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Jennifer Rol

Kids Love The Experience Of These 5 Summer Camps in Missoula

A man helps a young girl in blue aprons kneed dough on a kitchen counter

Ah, summer break. No school! No homework! It’s every kid’s paradise. If only adult life could stop for two months, too! As a mother myself, I get it. Sometimes, it’s hard to handle your responsibilities when your kids are home and bouncing off the walls. Give yourself some peace and let them make memories that will last a lifetime at these summer camps in Missoula.

Give Your Child An Enriching Activity With These Fantastic Summer Camps In Missoula 

MOLA – Wilderness Adventures

85 East Snow King Avenue, Jackson WY, 83001

Located in Missoula’s Silver Park, Wilderness Adventures’s MOLA summer camp is a great way to introduce your kids to Montana’s natural beauty. Available for children K-10, each session runs for one week and features activities like biking, canoeing, hiking, rock climbing, and even whitewater rafting. Aside from fostering their love for the outdoors, campers will also learn leadership and teamwork skills. 14-16 year olds can join MOLA’s counselor-in-training program. While some gear can be rented for camp, items like lunches and swimsuits must be brought from home. 

Details of a young girl helping dad make homemade pasta after some summer camps in Missoula

City Of Missoula, MT

435 Ryman St, Missoula MT, 59802

What better way to explore the city of Missoula than with the Parks and Recreation Department’s summer camps? Grounded in a philosophy of inclusive recreation and experiential education, Missoula’s summer camps feature low camper-to-staff ratios and lots of outdoor play. No matter the activity, campers are encouraged to pick the challenges that speak to them, all while building teamwork skills and community. Grants are available for families who require financial assistance.

Missoula Family YMCA

3000 S. Russell St, Missoula, MT, 59801

It’s fun to play at the YMCA! Missoula YMCA’s Y Summer Camps are a great way for kids in pre-K through 8th grade to make friends and explore. With every week offering a different theme, activities, and immersive field trips, your little ones will never get bored. Check out their website for the full list! Y Summer Camps offer both full-day and half-day options, with breakfast, lunch, and snacks provided daily. Y members also receive a discount. 

Montana Natural History Center

120 Hickory St, Suite A, Missoula, MT, 59801

Missoula children, who are curious about the world around them, will surely enjoy summer camp at the Montana Natural History Center. Their Outdoor Discover Day Camps serve children from pre-K to 5th grade. Every week features a different natural theme like “Water Wonders” or “Fossil Finders.” Field trips are a key part of the program, and you can expect your child to be outside every day. The Montana Natural History Center also offers a STEEM Summer Institute, which aims to build older children’s confidence in the fields of science, technology, engineering, environment, and math through the center’s hands-on, themed programs. 

A young girl helps dad measure flowers in the kitchen in matching custom aprons after summer camps in Missoula

Turner Farms 406

3515 S. 3rd Street West, Missoula MT, 59804

Turner Farms is a small, family-owned Missoula farm committed to local agriculture and food. Their unique, practical summer camp is all about connecting kids to their local environment and teaching them about farm-to-table food production. Activities include growing food, taking care of the farm animals, and even harvesting their own lunches! Of course, lunch and snacks are provided at Turner Farms. Children 8-13 years of age can enroll in their weekly Young Farmer Camp, while kids 6-7 can also participate in their Sprouts Camp. They’ve also recently added an Advanced Farmer Camp for the 10–14-year-olds who just can’t get enough. Scholarships are available.

Sign Your Children Up for Fun at These Summer Camps In Missoula

Montana is a great state full of natural wonders. These summer camps in Missoula make the most of that, getting kids outside while teaching them all sorts of useful skills. Any one of these fantastic programs will have your kids gushing about how great their summer was once they return to the classroom. 

Summer is also a great time to think about a family photoshoot. The weather is perfect and the days are long, leading to more free hours and better light. As a Montana family photographer, I’d love to talk with you about what moments matter to you and how I can highlight them best. Send me a message today!

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