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Billings’ Best After School & Summer Camp

• 406-901-5349

BIRTHDAY PARTIES 

• Billings Gymnastics School
• www.billingsgymnastics.com | 406-259-2237
• Parties available for ages 3-8 years
• Groups up to 22, private birthday room, and we clean up. High-energy instructors, bounce house, foam pits, trampolines, and more!

SUMMER CAMPS AT BILLINGS GYMNASTICS SCHOOL

• Billings Gymnastics School
• www.billingsgymnastics.com | 406-259-2237
• Grades: entering 1st-5th
• Activities: Gym time, arts & crafts, field trips, and swimming.
• These week-long camps, offered throughout the summer, are always a favorite! 

BIRTHDAY PARTIES

• Oasis Waterpark
• https://billingsoasis.com | 406-969-3131
• Includes: 10 All-Day Admission Wristbands (up to $80 value), 1-hr at party table in semi-private activity room or reserved outdoor table, 2 Giant, Family-Size Pizzas, 2 Pitchers of Soda, Party Paper Products & Utensils. All party attendees must pay admission whether using the water features or not. We offer a $2 discount for those over the included wristband count.
• Reserve your date and time online

Billings Family YMCA SUMMER CAMP

• Billings Family YMCA 
• billingsymca.org | 406-248-1685
• 12 weeks of summer camp: June 3-Aug 23
• Preschool Camp | Ages 4-5
•    Location: YMCA
• Kinder Camp | Incoming kindergartners 
•    (Fall '24)
•    Location: YMCA
• Traditional Camp | Grades 1-6
•    Location: YMCA
• Specialty Camp | Grades K-6
•    Location: Lewis & Clark Middle School
• Sports Camp | Grades K-6
•    Location: Lewis & Clark Middle School
• Registration Y Members: April 6
• Non-Members: April 15

Granite Kids Summer Camp

• Granite Health+Fitness
• granitebillings.com/pages/summercamp
• Ages: 4-12
• Weekly sessions beginning in June
• 12:30-3:30pm, M-F 
• June 3-7: Summer Camp Kick Off
• June 10-14: Disney Week
• June 17-21: Animal Week
• June 24-28: Super Hero Week
• July 8-12: Space Week
• July 15-19: Under the Sea
• July 22-26: Sports Week
• July 29-Aug 2: Pirates Week
• Aug 5-9: Wilderness Week
• Aug 12-16: Best Summer Ever

Kids Summer Program

• Friendship House
• friendshipmt.org | 406-259-5569
• Location: 3123 8th South Ave
• Ages: 3-12 
• 7:30am-5:30pm | June 3-Aug 23
• A blend of education and fun! Kids enjoy field trips, swimming, and academic preparation for the next grade. From engaging activities to building lasting friendships, it's a summer filled with learning and laughter. 
• Best Beginning or FH Scholarships available for qualifying families. 

Critter Camp

• Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter
• https://yvas.org/humane-education/ | 2010 Grand Ave #1
• Ages: 8-10 
• 9am-4pm | Cost: $150/week
• June 5-7
• June 12-14
• July 10-12
• Aug 7-9
• YVAS is thrilled to offer a 3-day, animal-themed day camp for children. Campers will learn the importance of kindness & compassion for animals through humane education lessons, guest speakers, fun activities & crafts, and animal interactions.

 11 WEEKS OF ADVENTURE DAY CAMPS

• Billings Parks and Recreation
• www.billingsparks.org | 406-657-8371 
• Register online beginning April 1st!
• Headquarters at North Park Center
• Ages: 9-13 | M-F, 7:30am-5:30pm

To Infinity and Beyond 

• Week 1: June 3-7
• Cost: $225/week
• Welcome to space camp. Time to build a rocket and rover for solar exploration. Just beware of an alien encounter or two!  

Time Travel

• Week 2: June 10-14
• Cost: $225/week 
• Buckle your seat belts, because this week we are visiting different time eras, from Ancient Egypt to the 1980s.  

INCREDIBLE AQUATIC EXPLORATION

• Week 3: June 17-21
• Week 8: July 22-26
• Cost: $245/week
• Make a splash this summer with exciting water activities! Water education is provided, as well as exposure to new aquatic experiences. Activities include: white water rafting, snorkeling, and water slides!

ULTIMATE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE 

• Week 4: June 24-28
• Week 7: July 15-19
• Cost: $305/week
• This mega adventure exposes campers to the thrilling outdoors. There is a Late Night stay on Thursday night each week (menus and late night schedule are provided prior to the event). Activities include whitewater rafting, horseback riding, and much more! 

INTO THE WILD

• Week 5: July 1-3
• Cost: $135/week
• Geared towards learning about nature and what it has to offer. This hands-on camp enlightens campers of activities that our great state provides. Including: Paddle boarding, Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary, Yellowtail Dam, and Pompeys Pillar. 

The Dot (Art Camp)

• Week 6: July 8-12
• Cost: $225/week
• Time to get messy and color outside the lines! All artists are encouraged to discover the exciting world of art and media through immersive creative activities.  

Zombies vs Kids

• Week 9: July 29-Aug 2
• Cost: $225/week
• Welcome to the apocalypse! Gear up to venture into the wildness, learn the basics of survival, and perhaps encounter a zombie or two.

Plant Camp

• Week 10: Aug 5-9
• Cost $225/week
• Discover different plants Montana has to offer and learn to maintain your own ecosystem.

MONTANA ADVENTURES

• Week 11: Aug 12-16
• Cost: $225/week
• Campers will learn all about the exciting things that make Montana unique. A focus on activities in Yellowstone Valley and the surrounding areas that make the Montana lifestyle one of a kind. Activities include: visiting historical sites and tours, hiking, climbing, and canoeing. 

11 WEEKS OF Pioneer Playhouse

• Billings Parks and Recreation
• www.billingsparks.org | 406-657-8371
• June 3-Aug 16, M-F, 7:30am-5:30pm
• Location: Zimmerman Center in Pioneer Park
• Ages 5-8 (5 year olds must have completed preschool)
• Cost | Full Day Session: $175/week 
• Half-Day Session: $95/week (AM & PM)
• Playhouse is an all-day activity based program to meet your summer care needs. Each week follows a fun and creative theme, with daily activities that follow the theme.   
• Register online beginning April 1st!

Camp Themes:

• Week 1: June 3-7: Nature Explorers
• Week 2: June 10-14: Green Thumb Gardeners
• Week 3: June 17-21: Space Explorers
• Week 4: June 24-28: Bugs, Bees, & Butterflies, Oh My!  
• Week 5: July 1-3: Let's Have a Camping Adventure
• Week 6: July 8-12: Dinosaur Week 
• Week 7: July 15-19: Wild Water Week
• Week 8: July 22-26: Zoo Frenzy
• Week 9: July 29-Aug 2: Mess Makers 
• Week 10: Aug 5-9: Great Create Art Seekers
• Week 11: Aug 12-16: Challenge the Challenger

 BONUS WEEKS

• Billings Parks and Recreation
• www.billingsparks.org | 406-657-8371
• Ages & Cost vary by program
• Week 12: Aug 19-23
• Week 13: Aug 26-30
• With School District 2 starting the 2024-'25 school year 2 weeks later, Billings Parks & Rec has extended its summer programming by 2 weeks! Magic City and Playhouse Day Camps will continue, along with a slate of other special interest and sports camps.
• Space is limited, so sign up early!  

 MAGIC CITY CAMP

• Billings Parks and Recreation
• www.billingsparks.org | 406-657-8371
• Ages: 8-11
• Cost: $210/week
• Week 1: June 3-7
• Week 2: June 10-14
• Week 3: June 17-21
• Week 4: June 24-28
• Week 5: July 8-12
• Week 6: July 15-19
• Week 7: July 22-26
• Week 8: July 29-Aug 2
• Week 9: Aug 5-9
• This classic, all-day camp has made its comeback! This is a camp for kids who want to experience all of the best activities the Magic City has to offer. Camp is based out of Veterans Park. Campers will engage in activities in the park, as well as travel throughout the Billings community.

REC 2U FREE PROGRAMS

• Billings Parks and Recreation
• www.billingsparks.org | 406-657-8371
• Location: See list for designated park
• Kids of all ages welcome! 
• Hawthorne Park | M, June 3-July 29, 
• 10am-11:30am
• Arrowhead Park | M, June 3-July 29, 
•  1-2:30pm
• Optimist Park | TU, June 4-July 30, 
•   10am-11:30am
• Ponderosa Park | TU, June 4-July 30, 
•  1-2:30pm
• Sacajawea Park | W, June 5-July 31, 
• 10am-11:30am
• Centennial Park | W, June 5-July 31, 
• 1-2:30pm
• Yellowstone Family Park | TH, June 6-Aug 1 
•     10am-11:30am
• Rimrock West Park | TH, June 6-Aug 1, 
• 1-2:30pm
• Returning in 2024, BP&R is excited to expand on its highly successful 2023 program, Rec2U. 4 days each week in June & July you can join us around the Magic City for a variety of yard games, sports, arts & crafts, and so much more. It is a FREE program, and no signup is necessary! Show up at the designated parks at the listed times and have fun! 
• Snack & Water provided 

Harry Potter Camp

• Moss Mansion Museum
• mossmansion.com | 406-256-5100
• Location: Moss Mansion | 914 Division St
• Session 1: June 17-21
• Session 2: June 24-28
• 9am-12pm, M-F
• Ages: 10-14
• Cost: $200/camper
• The Moss once again transforms to “Mogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry.” It's a week of Harry Potter-themed activities and experiences. Each day students will attend classes including Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, and more! Crafts, House games, scavenger hunts, and more are in store for this magical summer adventure!
• Registration Deadline: June 10 | https://bookeo.com/mossmansion

RISING STARS’ MENTORING CAMP

• Rising Stars
• https://www.gp-risingstars.org/ 
• Ages 9-17
• Location: Bridger, MT
• June 20-23 | By application
• Each child interacts with mentors who are professionals in their fields. Mentors offer expertise in animal husbandry, healthcare, and earth appreciation, as well as writing, performance, and other creative arts. Participants will acquire skills to enhance their own self-image and confidence. 
• Interested youth are required to complete an application, as space is limited. Through written word or drawing, applicants express their why for wanting to participate in the Rising Stars program. 

Peace Camp Billings

• Institute for Peace Studies
• https://PeaceCampBillings.org | 406-657-1042
• Ages: 8-12 | Cost: $150 
• June 24-28 | 9am-3pm
• Location: Rocky Mountain College, Alden Hall, 1511 Poly Dr
• Peace Camp Billings offers participants a highly engaging day of social and self-discovery activities, community members sharing their inspirational stories, and activities to practice cooperation for building resiliency and a sense of personal peace. Activities are based on youth development principles.
• Registration Deadline: June 1

CAMP Half-BLOOD

• Moss Mansion Museum
• mossmansion.com | 406-256-5100
• Location: Moss Mansion | 914 Division St
• Session 1: July 15-19
• Session 2: July 22-26
• 9am-12pm, M-F
• Ages: 10-14
• Cost: $200/camper
• The Moss Mansion is becoming Camp Half-Blood and welcoming young heroes. This week-long camp will be full of Percy Jackson-themed activities from training for quests to learning about Greek Mythology. Agility courses, puzzles, crafts, scavenger hunts, games, and more will prepare heroes for their quests!
• Registration Deadline: July 10 | https://bookeo.com/mossmansion

 KIDS IN THE KITCHEN 

• Billings Parks and Recreation
• www.billingsparks.org | 406-657-8371
• August 19-23, 1:30-4pm
• Ages: 10-13
• Cost: $105/week
• Location: North Park Center Kitchen 
• Come make a mess in Billings Parks & Recreation’s kitchen! We provide young chefs the opportunity to find success preparing their favorite dishes. Safety is important during this class and kitchen etiquette is taught to ensure each participant is safe. Bring your creativity and appetite for this exciting class!
• Register online beginning April 1st!

TEEN YOUTH CAMp BILLINGS

• Institute for Peace Studies
• https://PeaceCampBillings.org | 406-657-1042
• Ages: 13-17 | Cost: $150 
• Aug 12-16 | 9am-3pm
• Location: Rocky Mountain College, Alden Hall, 1511 Poly Dr
• Peace Camp Billings offers participants a highly engaging day of social and self-discovery activities, community members sharing their inspirational stories, and activities to practice cooperation for building resiliency and a sense of personal peace. Activities are based on youth development principles.
• Registration Deadline: July 15

Giving Back with Class

• Moss Mansion Museum
• mossmansion.com | 406-256-5100
• Location: Moss Mansion | 914 Division St
• Aug 12-16 | 8:30am-3pm
• Ages: 8-11
• Cost: $398/camper
• In this 5, full-day immersive camp experience, campers will build their confidence while learning critical social skills such as making an excellent first impression, starting and maintaining conversations, proper dining etiquette, showing gratitude, navigating cultural differences, hosting, and presenting respectful manners in our community. Nationally Certified Teachers will hone a camper's communication skills by delivering engaging activities that teach the essentials for interpersonal communication, including eye contact, handshakes, dining etiquette (including trying new foods, table settings, and interacting with waitstaff), and accepting gifts, among other things. On day four, campers and parents are invited to the Moss Mansion for an elegant dinner, where campers will put their new skills into practice. The camp culminates on day five, where each camper will put their skills to work in the community by engaging with non-profit leaders and donating their time to a designated local charity.
• Registration Deadline: July 29 (limited to 30 campers) | https://bookeo.com/

Originally printed in the March 2024 issue of Simply Local Magazine

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