The Ultimate Guide to Summer Camps and Classes in Terre Haute
Update! Our 2015 SUMMER CAMP GUIDE is now available HERE. Check it out to find over 200 camps and classes for summer in Terre Haute and the Wabash Valley!
Summer Camps and Classes in Terre Haute
The 2014 Summer Guide is proudly sponsored by Coleson Photography. For newborn portraits, family pictures, and professional headshots please check out the Coleson Photography website. Jennifer has talent! I love it when talented people move to Terre Haute!
I like to think I’m pretty informed when it comes to knowing about fun things happening in Terre Haute, but I was blown away by the things I found when researching this guide! I truly believe there’s something in here for every family and every child. Do you have infants? Middle schoolers? Theater lovers? Soccer players? Sculptors, animators, or painters? Then this guide is for you! And just in case this guide doesn’t make you excited about summer in Terre Haute, just wait! I have more fun summer posts coming soon, and I will be updating this post as new camps and classes are brought to my attention! Sign up for email updates and check back often so you don’t miss out!
One final thing–if you know of a friend, student, teacher, or parent who could benefit from this guide, please, please share!
Here’s to a wonderful summer in Terre Haute!
~Rachael
Featured Camps and Events*
The Swope Summer Youth Art Programs were created to give children and teenagers with an interest in art an opportunity to study with professional artists and instructors. Classes are designed to teach students basic skills and provide them mentorship to fine-tune their abilities. Students will be exposed to artistic theory, learn about artists, practice varying techniques and create their own original works of art. You can find the full schedule here: Summer Youth Art Program Schedule of Classes.
Children ages 5 through 18 may participate in this program; classes are grouped into smaller age groups.
“Down on the Farm” Summer Music Camp Presented by Karie Sutton Music School For your 1-5 year old child: Come and enjoy a fun hour every day for a week. We’ll sing, dance, listen, play instruments, create a simple craft, and talk about farming, farm animals and much more. Together we will give children a foundation in and a love for music. Date and Time: June 16-20, 2014; 10:00-11:00 AM Cost : $40 before June 1; $50 after June 1 Location: Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church 645 Poplar St, Terre Haute, across from the Vigo Co. Library. Register by email or by phone: Karie_Sutton @ yahoo.com. Find us on Facebook at Karie Sutton Music School
The following events all feature songs, movement activities, stories and crafts:
Creatures in my Backyard-For children 1-1/2 to 3 years- Be the flower from the seed’s perspective. Run and jump in the rain puddles made from hula hoops. Pretend to be a bird, turtle, a caterpillar or a beautiful butterfly.
PlayShops-For children 3 to 5 years. You may attend one session or the entire PlayShop series! Themes this summer: In the Garden, Tea Party, In the Kitchen, Down on the Farm, In the Laboratory, Dinosaurs.
Around the World–For children 5 to 8 years–Experience the cultures of Germany, Japan, Africa, England and Mexico through the music, crafts and food. June 9-13 Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m. to noon.
Lemonade Day is an event for K-12th grade that encourages students to think about entrepreneurship at a young age. It’s free to register, and students receive a backpack with educational materials to help them through the lessons of business such as advertising, money handling, location, customer service etc! Lemonade Day in Terre Haute is May 31st and Lemonade Stands will literally be throughout the Wabash Valley. Click on the Lemonade Day link to learn more!
Come have fun and learn more about music! Three exciting camps offered. “Music is Fun!” for beginners ages 6-9 is July 21-25, 9 a.m. – 12 noon. “Making Music Mine!” for ages 7-11 with 2-4 years of piano experience is July 7-11, 2-5 p.m. “Ensembles Rock!” for ages 11-16 with 4 or more years of piano experience is July 7-11, 6-9 p.m. Each camp is $100 and taught by professional piano teacher, Dr. Lynette Browne. Learn more about Browne Music School.
Jump to a specific category or scroll down to see all:
Featured Camps and Classes
Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers
Lower Elementary
Upper Elementary
Middle School
Fun for the Entire Family
Fun for All Students (Grades K-12)
For your convenience, levels are divided into subcategories: art, music, theater, athletics, math and science, and general.
Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers. (Birth-five)
“Down on the Farm” Music Camp. For ages 1-5. Sing, dance, listen, play instruments, create a simple craft, and talk about farming, farm animals and much more. Date and Time: June 16-20, 2014; 10:00-11:00 AM Cost : $40 before June 1; $50 after June 1 Location: Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church 645 Poplar St, Terre Haute, across from the Vigo Co. Library Register by email or by phone: Karie_Sutton @ yahoo.com. Find us on facebook at Karie Sutton Music School.
Kindermusik presents Peek-a-Boo! I Love You! For babies birth to 18 months. Mother Goose rhymes, instrument play, and dance. Each lesson helps you learn how music works to improve your child’s development!
Join Kindermusik for Creatures in my Backyard-For children 1-1/2 to 3 years- Be the flower from the seed’s perspective. Run and jump in the rain puddles made from hula hoops. Pretend to be a bird, turtle, a caterpillar or a beautiful butterfly.
Kindermusik’s PlayShops-For children 3 to 5 years. You may attend one session or the entire PlayShop series! Themes this summer: In the Garden, Tea Party, In the Kitchen, Down on the Farm, In the Laboratory, Dinosaurs. $15 per session or $80 for all 6 sessions.
Kids’ parties at Barnes and Noble. Crafts, games, and snacks–all FREE! May 10 (Little Critters), June 14 (Legos), July 12 (beach celebration), August 9 (farm theme). 2pm.
Learn to Swim at the YMCA for ages 3-5. Monday & Wednesday (5:00 p.m.) or Saturday (10:15 a.m.) $36/members and $54 for non-members.
Squiggles and Doodles: Preschool (June 16-20) for ages 4 and under. From ISU Community School of the Arts.
Swirls and Twirls: Music and Movement (June 23-27) for ages 4 and under. From ISU Community School of the Arts:
FREE storytime events at Barnes and Noble. Ages 3-6. Tuesdays at 6pm and Saturdays at 11am!
Lower Elementary (Ages 5-8)
Category: General
Beginners Bookclub at Barnes and Noble. Ages 6-8. Meets every other Thursday at 6: 30pm. FREE!
Kids’ parties at Barnes and Noble. Crafts, games, and snacks–all FREE! May 10 (Little Critters), June 14 (Legos), July 12 (beach celebration), August 9 (farm theme). 2pm.
Summer Camp at the YMCA. Breakfast and lunch, guest speakers, crafts, games, swimming, & field trips. Monday through Friday from 6:30am to 6pm.(K-8th grade)
Camp RAVE. $50 a week per camper–includes light breakfast, lunch, snack, games, crafts, weekly swimming, guest speakers, & field trips. June 9 – August 11. (K-5th)
Summer Camp at Rose Hulman for students entering K-6th grade. 8 am-12 pm on Monday-Thursday. Two sessions: June 9-26 and June 30-July 17.
Chinese Culture Camp. July 14-18, 2014. 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. $75. Ages 5-10.
Category: Music
Kindermusik presents “Around the World.” For children 5 to 8 years–Experience the cultures of Germany, Japan, Africa, England and Mexico through the music, crafts and food. See website for dates and times.
“Music is Fun!” for beginners ages 6-9. July 21-25 from 9 a.m. – 12 noon at Browne Music School.
The Terre Haute Guitar Club (June 23-27) for ages 5-8. ISU CSA.
My First Piano Camp (July 14-18) for ages 5-7 with no previous piano experience. At ISU.
Music Around the World at ISU. (July 21-25 and August 4-8) for ages 5-7.
Category: Art
The following classes are offered through the Swope Summer Youth Art Program. Please see the complete schedule for a detailed description of each class.
- Silly Sculptures (ages 5-8). June 16-20; AM Session
- Jive Junk Jewelry (ages 5 – 8). July 14-18; PM Session
- Mad Zookeeper’s Drawing Class: Beginning Drawing (ages 5-8). July 28-Aug. 1; AM Session
- A Slice of Culture: Beginning Drawing (ages 5-8). July 14-18; AM Session
- Masks from Here and There: Beginning Sculpture (ages 5-8). Aug. 4-8; PM Session
- Let’s get WILD & Discover the Rainforest Together! (ages 5-8) July 7-11; AM Session. Mixed media class.
- Cosmic Clay: Beginner’s Clay Class (ages 5-8). August 4-8; AM Session
- Thinking OUTSIDE the Box! Learning & Using Art Elements (ages 5-8). June 23-27; AM Session
- Little Landscapes: Adventures in Watercolor for Beginners (ages 5-8). July 28-Aug. 1; PM Session
- Adventures in Landscapes Around the World! (ages 5-8). July 21-25; AM Session
- Clay Creations: Clay for Beginners (ages 5-8). June 9-13; PM Session
- Little Clay Explorers (ages 5-8). 2 sessions offered: July 7-11 and July 21-25
- Art of Recycling: Sculpture for Beginners (ages 6-9). June 23-27; PM Session
- Wonders of Watercolor: Intermediate Drawing and Painting (ages 7-9). July 21-25; AM Session
- All about Me! Drawn and Collaged Portraiture (ages 7-9). July 28-Aug. 1 AM Session
- Draw: Design: Print! Introduction to Printmaking (Ages 7 & up). June 9-13; PM Session
- Play with your Food! Intermediate Clay (ages 7 & up). July 14-18; PM Session
- Snapshot! Photography for Beginners (ages 7 & up) Aug. 4-8; AM Session
- Capturing Time & Place: Plein Air Watercolor and Ink (ages 7-12). July 7-11; PM Session
Butterfly Canvas Class at “Charm School” with Yvette Morgan at Modern Charm. Ages 5-9. June 19th. 10 a.m.-noon.
Cardboard Crowns/Embellishments at “Charm School” with Yvette Morgan at Modern Charm. Ages 5-7. June 21st. 10 a.m.-noon.
Treasure Box at “Charm School” with Yvette Morgan at Modern Charm. Ages 5-9. June 26th. 10 a.m.-noon.
Cupcake Love at “Charm School” with Yvette Morgan at Modern Charm. Ages 5-9. June 28th. 10 a.m.-noon.
Initial Letter Class at “Charm School” with Yvette Morgan at Modern Charm. Ages 5-9. July 3rd. 10 a.m.-noon.
“Wee Art” with Becky Hochhalter at Modern Charm. Ages 5-7. $12.50 per class. 3-day series for $75.
Art at The Woods: A summer day camp for girls and boys entering grades 1-3 as of September, 2014. (options for two or three days)
Exploring Landscapes from Different Continents (July 28-August 1) for ages 5-7. ISU Community School of the Arts.
I’m an Artist! (June 16-20) includes experiences in art, music and theater for ages 5-7. ISU.
Draw Yourself Silly! (July 14-18) for ages 5-7 at ISU.
The World of Clay: Introduction (July 21-25) for ages 5-7 at ISU.
Category: Science
Parade of Engineers at The Woods: A summer day camp for girls entering grades 1-3 as of September, 2014
Messy Science at the Terre Haute Children’s Museum. Children entering K-1st Grade. Dates: June 23-27
Little Samplers at the Terre Haute Children’s Museum. Children entering K-1st Grade. Dates: July 28-August 1
Mad Science at Terre Haute Children’s Museum. Children entering 2nd-4th Grade. Date: June 16-20
Sampler Science at the Terre Haute Children’s Museum. Children entering 2nd-4th Grade. Date: July 21-25
Art Experimenters at the Terre Haute Children’s Museum. Children entering K-1st Grade. Date: July 14-18
Category: Theater
Applause Camp: Creative Drama for Young Performers for ages 7-8 is scheduled for June 16-20. Pat – rivercityplayersct@gmail.com
Budding A.M. Actors (June 30-July 3) for ages 5-7. ISU.
Budding P.M. Actors (June 30-July 3) for ages 5-7. ISU.
Category: Athletics
Level 1 Learn to Swim at the YMCA for ages 5+. Monday & Wednesday (4:30 p.m.) or Saturday (9:45 a.m.) $36/members and $54 for non-members.
Youth Football Camp at Rose Hulman. June 16-19. 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (Students entering 1st-8th grade)
Basketball—Girls’ Youth Day Camp (June 23-26) at ISU for girls entering K-8th grade in fall 2014
Youth soccer camp for girls 5-14 at ISU. 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m and cost is $125 ($100 for children of ISU faculty)
Equestrian Camp for Advanced Riders at SMWC. A summer day camp for girls and boys entering grades K-12 as of September, 2014
Soccer—Youth Camps (June 16-20; July 21-25) for boys and girls ages 5-14 at ISU.
Basketball: Boys’ Camp (July 14-17) for boys entering 1st through 7th grades at ISU
FREE tennis program for all school-age children. 9 am-11 a.m. Sign up on June 9th. Program begins on June 10th.
Upper Elementary (Ages 8-11)
Category: General
Vigo County Junior Fire Camp. June 17, 18, 19. 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. $25. Ages 11-12.
Nature Quest Day Camp from Vigo County Parks and Recreation. June 9-13. 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Fowler Park. Ages 7-10. $100 per child.
Jr. Police Academies for 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students. Cost is $30.00 which includes lunch, t-shirt, photo, and DVD of the academy.
Summer Camp at the YMCA. Breakfast and lunch, guest speakers, crafts, games, swimming, & field trips. Monday through Friday from 6:30am to 6pm.(K-8th grade)
Camp RAVE. $50 a week per camper–includes light breakfast, lunch, snack, games, crafts, weekly swimming, guest speakers, & field trips. June 9 – August 11. (K-5th)
Summer Camp at Rose Hulman for students entering K-6th grade. 8 am-12 pm on Monday-Thursday. Two sessions: June 9-26 and June 30-July 17.
Young Readers Bookclub. Ages 8-10.Meets every other Monday at 6:30pm at Barnes and Noble. FREE!
Category: Art
The following classes are offered through the Swope Summer Youth Art Program. Please see the complete schedule for a detailed description of each class.
- Draw: Design: Print! Introduction to Printmaking (Ages 7 & up). June 9-13; PM Session
- Snapshot! Photography for Beginners (ages 7 & up). Aug. 4-8; AM Session
- Play with your Food! Intermediate Clay (ages 7 & up). July 14-18; PM Session
- All about Me! Drawn and Collaged Portraiture (ages 7-9). July 28-Aug. 1 AM Session
- Wonders of Watercolor: Intermediate Drawing and Painting (ages 7-9). July 21-25; AM Session
- Capturing Time & Place: Plein Air Watercolor and Ink (ages 7-12). July 7-11; PM Session
- Sew Spectacular: Getting Crafty! (ages 8 – 11). June 16-20; AM Session
- Sew Spectacular: Little House in the Haute (ages 8 – 11). June 23-27; AM Session
- Big Landscapes: Adventures in Acrylics for the Intermediate Painter (ages 8-12). July 28-Aug. 1; PM Session
- Future Sculptors (ages 8-12). July 7-11; AM session
- Landscapes in Pen, Ink & Watercolor: Advanced Drawing (ages 8 – 12).Aug. 4 – 8; AM Session
- Plein Air Drawing & the Still Life Studio (ages 8 & up). July 28-Aug. 1; AM Session
- Fantastically Fun Fountains: Intermediate Sculpture (ages 9 – 12). July 14-18; AM Session
- Color Theory: Intermediate & Advanced Color Drawing Exploration (ages 9 & up). Aug. 4 – 8
- From Disney to Anime: Advanced Cartooning (ages 9 & up). June 23-27; PM Session
- Drawing Animals: Intermediate & Advanced Drawing (ages 9 & up). July 21-25; PM Session
- Dream in Color: Oil Painting for Beginners (ages 9 & up). June 16-20; AM Session
- STAMPS: A New Technique Every Day (Ages 10 & up).July 21-25; AM Session
- Radical Clay Building: Advanced Clay (ages 10 & up). July 14-18; AM Session
- Soft Sculpture (ages 10 & up). July 7-11; AM session
Canvas/Mixed Media at “Charm School” with Yvette Morgan at Modern Charm. Ages 7-12. June 18th. 10 a.m.-noon.
Love Cross Mixed Media at “Charm School” with Yvette Morgan at Modern Charm. Ages 7-12. June 20th. 10 a.m.-noon.
Mixed Media Birdie Canvas at “Charm School” with Yvette Morgan at Modern Charm. Ages 7-12. June 25th. 10 a.m.-noon.
Owl Mixed Media at “Charm School” with Yvette Morgan at Modern Charm. Ages 7-12. June 27th. 10 a.m.-noon.
Camper Mixed Media at “Charm School” with Yvette Morgan at Modern Charm. Ages 7-12. July 2nd. 10 a.m.-noon.
Photography FUNdamentals (June 16-19) for ages 8-11 at ISU.
All Things Clay (June 23-27) for 8-11 at ISU.
Making Masterpieces (July 14-18) for ages 8-11 at ISU.
Art is Cool! (July 21-25) includes experiences in art, music and theater for ages 8-10 at ISU.
Sculpture: Let’s Build It! (August 4 – 8) for ages 10 and up
Photography: Working with Light. A summer day camp at SMWC for girls and boys entering grades 3-6 as of September, 2014 (two and three day options)
Category: Theater
Bravo Camp: Improving Young Performers for ages 9-12 is scheduled for June 21-28. Contact Pat– rivercityplayersct @ gmail . com
Theater Techniques: The Center of Attention (June 16-20) for ages 8-11
A Star is Born! (July 28-August 1 and August 4-8) for ages 8-10 and 11-13
Category: Music
“Making Music Mine!” for ages 7-11 with 2-4 years of piano experience is July 7-11, 2-5 p.m from Browne Music School.
The Terre Haute Guitar Club (June 16-20) for ages 9-12
Build A Band (June 30-July 3) for ages 9-12
Piano Camp (July 14-18) for ages 8-11 with no previous piano experience
Music Around the World (June 30-July 3) for ages 8-11
Category: Science
Science Busters at the Terre Haute Children’s Museum. Children entering 2nd-4th Grade. Dates: June 30-July 3
Junior Explorers at the Terre Haute Children’s Museum. Children entering 2nd-4th Grade. Date: July 7-11
Category: Athletics
FREE tennis program for all school-age children. 9 am-11 a.m. Sign up on June 9th. Program begins on June 10th.
Youth Football Camp at Rose Hulman. June 16-19. 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (Students entering 1st-8th grade)
Youth soccer camp for girls 5-14. 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m and cost is $125 ($100 for children of ISU faculty)
Basketball: Boys’ Camp (July 14-17) at ISU for boys entering 1st through 7th grades
Soccer—Youth Camps (June 16-20; July 21-25) at ISU for boys and girls ages 5-14
Basketball—Girls’ Youth Day Camp (June 23-26) at ISU for girls entering K-8th grade in fall 2014
Middle School (Ages 11-14)
Category: General
Vigo County Junior Fire Camp. June 17, 18, 19. 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. $25. Ages 11-12.
Teen bookclub at Barnes and Noble. Ages 11-14. Every other Wednesday at 6:30pm. Free!
Summer Camp at the YMCA. Breakfast and lunch, guest speakers, crafts, games, swimming, & field trips. Monday through Friday from 6:30am to 6pm.(K-8th grade)
Summer Camp at Rose Hulman for students entering K-6th grade. 8 am-12 pm on Monday-Thursday. Two sessions: June 9-26 and June 30-July 17.
Chinese Culture Camp. July 14-18, 2014. 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. $75. Ages 11 and up.
Category: Art
The following classes are offered through the Swope Summer Youth Art Program. Please see the complete schedule for a detailed description of each class.
- Play with your Food! Intermediate Clay (ages 7 & up). July 14-18; PM Session
- Snapshot! Photography for Beginners (ages 7 & up). Aug. 4-8; AM Session
- Landscapes in Pen, Ink & Watercolor: Advanced Drawing (ages 8 – 12). Aug. 4 – 8; AM Session
- Future Sculptors (ages 8-12). July 7-11; AM session
- Plein Air Drawing & the Still Life Studio (ages 8 & up). July 28-Aug. 1; AM Session
- Dream in Color: Oil Painting for Beginners (ages 9 & up). June 16-20; AM Session
- Fantastically Fun Fountains: Intermediate Sculpture (ages 9 – 12). July 14-18; AM Session
- Color Theory: Intermediate & Advanced Color Drawing Exploration (ages 9 & up). Aug. 4 – 8
- Drawing Animals: Intermediate & Advanced Drawing (ages 9 & up). July 21-25; PM Session
- From Disney to Anime: Advanced Cartooning (ages 9 & up). June 23-27; PM Session
- STAMPS: A New Technique Every Day (ages 10 & up). July 21-25; AM Session
- Radical Clay Building: Advanced Clay (ages 10 & up). July 14-18; AM Session
- Drawing with Charcoal & Pastels: Advanced Drawing (ages 10 & up). 2 Sessions offered: June 9-13 and July 14-18; PM Session
- Start to Finish, the All-Day Drawing Camp: AM/PM Drawing Sessions (ages 10 & up). June 23-27; 10 AM – 3 PM
- Soft Sculpture (ages 10 & up). July 7-11; AM session
- Photorealistic Drawing: Advanced (ages 10 & up). July 7-11; PM Session
- Advanced Portraiture: Capturing Human Likeness (ages 11 & up). July 28-Aug. 1; PM Session
- Advanced Photography: Refining Techniques and Digital Editing (ages 11 & up). Aug. 4-8; PM Session
- Exploring the Art Spaces Outdoor Sculpture Collection (ages 11 & up). July 21-25; PM Session
Category: Math and Science
TWIST – STEMsational Summer Camp for Girls Only!-A summer day camp at SMWC for girls entering grades 6-9 as of September, 2014
Category: Athletics
Category: Theater
Category: Music
A Star is Born! (July 28-August 1 and August 4-8) for ages 8-10 and 11-13 from ISU CSA
Fun for the Entire Family
Family Day at St. Mary-of-the-Woods. June 8, 2014 from 1-4 p.m. Activities and food are FREE.
Kids’ Day at the Farmer’s Market on June 21st June 21, July 19, and Aug 9th. FREE fun for families and kids.
National Dance Day at Fairbanks Park on July 28. Registration at 8:30 am. Performance at 3:00 pm at the Fairbanks Park Amphitheater.
Vigo County Public Library’s FREE Summer Reading Program. Registration begins May 31. 812.232.1115.
Downtown Terre Haute Block Party on Aug 23rd from 1-12pm. Food, fun, and more! FREE admission.
Fun all grades–K-12
Lemonade Day students receive a backpack with educational materials to help them through the lessons of business such as advertising, money handling, location, & customer service Lemonade Day in Terre Haute is May 31st. FREE!
Theater Camp. Begins June 16. Production at Harmony Hall on July 18. Contact Ted at 812-841-6661 or email onthelineproductions @ juno.com (first grade and up)
Basic baseball skills with the Terre Haute REX coaches and players. 9am-12 pm. Call 812-478-3817 for more info.
Basketball: Boys’ Camp (June 9-12) for boys in all grades at ISU.
Visual Explorations for Children with Autism (Ages 5-18) June 9-13; AM Session. At the Swope.
Visual Explorations for Children with Special Needs (Ages 5-18) June 16-20; PM Session. Swope.
Equestrian Camp for Advanced Riders. A summer day camp for girls and boys entering grades K-12 as of September, 2014 at SMWC.
Levels 2, 3 & 4 Learn to Swim at the YMCA. Level based on experience & ability. $36/members and $54 for non-members.
Note on sponsors, featured entries, and typos:
Haute Happenings was compensated by the featured businesses in exchange for promotion. This guide and the Haute Happenings site are free to you (the families in Terre Haute) in part due to ads from businesses like the ones mentioned in this post.
Opinions expressed on this site are entirely our own. However, in this case, we happen to think all of the businesses and sponsors in this guide are pretty amazing. They just need to get your attention so that you know to experience their awesomeness for yourself! I hope this guide is a great tool for connecting families, teachers, and businesses.
While we have done our best to report the details as accurately as possible, Haute Happenings can not be held responsible for event changes or typos due to Mommy Brain. Please verify information on the event websites and/or by phone.
