These camps offer a blend of traditional camp games and STEAM activities that will focus on honing a child’s creativity through thought, expression, and craft.
YMCA Alexandria Specialty Camps
WEEK 1: KIDS GONE CRAFTY
Craft a creation! This unique, hands-on camp introduces young artists to a variety of art mediums that may include drawing, painting, clay creations, plaster of paris, paper mâché, and more! Please send campers in appropriate clothing that allow for freedom of expression or send a smock.
WEEK 2: BOARD? GRAB A BOARD
Checkmate! Have you ever been stumped with how the chess pieces move? Have no fear! Chess camp will teach you the basics. Chess players will learn the different chess pieces and how they work. Players learn basic strategies and good sportsmanship. End the week with a life size game of chess! Campers will also learn board games like checkers, backgammon and Mancala.
WEEK 3: GOOP & MAGICAL SOLUTIONS
Join us on an adventure in this cool and crazy science camp. Learn about chemical reactions through whacky experiments and fun projects. Follow the scientific method to build your own volcano and watch it explode, create your own vortex, and design your own edible potions. A truly magical experience.
WEEK 4: LET’S PAINT
Campers will focus on the various painting mediums of oil, acrylic, watercolor, inks and clay. They will learn about the techniques in each of these arts and learn about the artists who made each style famous. Campers will complete a daily project with an art exhibit on Friday.
WEEK 5: RECYCLEMANIA
We are going recycling-crazy! Campers will learn the importance of recycling and how to re-utilize everyday objects and turn them into STEM and art creations. Many of the creations are submitted to the YMCA’s Annual Thingamajig Invention Convention for a chance to win prizes!
WEEK 6: READY TO LAUNCH
Taking campers to the final frontier. Partnered with NASA and LEGOs, this camp will ignite your child’s fascination with space engineering and science. Campers will learn about and design their own mini space rockets, learn about space flight, space travel, and life in our solar system and beyond.
WEEK 7: RIP THE RUNWAY
Build your self-confidence and develop your own personal style with this fashion camp! Campers will learn the basics of clothing construction and form their own creative inspiration through reutilizing retro clothes to creating their own jewelry and accessories.
WEEK 8: SCIENCE MEETS ART
Discover the magic where creativity and curiosity converge at our Science Meets Art camp! Campers will explore diverse art styles while using scientific experiments to push the boundaries of artistic expression. Through hands-on projects that blend art and science, participants will learn to see creativity from new perspectives, fostering innovation and critical thinking. The camp encourages exploration, collaboration, and bold experimentation, empowering young artists to redefine what art can be.