South Miami-Dade Summer Camps

Palmetto Bay
Source: PalmettoBay-fl.gov

As a parent, I understand the importance of having access to solid summer-camp options. It’s especially nice when a town has several more specialized programs, too, for kids with focused interests. The family-friendly neighborhoods of Pinecrest and Palmetto Bay offer many great options, many of which are already under way for the season—in which case, you can always stop by for a preview and make plans for next year. Most area schools provide summer programming for their students, too, so check with your child’s institution to see what’s on offer.

Camp Palmetto Bay

The Village of Palmetto Bay runs the 8-week multidisciplinary Camp Palmetto Bay in June and July, which takes advantage of local attractions to keep kids engaged and learning all summer. Activities include arts and crafts, sports, swimming, and games, along with trips to the movies, an indoor trampoline park, and a bowling alley. The nice part about this program, which operates out of Coral Reef Elementary School, is that you can sign your children up in weekly installments that work around your family’s summer travel plans.

Dance

Aspiring performers and tiny tots who just love to move will enjoy Pure Dance Summer Camp held in Pinecrest at the Community Center, for ages 5-15. Each week focuses on a different style of dance, including ballet and modern, belly dancing, ballroom, hip-hop and cheerleading, Broadway, and Flamenco, so your child can participate in as many sessions as you’d like, at either half- or full-day schedules.

Robotics

Funcamps runs the two-week Game Tech Robotics Camp out of the Pinecrest Community Center and Gardens, which means kids also get access to the gardens, petting zoo, playground, and water park in addition to learning about engineering as they build robots and participate in robot competitions. (Funcamps also hosts JurassiCamp, Amazing Science Camp, and MagiCamp during the summer here.)

Golf

Miami-Dade County runs a variety of summer camps, for kids ages 6-14, in its parks, from recreational and sports programs to adventure and ecology themed offerings. For example, young golf enthusiasts can work on their swing, short game, and course etiquette with PGA pro Scott Jones at the Palmetto Golf Academy Summer Camp, in either full or half-day sessions.

Tennis

Palmetto Bay’s parks and rec department also runs a great full-summer Tennis Camp for kids ages 8-17 at the Tennis Center in Coral Reef Park. This year USPTA pros Lee Pettis and Kara Borromeo are the instructors, teaching skills and running drills for beginner through intermediate levels.

Soccer

Miami has always been a city passionate about soccer, but with the sport growing in popularity nationwide, kids will be extra excited about attending Premier Soccer Camp, held through June at Evelyn Greer Park in Pinecrest. Coaching director and former Miami Fusion coach Nick Megaloudis guides players ages 5-14 through half or full days of moving the ball down the field.

If you have a family, or future plans to have children, there are many factors to consider when looking for a new home. Drop me a line for updated listings in Pinecrest and Palmetto Bay and to explore the outstanding residential suburbs Miami has to offer.