Get Out and Go

Keeping kids occupied during summer vacation is a full-time job. After all, there are only so many creative things they can do with the backyard hose. But don't worry! Tulsa has a wide range of summer camp offerings for every personality, from the athletic to the artistic.

Ruston Farrington, a Bixby 3rd Grader, said, "I love music camp because I like to act and sing." At Midtown School of Performing Arts annual summer camp, he and other children will prepare a musical theatre work that will be performed for friends and family at the culmination of the camp.

On the other end of the spectrum, 3rd grader Abby Crawford will attend New Life Ranch summer camp for the 2nd year in a row. This weeklong overnight camp includes horseback riding, swimming and lake activities such as "the 'blob', silver bullet water slide and zip line into the lake," Abby said. Describing last year's camp, Abby said that each day is so full of fun activities that she and her fellow campmates were "too busy to write letters home."

Want to know where to send your kids this summer? Here are some of Tulsa's favorite kids' summer camps for every area of interest:

Summer Smarties

Tulsa Zoo Summer Camp

(6421 E. 36th St. N.)

Kids will learn about a different species or group of animals each week, get up-close and personal animal encounters and learn more about the animals' behavior, habitats and feeding routines.

Ages: 4-12

Time: Half day is 9am-noon or 1-4pm. Full Day is available from 9am-4pm.

Dates: One-week camps available from June 4-August 10

Cost: Half day with zoo membership: $115 and without zoo membership: $125.

Full Day with zoo membership: $190 and without membership: $200

For more information, visit tulsazoo.org

Tulsa Air & Space Museum

(3624 N. 74th E. Ave.)This camp includes fun hands-on activities to explore the fields of aviation, rocketry, robotics, and space exploration.

Ages: 1st-12th grades

Time: 9am-4pm

Dates: One-week sessions from June 11 -- August 10

Cost: $175 per week for TASM members and $198 for non-TASM members

For more information, visit tulsaairandspacemuseum.org

Camp Incredible -- University School

(800 S. Tucker Dr., Tulsa)

Summer day camps at the University of Tulsa, offering a fun learning adventure for all interests. Some of the class offerings include: "Lego Mania", "Music Fun", "Construction Zone", "Survivor USchool", "Design Star" and "Amazing Race."

Tulsa Zoo Summer Camp

Ages: 4 years -- 8th grade

Time: 9am -- 3pm with extended day available for an extra cost

Dates: Six one-week sessions are offered from June 4 - July 16

Cost: $225 per week

For more information, visit utulsa.edu

Adventure Seekers

Camp Loughridge

(4900 W. 71st St., Tulsa)

Christian based summer camp that takes kids outdoors for fun activities such as archery, canoeing, ropes events, sports and swimming.

Ages: 6-10 years; special Adventure Camp for ages 11-13

Time: 9am-5pm with before-and-after care available for an extra cost.

Dates: Eight one-week sessions from June 4-July 30

Cost: Depending on demand and availability, costs for a one-week session range from $175 - $280 for Summer Day Camp or Adventure Camp.

For more information, visit camploughridge.org

New Life Ranch

(160 New Life Ranch Dr., Colcord)

Christian-based overnight summer camp full of outdoor activities such as horseback riding, mountain biking, rock climbing and swimming.

Ages: 3rd -- 12th grade

Time: Overnight

Dates: Eight one-week camps June 3-July 29

Cost: Between $480-$585 depending on demand & availability

For more information, visit newliferanch.com

Dry Gulch, USA Summer Camp

(N.E. of Pryor)

Kids enjoy go-kart racing, bumper cars, horseback riding, water sports on Lake Hudson, obstacle courses and train rides. They attend chapel services and interact through songs, lessons and teaching.

Ages: 7-12

Time: Overnight

Dates: Eight one-week sessions available from June 4 -- July 30

Cost: $340 - $375 depending on which session choosen; group discounts available.

For more information, visit drygulchusa.com

For the Lovers of the Game

SSB Kids

(1700 N. Redbud Pl., Broken Arrow)

Provides an indoor/outdoor camp experience filled with tumbling, trampoline, rock climbing, sports, giant slide, Red Cross swim lessons and swim time, inflatable jumping, crafts, team building and more.

Ages: Mini Camp, 3-5 years; Extreme Camp, 6-12 years

Time: 9am -- 3pm

Dates: 11 one-week sessions from June 4 -- August 13

Cost: Mini Camp - $177, Extreme Camp - $170

For more information, visit ssbkids.com

Tulsa Drillers Baseball Skills Camp

(ONEOK Field - 201 N. Elgin Ave.)

Two-day camp includes professional instruction from actual Drillers players and coaches in hitting, throwing, catching and base running.

Ages: 7-13 years

Time: 8:30am -- noon

Dates: June 11 and 12

Cost: Early bird registration (before May 18)is $100, and after is $120.

For more information, contact Matt Larson at 918-574-8314 or email matt@tulsadrillers.com

Lifetime Fitness Summer Camp

(10642 S. Memorial Dr., Tulsa)

Offers fun and healthy activities, including swimming, rock wall climbing, weekly field trips, challenges and games, fitness and nutrition education and crafts.

Ages: 5-12 years

Phillbtook Art

Time: 8am -- 6pm with early drop off available for an extra fee

Dates: 11 one-week sessions from June 4 -- August 13

Cost: $170 per week

For more information, visit lifetimefitness.com

The Artistic Souls

Philbrook Art Camp

(2727 S. Rockford Rd., Tulsa)

Summer art camp in which kids work with professional artists, exploring the Philbrook to discover the world of art and experiment with the creative process. Some of the session offerings include clay and sculpture, painting and drawing, 3-D art, mixed media and eco-friendly art.

Ages: 5-12 years

Time: Half-day offering 9am - noon or 1-4pm; All day offering 9am -- 4pm

Dates: One or two-week offerings from June 11 -- August 6

Cost: Half-day, non-member: $135; Half-day, member: $115; All day, non-member: $280; All day Member: $240

For more information, visit philbrook.org/summercamp

Gilcrease Art Camp

(1400 Gilcrease Museum Rd., Tulsa)

Enjoy the Gilcrease facilities while engaging in art discussions, exploration and hands-on art projects. Some of the classes include "adventures in architecture", "camera crazy", "world in print" and "street art." Expanded activities will take place in the Brady district during each week of summer camp at the Zarrow Center for Art and Education, Tulsa Glassblowing Studio, Driller Park ONEOK Field and Glacier Confection.

Ages: Classes for ages 4-6 are completely full, but at the time of publication there were still openings for ages 7-15

Time: 8am -- 5pm

Dates: One-week sessions from June 11 -- August 10

Cost: $200 member, $225 non-member

For more information, visit gilcrease.utulsa.edu

Midtown School for Performing Arts

Musical Theater Camp

Kids learn and present a musical theatre work during one of the weeklong camps. Offerings include "High School Musical," "Wizard of Oz" and "Backstage Camp." All music theater camps are held at the Marquette Vision Gym, 15th St. and Quincy Ave.

Ages: "Wizard of Oz": K-4th grade; "High School Musical": 3rd -- 8th grade; "Backstage Camp": 5th-8th grade

Time: 9am -- 4pm

Dates: Two one-week sessions June 18 and July 23

Cost: $200

For more information, visit mspatulsa.com

Also worth mentioning are the many offerings from the local Tulsa area YMCAs. These options provide a fun, affordable summer camp with field trips, swimming and sports. YMCA day camps are available at the WL Hutcherson Family YMCA and Owasso Family YMCA. Visit ymcatulsa.org for more info.

Whatever their passion, kids are sure to enjoy one of these summer camps. Many are still offering early-bird discounts, so make sure your kids stay active this summer and sign them up!