As students receive their final report cards and close the chapter on another school year, parents are gearing up for summer activities and asking, “What summer camps are available?” For the 2024 summer camp schedule, the adventure awaits, and May is the month to read about planned activities for children and teenagers.
Summer camps are a place where your child can grow, learn and thrive. Whether your child is interested in the arts or learning a new skill. To get you started, here’s a guide for all three islands (St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John) on some activities your children can get into.
St. Croix Summer Camps and Programs:
Saddle up, campers! The St. Croix Pony Club Summer Riding Clinic is expected to be a fun-filled week of learning about horses and how to properly care for them. Enjoy riding lessons, horse care, games, crafts and water fun. Secure your camper’s spot by emailing stxponyclubvi@gmail.com.
Fees: $250 per camper
Age Group: Not advertised
Date and Time: June 10 – June 14 (8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
All high school students, recent graduates, and college freshmen can attend summer camp from anywhere as it is virtual. The “Virtual Cybersecurity Summer Camp” will provide hands-on labs, career/collegiate mentoring, and cybersecurity fundamentals. For more information, interested participants should contact cybersummercamp001@gmail.com.
Fees: Not advertised
Age Group: High school students, Recent high school graduates and college freshmen.
Dates: May – August (Time not Advertised)
The Sports Parks and Recreation Department will be hosting a summer camp on all three islands (St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John) and are calling all children between the ages of seven and 15 for a sport-filled summer. Campers are eligible to learn baseball, tennis, marine, softball, dance, cheer, soccer and more. Depending on the sport, there’s a different location. Interested campers should email Jamilah.henry@hpr.vi.gov.
Fees: $150
Age Group: 7–15
Date and Time: June 10–July 19 (Time not advertised)
Children can learn how to create a short film and earn school credits with “Film over Gun Violence.” Participants will learn how to create a film from start to finish and be able to share with families at the end of their final product. To enroll, interested campers can register through the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts here. The camp runs July 1 to July 27 and will include courses in writing, pre-production, filming and more.
Fees: $75 fee to secure spot
Age Group: 16–18
Date and Time: July 1–July 27 (9 a.m. to noon from Monday to Friday)
The U.S. Virgin Islands Education Department, Division of Curriculum and Instruction is inviting seventh-, eighth-, and ninth-graders to participate in their “2024 Career and Technical Education Summer Exploration Program,” which will teach students skills for the real world. Students will learn about aviation, information technology, barbering, cosmetology and other skills. To apply, fill out the registration form here.
Fees: Not advertised
Age Group: 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students
Date and Time: June 10–July 5 (8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday)
This is an opportunity for environmental change-makers to make an impact on St. Croix. The program welcomes youth who have a passion for the environment and are interested in learning how to lead and inspire positive change in their community. To apply, email owalton@stxenvironmental.org.
Fees: Not advertised
Age Group: 14–17
Date and Time: July 8–July 26 (Time not advertised but from Monday to Friday)
The University of the Virgin Islands School of Agriculture on both St. Croix and St. Thomas is providing a summer program. Children will be able to take field trips to farms, career explorations, hiking the island, digging in the garden and much more. Different age groups are available for St. Thomas and St. Croix. To apply, parents can contact 340-692-4094 or 340-692-4087 on St. Croix and 340-693-1080 or 340-693-1078 on St. Thomas.
Fees: Registration fee: $300 (Discount for siblings/immediate family only)
Age Group: Varies
Date and Time: June 10–July 12 (8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday)
Ascension Aerial and Flow Summer Kids Camp is taking children to new heights with its aerial hoop and hammock classes for students between the ages of six and 10. Space is limited, and the classes are weeklong. To apply, parents can visit www.ascensionspace.org/aerial-camp.
Fees: $250
Age Group: Varies depending on classes but begins from 4- to 10-years-old.
Date and Time: Date depends on the week you are interested. Camp is a weeklong experience. Campers can select various dates between June 3–July 20.
Keeping the culture alive, the Superior Court Rising Stars summer program will teach children between the ages of 10 and 15 how to play the steel pan. The program features field trips, cultural activities and guest speakers. Parents can register by calling Natasha Modeste or Uniqua Malone at 340-778-9750, extension 6647 and 340-244-7152 or by email at risingstars-stx@vicourts.org.
Fees: $200 and $50 (Registration fee and non-refundable)
Age Group: 10–15
Date and Time: June 10 to July 19
Future Fit Fun Camp for children with diabetes and at risk for diabetes is offering an activity camp. Learn about nutrition and fitness, and enjoy beach days, field trips, and much more. For more information on this two-week program, contact Izhani Rosa at irosa@vidcoe.org or 340-208-0260.
Fees: $100
Age Group: 10 to 12
Date and Time: Two week program July 1 to July 12 (Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
For the little kids Happy Faces II Academy will be having a summer camp starting on June 10–Aug. 1. Children between the ages of two and six will take part in week-to-week themed activities. For more information, parents can email happyfaces2academy@gmail.com.
Fees: $175
Age Group: 2–6
Date and Time: June 10–Aug. 1 (Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
St. Thomas
For the young aspiring sailors who are interested in learning about sailing for free, there will be a free sailing program brought to you by VIPCA, the Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association. To apply, visit vipca.org/junior-sailing-summer-camp/.
Fees: Free
Age Group: 13–17
Date and Time: Swimming Courses from June 17–July 12 and Sailing Courses from July 15–July 26
The Career and Technical Education Center for the St. Thomas and St. John district will also be hosting a four-week, fun-filled, hands-on educational program. Campers will learn skills in barbering, cosmetology, culinary arts, carpentry/woodworking, and more. Contact by email at cleone.marrishow@vide.vi.
Fees: Not advertised
Age Group: 6th to 9th grade
Date and Time: June 10–July 12 (Times and days not specified)
FAPA USVI Dance Academy will have a 10-week program for interested dancers between the ages of three to 14 years old. The program will include language classes, arts and crafts, body stretch and placement, ballet and more. Limited spaces are available, and interested parents should contact 340-626-1545 and 340-514-2240 or register at www.fapausvi.com.
Fees: $180
Age Group: 3–14
Date and Time: June–August (Monday to Friday/time not specified)
For the little campers, Paradise Learning Academy will be hosting an 11-week interactive and educational camp.
Fees: $75 per week
Age Group: 3 to 12
Date and Time: June 3–Aug. 16 (Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.)
Artists between the ages of 12–17 can explore their skills through the “81Carts Expression through The Arts,” a summer youth art program. Students can choose between two options of participating from June 17 to July 11 or July 15 to August 8. To learn more about this opportunity, visit their Instagram page @81CVI and click the link in their bio.
Fees: Not advertised
Age Group: 12 to 17
Date and Time: June 17 to July 11 or July 15 to Aug. 8 (time not specified)
Enjoy some fun in the sun with the “Sunshine Kidz Klub” who will be hosting outdoor games, nature walks, kayaking, beach trips and more for campers from June 10–Aug. 2. Age group for this camp is between three and 12 and to register contact 352-679-2965 to secure your camper’s spot.
Fees: Not advertised
Age Group: 3 – 12
Date and Time: June 10–Aug. 2 (Days of the week and time not specified)
Also, for the little ones, “Handy Spandy’s Summer Camp” will be having fun arts and crafts, reading and writing, weekly field trips and sports for your little ones. If interested, parents should contact 340-776-4974 or by email at handyspandy@hotmail.com.
Fees: $50 registration fee
Age Group: 2 to 12
Date and Time: June 3 to July 12
“Unique by Maria Banwaree Art Studio and Boutique” will be hosting a six-week camp that will include art and painting, crafts, jewelry, beading, organization of ideas, writing, Spanish lessons and more. The camp will take place from June 10–June 19, and to register, parents can contact 340-473-1104 or email uniquembvi@gmail.com.
Price: $250
Age Group: Not specified
Date and Time: June 10-19 (From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
St. John Summer Camps and Programs:
Friends of Virgin Islands National Park (FVINP) offers a Learn to Swim Program year-round for adults and kids. Swimming lessons will be directed by the Learn to Swim Coordinator, Tara Murza, with support from a cohort of certified lifeguards and swim instructors. Friends of the Park is also offering their Learn to Swim program and School Kids in the Park (SKIP) to be coordinated through four camp providers on St. John. These programs will be supplied to Sports Parks & Rec., Boys and Girls Club, Art and Literacy Initiative, and Gifft Hill School Summer Adventure Camp. The details for each of these summer camps are below.
Price: Free
Age Group: 4 and up. Adults and all levels of swim experience are welcome.
Date and Time: Running every first and third Saturday at Cinnamon Bay from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. FVINP provides a shuttle service leaving Cruz Bay at 8:30 a.m. and returning at 11:40 a.m.
The Boys & Girls Club is offering summer programs and weekend activities. The St. John Unit has moved to the Julius E. Sprauve School (JESS) The program leader is Ms. Loraine “Pat” Richards, and Ms. Brown is the Regional Director for St. Thomas and St. John. For further information, contact Richards at 340-626-4804, or Brown at 340-725-6540. On St. John email: stjclub@bgcvi.org and on St. Thomas email: sttclub@bgcvi.org.
Fees: Free
Dates: June 10 – July 19
Gifft Hill School Summer Adventure Camp will take place at the Gifft Hill School’s Lower Campus. There will be a different focus each week of camp providing structure and exploration. Registration will continue as long as spaces are open. For further information, contact Emma J. at emmajohnson@giffthillschool.org and link to register your child: https://tinyurl.com/uezd6uaf
Fees: $250/week
Ages: 6 and up; all St. John children who are rising kindergarteners and older.
Dates: July 15-Aug. 9, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday
“St. John Outdoor ‘Love City’ Learning Summer Creative Arts & Literacy Workshop” has partnered with Cinnamon Bay to host the parent and family orientation scheduled for June 8. “The orientation includes an introduction to financial literacy, the historical ancestors of St. John, and Storytime with Dr. Sewer, which includes an art activity after each read-aloud. Anyone wanting to volunteer to read aloud, please contact Dr. Sewer.” For further information, please contact Dr. Carla M. Sewer at drcarlamsewer@neguseducation.com “Dr. Sewer sends a special shout-out to Sherry Compton, a local St. John business owner, for a $5,000 donation to support this year’s workshop.”
Workshop registration: $50 per child, $25 per child if more than one child in a household is registering. Final registration accepted at Parent and Family Orientation must be paid and registered to attend on Monday, June 10.
Fees: Parents Pay What You Can is a new initiative to support children and families during the summer months. Contact camp for more details.
Age Group: Workshop leaders ages 16 and up are asked to submit resumes to Dr. Sewer. Must pass a background check. Must be willing to work outdoors with children. Must be willing to submit daily reports. Campers ages 5 to 15 years old.
Date and Time: The workshop is scheduled to begin on June 10-Aug. 16, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
The JESS summer program will incorporate academic enrichment, career and technical education, STEAM activities, and social-emotional wellness. For further information, please contact sharon.richardson@vide.vi
Fees: Not advertised
Dates: June 3-June 28, Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Ages: Grades K-8
Linda Ward will be conducting a St. John Summer Fun Camp. She is planning 11 separate sessions. Parents may enroll for each session (week) separately or for the whole summer. While the basic structure of the day plan is the same, each week will be unique and different. “Children will need a size appropriate backpack style bag, refillable water bottle and shoes they can put on and off themselves. Parents are responsible for daily transportation and packed lunch. Enrollment is limited.” For further information, please contact Linda at 252-256-3743.
Fees: $175 per session. There is a “Multiple Discount” for multiple siblings and/or multiple (3+) sessions.
Ages: 5 – 12
Dates: June 10-Aug. 30, Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Surfer Gary was a lifesaver, and he’s still teaching children how to surf. It’s not a scheduled camp but an activity for kids. You can contact Gary at 340-626-6377. Kids and the Sea (KATS) is a year-round sailing activity every Saturday morning in Coral Bay. For further information, please contact info@katsvi.com
Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park’s description of SKIP and Learn to Swim: Program participants will receive a combination of in-water swimming lessons and onshore educational activities from FVINP and the Virgin Islands National Park.
The program participants will be divided into two age groups, with half the participants attending the onshore educational experiences consisting of presentations by local scientists, subject matter experts, culture bearers, and community partners. The other half will learn the basics of swimming and water safety. “Program participants will see themselves as the next generation of environmental stewards and conservation professionals. FVINP will service about 120 youth this summer.” Programs will be coordinated through the summer camps, but if you have questions, you may contact Taylor White at twhite@friendsvinp.org.
If interested in adding a program or camp to this list, recreational directors can contact visource@gmail.com to provide information. All camps and programs must have established credibility to be considered for inclusion in the Source’s 2024 summer camp list.
