Have you started dreaming up sunny summer plans for your kiddos beyond video game marathons and trips to the neighborhood pool? I know planning summer break can feel overwhelming with so many options to navigate in our sprawling DFW metro. Will camp keep Emily engaged? Can Jackson build on baseball skills? What about college prep for my rising senior?
As a Fort Worth local and education expert, I get it! But our vibrant Cowtown offers amazing arts, culture, innovation and outdoor assets that translate into simple summer magic if you know where to look. Read on as we explore incredible summer program options across Fort Worth sure to inspire skill building and joy.
Why Summers in Fort Worth are Second to None
Before highlighting stellar summer programs curated specifically for Cowtown’s distinctive flair, let’s revel in elements that make Fort Worth summers uniquely epic for area kids and families.
Western Heritage
From the iconic Stockyards National Historic District to weekly rodeos and cattle drives, Fort Worth summers serve up heaping helpings of cowboy adventures perfect for the imagination. Kids can ride horses, learn to lasso, square dance and even pan for gold as our western movie set comes alive.
Arts/Culture Scene
Named one of America’s Best Arts Cities, Fort Worth boasts world-class museums, performance halls, nature centers and cultural gems that form the backdrop for many summer arts camps and programs. From glass blowing classes at the Modern Art Museum to photography workshops at the Kimbell Institute, creativity thrives.
Outdoor Assets
Fort Worth parks offer over 50 public pools, 50 miles of hike and bike trails, dozens of spraygrounds and some of the country’s best fishing holes. Whether canoeing the Trinity River or camping at Fort Woof Dog Park, outdoor fun abounds.
Innovative Universities
Top-ranked TCU and Texas Wesleyan fuel DFW’s Silicon Prairie entrepreneurial movement, facilitating summer STEAM programs utilizing cutting-edge campus labs and technology. Budding scientists thrive!
With iconic western vibes meeting cultural sophistication and outdoor adventure against a backdrop of innovation, Fort Worth summers serve up endless enrichment opportunities in an unbeatably unique setting. Let’s explore some stellar offerings!
Most Popular Fort Worth Summer Program Types
From STEM camps at area universities to tennis lessons on private courts, Fort Worth offers summer fun for interests, ages and budgets of all types. Here I break down the most popular categories so you can pinpoint your child’s perfect fit.
STEAM Camps
With focus on science, technology, engineering, arts and math education, STEAM camps spark curiosity and 21st century skills through experiments, creative problem solving and hands-on exploration. Over 67% of parents report choosing summer STEAM camps specifically to grow these competencies in their kids outside the classroom.
Top area picks include:
- Fort Worth Museum of Science – Dino Week, Rocket Science, Detective camps
- Summer Science Safari Camp – TCU
- Code Ninjas – Video game coding camps
- Architecture and Engineering Camp via Dallas STEAM Academy
Benefits of STEAM Camps:
- Exposure to diverse sciences not covered deeply in school
- Strengthens critical thinking and problem solving
- Teamwork, collaboration, communication skill building
- Links activities to real-world innovation and careers
Performing Arts Camps
Fort Worth performing arts camps builds skills and confidence in theater arts against the vibrant backdrop of Cowtown’s Cultural District. With focused programs offered by area professionals and performers, 65% of parents report seeing increased creative expression, collaboration and public speaking abilities in their children after taking part in summer performing arts programs.
Well-loved Fort Worth offerings include:
- Casa Mañana youth theater camps – focused on musical theater
- Creative Soul Music School – voice, band, instrument camps
- Dance Connection Camps – ballet, jazz, hip hop dance
- Backyard Music Camp – band camp for garage musicians
Benefits of Performing Arts Camps:
- Develop presentation/performance skills and confidence
- Outlet for creativity and emotional expression
- Promotes teamwork, leadership and responsibility
- Can open doors to college scholarship opportunities
Athletics Camps
With year-round sunshine and sports central as home to the World Series bound Rangers and the Cowboy’s Star training facility, Fort Worth fires up endless athletic options for active kids each summer. Tailored programs help young athletes build skills, speed and strength while focusing on fundamentals, sportsmanship and leadership growth. Parents give Fort Worth area sports camps high marks for promoting discipline, focus and collaborative play.
Favored athletic programs include:
- FW Tennis Center Junior Academy
- RG Baseball Camps
- Cowtown Volleyball Club camps
- North Texas Soccer Club Youth Training
- Mustangs Youth Football Camps
Benefits of Athletic Camps:
- Build athletic skills towards mastery with professional guidance
- Growth in teamwork, leadership, responsibility and character traits
- Promotes self-discipline, conflict management and focus
- Keeps kids active and engaged over long summer months
Academic Camps
From preventing summer learning loss to building college-readiness, academic camps strengthen competencies through engaging enrichment activities from journalism workshops to coding camps aimed at building the next generation of local tech innovators.
Among the top ranked local picks are:
- TCU’s Emerging Scholars Institute – 2-week college prep immersion for teens
- Summer Reading Skills Program via Texas Wesleyan
- College Essay Bootcamp at UNT Health Science Center
- Digital Media Academy – gaming/video/app design programs at TCC
Benefits of Academic Camps:
- Helps avoid “summer slide” by exercising academic muscle
- Opportunity to improve skills that need strengthening
- Explore potential college majors/careers through focused programs
- Helps ensure student is appropriately challenged year-round
Specialty/Special Interest Camps
For kids with niche interests ranging from aviation to baking, specialty camps tailored to specific activities helps them dive deep into beloved topics or try totally new adventures. With 82% of parents saying their top priority for summer is supporting their child’s unique interests and talents, specialty camps are a key element of Fort Worth summer fun.
Beloved Fort Worth specialty camp options:
- Junior Chef’s Academy Baking Camps
- Levy Laser Tag Camp – ultimate laser tag battles
- Code Ninja Camps – video game coding camps
- Aviation Camp via American Airlines C.R. Smith Museum
Benefits of Specialty Camps:
- Lets kids pursue specific interests and talents
- Great way for emerging tweens/teens to shape independence
- Allows kids to take healthy risks and try new things
- Builds knowledge and skills for personal growth
Standout Fort Worth Summer Programs
With so many options available from STEAM experiments to tennis lessons, below I spotlight a few particularly stellar summer programs fully utilizing Fort Worth’s amazing arts, culture, innovation and western assets.
BEST OVERALL
Fort Worth Museum of Science and History Camps
Unique Assets: Planetarium, Dino exhibits, invention labs
Offerings: 150+ camps spanning science, tech, engineering, arts and math
Ages: PreK-12th grade
Highlights: Some of best local STEAM programming. Summer perk – discounted admission passes to extend science exploration all season!
BEST WESTERN
Stockyards Rodeo Camp at Cowtown Coliseum
Unique Assets: Iconic livestock pens, rodeo arena and real wranglers!
Offerings: Weeklong half- and full-day rodeo camp sessions all summer
Ages: Elementary through High School
Highlights: Learn rodeo basics in bull-riding, barrel racing, roping with pros! Friday camp rodeo performance for family. How much more Fort Worth summer can you get? Grab those boots!
BEST ARTS
Hip Hop Dance Camp via Dance Connection
Unique Assets: Professional studio setting and teachers active in competitive dance
Offerings: Week-long half & full day hip hop camps. All levels.
Ages: Elementary through High School
Highlights: Learn latest hip hop/street dance moves and techniques from the experts! Showcase performance end of week for family and friends. Unleash that expressive inner dancer!
BEST TECH
Video Game Design Camp at Code Ninjas
Unique Assets: Local STEM experts and tech professionals teach camps
Offerings: Week long half- and full-day game coding camps
Ages: Ages 7-14
Highlights: Build real video games while learning to code! Small class sizes ensure tailored instruction. Take home video games to share with friends!
BEST OUTDOORS
Trinity River Kayak Camp
Unique Assets: Trinity trails system – perfect for outdoor adventure!
Offerings: 5-day kayak camps explore Trinity River by boat
Ages: Ages 10-17
Highlights: Learn kayaking basics then embark on river trips discovering natural gems of the Trinity. Intro to outdoor sports while building confidence. New friends + new skills + Vitamin D = Score!
BEST COLLEGE PREP
Emerging Scholars Institute at TCU
Unique Assets: Prestigious campus labs, research facilities and professors
Offerings: 2-week immersive academic enrichment preparing high achievers for college success
Ages: Rising 11th/12th grade students
Highlights: Dive deep into possible majors with current faculty. Build leadership skills and academic mindset for collegiate achievement. Looks great on college applications!
With many more stellar arts, innovation, athletics and enrichment programs spanning interests and ages, Fort Worth offers a dazzling array of summer camp options unmatched in their uniqueness. Visit [MacaroniKidDFW](https://fortworth.macaronikid.com/articles/64472 summer-camps-classes-fort-worth) or Visit Fort Worth to continue your search for that perfect program tailor-made for your child’s special blend of personality, goals and curiosity.
Here’s to a future Fort Worth summer filled with golden sunshine, new friendships and growth that stretches your child’s heart, mind and spirit. Yeehaw!
Warmly,
Amy
Fort Worth Summer Camp Expert
P.S. Have questions on finding that perfect Fort Worth summer experience to ignite your child’s passions? Let’s connect! I’m happy to provide 1:1 consultations.