Summer Camp for School-aged Kiddos!

I'm trying to pace myself, guys.

The camps in the Arlington area for school-aged kiddos are seriously fantastic!

Where do I start? There are robotic camps. And art camps. And princess camps. And outdoor camps. And indoor camps. And just about anything you could possibly want for your child... All within a 20-minute drive of Arlington!

Not that I'm encouraging you to spend all your money on summer camps... But, trust me, this list will tempt you!!\

(Please see my previous post for camps for kiddos ages 0-4. This list includes camps that are available for older kids, as well, including camps through the City of Arlington, the Y, Camp Anothen, Camp Thurman, River Legacy, Spanish Schoolhouse and more. This list is an add-on list, and the camps below are for kids entering kindergarten and up!)

Camps for School-Aged Kiddos

Camp Innovation 2018
For kiddos entering 5th grade and up. Offered at Arlington High School in June and July. $100 per week.
www.bitly.com/robo-camp

UTA Summer Camps 
Y'all... I could list what UTA offers for summer camps. But honestly, it would be faster to make a list of things UTA doesn't offer in terms of summer camps for kids. It's a short list... Nothing. From STEM programming to dollhouse building and musical theater camp, you will absolutely find something for your kiddo here. Prices vary per program. Programs offered all summer long.
http://www.uta.edu/uta/academics/youth.php

Art Smart Art Camp
Art Smart in Pantego offers camps all summer long for kids ages 5-11. During camp, kids will paint, create with clay, learn new drawing techniques and much more! Camps are $200 per week and run from 9a-12p each day.
www.goartsmart.com

Theater Camp with Theatre Arlington
Get your kiddo singing and dancing this summer at Theatre Arlington, Campers will learn all about the art of performing and then put on a performance at the end of camp for parents and friends! Camp is available for kids as young as 5. Pricing starts at $250, days vary camp week. www.theatrearlington.org

Baseball Skills Camp with the Rangers
Players ages 5 and up can develop their skills over the summer at the Texas Rangers Youth Ballpark. Camps run all summer and start at $235.
http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/tex/fan_forum/youth-ballpark/camps/

Lego Camp with Bricks 4 Kids
Kiddos 5 and up can learn all about building and construction at summer camp with Bricks for Kids in Mansfield. Summer camp information and details coming soon.
http://www.bricks4kidz.com/texas-mansfield-arlington/program-events/camps/

Mini Nature Camp at Oliver Nature Park
Campers entering grades K-6 can learn about nature firsthand through experiments, crafts, nature walks and games. Camps are held in June and start at $50 per camper.
http://www.olivernaturepark.com/sites/default/files/media/summerminicamps.pdf

Camp Invention at Arlington Classics Academy
June 5-9, kiddos entering grades K to 6 can spend their days learning how to use their imagination to create things. One of the days they will use duct tape to create whatever they want. So cool, right? Costs is $225 for the week and the hours are 9a-3:30p.
https://inventnow-web.ungerboeck.com/programsearch/moreinfo.aspx?event=20046

Nike Golf Camp at Mansfield National Golf Club
Players of all abilities ages 7-14 can work on their swing this summer at golf camp! Camps are offered for a half day (9a-12p) or full day (9a-4p) and start at $250. Camps start in June and run all summer long.
http://www.ussportscamps.com/golf/nike/nike-junior-golf-camps-mansfield-national/?utm_source=mysummercamps.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=(not+set)

Rock Out at School of Rock Mansfield
Budding musicians 7-17 can hone their music skills from 9a-3p Monday to Thursday and then perform for guests Friday at 12p! Camps run all summer long at the Mansfield location. 20% off the regular price of $549 if you pay before March 30.
https://mansfield-sor.frontdeskhq.com/courses/82752

TCC College for Kids 2017
Kids entering grades 3-8 can spend 3 weeks learning about everything from fitness to science and technology to arts and crafts. Registration opens April 4. $200 per half day session, which is 4 classes. Course catalog should be out mid-March.
http://www.tccd.edu/academics/cie/lifelong-learning/youth-programs/college-for-kids/

Glamour Camp at Chelsea's Tea Room
Girls ages 5-10 can learn about cooking, crafting and manners at this four-day camp. Camps are offered in July and August, Tuesday- Friday from 11a-2p. Tuition is $180 each week. The girls even get to ride in a limo!
www.chelseas.org

Don't forget to check out my previous posts... It has details on all these awesome camps!

Camp Thurman- www.campthurman.org

Camp Anothen- www.campanothen.org

Spanish Schoolhouse- www.spanishschoolhouse.com

City of Arlington camps at Dottie Lynn, Elzie Odom and Cliff Nelson- www.naturallyfun.org

YMCA camps- http://amaymca.org/programs/summer-day-camp/

River Legacy camps- www.riverlegacy.org

The Little Gym- http://www.thelittlegym.com/ArlingtonMansfieldTX/parties-camps

ASI Gymnastics- http://asigymnastics.com/camp/

Spirals EdVenture Camp- https://www.spiralsgym.com/daycamps-more/daycamps/edventure-camp/

Summer Camps for Tots 2018

*I have upcycled this post from last summer because I've gotten so many requests for a summer camp guide! If I've missed any new camps, please let me know!*

I'm staring at my June/July/August tabs in my planner and wondering how it is that another summer is almost upon us.

I have each of my girls color-coded in my calendar, and the activities are piling up. We don't sit still very frequently... And summer is certainly no exception to that rule!

It is hardest to fill the summer for the littlest members of our community, so this list includes camps for kiddos ages 0-4, although most of these are for ages 3 and up. Look for a camp round up for the older kids in the upcoming weeks!

While there are awesome camp options all over DFW depending on your wants and needs, there is also a whole lot of awesome right here in the Arlington area! From outdoor adventures at Camp Anothen to Day Camps with the City of Arlington and Spanish immersion camps at Spanish Schoolhouse, there is truly something for everyone! Read on to find out about all the awesomeness in Arlington-area for Summer 2018 (and don't forget to message me or email me at everythingarlingtontx@gmail.com if I missed something!).

For the little ones (ages 0-4)

Days Camps at Arlington Rec Centers 
My middle daughter has attended day camp at the rec centers for the past two years and really, really enjoys it! Each rec center has different offerings- Cliff Nelson, for example, offers a Lil Chefs camp in June and a Diggin' Dinos camp in July. Each camp meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday for two hours and costs $40. For kids ages 3-5. Be sure to check out what Dottie Lynn and Elzie Odom offer, as well. There is sure to be something for everyone! www.naturallyfun.org

River Legacy Nature Camp
Camps start mid-June for ages 3, 4 and 5 (entering kindergarten). Campers will spend time both indoors and outdoors learning about nature and living things. Each week has a different theme. Camps run weekly from 9a- 12p and cost $185. www.riverlegacy.org

Spirals EdVenture Camp
My oldest attended camp here when she was 3 and really loved it! Camps start in early June and have a different theme each week. Camp is from 8:45a- 11:45a. Campers, ages 3-5, engage in a variety of activities, including crafts and horseback riding! Camp is $96 for the week and $20 to register. This camp is only offered at their Mansfield location. www.spiralsgym.com

Spanish Immersion Camp at Spanish Schoolhouse
My oldest attended preschool here for two years and we loved our time there! I simply wish they would move to the south side of town... Young ones can spend their days learning about the Spanish language and culture from native speakers. Sports, games, art and many, many more activities will keep littles busy and having fun all summer long! Camps run for two weeks at a time. Kiddos can enroll in camps for two, three, four or five days per week. Camp is for kiddos ages 3-8, but you can call and see if there is space for an older 2-year-old. Camp starts at $190 per session. www.spanishschoolhouse.com

Little Learners Half-Day Camp at the Arlington YMCAs
Kiddos ages 3-5 can enroll in half-day camps for $19 if you are a member of the Y! Camps start in June and run throughout the summer. Each camp has a different theme. Check the Website for locations, as time and theme vary by location (south, central, north). Camps are generally 8:30-11:30 or 1p-4p. www.amaymca.org

Gymnastics Camp at ASI
Kiddos ages 3 and up can spend a morning or afternoon (or both) playing games and brushing up on gymnastics skills at ASI camp! Sessions are $25 from 8a to 1p or 1p to 6p. Add on a same-day session for just $5! My older two did camp here last summer and will be back this summer. You can't beat the price- or the air conditioning! www.asigymnastics.com

Outdoor Adventures at Camp Thurman
Kids who are 4 can already start at Camp Thurman, a favorite day camp in the area. Sunshine Camp is for 4-year-olds and runs from 9a to 1p all summer long. Camp starts at $220 per week. Activities include arts and crafts, swimming and more. My girls have started camp here the summer they are 4 and beg to go back each year. It is truly a wonderful experience for them. Located right in Pantego, this camp is a must for all kiddos ages 4 and up! www.campthurman.org

Dance Camp at A. Person's Dance Legacy
Kiddos of all ages can learn to spin, twirl, tap and more with Miss Ashleigh at her summer dance camps! Let your kiddos dance their wiggles out at these fun camps in Central Arlington. One day camps available. Classes available for kiddos as young as age 1! Legacy Dance Camp

Enjoy the outdoors at Camp Anothen
Camp Anothen in Mansfield is currently offering two week-long camps in June for campers ages 4 and 5. For $150, campers can be dropped off between 8 and 9a and picked up by noon. During this time, campers will play, explore and try new things in an outdoor environment. www.campanothen.org

Learning and growing at The Little Gym Summer Camps
Starting at $22 per day, kiddos can spend their summer afternoons out of the crazy Texas heat having fun at The Little Gym. Kids can practice their gymnastics skills, play games and so much more! Kids ages 3-8 are welcome all summer long from 1-4p Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. www.thelittlegym.com\


Need longer hours or more options? Be sure and check out local preschools. Both Children's University and Trinity United Methodist Church have camp options all summer long for the little ones.

Please please please let me know if I missed your summer camp- I would LOVE to add it to this list!

Hopdoddy's Euless: your new burger obsession awaits!

Burger fan?

That was a kind of a joke. I mean, we live in Texas. Who ISN'T a burger fan?! (well, to be honest, I'm not. I haven't eaten beef in a decade now. But my husband, a born and bred Texan, loves burgers. So I'm a burger fan by default, really)

I've always loved places that make a mean burger, black bean or otherwise. I love Smashburger and Jake's Burgers and my husband swears by In N Out. But I had honestly never heard of Hopdoddy's Burger Bar, which is based in Austin, before. They have a location on West 7th in Fort Worth and one coming in Southlake in June.

Their newest location in Euless at Glade Road and 121 (about a 25 minute drive from my house near Lake Arlington) just opened Friday night. And. It. Rocks.

They have burgers (made with fantastic beef) doctored all kinds of ways. With mushrooms. With truffle aioli. With salsa. They even have a burger called the Goodnight/Good Cause, where $1 of each $8.25 burger goes an awesome charity in Texas. So. Great. And, for non-beer eaters like me, they have a chicken sandwich and a fantastic black bean burger that will fill you up and make you leave happy!

To be honest, though, I'm more of a French Fry girl, myself. I love my (veggie) burgers, but take away my fries and we'll have issues. Good thing Hopdoddy's does delicious sweet potato fries! And parmesan truffle fries. And chili cheese fries. Just... all the fries. We tried their Kennebec Fries and their Sweet Potato Fries and I'm telling you, you simply cannot go wrong here. (And for those of you that just want a salad because healthy, you can order those, too!)

My girls were smitten with the milk shakes. Oldest chose Root Beer Float (I don't even like root beer and this was YUM), middle chose Vanilla Birthday Cake (so good!) and youngest chose Smores (also a stellar choice). To say they left happy is a total understatement!

Have I mentioned yet that Hopdoddy's has a full bar, too? I didn't? Huh. Must've slipped my mind...

The icing on the cake was the chalk wall that kept my girls happy for the better part of 30 minutes while my husband and I chatted with the managers and enjoyed one another's company. Behind the door marked for the women's restroom (but before you actually enter the bathroom, which has another door and then two stalls), there is a small hallway with wall-to-wall chalk paint and a shelf loaded with chalk. Encourage my kids to draw on things that aren't paper and you've won them over for life!

But really- this place rocks. The prices are completely reasonable, especially considering the caliber of food served. The atmosphere is laid-back and friendly (would you expect anything else from an Austin-based company?). The soda machine pours out delicious, fair trade drinks from Maine Root Sodas and the servers refill your drinks quickly and frequently (although you do stand in line and order your own food before you are seated and things are brought directly to your table.)

Go check out this place! Try the black bean burger and the sweet potato fries! And be sure to mention how great one of these places would be in the Arlington/Mansfield area...

Keep your kids busy all summer long in DFW...

May 1st always makes me nervous.
Summer is so close!
Summer is so close.
Summer is so close...
And with the dog days of summer come the cries of "I'm bored!," "There's nothing to do in this house!," and, my favorite, "We never do anything fun!"
In attempt to cut my kids off at the pass, here is a comprehensive list of ways to prevent (eye-roll here) summer boredom...

Arlington/Mansfield/GP Area
Get wet at Hawaiian Falls
Splash around at Hurricane Harbor
Let the little ones enjoy Arlington Splash Pads
Stay out of the sun but still have fun in the water at Epic Waters
See all sorts of bizarre things at Ripley's Believe It or Not
Enjoy the awesome roller coasters at Six Flags
Enjoy the summer reading programming from the local libraries
Play some games at Dave and Buster's
Let the kid's play at Chuck E Cheese
Join the Kid's Bowl Free program and enjoy some indoor fun at Alley Cats
Enjoy the arcade at Round 1
Go old school at Free Play Arlington
Enjoy Summer Tuesdays at Peter Piper Pizza
Hear a story at Barnes and Noble Storytime
Get crafty at Michael's (some classes are even free!)
Work on your drawing skills at KidCreate Mansfield
Paint memories at Creative Hands in Arlington
Practice your ninja skills at All Star Ninja Mansfield
Get adventurous at Urban Air in Arlington or Mansfield
Get flying at Flight Deck
Bounce baby bounce at Pump It Up Arlington
Enjoy a Rangers game- or the Kids Zone at the ballpark
Take a tour of Cowboys Stadium
Catch a $1 flick at Studio Movie Grill
Watch a minor league ball game with the GP Airhogs
See some horses race at Lonestar Park
Catch a concert under the stars at The Levitt Arlington
See movies and more at The Lot Mansfield
Lace up your ice skates at Ice at the Parks
Bust out those rollerblade skills at Arlington Skatium

Looking to expand your summer beyond greater Arlington? Check out all these awesome destinations that are just a bit of a drive from Arlington!

Fort Worth
Fort Worth Zoo
Safari Splash the FW Zoo
Museum of Science and History
Amon Carter Museum
Stockyards (catch the cattle drive!)
Splash Pad in Sundance Square
Sea Quest Aquarium
Forest Park Miniature Train Ride
Water Gardens
The Happy Lark indoor play area
Celebrations indoor play
Young Chef Academy (cooking lessons!)
Top Golf
Main Event
Van Grow Art Studio
Log Cabin Village
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Burger's Lake
Coyote Drive In

Greater Tarrant County
Peek N Play indoor playarea with a ball pit!
Small World Big Imagination indoor play
Sealife Aquarium
Legoland
NRH20 water park
NRH Centre indoor pool
Bedford Splash
Tastebuds Kitchen- cooking classes for ages 4 and up!
Pirate's Cove in Burleson
Country Critters
iFly indoor sky diving
Learn about farm life at Nash Farms in Grapevine
Escape the heat at Luv 2 Play Grapevine
Check out the new indoor playground Recess in Burleson
Artisan Theater- adorable, affordable theater for kids, by kids!

Worth the drive- Dallas & Collin County Fun
Klyde Warren Park- food trucks, water fun, oh my!
Spark Dallas- indoor play area for ages 7 and up
Reunion Tower- see Dallas from way up high!
Crayola Experience- just opened in Frisco!
Playstreet Museum- cute indoor play for little ones
The Playdate Co.- awesome indoor play for littles in Richardson
The Coop- huge ball pit and imaginative play for littles in Frisco
Safari Run
The Lot Dallas- grab a beer and let the kids play in the massive sandbox!
Dallas Arboretum
Dallas Zoo
Children's Aquarium at Fair Park
Dallas Aquarium
Medieval Times
Going Bonkers- huge indoor play attraction near Vista Ridge Mall in Lewisville
The Frog Pond Water Park- fun play area for kiddos in Carrollton
Sandy Lake Amusement Park
Amazing Jake's
Dallas Firefighter's Museum
The Tubes in Irving- HUGE playarea for big kids- FREE
Fritz Park Petting Zoo- check opening hours in the summer!

What did I miss?!