Gulf Coast Moms Blog contributors, in partnership with our mom friends from Mississippi Gulf Coast Summer Camps and Activities Facebook page, have selected the TOP summer camps for your kids!
ARTS CAMP
Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center of Arts and Education
1600 Government Street, Ocean Springs
(228) 818-2878
www.themaryc.org
The Mary C, as the Cultural Center is known, has the widest variety of arts camps for ages 6 to teens. From culinary arts to theatre to drawing, painting and art journaling to fabric arts and sewing, the Mary C has it all in the heart of downtown Ocean Springs. Carmen Lugo’s Art Exploration Class continues to be a crowd favorite.
STEM CAMPS
FabLab
12004 MS-57, Vancleave
(228) 826-0181
www.fablabjacksoncounty.org
The FabLab offers coding, robotics, laser engraving, and 3D printing for campers 5 and up at an age appropriate manner. And at only $75-$100/week, it’s also a great deal!
ASTRO CAMP at Stennis Space Center
1 Discovery Circle, Pearlington
(800) 237-1821, select option 4
www.visitinfinity.com/astro-camp
ASTRO CAMP introduces children grades 2nd through 10thto Flight, Space Technology, Earth/Solar System, Humans in Space and Mission Moon to Mars. The camp includes a tour of Stennis Space Center, including rocket engine test stands, launching of Estes Rockets and a family closing program. The 7th – 10th grade Stars ASTRO CAMP includes advanced robotics and 3D printing experiences and specialty camps featuring SeaPerch Robotics in “Space to Oceans.”
NATURE & EXPLORATION CAMPS
Pascagoula River Audubon Center
5107 Arthur Street, Moss Point
(228) 475-0825
www.pascagoula.audubon.org
The Pascagoula River Audubon Center offers fun, nature-based summer camp programming for ages 4 through middle school. The PRAC is also seeking enthusiastic and motivated high school students to volunteer their time during camp as counselors in training. Themes and activities revolve around the Pascagoula River and local bayou ecosystem.
OVERNIGHT CAMPS
Camp Stanislaus
304 S. Beach Blvd, Bay St. Louis
(228) 467-9057
www.campstanislaus.com
St. Stanislaus offers outdoor adventure mixed with academic programs. They offer traditional residential programs for up to 4 weeks each year. This can also be done as a day only program. Specialty camps include water sports, marine biology, STEM, and coding.Families can start a new tradition with the Father and Son weekend camp!
Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi
11 Camp Iti Kana Road, Wiggins
(601) 928-3515
www.gsgms.org
Located on 339 beautiful, wooded acres and a 55 acre lake makes Iti Kana the perfect backdrop for outdoor fun with your besties this summer. With themed camps of aliens, canoeing, horses, nature exploration, unicorns, Olympics, future careers, and wizards, there’s sure to be something for everyone! ALL girls are welcome!
MARITIME FUN CAMP
Sea ‘N Sail at the Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum
115 E. 1st Street, Biloxi
(228) 435-6320
www.maritimemuseum.org/new/sea-n-sail-adventure-camp
Your kids will have a blast digging deep into our area’s history and heritage as a coastal community through sailing trips aboard a Biloxi Schooner, learning Gulf Coast fishing methods unique to our area, cast netting, going on marine adventures aboard a shrimp trawler, maritime crafts, and seafood industry field trips. The week ends with a parent reception and awards presentation for various contests held throughout the week.
MUSIC CAMP
Rock U2
2820 Government Street, Ocean Springs
(228) 355-2025
www.rocku2oceansprings.com/summer-camps
Rock U2 has become THE place to make your kid’s dream of being on stage a reality! In one, short week, they’ll have them learning a new instrument, improving their musical skills, making new friends, and putting it all together for a rock concert by the end of the week, guaranteed! Playing music not their thing? Try out their dance and acting camps! Camps are for ages 5 and up.
CAMPS FOR ALL AGES (INCLUDING PRESCHOOLERS)
Lynn Meadows Discovery Center
246 Dolan Avenue, Gulfport
(228) 897-6039
www.lmdc.org/summer-camps
Summer camps at Lynn Meadows are a GREAT place for your little (and not so little) ones to try out summer camp for the first time with camps offered for kids as young as three. They can stay for a half or full day being pirates, mermaids, superheroes, princesses, cowboys, dinosaurs, exploring bugs, secret gardens, cooking, acting, playing with puppets, and more!
DANCE CAMPS
Donna’s Visual & Performing Arts
2428 W. Commerce Street, Ocean Springs
(228) 875-0833
www.donnasdance.com
Donna’s summer dance camps not only include learning choreographed routines used to put on show at the end of the week for parents, but the kids also have fun crafting, playing in the water, reuniting with and making new friends. This summer’s dance camps themes are princesses, holidays, Descendants, and High School Musical. For girls and boys, ages 3 and up!
Gulf Coast School of Performing Arts
10598 D’Iberville Boulevard, D’Iberville
(228) 324-6296
www.gulfcoastschoolofperformingarts.net
This all day camp gives your kids a total immersion into the art of jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, voice, active, art, tumbling, and ballroom. Early drop-off is available, which is great for working parents. You’ll get to see what they’ve learned with an in-house showcase you’re sure to enjoy!
Rage Dance Center
2200 Bienville Boulevard Suite B, Ocean Springs
(228) 243-3993
www.ragedancecenter.com
These super fun-themed dance classes are offered in morning and afternoon times. From unicorns to super heroes and tumbling to hip-hop, these camps provide a variety of options for your little movers. Starting at age 2.
ALL DAY OPTIONS
The Mississippi Gulf Coast YMCA
Locations in Ocean Springs, Vancleave, and Kiln
(228) 875-5050
www.mgcymca.org
The Salvation Army Kroc Center
575 Division Street, Biloxi
(228) 207-1218
www.krocmscosat.org
These two were chosen as our top choices for families that need all day, affordable summer camp options. With options for childcare from 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. Campers enjoy swimming, indoor & outdoor games, music, arts & crafts, group games, sports, and other fun activities. Some camps even offer breakfast, snack and lunch.
A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING
MS Gulf Coast Community College
Locations at the Jackson County, Jefferson Davis & Perkinston campuses
(228) 896-2536
A one-stop summer camp for all ages. They have multiple campuses and offer learn to swim, STEM, environmental, culinary, musical theater, video gaming, football, basketball, baseball, tennis, and soccer.
Thank you to…
Jenny Carroll and Lauren Nelson, co-founders of Mississippi Gulf Coast Summer Camps and Activities Facebook page for your expertise with this guide.
