Chattanooga Adventure Summer Camps
Build a stronger, smarter, and healthier child with summer programs. A generation ago, 75% of children spent their daily time playing freely outside. According to the National Wildlife Federation, only 25% of American children play outside on a regular basis. An alarming number of children use electronic media for up to 7 hours per day.
Obesity rates among children have more than doubled. The United States has become the world’s largest consumer of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) prescription drugs, and pediatric antidepressant use is on the rise. According to researchers at the University of Illinois, access to outdoor settings may be “widely effective” in reducing ADHD symptoms in children.
Spending time outside is beneficial to children. “Some say it takes a village to raise a child,” says Jaime Matyas, Executive Vice President of the National Wildlife Federation. According to NWF, it takes a backyard, a playground, and a park.”
Children who spend time reap benefits that affect their socialization, learning, and future. Summer camp programs that focus on nature, the outdoors, and athletics educate kids more than just facts; they instill healthy habits and attitudes that can shape their lives.
The National Wildlife Federation shares the following research:
- Children who spend time outdoors as kids are more likely to care about wild things and wild places as adults.
- Sunshine helps kids’ bodies create Vitamin D, essential to building strong bones and preventing disease.
- In today’s over-scheduled world, kids need more R&R. Research shows stress levels fall within minutes of being outside.
- When kids play outdoors they tend to foster compassion and improve social bonds. Free play in nature encourages positive social interactions and strengthens bonds with peers.
- Overweight and obese children may have shorter life spans. Their risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, joint problems, and fatty liver disease can shorten life spans. Exposing them to outdoor activities can help them maintain a healthy weight.
- Kids who spend time outdoors learn teamwork and problem-solving skills. They also score higher on cognitive and standardized tests.
Outdoor, Nature & Adventure Camps
Bachman Academy K–8 Camp
Academic a.m./adventure p.m.
414 Brymer Creek Rd.
McDonald, TN 37353
423-479-4523 or 423-472-2718
BachmanAcademy.org
Baylor School Raider Days and All Sports camps
171 Baylor School Rd.
Chattanooga, TN 37405
423-757-2616
BaylorSchool.org
Baylor’s amazing campus is the perfect place for safe and nurturing summer fun. This year’s theme-based sessions feature many new activities to match the special interests of our many campers. Age groups include Junior Raiders, ages 5–6; Red Raiders, ages 7–9; and Adventure Raiders, ages 10–12. Baylor’s “All Sports” camps give kids ages 7–13 the chance to participate in a wide variety of sports. Sessions are June 15–19; June 22–26; July 6–10; July 13–17; July 20–24. Easy online registration makes it convenient to sign up for a summer’s worth of fun.
Boyd-Buchanan School Summer Camps
Athletic and academic enrichment camps
Half-day or all-day
4626 Bonnieway Dr.
Chattanooga, TN 37411
423-629-7610 or 423-508-2218
BBSchool.org
Camp Big Fish
Abba’s House
423-400-1504
www.campbigfish.org
Camp Big Fish is a 10 Week Christian Summer Day Camp that focuses on kids having a fun and exciting summer. Our camp includes sports, swimming, guest speakers, art, music, bible and devotion time, and clubs (slip and slide, cooking, golf, computers, foosball, dance, soccer, water balloons, gymnastics, etc).
Camp Hidden Hollow
Christian, nature-oriented day camp
385 Hidden Hollow Ln.
Chickamauga, GA 30707
706-539-1129
Camp Vesper Point
Office Address: 554 McCallie Ave
Chattanooga, TN 37402
(423) 648-7936
info@vesperpoint.org
Camp Vesper Point is located on Lake Chickamauga near Chattanooga, Vesper Point has provided over 55 years of Christian camping for children and families. At CVP, Jesus Christ is presented to kids through fun outdoor activities, high-energy adventure, sports, worship and a loving relationship with a Christ-centered counselor. We offer waterfront activities, beautiful facilities, competitive prices and convenient sessions for ages 7-16. Owned and operated by First Presbyterian of Chattanooga. Weekly camp sessions during June and July.
Visit our website at www.VesperPoint.org! Or email us at cvp@1stpresbyterian.com
Champions Club
Tennis camp
423-870-3112
Lourenco_O@mail.Chattanooga.gov
Chattanooga Arboretum & Nature Center
400 Garden Rd.
Chattanooga, TN 37419
423-821-1160
ChattanoogaNatureCenter.org
Chattanooga Basketball Camp for Boys
Baylor School campus
P.O. Box 4043
Chattanooga, TN 37405
423-425-4592
Cheri-Thomas@UTC.edu
For brochure and application call 1-877-254-0028.
Chattanooga Christian School
Athletic camps
423-664-1238
GHenegar@CCSK12.com
Chattanooga Little Gym
7540 E Brainerd Rd # 102
Chattanooga, TN 37421-3181
423-296-9001
www.thelittlegym.com
Does your child like the beach, wish they were a pirate or on safari? Our Anytime, Summertime Camps offer days full of fun and activities. The specially developed camp curriculum combines physical fitness and play with arts, crafts and snacks. Each week is designed around unique themes such as “Sports Spectacular”, “Cheerleading”, and “Coastal Cowabunga” . It’s the perfect break for kids (and parents!), during the hot summer weeks. You can choose between 2 day or 4 day camps as well as which of the 12 camp weeks fit your summer schedule. Camps fill quickly, so call (423) 296-9001 today.
Chattanooga Rowing
Introduction to Rowing
Coed, ages 13–18
William G. Raoul Boathouse
1001 Riverside Dr.
Chattanooga, TN 37406
423-267-7059
ChattanoogaJuniorRowing.org; RowCJR.org
Chattanooga Zoo
Zoo Summer Camp
1101 McCallie Ave.
Chattanooga, TN 37404
423-643-5780
www.chattzoo.org
Clean Water Camp for kids
TenneSEA, North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy & South Chickamauga Creek Greenway Alliance
Leah Crisp, Program Coordinator
Hamilton County Water Quality Program
ph. 423-209-7851
hotline 423-209-7888
Eagle’s Rest Ranch
Therapeutic Riding
Tiftonia, Georgia
423-421-3205
ginger@eaglesrestranch.
www.eaglesrestranch.com
First Tee of Chattanooga
P.O. Box 80153
Chattanooga, TN 37414
423-855-8535
TheFirstTeeChattanooga.org
Gym, Swim, and More Summer Camp!
Gymnastics Center of Chattanooga and Ooltewah Swim Center
Week-long Fun & Fitness Day Camps
6855 Mountain View Road, Ooltewah, TN 37363
Phone: 423-238-5258 Fax: 423-238-5005
Web Address: www.gymcc.com
Green’s Karate Traditional Karate Camp
Martial arts
423-432-5280
GreensKarate.com
Gymnastics Center of Chattanooga and Ooltewah Swim Center
Gym, Swim and More Summer Camp
6855 Mountain View Rd.
Ooltewah, TN 37363
423-238-5258 or 423-238-5005
Girls Incorporated of Chattanooga
Summer Camps and Academies
Girls only
709 Greenwood Ave.
Chattanooga, TN 37404
423-624-4757
GirlsIncOfChatt.org
Girls Preparatory School
GPS Summer Programs
Athletic/academic/enrichment
205 Island Ave.
Chattanooga, TN 37405
423-634-3457
GPS.edu/Camps
Hamilton Heights Christian Academy
Athletic camps
423-894-0597
DukeStone@HamiltonHeights.net
Kids Camp
City of Chattanooga, Parks and Recreation
Summer outdoor and art camps
All 14 city recreation centers
423-643-6052
Kyzer’s Soccer Center
Soccer camp
UTC campus
423-425-2102
GoMocs.com
The Little Gym of Chattanooga
Summertime Camps
7540 E. Brainerd Rd.
Chattanooga, TN 37421
423-296-9001
TLGChattanoogaTN.com
Does your child like the beach, wish they were a pirate or on safari? Our Anytime, Summertime Camps offer days full of fun and activities. The specially developed camp curriculum combines physical fitness and play with arts, crafts and snacks. Each week is designed around unique themes such as “Sports Spectacular”, “Cheerleading”, and “Coastal Cowabunga” . It’s the perfect break for kids (and parents!), during the hot summer weeks. You can choose between 2 day or 4-day camps as well as which of the 11 camp weeks fit your summer schedule. Camps fill quickly, so call (423) 296-9001 today.
McCallie Summer Programs
General camps, athletic camps, special camps
Day & sleepaway, some coed
500 Dodds Ave.
Chattanooga, TN 37404
423-493-5852 or 493-5426
McCallie.org
McCallie offers a variety of summer camps for ages 5 and up. Athletic camps in baseball, basketball, football, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, and wrestling directed by McCallie’s head coach in each sport. Limited spots are available in fly fishing, sailing, and golf camps. McCallie Day Camp for rising 2nd–5th graders and McCallie First Camp for 5- & 6-year-olds are very popular. Also offered are Art Camp, Debate/Mock Trial/Model UN Camp, Sandlot Kids Camp, and Swim Lessons for all ages. All camps emphasize sportsmanship, cooperation, and participation…and having fun! Register online at McCallie.org or phone 493-5886 for a brochure or more information.
National Horse Camp
1050 Ray Hixson Rd.
Dunlap, TN 37327
(423)554-4677 Summer
www.tnhorsevacation.com
Notre Dame High School
Discover the Spirit!
Sports/fine arts/ academic/spiritual enrichment
2701 Vermont Ave.
Chattanooga, TN 37404
423-624-4618
MyNDHS.com
Summer = FUN at Notre Dame where the focus is athletic skill development, fine arts instruction, academic enrichment, and spiritual enrichment. Our sports camps offer the opportunity to develop skills or to try a new sport or activity. Our top student-athletes assist with the camps and help inspire campers to be the best they can be on and off the field. The Outdoor/Adventure camp promotes lifetime involvement and fitness through outdoor activities such as cycling, climbing, hiking, and white water rafting.
Web Design, Dance, and Cooking camps offer each participant a unique and fun learning experience. Visit our website, MyNDHS.com, to download a registration form, or call 423-624-4618, ext. 1611 for more information.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School
Summer Fun @ OLPH
Drama, art, music, sports, enrichment, nature, cheerleading, creative movement & after-camp care
505 S. Moore Rd.
Chattanooga, TN 37412
423-622-1481
MyOLPH.com
Outdoor Chattanooga
Overnight Expedition Camps
Appalachian Adventure Camp
Tennessee River Gorge Adventure Camp
423-643-6888
www.outdoorchattanooga.com
Peavine Creek Horse Camp
Horseback riding camp
Day and sleepaway camps
P.O. Box 5631
Ft. Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-937-5359
Saddlebred-Horses.com
Picture Perfect Swing
Sports camp
2655 Sydney St.
Chattanooga, TN 37408
423-321-3999
PicturePerfectSwing.com
Rick Hall’s Tae Kwon Do Plus
Summer Karate Camp
5145 Hixson Pike
Hixson, TN 37343
423-877-3451
Sports Barn
Spirit Camps
1790 Hamill Rd.
Hixson, TN 37343
423-877-5433
SpiritBarnCheer.com
St. Nicholas Summer Camp
Day camp for 4- to 12-year-olds
7525 Mintom Dr.
Chattanooga, TN 37421
423-894-6485 or 423-899-0109
StNS.org
Tennessee Academy of Gymnastics
TAG Fun Camp
Gymnastic instruction, arts and crafts
2501 Riverside Dr.
Chattanooga, TN 37406
423-824-1924
TAGGym.com
Tennessee Aquarium
Keeper Kids Camp
One Broad Street
Chattanooga, TN 37402
800-262-0695
Spring Break turns into a wild adventure at the Tennessee Aquarium when kids get a chance to get closer to some of the Aquarium’s most amazing animals. Keeper Kids are free with Aquarium admission, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
Youth University Summer Enrichment Program
UTC campus
423-425-4344
Ginny-Reese@UTC.edu
University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
UTC Softball Skills Camp for Girls
ACA accredited
Warner Park
423-425-2107
UTC Lady Mocs Basketball Camp
Girls only
UTC campus
423-425-4456
UTC Volleyball Camp
Girls only
423-425-2227
GoMocs.com
Urban Rocks
www.urbanrocksgym.com