I wanna be a kid again! Can I be a kid again?! Please!!! If you read those opening words with a high pitched, whiny, almost belligerent, voice, you’d think I still was! The added beauty to letting me be a kid again is that I’m about to give you a whole bunch ways to then keep me busy this summer and the high pitched whiny, almost belligerent, voice goes away ‘coz I’m too busy having tons of fun!
It is absolutely mind blowing the opportunities for kids this summer in Walworth County when it comes to camps! There are at least 75 different camp options, from day camps, to overnight camps, to specialty camps of all types. Practically all ages and grade levels are covered, so there’s sure to be something for your kids to enjoy, no matter how varied their interests. I’ve found at least two dozen or more I’d go to, so you can see why I wanna be a kid again!
In no particular order, here is what’s happening this summer in Walworth County for youth camps. Some of these camps may have already started, be filled up, or even be done at the time of this writing, but I figure it’s better to know about all of them for future reference than to skip over any.
Old World Wisconsin, Eagle
Apprenticeship Camp | June 25 – 28, July 9 – 12, July 23 – 26, Aug. 6 – 9
Campers will spend four full days as part of the Old World Wisconsin Guest Experience Team. Dressed in historic clothes, they will learn techniques and facilitation skills, while being responsible for helping guests get hands-on with history. From school teacher, to blacksmith, to baker, Campers learn side by side with staff to see what it takes to bring history to life. Open to youth entering 8th – 12th grade in the fall 2018.
Gordy’s Marine, Fontana
Wake Up & Ride Wakeboard Camp | June 18 – 22, June 25 – 29, July 9 – 13, July 16 – 20, July 23 – 27, July 30 – Aug. 3
Gordy’s wakeboard and surf camps are the perfect and fun fit for anyone who enjoys water sports. The camps are suited for all skill ranges—from getting up, to hitting the wake, to learning your first spin or invert. Instructors are advanced riders and enjoy helping others take their skills to the next level. Whether you want to try camp out for one day, or experience for the whole week, everyone is encouraged to check it out!
Hawk’s View Golf Club, Lake Geneva
Kids Hooked on Golf Camp | June 11 – 15
This camp, for kids ages 6 to 12, is a 5-day long camp for beginner to intermediate level juniors and is designed to teach kids how to enjoy the game of golf. During the camp, kids will receive PGA-certified and supervised instruction. This instruction includes full swings with woods and irons, golf etiquette and rules, chipping, and putting. The last day of the camp each kid will be able to play in a tournament on the par 3 course, Barn Hollow, with a luncheon and prizes to follow.
Junior Boot Camp | June 25 – 28
Join Gary Brooks, PGA Professional and Director of Instruction for a Junior Boot Camp. This developmental program for boys and girls from the ages of 8-17 will teach juniors about rules, etiquette, course management, short game, and so much more! Gary Brooks will utilize the driving range, practice green, golf course, and classroom instruction to generate fun and creative scenarios.
Delbrook Golf Club, Delavan
Junior Golf | June 13, 20, 27, July 11, 18, 25 and August 1, 8
Offering three levels of instruction based on age and skill level, the Junior Golf Program, featuring the PGA Sports Academy curriculum, will help your child learn to play golf and have fun in the process.
Country Club Estates, Fontana
Junior Golf | June 13, 20, 27, July 11, 18, 25, and August 4, 8, 18
Offering three levels of instruction based on age and skill level, the Junior Golf Program will be instructed by a PGA professional, concentrating not only on the game of golf, but the rules, etiquette, sportsmanship, integrity and respect for others and property. A fun-filled program with lessons, time to play golf on the course, along with food and beverages.
Big Foot Summer Day Camps, Fontana
For youth going into 1st – 8th grade. Each week will have a different theme to keep things fresh, but will always be active, learning & exploring, crafting, socializing, playing, growing, and having a great time!
Campers in the Kitchen | June 18 – 22
Space is the Place | June 25 – 29
Settler’s Week | July 2 – 6 (no day camp July 4)
Animal Adventures | July 9 – 13
Wet & Wild Week | July 16 – July 20
Mad Scientist | July 23 – 27
Color our World | July 30 – Aug. 3
Water World | Aug. 6 – 10
The Best of the Best | Aug. 13 – 17
Geneva National Golf Club, Lake Geneva
Junior Golf Day Camps | June 4 – 8, 18 – 22, July 2 – 6, 16 – 20, July 30 – Aug. 4, Aug. 13 – 17, & 27 – 31
Junior Day Camp offers quality instruction with a maximum 6:1 junior-to-teacher ratio, thereby allowing instructors to address specific individual needs. Instruction will emphasize short and long game, rules and course management. Competitions will be held daily, rewarding character traits needed for golf and life. Several weekly camp dates are offered through the season; golfers may register for more than one. Open to the public (ages 7 to 15) and all skill levels are welcome.
Juniors on the Links | every Saturday, April 28 – Sept. 29
These weekly practice sessions are perfect for junior golfers (ages 7 to 12) who are ready to strengthen familiarity of fundamentals, as well as build friendships. Half the lesson will focus on a variety of different practice techniques and drills, then wrap up with creative competitions for juniors to showcase what they’ve learned.
YMCA Day Camps, Lake Geneva
Summer campers, ages 4 – 12, will have one adventure after another! Summer long activities, events and amazing experiences are planned that will promote confidence, character and self-esteem. Whether you come to camp for one week, or for the entire summer, friendships will blossom and memories will be made that will last a lifetime.
Best Summer Ever | June 4 – 8
The Great Outdoors | June 11 – 15
Crazy Concoctions | June 18 – 22
Camp Carnival | June 25 – 29
Red, Y & Blue | July 2 – 6 (no camp July 4)
Shipwrecked | July 9 – 13
Color Games | July 16 – 20
Y’s Got Talent | July 23 – 27
Decades of Fun | July 30 – Aug. 3
Pay It Forward | Aug. 6 – 10
Splashtopia | Aug. 13 – 17
Final Fling | Aug. 20 – 24
Adventure Camp (Inspiration Ministries, Williams Bay) | June 11 – 15 and June 18 – 22
Adventure Camp is filled with fun and freedom of the outdoors while learning new skills and making great friends. Campers learn to respect and appreciate nature through hiking, exploring, arts/crafts, camp songs and more. Fun will continue indoors through projects and games.
Sports Spectacular (Veterans Park, Lake Geneva) | June 11 – 14, July 16 – 20 and Aug. 6 – 10
Sign-up for a week of fun-filled sports activities and games each day! Enjoy baseball, softball, soccer, flag football, basketball, kickball and more! Each week of camp will be a little different. Register for one, two or three weeks of sports fun!
Drama Camp | Aug. 6 – 9
Lights! Camera! Action! Spend a week doing fun improv activities, as well as learning about the different aspects of theatre. Camp will be indoors and out working on team building and self-confidence to perform. Parents will be able to see what their children have learned during this camp with a live performance on the final day!
Lutherdale Ministries, Elkhorn
Each week has its own unique and awesome theme! Special activities, crazy characters and more than a few surprises await you, so pick your week and join the fun!
Disney Week | June 10 – 15
Water Week | June 17 – 22
Holiday Week | June 24 – 29
Mix & Match Week | July 1 – 6
Super Hero Week | July 8 – 13
Wilderness Week | July 15 – 20
Olympics Week | July 22 – 27
Movie Week | Aug. 5 – 10
Elementary Camp (3rd – 5th graders) | June 10 – 15, July 8 – 13, July 22 – 27, Aug. 5 – 10
Explorers (2nd – 3rd graders) | June 10 – 15, June 24 – 29
Junior High Camp (6th – 8th graders) | June 10 – 15, July 8 – 13, July 22 – 27, Aug. 5 – 10
Elementary Weekend | June 15 – 17, June 29 – July 1
Junior High Weekend | June 15 – 17
Confirmation | June 17 – 22, June 24 – 29, July 8 – 13
Night Owls Camp | June 24 – 29
Young Pioneer Weekend | June 29 – July 1
Team USA | July 1 – 6
Family Camp | July 1 – 5
Young Pioneer (K – 2nd grade) | July 8 – 10, July 22 – 24
Mini-Elementary | July 11 – 13, July 25 – 27
‘Camp 24’ Family Camp | July 14 – 15
‘Hooked’ Fishing Camp | July 15 – 20
High Adventure Camp | July 15 – 20
Horse Camp | July 15 – 20
M.A.D. Camp (Music, Art, Drama) | July 15 – 20
Senior High | July 22 – 27, Aug. 5 – 10
Timber-Lee, East Troy
For over 70 years, Camp Timber-lee has led the Midwest in providing incredible camping experiences for youth. Our 600 acre campus is the perfect setting to learn about the outdoors, create significant memories, discover meaningful relationships and grow spiritually.
The flagship program, summer camp, is packed to the brim with activities at the waterfront, ranch, zip-line, science education center, climbing tower and much more. Choose a week long Classic Camp session to have an opportunity to try it all, or a specialty camp to concentrate on improving your skills in areas such as horsemanship, music, zoology, photography and others. There are even a two-night, three-day Camp Start option for the youngest campers! All on-site camps include chapel sessions with awesome speakers and an amazing worship band. For those wanting an even larger dose of adrenaline rush, Timber-lee has Adventure trips. These camps provide an opportunity to travel off-site and try your hand at some whitewater rafting, rock climbing, mountain biking, sea kayaking, exploring and sleeping under the stars. Camps are co-ed and available for students entering grades 2 – 12.
Classic Summer Camp
Adventure awaits you at camp this summer as you come for a week spent with your cabin mates and counselor. As a cabin community, you will explore camp grounds, make new friends, and participate in a variety of Classic Camp activities. Daily chapel with interactive worship and an energetic speaker will challenge you to develop your relationship with Jesus. Let the adventure begin!
Grades 4 – 6 | June 17 – 23, July 8 – 14, Aug. 5 – 11
Grades 6 – 8 | July 15 – 21, July 29 – Aug. 4
Grades 7 – 9 | June 24 – 30
Grades 9 – 12 | July 22 – 28
Specialty Summer Camps
Specialty Camps let campers focus on their specific interests. These camps range from music, to sports, to ministry, to animal lovers, to science and many more. Campers spend two or three hours each day participating in their chosen specialty camp based on grade level and session. Specialty campers participate in all chapel sessions, meals, and evening activities with our Classic Campers and also have the opportunity to enjoy many of the other Timber-lee activities, though on a limited basis. Choose from:
Target Sports, Grades 4 – 6 | June 17 – 23, July 8 – 14, Aug. 5 – 11
Animal Adventure, Grades 4 – 6 | July 8 – 14, Aug. 5 – 11
Photography, Grades 7 – 9 | June 24 – 30
Zoology, Grades 7 – 9 | June 24 – 30
Zoology, Grades 6 – 8 | July 29 – Aug. 4
Action Sports, Grades 7 – 9 | June 24 – 30
Action Sports, Grades 6 – 8 | July 15 – 21, July 29 – Aug. 4
Action Sports, Grades 9 – 12 | July 22 – 28
Discovery Camp, Grades 4 – 6 | June 17 – 23, July 8 – 14, Aug. 5 – 11
Visual Arts, Grades 4 – 6 | Aug. 5 – 11
Music Camp, Grades 7 – 9 | June 24 – 30
Music Camp, Grades 9 – 12 | July 22 – 28
Performing Arts, Grades 4 – 6 | June 17 – 23
Performing Arts, Grades 6 – 8 | July 15 – 21
Horse Camps
Horsemanship, Grades 4 – 6 | June 17 – 23,
July 8 – 14
Horsemanship, Girls, Grades 4 – 6 | Aug. 5 – 11
Horse Trainers, Grades 7 – 9 | June 24 – 30
Horse Trainers, Girls, Grades 6 – 8 | July 15 – 21,
July 29 – Aug. 4
Horse Wranglers, Grades 9 – 12 | July 22 – 28
Camp Start
Designed to give the youngest campers an opportunity to experience camp at a level that is just right for where they are physically and emotionally. These two-night sessions are a taste of what a one-week camp has to offer without being away from home for that long! Each cabin group will have time for tower climbing, learning about and holding small animals in our Science Education Center, fun outdoor games, waterfront activities, leather shop, craft shop, and more.
Grades 2 – 3 | June 17 – 19, June 21 – 23, July 8 – 10, July 12 – 14, Aug. 5 – 7, Aug. 9 – 11
Adventure Summer Camps
Timber-lee Adventure Trips take campers, families, and groups off Timber-lee property for a unique experience with limited distractions and high-quality, highly trained staff that will challenge them physically, relationally and spiritually. The Timber-lee Adventure team is made up of caring guides, 21 and older, that have specific training in safety and emergency procedures associated with the various activities. Some of the certifications held by Timber-lee guides include American Red Cross Wilderness and Remote First Aid/CPR, American Red Cross Lifeguarding, and American Canoe Association Swiftwater Rescue. Choose from:
Leadership Camp, Grades 10 – 12 | July 5 – 14
#GetOutside, Grades 7 – 9 | June 17 – 23, July 8 – 14, July 22 – 28, Aug. 5 – 11
#GetOutside, Grades 8 – 10 | June 24 – 30
#GetOutside, Grades 9 – 12 | July 29 – Aug. 4
Whitewater Trip, College+ | July 1 – 3
Navigators, Grades 6 – 8 | June 24 – 30, July 15 – 21
Smokey Mountains National Park Trip, Grades 9 – 12 | July 11 – 21
Canoe & Climb, Grades 7 – 9 | July 29 – Aug. 4
Pictured Rocks National Park, Grades 9 – 12 | Aug. 5 – 11
Covenant Harbor, Lake Geneva
Covenant Harbor offers camp experiences for children and teens of all ages! From the Summer Day Camps to the Alpha Camps, your camper will experience Jesus in unique ways that only camp can present, and at the same time grow personally in life skills.
Summer Day Camps, Grades 1 – 9
The Day Camps are a great opportunity for young campers to experience the best of camp without staying overnight. Each day of the Day Camp is unique. Special activities and a new Bible lesson everyday make Day Camps the perfect choice for one week or more.
Grades 1 – 7 | June 13 – 15, 18 – 22, 25 – 29; July 2 – 3, 5 – 6, 9 – 13, 16 – 20, 23 – 27, 30 – Aug. 3; Aug. 6 – 8
Grades 8 – 9 | July 23 – 27
Kishwauketoe, Grades 2 – 4
Affectionately called Kish, this is a smaller camp of about 40 campers entering grades 2 to 4. Kish is intentionally designed for a camper’s first camp experience. The program has a cozy feel, helping campers to feel right at home.
Kish Partial Week | June 12 – 16, July 1 – 4, July 5 – 7, July 15 – 18, July 18 – 21
Kish Full Week | June 17 – 23, June 24 – 30, July 22 – 28, July 29 – Aug. 4
Pier 30, Grades 4 – 9
Pier 30 is the largest and most traditional camp, with over 200 campers a week, serving campers entering grades 4 to 9. Pier 30 builds the schedule around the campers’ desire to explore and try new things.
Grades 4 – 6 | June 12 – 16, Aug. 5 – 9
Grades 5 & 6 | July 1 – 7, July 8 – 14, July 22 – 28
Grades 7 – 9 | June 17 – 23, June 24 – 30, July 1 – 7, July 15 – 21, July 29 – Aug. 4
High School Camps
BaseCamp | July 8 – 14
This is a traditional, but more intense, camp experience for campers entering grades 10-12 or recent high school graduates
Alpha Team | June 12 – 23, June 24 – July 7, July 8 – 21, July 22 – Aug. 4
This is for students 15 and older who are ready for a transition experience that helps prepare students for working on summer staff. The two week Alpha programs balance fun and service, while focusing on personal spiritual development.
There is something to keep kids busy every day, every week, all summer long, and have it be something different each week! I so want to be a kid again…!! It’s even tempting to borrow the two munchkins (my niece and nephew) for the summer just to put them in some of these day camps to hear about the fabulously fun time they’d have! Okay, now I’m getting a little carried away, but seriously, the options are, as I said, mind blowing!
Get planning and registering now so you don’t miss out!
Have a great fun-filled summer!
Explore Geneva Lake end to end and see why so many can’t resist the draw of this summer hot spot. If you are new to water sports 
