Summer Camps
The Children's Trust of Alachua County is proud to fund summer camps all over the county to provide children with safe and fun experiences during summer break.
Explore our list of funded Summer Camps for 2025 below.
I AM STEM
I AM STEM operates with the mission to provide high-quality, culturally relevant STEM programs that meet the needs of the whole child, with a particular focus on underrepresented groups in STEM. The organization emphasizes the development of community-based partnerships to increase access to informal STEM programs, ensuring that students have the resources and support to thrive in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. We offer comprehensive enrichment summer camps that span 4-8 weeks, targeting K-12 students from underrepresented communities, with the goal of boosting their engagement, identity, and interest in STEM. These camps integrate technology, engineering, and mathematics instruction into science, and focus on helping participants become scientifically literate and engaged citizens, equipped to contribute to their communities and careers.
Aces In Motion
Aces in Motion (AIM) Summer Camp is a FREE, seven-week, full-day program designed exclusively for middle and high school students. It will take place from June 4 - 27 and July 9 - August 1, 2025. The camp operates Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Our capacity is 27 students.
AIM’s summer camp offers a comprehensive blend of sports-based activities, STEM enrichment, social-emotional development, and college/career readiness. Our goal is to ensure that students continue to grow emotionally, academically, socially, and physically during the summer. Our camp includes:
- Weekly tennis instruction led by USTA Florida coaches
- Sports competitions, including volleyball, basketball, and other team-building activities to promote physical fitness and collaboration
- Exciting field trips to Florida’s renowned springs, museums, theme parks, and local pools/attractions
- Hands-on STEM activities that foster problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity
- New, diverse enrichment opportunities such as art, archery, and improvization
- College exposure trips to Florida universities
- Mental health workshops
- Academic workshops including public speaking, financial literacy, and goal-setting to prepare for the upcoming school year
- A low student-to-staff ratio (1:4) with over 10 trained staff members and volunteers
- On-site mental health counseling for free individual and family therapy
- FREE lunch and snacks each day
- Parent engagement activities
- Partnerships with 1000 Voices, Made for More Mentoring, I Gotcha Back, and more!
Just For Us Education
Camp Just for Us is a vital in-person summer program designed to address the specific needs of the Lewis Place of Ironwood, Brookside, and Hawthorne communities in Alachua County. Responding directly to requests from residents and school administrators, the camp provides a safe, familiar, and supportive environment for elementary, middle, and high school students. The program focuses on delivering targeted in-person remediation in core subjects like math and reading, alongside daily academic support for assignments and projects, to address academic challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Beyond academics, Camp Just for Us offers a rich array of in-person enrichment activities, fostering a well-rounded experience for participants. The camp's in-person location within the community's existing school facilities eliminates the need for parents to arrange transportation outside their neighborhood, making it a valuable resource for local families.
Gainesville Circus Center
Gainesville Circus Center summer camps allow students to explore circus arts through acrobatic dance, theater, prop making and more. Students learn the fundamentals of gymnastics, aerial acrobatics, juggling, clowning, theater and prop making. Weekly field trips to our satellite school provide opportunities for flying trapeze, equestrian trick-riding and extensive play! Students share the skills they learned with friends and family at weekly camp showcases, which are free and open to the public.
Traveling Art Camp
Traveling Art Camp Summer 2025 offers an exciting global adventure for kids! With a focus on art, architecture, & storytelling, our camp offers a wide range of activities to inspire young artists, architects, & authors alike. Campers will have the opportunity to explore a variety of art forms, including painting, watercolor, pottery, ceramics, mosaics, mixed media, & much more! They will illustrate & design a children’s book, & build a tiny house with tiny furniture. Camp runs June 2 to August 8, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, for kids in grades K-9. Join us for a creative journey across the globe while learning about beautiful cultures through the arts!-
Location #1: Celebration United Methodist, 9501 SW Archer Rd, Gainesville, FL 32608
-Location #2: Meizon Church, 3411 NW 83rd St, Gainesville, FL 32606
Sign up on our website at www.TravelingArtCamp.com
Girls Place
Girls Place offers trauma-informed, strengths-based, positive youth development programming during the summer months for girls ages 5-14. Through our Summer Day Camp, we provide structure and opportunities for girls to develop skills and a sense of belonging.
Our ACHIEVE, Athletics, and BrainPower programs further enrich their summer experience by fostering growth and learning. Additionally, collaboration with community partners enhances the girls’ experience, providing opportunities to educate, engage, and empower them each week. Our team is also supported by Teens Work Alachua students who bring additional ideas, form positive relationships, and contribute to the program as a whole.
Girls are in groups based on the grade they are entering the following school year. Schedules are intentionally planned to create structure and routine for a successful program. Programming is diverse, yet adaptive, to meet the needs and interests of the girls we serve. A typical week includes meet up each morning to connect and celebrate our girls as a full camp, reading for 30 minutes/day, journal, and extra math, 2-4 field trips for each of our eight age groups, lesson plans and hands-on activities related to our weekly theme, guest speakers and organizations to educate and engage the girls, and some time to take a breath through meditation or hanging out with their peers. Our team is guided in forming positive relationships with each of the girls in their group so we can learn from them, give them opportunities to contribute to their camp experience, gain confidence, and develop skills to benefit them outside of Girls Place.
As a result, girls develop into independent women who embrace diversity, express their ideas, rise above obstacles, enhance their communities, and lead those around them.
Community Impact Corporation
The Community Impact Community Summer Camp is an educational, fun-enriched, engaging 9-week full-day camp for kindergarten (at least 5 years old) through 12th grade. The CIC Summer Camp will assist children/youth with continuing academic achievements past the school year, by using integrative curricula through STEM, enhancement of cultural and social skills, enrichment and recreational activities aimed at providing children/youth with a full array of supportive learning activities.
(including field trips) provided by caring and competent staff in a safe and supportive environment. We will reinforce Reading and Math in collaboration with the Alachua County School Board.
Boys & Girls Club
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida (BGCNF) operates the Project STEAM Extreme + L (Literacy) Program at the Northwest Boys & Girls Club, located at 2661 NW 51st Street, Gainesville, FL 32606. and the Woodland Park Boys & Girls Club, located at 331 SE 20th Pl., Gainesville, FL 32641. The program aims to enhance academic performance and personal development among students in grades 1-12 at the Northwest Club and grades 1-5 at the Woodland Park Club.
BGCNF provides students with programming from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., five days a week for 28 days. The program's goals are to improve students' skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math (STEAM), and Literacy (L) through a combination of academic and enrichment activities. Lunch and snacks are served daily. In addition, the sites offer The Programs offer Adult Family programs at the beginning and end of Summer Camp.
Deeper Purpose
Summer Camp 2025 will have a mixed theme. Student's will primarily be learning about horticulture, agriculture and home economics; as it is our goal, this year, to help show the kids more skills about surviving in life, as they get older. In addition to learning skills related to home and family, the science and art of growing their own plants for food and about growing crops and taking care of animals to produce consumable products, the kids also will have daily and weekly, lesson portions that will include art, science projects, some STEM, health and personal fitness, adventure, literacy, sports and skill building when it comes to reading and math.
Camp Makerie
Camp Makerie is a story-based building camp. Every week we work together using art and engineering to build an awesome project: Duck-themed rolling karts, a backlight parade, large cardboard creatures that launch jam sandwiches, and all sorts of wild and wacky things. When we work together, we learn how to build something bigger than ourselves. Come build with us.
The Concrete Rose Foundation
The Roses in Bloom Summer Camp provides an enriching summer experience for girls in grades 3rd-12th, focusing on academic enrichment, leadership development, cultural awareness, and community engagement. Campers will participate in STEM activities, literacy programs, civic engagement initiatives, and structured recreation, ensuring a well-rounded summer learning experience.
IGB (I Gotcha Back) Education
IGB Education's Summer Enrichment Camp provides a dynamic, comprehensive summer experience for K-6th grade students in Alachua County. Building on our successful 2021-2023 camps, which saw 20.5% enrollment growth, our program creates an environment where adventure and learning seamlessly intertwine through activities aligned with our four core pillars: financial literacy, socio-emotional wellness, critical thinking, and communication skills.
Campers participate in daily structured activities including arts and crafts, physical recreation, life-skill exploration, and literacy enhancement. Our weekly field trips to locations like the UF Museum of Natural History, Santa Fe Zoo, and local swimming pools provide hands-on learning experiences that expand horizons while building social skills. Through our partnerships with Restoring Hope Counseling, PEAK Literacy, and AskMeno.com, we incorporate specialized programming that addresses the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally.
Our camp features the innovative IGB Bucks incentive system. Through positive behaviors and participation, children earn currency they can use at the IGB Store. This practical application of financial concepts reinforces responsibility and decision-making skills. Creative expression is emphasized through music, drama, and visual arts, allowing campers to discover new passions and build confidence.
Staffed by qualified educators and youth development professionals who maintain a ratio below 1:12, our team creates a safe, nurturing environment where children from diverse backgrounds can thrive. All staff complete comprehensive training in youth development approaches, safety protocols, and our curriculum methodology, with first aid and CPR certifications.
IGB's Summer Enrichment Camp specifically targets low- and middle-income families, with particular attention to children from underserved areas of Alachua County. By combining fun, educational experiences with intentional character development, our camp ensures children return to school academically prepared, socially confident, and emotionally stronger—embodying our mission to empower youth to dream higher, expect greater, and accomplish more.
Kids Count in Alachua County
Kids Count Summer Camp aims to provide a safe, engaging, and enriching summer camp for students that attend Rawlings and Metcalfe Elementary Schools. Students that attend Kids Count Summer Camp will participate in daily literacy activities, engage in transformative learning provided by community partners such as the Cade Museum of Science and Innovation and the Harn Museum of Art. Students will go on field trip adventures to places like the Santa Fe Teaching Zoo and receive free swim lessons at the Dwight D. Hunter Pool. While on site, students will enjoy diverse activities that align with both the transformative learning and development practices identified by Youth Development Research-Practice and Partnership. This includes golf, painting, self-directed STEM projects, and more. As a Department of Children and Families licensed program, safety is a top priority. Kids Count Summer Camp showcases how our mission to empower children to reach their full potential comes alive.
Behavior Bricks
Camp Shine in Alachua County is a dedicated program designed to provide a safe, inclusive, and enriching environment for children and youth with special needs. Our mission is to offer a supportive and engaging summer experience that promotes personal growth, social interaction, academic enrichment and life skills development.
University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine
Gator Vet Camp: Next Gen Vet is a hands-on, immersive STEAM summer camp designed to introduce low-to-middle-income students to the field of veterinary medicine. This program aims to bridge the opportunity gap by providing students with the opportunity to educational experiences, mentorship, and career exploration in animal health, science, and art.
Mission: To inspire and empower students by offering a dynamic, hands-on learning experience within veterinary medicine, fostering a passion for STEAM careers, and equipping them with the skills and knowledge to pursue future opportunities in animal science and healthcare.
Program Highlights: Hands-On Learning, Youth-Led Mentorship Opportunities, Career Exposure, STEAM Skills Development, Financial Accessibility.
Mirror Image Leadership Academy
The MILA Summer Academy is a capstone experience for all scholars. The Summer Academy runs in June, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and includes leadership development, team-building activities, and exposure trips. Scholars are introduced to the Mirror Image True Leader Model™ curriculum and are immersed in local, national, and international exposure experiences.
The MILA Summer Academy is a critical extension of MILA’s three-year leadership development initiative, designed to reinforce scholars' learning from the previous school year while equipping them with new skills and experiences that foster self-discovery. We offer a structured, immersive experience that keeps scholars engaged in their personal and academic growth while preventing summer learning loss.
Expanding Opportunities for Growth and Exposure - Beyond reinforcing past learning, the Summer Program provides new opportunities that scholars might not otherwise have access to. These include:
* Experiential Learning: Scholars engage in exposure trips, community service projects, and career-focused experiences that prepare them for real-world challenges.
* Professional and Personal Development: Exposure to diverse careers, guest speakers, people, places, and hands-on activities helps scholars develop self-efficacy, emotional intelligence, and a growth mindset.
Funding MILA’s Summer Academy is an investment in the future leaders of Alachua County, empowering scholars with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to positively impact their communities and change their own trajectories. With support from the Children’s Trust, MILA can expand its reach, enhance program quality, and provide even greater opportunities for scholars to become the next generation of changemakers.
Limitless Adventures
Limitless Adventures Inc.’s programming for children with special needs is designed to create an inclusive environment where every child can engage in activities that promote social, emotional, and physical growth. We will combine traditional camp programming with special needs programming to provide tailored support. This will include specialized staff, adaptive equipment, and modified activities that accommodate different abilities. By offering a supportive and understanding setting, Limitless Adventures Inc. will assist children with special needs to develop essential life skills while forming meaningful friendships in a fun and safe environment during their summer break.
UF CROP
The UF FULL STEAM AHEAD Camp is a five-week program for middle school students, offering a blend of day and residential camp experiences. The first four weeks will focus on project-based learning through a science curriculum grounded in proven STEM pedagogy, such as the "I AM STEM" program or a similarly approved curriculum. These activities will emphasize inquiry-driven exploration, critical thinking, and hands-on problem-solving in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The camp will take place during the day, with students returning home each evening. The final week will transition to a residential camp, where students will stay in University of Florida’s residential and dining halls, providing them with a full campus experience. All camp activities will be held on the UF campus, offering a dynamic and immersive learning environment.
Star Center Theatre
Star Center Theatre’s Summer Arts Camp provides a dynamic and welcoming experience where youth explore the performing arts through acting, singing, dance, and technical theater. Designed for students grades K-12, our camp fosters creativity, confidence, and collaboration in a safe and nurturing environment. Through engaging workshops, hands-on activities, and live performances, campers develop artistic skills while enhancing literacy, social-emotional learning, and teamwork.
We are committed to ensuring that children from all backgrounds have the opportunity to participate. Our experienced instructors and mentors guide students through an enriching curriculum that culminates in a final showcase for families and the community. By providing scholarships and partnering with local organizations, we make the arts accessible to all.
For over 25 years, Star Center Theatre has been a leader in youth arts programming in Alachua County. Our Summer Arts Camp continues this tradition, empowering the next generation of artists and leaders using the power of the arts.
Dance Alive
Dance Alive National Ballet, in collaboration with experts in physical therapy and dance education, has developed a no-cost summer dance camp tailored for children with special needs aged 5-18 in Alachua County: LET'S DANCE! Summer Camp. This initiative aims to enrich their lives through the dance arts, addressing both physical and emotional well-being.
Hagios Early Learning Center
The Hagios Early Learning Center's Literacy Summer Camp will offer a comprehensive, fun-filled program designed to prevent summer learning loss and to foster a love of reading in elementary-aged children through engaging activities and small-group instruction, ultimately aiming to improve reading fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension skills while creating a positive and supportive learning environment. We will also offer basic mathematics, but our number one priority will be reading literacy.
Greater Duval Neighborhood Association
Summer Sling is a seven-week program that helps 20 students develop a plan for after high school while building leadership skills among their peers. High-school-age children are given the chance to see different career opportunities that will provide them with a living wage. We take them to visit several colleges, universities, alternative programs and to job sites that only require a high school diploma. We will have 13 youths selected for the core Summer Sling and 7 high school participants who will have an opportunity to shadow on some of those career job sites and work as interns and peer mentors for the Summer Sling, directing the 13 Summer Sling core group. The children also learn about civic engagement and have conversations with several city officials about civic duties and careers in politics. As a group, we learn about conflict resolution, teamwork, and decision-making skills for career options. This program is free and targets low-income participants and those with special needs.
