, and more!
Under the ownership of the First United Methodist Church of Anniston, Camp Lee is another great summer camp option. It offers 4 week-long day camp sessions during the month of June with activities including Bible study, Field Games, swimming, Gaga ball, canoeing, creek exploration, and arts & crafts.
Dates:
Day Camp Session 1–June 3-7, K-2nd grade
Day Camp Session 2–June 10-14, 3rd-5th grade
Day Camp Session 3–June 17-21, K-2nd grade
Day Camp Session 4–June 24-28, 3rd-5th grade
Times: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Cost: $100
For more information, call (256) 499-6160 or email camplee@camplee.org.
Residents of Anniston and surrounding towns can always rely on the excellent summer camp program hosted by the YMCA in Anniston. The “Y” provides two day camps based on your child’s age: the Kinder Camp for kids 5-6 (located at the YMCA), and Day Camp for ages 7-12 (held at Camp Hamilton with bus transport provided by the Y).
Features of Kinder Camp are indoor swimming, learning skills centers, arts & crafts, organized games, playground time, gym time, devotions, and camp songs. Meanwhile, attendees at Camp Hamilton will enjoy outdoor swimming, biking, canoeing, hiking, paddle boating, arts & crafts, and archery will be part of their fun outings.
Dates:
Kinder Camp–10 weekly sessions ranging from May 28-Aug 2
Day Camp–10 weekly sessions ranging from May 28-Aug 2
Times: 7am-6pm (Day Camp)
Cost: $110/wk/$100/Y member; $45 supply fee
For more information, call (256) 238-YMCA or email jenniferkennedy@ymcacalhoun.org.
Alabama 4-H Presents Camp Cane Creek
Alabama 4-H (Alabama A&M and Auburn Universities) has faithfully provided events for kids every summer for many years. This summer, they’re hosting Camp Cane Creek, a week-long summer day camp for youth ages 7-14 slated for July 8-12 and July 22-26.
Dates: July 8-12, 22-26
Times: 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
Cost: $100/week; $20 due at registration
To Register: Visit the office at 1702 Noble St., Suite 108, Anniston, AL
For more information call (256) 452-7900 or email kms0139@auburn.edu.
Jacksonville State University offers a fun-filled weekly day camp loaded with themed activities for youth ages 5-12. A detailed schedule of what is currently on the roster is below.
Dates and Events:
Camp Date | Registration Deadline |
6/3 Week 1: We LOVE JSU Week | May 29 |
6/10 Week 2: Animal Week | June 5 |
6/17 Week 3: Safety and Hero Week | June 12 |
6/24 Week 4: Splash and Dash Week | June 19 |
7/1 Week 5: Nature Week | June 26 |
7/8 Week 6: Career Week | July 3 |
7/15 Week 7: Art Week | July 10 |
7/22 Week 8: Under the Sea/Shark Week | July 17 |
7/29 Week 9: Music Week | July 24 |
8/5 Week 10: Summer in Review | July 31 |
Time: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Cost: JSU Affiliate $35 Daily/$125 weekly; Non-affiliate $40 Daily/$150 weekly
To get your child or teen involved, fill out the registration form
For more information: Call (256) 782-8682 or email nwills@jsu.edu
GASP – Gamecock Arts Summer Program
JSU is providing area youth a deep dive into the arts with a week-long day camp that focuses on musical theater (ages 8-18), plus visual arts, cosplay, film, and creative writing (ages 8-14). The door is closing on this opportunity as pre-registration ends May 24, so be sure to contact them immediately if interested.
Dates: June 3-7
For more information email Emily Duncan elduncan@jsu.edu or Morgan Worsham mworsham@jsu.edu.
City of Anniston Summer Day Camps
The City of Anniston is hosting its annual summer day camps at the Carver, Norwood Hodges, and Wiggins Community Centers. These 10-week day camps feature nature and science activities, drama, games, sports, arts & crafts, swimming lessons, music & dance, contests, field trips, and more.
Dates: May 28-Aug 2
Times: 7:00 am-5:30 pm
Cost:
Weekly $55 resident/$60 non-resident (Installments can be paid by the week/month also)
Registration fee $25
To learn more and register, click here.
Smith’s Martial Arts is once again hosting a Martial Arts Camp and Play Days. They offer 5 weeks of martial arts classes, games, crafts, and outdoor activities at their studio located at 1931 Barry St. in Oxford. While the “camp” is a weekly event, kids can also participate in Play Days to experience all the offerings without week-long commitments. Themes for the 5 consecutive weeks are: Weapons Camp, Self Defense Training, Ninja Warrior Training, Galactic Battle Training, and Weapons Camp.
Dates: June 3-7, June 10-13, June 17-21, July 8-12, July 22-26
Times:
Martial Arts Camp 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Play Days 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Cost: $125 per student; Play Day $40/day or 3 for $90
To register for the Martial Arts camp, click here.
To purchase Play Days, click here.
For more information call (256) 926-2151 or email smithsmartialarts@gmail.com.
Power Sports Camp
This sport-themed camp for ages 7-13 covers a variety of sports including baseball, basketball, softball, football, cheer, golf, soccer, volleyball, mountain biking, wrestling, and swimming. It’s sponsored by the FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes).
Dates: June 25-27
Times: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Cost: $125
For more information call Cole Limbaugh at (256) 872-3151.
Anniston Museums and Gardens Summer Day Camps
The Anniston Museums and Gardens always come up with inventive ideas for special day camps that entertain kids during the summer months. This year their camps will be Berman Buccaneer Boot Camp Summer Camp for ages 8-13 and Gross Out Camp for 1st-4th graders/5th-7th graders.
The Berman Buccaneer Boot Camp will explore the fascinating world of pirate-ry in all its past glory. Among an assortment of planned activities, participants will hear legendary pirate tales, take part in pirate-themed activities, and partake in a pirate feast. The Buccaneer Boot Camp lasts from 10 am – 2 pm each day.
Gross Out Camp is an award-winning science camp designed for kids to explore the grounds of the Anniston Museum of Natural History and learn all about nature. Each group will be taught by an expert, who will instruct them in exploring, journaling, nature-inspired arts and crafts, and more (like creating “gross” slime from scratch). It lasts from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Events:
- Buccaneer Boot Camp
June 26-28; Cost $135/child ($15 member discount)
- Gross Out Camp
June 3-7 and July 8-12; Cost $200/members & $250/non-members (Scholarships available) for ages 6-10/$150 for CIT (Counselors in training) ages 11-13
Calhoun County’s favorite resident artist, JC Morgan, is hosting a week-long, 5-hour/day art camp at the Friendship Community Center located at 2930 Friendship Rd. in Oxford, AL. Suitable for youth ages 8-16, this outing will tap into your child/teen’s artistic side through painting, pottery, and drawing.
Date: July 8-11
Time: 10 am – 3 pm
Cost: $200/week or $50/day
For more information call (256) 223-7784.
Summer Art Camp with Mrs. Chastain
For those in the Anniston area, there will be another art camp also taking place July 8-11 hosted by Hope Chastain at Faith Christian School, located at 4100 Ronnaki Rd., Anniston, AL. For youth entering 4th-12th grades, painting with clay, 3D drip sculptures, and texture paste painting will be covered. Registration by May 31 is necessary to enroll your child/teen in these fun classes.
Dates: July 8-11
Times: Session 1 – 8 am – 9:30 am; Session 2 – 9:30 am – 11 am; Session 3 – 11 am – 12:30 pm
Cost: $75/session or $200 for all three
For more information call (256) 236-4499 or email hchastain@faithchristian.info
RedBird Willow Farm is having a Summer Camp July 22nd – 26th – 9am – 3pm and will have activities such as:
Anniston Museum Reptile Farm
Fire Dept. Safety Class/ with Fire Trucks on-site
Kids Stick Class
Kids Yoga/Crafts
Become a Farmer for the Day
Learn about a different animal each day
Kangaroo Encounters
Lead a Llama
And much more… Activities are still evolving check their FB page and Website for registration and updates RedBirdWillowFarm.com
Other Great Summer Opportunities
Summer Reading Programs in Calhoun County
There are all kinds of fun activities for kids at the libraries in Calhoun County Mondays thru Fridays in the months of June and July. They include arts & crafts, movies, puppet shows, special events, and the Summer Reading Program. To learn more about the Summer Reading Programs, click on the links below:
Anniston Public Library Summer Reading Program
Oxford Public Library Summer Reading Program
Jacksonville Public Library Summer Reading Program
The Oxford Civic Center has open registration for upcoming youth activities including Oxford PARD Flag Football. For more information, call the Civic Center at (256)-831-2660.
The swimming pool at the Civic Center will be open to the public daily in the summer from Memorial Day Weekend until Labor Day Weekend, Monday – Saturday 11:00 am – 4:00 pm and Sunday 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm at a cost of $2. Their children’s splash pad is free.
