As temperatures climb and the school year winds down, parents across Riverside face a familiar dilemma—how to keep kids happy, healthy, and engaged over the long summer break. The past few years of pandemic uncertainties have only intensified the demand for structured activities replicating social connections and learning opportunities missed out due to school closures and quarantines.
The good news? Riverside offers a rich array of summer programs to meet every interest. Whether you have a budding biologist, aspiring actor or active athlete, the city’s diverse mix of camps and classes makes summertime fun both easy and enriching. Read on to discover some of Riverside’s standout summer programs supporting children’s growth and development during the long break from school.
Why Summer Programs Matter Now More Than Ever
After weathering the ups and downs of pandemic schooling over the past two years, parents are understandably concerned about their children falling behind academically and missing important opportunities for growth during the impending summer months. While playtime and rest are key ingredients for a happy childhood, research shows keeping kids’ minds and bodies at least moderately active delivers significant benefits.
Stem Learning Loss
A recent study by Rand Corporation showed students in California lost significant academic progress in math and reading over the course of the pandemic—up to four months of learning. However, consistent engagement in academic or structured enrichment activities during school breaks mitigates this “summer slide.” Riverside summer academic programs are designed to exercise young minds and reinforce key concepts right at students’ level to set them up for a strong return to the classroom.
Develop Healthy Interests
As children grow and change, summer offers the perfect low-stakes environment for them to explore new passions. The freedom to discover unique interests—whether it’s painting gorgeous landscapes, writing poetry, hiking through forests, or perfecting chess strategies—helps young people identify meaningful ways to spend their time that can become cherished lifelong pursuits. Riverside’s wide variety of specialty summer camps encourages experimentation with diverse arts, athletics, and academics.
Strengthen Mind & Body
Growing bodies and minds need activity when out of a traditional schooling environment. Studies show physical exercise enhances learning capacity, attention span, plus emotional/behavioral regulation in children. Outdoor play boosts Vitamin D absorption critical for growth, strengthens immunity and vision. The sports, adventure outings and games integral to most Riverside summer programs get kids off screens while promoting fitness and wellbeing.
Forge Friendships
During an era of hybrid schooling, mask requirements and canceled activities, children missed out on important social bonding opportunities over the past two years. Playing, learning collaboratively and forging connections in Riverside’s summer programs allows kids to rediscover the joys of friendship. Whether working in small groups on art projects, navigating wilderness trails or cooperating on teams, camp activities teach key relational abilities like communication, responsibility and empathy.
In summary, Riverside summer programs provide the enriching activities and structure vital for stemming pandemic learning loss, encouraging healthy child development and restoring much needed social connections. Continue reading to discover some of the top summer offerings across academics, arts, athletics and adventure guaranteed to educate and entertain your kids all season long!
Riverside’s Can’t-Miss Summer Programs
While summer spells freedom from rigid schooling routines, Riverside offers engaging programs to exercise minds and bodies all season long. From tutoring services to fine arts intensives, tennis clinics to coding camps, the following represent some of the city’s best summer programming across diverse interests.
Academic Enrichment Opportunities
Maintain scholastic skills and get a head start on next year‘s curriculum with these stellar summer learning programs.
Think Together
Think Together partners with over 420 California schools and districts to provide gold-standard supplemental education through before school, after school and summer enrichment programs. Their well-rounded project-based curriculum keeps K-12 students sharp, covering interdisciplinary topics that reinforce classroom learning through hands-on engagement. Programming integrates STEAM concepts plus literacy, physical activity and enrichment. Think Together served approximately 5,000 students in Riverside County summer 2021.
- Details: Half & full day programs; weekly field trips; free for eligible students
- Website: https://www.thinktogether.org
Brightmont Academy Test Prep & Tutoring
Brightmont Academy provides 1-on-1 and small group tutoring across all K-12 subjects plus test prep for key assessments like PSAT, SAT and ACT. Their certified tutors assess each student to diagnose problem areas then develop a personalized learning plan with customized curriculum and teaching techniques. Summer programs help students strengthen competency in math, reading, writing plus build study and testing skills.
- Details: 1-on-1 and small group sessions; in-person & online options; free consultation
- Website: https://www.brightmontacademy.com
Various University Offerings
UC Riverside and nearby institutions like Cal Baptist provide academic enrichment and college prep summer sessions tailored to Gifted, honors and AP students. Programming like UCR‘s ExCELL program allows 9th-12th graders to earn college credits taking transferable courses over summer term. Other offerings introduce high schoolers to college academics and campus life.
- Details: Credit courses, portfolio workshops, campus housing options
- Websites: UCR ExCEL, CBU Summer Academies
Sports & Fitness Camps
School athletes stay conditioned while recreational players improve game across various Riverside specialty sports camps.
Challenger Sports Youth Soccer Camps
These week-long camps help young players improve dribbling, passing, shooting and more through skill building drills and daily “World Cup” mini tournaments. Half day and full day options for ages 3-16 hosted at parks throughout the city teach soccer fundamentals in an encouraging environment. All abilities including beginners are welcome!
- Details: Half & full day options; extended day available; prices from $129
- Website: https://www.challengersports.com
USTA Cary Tennis Academy
Junior tennis champs in training ages 6-14 sharpen ground strokes, serves and volleys at this long-running camp held at Fairmount Park Tennis Center. Director Robert Cary and experienced instructors utilize USTA-designed curriculum to develop all aspects of players’ games from movement to strategy. Fun drills and matches let players test newly honed techniques.
- Details: Half & full day camps; extended care available; prices from $175
- Website: https://www.ustatrainingcenters.com
Various City Athletics Camps
Riverside, Moreno Valley, Corona and surrounding parks and recreation departments offer summer sports camps for youth athletes looking to build skills in their sport of choice. Experienced coaches lead drilling and scrimmaging across baseball, softball, football, volleyball, even esports and more. Offerings leverage area school athletic facilities and parks.
- Details: Week-long half & full day camps; extended care available
- Websites: Riverside Sports, Moreno Valley Jr All Americans Football & Cheer
Alongside physical conditioning, studies show consistent sports practice helps young athletes gain confidence, leadership abilities, grit and other mental/emotional skills transferable to school and life. These multi-sport camps keep student athletes striving towards peak potential.
Arts & Creativity Camps
Some of California’s foremost creative institutions offer summer arts intensives in Riverside for budding performers, makers and visual artists looking to take their craft to the next level.
California Youth Conservatory Theater Camp
Top young thespians can dive deep into acting and musical theater training in CYC’s intensive programs. Rehearse and perform abbreviated Broadway musicals or plays while honing audition techniques, vocal production and characterization in this 2-week conservatory led by NYC pros. Affordable tuition thanks to donor funding; merit scholarships available.
- Details: 2-week programs; extended care available; prices from $100
- Website: https://cyconservatory.org
Academy of Dynamic Performing Arts Summer Intensive
Ballet dancers aiming to soar should enroll at ADPA’s 3-week intensive focused on strengthening technique and artistry. Under the guidance of seasoned dance educator Yusha Marie Sorzano, participants ages 12-23 take multiple daily classes spanning ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary and conditioning. Classes group dancers by ability to ensure ideal pace for progression.
- Details: 3-week intensive program; prices from $750
- Website: https://www.adpaballet.com
Creative Arts Workshop Summer Camps
Budding creatives explore a range of artistic media from painting to fused glass, sewing to acrylic pouring via Creative Arts Workshop’s themed week-long half day camps. Professional artists teach tricks of the trade while encouraging campers ages 5-15 to experiment freely, take artistic risks and most importantly, have fun!
- Details: Week-long half day camps; prices from $200
- Website: https://www.creativeartsworkshop.org
Exposing kids to visual and performing arts boosts out-of-the-box thinking, emotional intelligence and academic performance. These stellar arts programs give the next generation of creatives a jump start on success.
Outdoor Adventure Camps
Local nature adventure camps build confidence, grit and environmental appreciation through exciting summertime survival skills challenges and outdoor excursions.
Pathfinder Ranch Overnight Camp
Nestled within the soaring San Jacinto mountains, Pathfinder offers classic overnight camp experiences blended with backcountry wilderness expditions for teens. Campers ages 6-16 enjoy weeklong sessions packed with archery, hiking, campfires, arts and horseback riding. Leadership programs provide wilderness survival education teaching navigation, shelter building and more.
- Details: Week-long overnight & backpacking; prices from $650
- Website: https://pathfinderranch.com
Falcon Outdoor Adventure Camp
Glamping meets gnarly adventure at this day camp sending kids on secret missions via van travel to California’s incredible natural playgrounds. Each session features hiking, climbing, watersports and survival skills like fire building, emergency shelters and Leave No Trace ethics customized for stunning destinations like mountain peaks, desert canyons or beach coves. Age appropriate programming for 5-17 years.
- Details: Week-long full day excursions; prices from $475
- Website: https://www.falconadventurecamp.com
Orange County Great Park Adventures Camp
The OC Great Park in Irvine offers nature-filled day camps incorporating challenges like kayaking, archery, fishing, disc golf, gold panning and nature crafts. The park’s diverse biomes including farms, sports fields, native plant gardens and manmade canyon provide lots of explore. Field trips to wilder O.C. gems like Crystal Cove round out the fun. Geared towards ages 7-12.
- Details: Week-long full day programs; prices from $380
- Website: https://ocgp.org/adventurescamp
Studies demonstrate outdoor recreation and nature immersion reduces stress, boosts creativity and cognitive skills in developing youth. Well-run adventure outings build bonds and memories to last a lifetime. Let the experts lead your kid into the wild for healthy challenge brimming with excitement and personal growth.
Specialty Camps Galore
Beyond core academics and athletics, Riverside offers ultra-specialized camps for hyper-specific interests from theater costume design to cryptocurrency investing to Lego robotics and more. Peruse the programs below for inspiration!
- Digital Media Academy Technology Camps – coding, game design, filmmaking (https://digitalmediaacademy.org)
- Improv U Kids Comedy Camp – improv, stand-up, clowning (https://improvu.com)
- Mad Science Summer Camps – slime making, rockets, movie effects (https://oc-la.madscience.org)
- AHimsa House Volunteer Camp – farm animal care, gardening, cooking (https://www.farmsanctuary.org)
Discover Your Child’s Ideal Summer Activity Today
With hoped-for pandemic recovery on the horizon, Riverside families are eagerly anticipating a carefree 2023 summer filled with sunshine, adventure and making up for lost time. Fortunately, the city offers dynamic programs spanning all interests from academic advancement to artistic exploration to active sports that ensure kids stay happy, healthy and meaningfully occupied all season long.
As you evaluate summer programming options, keep the following guidance in mind:
- Consider your child’s unique personality, current skill levels and interests
- Prioritize programs enabling significant skill development through trained instruction
- Seek balance between teaching kids commitment/perseverance and avoiding overscheduling
- Ask about COVID precautions – cleaning/ventilation policies, vaccination requirements etc.
- Inquire about scholarship and financial assistance opportunities to increase accessibility
Browse the various camps summarized above to jumpstart your search. Riverside offers engaging opportunities for every child if you’re willing to discover the perfect fit. Give your son or daughter the gift of an unforgettable summer gaining new talents and forging wonderful memories to sustain them all year. Sign up today before sessions sell out!