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Summer Programs for Children and Youth

The Vanderbilt Child & Family Center provides this directory to help faculty, staff, and students find information on summer and seasonal camps and activities. General information on camps and programs offered at Vanderbilt and beyond is listed below. Please click on the web address based on your interest for more information or contact the camp directly. Parents should go to the specific program page to see if they are operating, cancelled, or virtual. The American Camp Association has a list of accredited camps.

 camp

Dyer Observers Space Science Camps

The Dyer Observers Space Science Camps support middle-school students in their exploration of the worlds of science, math, engineering and technology, and opens up their minds to future career possibilities in these fields.

Alex. Rockafellar a.rockafellar@vanderbilt.edu

Summer Academy at Vanderbilt for the Young (SAVY)

 

SAVY offers accelerated courses programs led by Vanderbilt professors, master teachers, and graduate students for qualifying rising 1st-6th grade gifted students. Summer SAVY is a weekday program that offers a variety of courses throughout six different sessions. All sessions are one week-long and students take only one course for the week. Students may register for multiple weeks.

 

Emilie Hall

savy.pty@vanderbilt.edu

Vanderbilt Summer Academy (VSA)

 

VSA is a residential academic program that offers accelerated courses, dynamic recreational activities, and the opportunity for academically gifted students to learn from content experts and each other within a supportive environment.  VSA students will take accelerated courses with instructors drawn from the faculty and scholars at Vanderbilt University and Nashville communities. Outside the classroom, students participate in a variety of evening activities, explore extracurricular enrichment activities and have free time to make new friends.

vsa.pty@vanderbilt.edu

Blair School Of Music
 

  • Precollege and Adult Program is dedicated to providing superior musical training to its students as well as to contributing to the musical culture of the Nashville environs. Through performance and classroom instruction, numerous ensemble venues, concerts, lectures, and recitals given by faculty and students, Blair encourages the development and nurturing of each student's musical capabilities.
     
  • Kindermusik This nationally acclaimed music program is designed for children from infancy to 6 years of age and their caregivers. Participants enjoy singing, listening, dancing, interacting socially, and playing simple instruments. The program offers a variety of classes and summer camp programs that focus on the child's emotional development as confidence, curiosity, self-control, and communication begin to take shape.
  • MusicTech Dive into the world of video game music composition with MusicTech at Vanderbilt University. MusicTech offers an exceptional summer experience for teens with a passion for video game music and game design. The program provides campers with the foundational tools of digital music creation, combined with creative skills. You'll learn to compose original game music alongside likeminded technologists and industry experts. The program is based on methods and models used in the music technology courses taught at Vanderbilt Blair by Pascal Le Boeuf.

Kim Zegar

kim.zegar@vanderbilt.edu

615-343-3117

Adjunct Artist Teacher of Kindermusik

Amy  Alley

amy.alley@Vanderbilt.Edu

615-322-7651 

Sarratt Youth Art Institute

For Summer 2019, SYAI will tour the globe with the theme “A Wonderful World of Art”.  Through art the programs will take participants around the world to explore the art and cultures of the major continents and regions around the world.  Programs appropriate for ages 5-16 years.

David Huestess

david.f.heustess@Vanderbilt.Edu

CampVandy

CampVandy, the Rec’s Summer day camp includes active and recreational programming for ages 5-11 years old. At CampVandy campers will learn new skills and stay fit. Campers can climb the rock wall, swim in the pool, play field games, participate in fitness classes, make arts and crafts, and much more!

campvandy@vanderbilt.edu

Vanderbilt Baseball Camps

Whether you are a young beginner just learning the game, a middle school player ready to take your game up a notch, or a high school player with aspirations of playing at the next level, Vanderbilt baseball has a camp to suit your needs. Coach Corbin and his staff are present for all camps and take great pride in the quality of instruction, providing a 1-to-8 coach to camper ratio. All camps and clinics are high energy with great attention to detail and safety.

Casey Stangel
casey.n.stangel@vanderbilt.edu
615-322-3716

Vanderbilt Football Camps

Each camp is coached by members of the Vanderbilt Football staff and several guest coaches from national universities (FBS, FCS, DII, DIII). All campers are grouped according to age, position and skill level to maximize the instructional and developmental opportunities. Skills and competitions are based on each camper's level of experience.

vanderbiltfootballcamps@gmail.com

 

Vanderbilt Golf Camp

Vanderbilt Golf Camp is designed to accomplish two things...to have fun and become better golfers! Campers will receive instruction from the Vanderbilt men's and women's golf coaches on basic golf fundamentals, skill and technique, course management, rules, and etiquette. Campers will have the opportunity to apply what they learn at camp as they compete against each other in team competitions and in one-on-one competitive golf situations. For ages 10-17 years.

Emilie Meason
emilie.meason@vanderbilt.edu

 

Vanderbilt Lacrosse Camp

This camp is geared towards all Lacrosse skill range ages 12 -18. It will focus on skills, position play and team concepts with an overall intense level of competition.

Lisa Gracey
vulacrossecamp@vanderbilt.edu
615-343-5341

 

Vanderbilt Men's Basketball Camps

One Junior Day Camp and two Skills Camps will be offered for rising K-10th graders. The camps will focus on fundamental skills and all camps will be coached by members of the Vanderbilt coaching staff and available players.

luke.simons@vanderbilt.edu
615-322-1793

 

Vanderbilt Soccer Camps

Soccer Youth Summer Day Camps are designed for players of all levels who want to learn and improve their fundamental soccer skills in a fun and encouraging environment.  Players are given the unique opportunity to receive individual instruction from Vanderbilt Soccer's coaching staff and players.  Each day is filled with a variety of activities to promote correct soccer technique including small-sided games to encourage personal involvement and enhance the understanding of team concepts; technical and ball mastery skills sessions; shooting drills; group pool time and much more. Boys and Girls ages 5-13.

vanderbiltsoccer@gmail.com
615-343-8099

Vanderbilt Tennis Camps

 

Girls and boys between the ages of 7-18 are welcome to all weeks. Camp is for players of all levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced. Camp highlights include coaching fundamentals, singles/doubles match play, Davis Cup-style competition, daily instruction and drills, fun games.

Ryan Lipman ryan.j.lipman@vanderbilt.edu

 

Vanderbilt Women’s Basketball Camp

All camps and instruction are led by third-year Head Coach Stephanie White and her experienced staff including Kelly Komara, Shereka Wright, and Gary Redus. Members of the Vanderbilt Women’s Basketball team will serve as camp counselors as well. Camps are open to any and all entrants (limited only by number, age, grade level, and/or gender).

Vicki Spina
vicki.spina@vanderbilt.edu
615-343-8482

ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp

Campers celebrate music by participating in a songwriting workshop, recording session, songwriter's night, and a live performance on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry.

wsmusiccamp@vanderbilt.edu

Camp Kesem 

Kesem is the largest national organization dedicated to supporting children impacted by a parent’s cancer, at no cost to families. Kesem has innovative and fun-filled programs provide children with peers who understand their unique needs and create long-lasting impact.

Eliza Doll

eliza.doll@kesem.org

Next Steps Summer Institute (NSSI)

NSSI is an inclusive higher education (IHE) preparatory experience for rising high school juniors (17+ years old), seniors, and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities up to the age of 25.

John Clayton

john.b.cayton@vanderbilt.edu

615-875-8090

Tennessee Disability Pathfinder Camp Listings

Tennessee Disability Pathfinder provides free information, resources, support, and referrals to Tennesseans with disabilities and their families. You can search their website at the link above for camps.

tnpathfinder@vumc.org

1-800-640-4636

Vanderbilt University does not endorse nor is affiliated with the following organizations or programs. 

Adventure Science Center
 

Adventure Science Center’s camps combine science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in ways that encourage kids to actively discover and examine concepts for themselves. We aim to inspire a lifelong passion for learning while teaching creative problem-solving skills, teamwork, persistence and follow-through in a fun learning environment. Variety of programs for Spring Break and Summer for grades K-9th.

AK Diefenbach
adiefenbach@adventuresci.org

AR Workshop Nashville
 

AR Workshop® is a boutique DIY studio that offers hands-on classes for creating custom, charming home decor from raw materials. Visit their website at www.arworkshop.com/nashville

Brandon Fox
615-258-5569

Barefoot Republic Camp and Retreat Center
 

Barefoot Republic’s diverse platform of activities offers something for everyone and an immediate opportunity to connect with other campers that share similar interests and passion. Day Camps, Overnight Camps, and Winter Camps available.

general@barefootrepublic.org
615-599-9683

Belle Meade Plantation Camps
 

Each of Belle Meade’s camps showcase different moments in history, literature, and culture through stories, crafts, games, and activities.  Camps are divided into 2 age groups:  rising Pre-Kindergarten (4 years old) to rising 1st grade, and rising 2nd grade to rising 4th grade.  (Civil War Camp accepts campers through rising 5th grade.)

education@bellemeadeplantation.com

 

Camp Ben Frankel
 

Camp Ben Frankel is a coed, overnight, summer camp for Jewish children and teens located in Carbondale, IL. Since 1949, their campers have developed lifelong friendships and deep connections to Judaism and Israel. With enrollment limited to only 100 campers, children enjoy a small, personal community with lots of individual attention.

info@campbenfrankel.org
618-235-1614

Camp Marymount 
 

Camp Marymount gives children experiences and memories to last a lifetime.  Campers learn to live in community with others and savor the simple things in life.  They also learn to identify plants, tend gardens, as well as learning outdoor living skills.  Campers enjoy swimming and water sports, arts and crafts, horsemanship, archery, riflery, canoeing, drama and dance for girls, wrestling for boys, frisbee golf, working on the camp newsletter, and much, much more. Offering  four overnight summer sessions – two for girls, and two for boys – to rising 1st graders thru rising 11th graders. 

Alle d'Aquin
allee@campmarymount.com

Cedar Lake Camp
 

A non-denominational Christian camp with a variety of activities such as swimming, ziplining, canoeing, archery, hiking, fishing, crafts, skits, games, and testing their skills on the challenge course. Offering day and overnight summer camps, as well as, canoe camp, fall camp, and spring camp for ages 5 years old and up.

clcstaff@cedarlakecamp.org
931-823-5656

Cheekwood Summer Camp
 

Nashville’s favorite Summer Camp will be back for 2019. Kids ages 4-15 can come explore our gardens, make masterpieces and more.

info@cheekwood.org
615-353-9827

Deer Run Camps & Retreats
 

Traditional summer camp experiences for age 5 to completed grade 12 — day and adventure day camps, preteen and youth overnight camps, plus Family Camps for all ages.

Contact@DeerRun.camp
615-794-2918

Leadership Academy
 

Leadership Academy LLC is a summer camp company that creates camp adventures for people of all ages. Leadership Academy designs and operates camp programs for children with the goal to get more people outside, exploring, learning, playing and having fun so they develop a strong sense of self and a deeper connection to nature.

615-856-4772

Montgomery Bell Academy
 

MBA offers a wide variety of camps, classes, and special programs throughout the year. These programs are open to MBA students, as well as the community at large.

Mike Martin
mike.martin@montgomerybell.edu
615-369-5368

Mr. Bond's Science Guys
 

Winter, Spring and Summer breaks allow for more comprehensive hands on science programs where campers focus on one central science theme at each camp. Mr. Bond’s Science Guys’ mission is to prove that science is fun, cool and easy! The camps are perfect for ages 5-12, offered as half day or full day and may include sibling discounts.

mrbondscienceguy@gmail.com
615-573-2702

Percy Priest Elementary Summer Camp
 

Percy Priest Tiger Camp offers exciting activities and experiences for children. Ages include rising kindergarten – 4th grade. Campers will have the opportunity to play sports, learn about science and the arts, weekly water play and so much more. Summer camp weeks will also include guest speakers and performers, weekly yoga class, nature walks, and creek adventures.

Liz Whiting or Daniel Anderson
pptigerclub@yahoo.com
615-390-3167

Summer at Ensworth
 

Each summer, Ensworth hosts a wide range of camps, trips, and courses to provide opportunities for campers and students of all ages to continue learning, experiencing, exploring and enjoying life in the summer months. Most camps, courses, and programs are open to all students, not just those currently enrolled at Ensworth.

Chris Bradley (E Sports Camps)
615-301-8924

Adam Sherland (Lower/Middle School)
615-250-8999

Andy Kelley (High School)
615-301-8917

Under the Oaks Summer Program
 

This camp promises to provide your elementary or early middle school-age child with unique experiences both in and out of the classroom. Sessions are offered for children entering prekindergarten through the sixth grade.

Sarah Ellen Williams
williamsse@oakhillschool.org

 

University School Nashville
 

USN Summer Camps strives to provide families with the most dynamic and varied summer programming options for students K-12. Camps are open to the general public and run for 6 weeks, and each camp session lasts for 1 week. Half-day programs and a few full-day programs are offered.

Greg Anderson
ganderson@email.usn.org

 

YMCA Camp Widjiwagan
 

Camp Widjiwagan provides a safe, fun, magical and educational experience for all guests and children through the demonstration of four core values – Honesty, Caring, Respect and Responsibility – and practicing a “Kids and Guests first” philosophy. Day camps and overnight camps available for age range 4-17 years old.

615-360-2267

  • Camp Wonderopolis: Over 100 prerecorded art and craft classes specifically for kids — and thousands more for all ages — covering media and projects from abstract painting to farm-animal finger puppets. (30-day free trial; fees afterward vary).
  • DIY for Kids: Over 100 prerecorded art and craft classes specifically for kids — and thousands more for all ages — covering media and projects from abstract painting to farm-animal finger puppets. (30-day free trial; fees afterward vary).
  • Outschool: Multiday, live, small-group “camps” based on such excellently narrow themes as My Pretty Pony and Harry Potter potions. (Registration fees vary.)
  • Wide Open School: A vast collection of online learning resources curated by the editors of Common Sense Media. A proposed daily schedule might give shape to the hours. (Free)
  • Let's Go to Space