Tacoma Community May 27, 2023

2023 Summer Camps in the Tacoma Area 

Every summer, our two boys love attending local summer sports camps. We happen to be very lucky to live in an area where we have a ton of summer camps to choose from—Tacoma, University Place, and Fircrest are home to dozens of camps all summer long. Whether your kiddos love sports, arts and crafts, music, cooking, or outdoor adventure, there really is something for every kid and every interest! 

Most recently, our sons are into basketball. They’ve attended the Triple Impact Basketball Coaching as well as the SkyHawks Program. For many years we also took them to t-ball and soccer camps, and we’ve spent many sunny days at the Fircrest community pool! 

Roy H. Murphy Community Center is named after Megan’s grandpa Roy Murphy.

 

The Roy H. Murphy Community Center is especially dear to our family; it was named after Megan’s grandpa Roy Murphy. Megan grew up in Fircrest (in the house her grandparents once owned) and her grandpa Roy Murphy was the Town Administrator as well as Fircrest’s first Parks and Recreation Director. He helped start the rec center and spent years coaching and organizing athletic teams and volunteering. 

It’s pretty neat to have the 4th generation of our family enjoying what Grandpa started many years ago!

 

We love dropping our boys off at the rec and we can’t help but stop by their great-grandpa’s picture in the main hallway each time. Our oldest boy shares his great-grandpa’s name and has taken more pictures out front by the sign than he cares to admit! It’s pretty neat to have the 4th generation of our family enjoying what Grandpa started many years ago. 


2023 Summer Camps in Tacoma, University Place & Fircrest 

Below you’ll find the ultimate guide to summer camps in Tacoma, University Place, and Fircrest for Summer 2023! Summer camps are organized by location and theme. 

2023 Summer Camps in Fircrest, Washington 

Animal Explorers by Snapology 

  • Located at Roy H. Murphy Community Center in Fircrest 
  • Designed for ages 4-6, join other little learners for STEM Saturday and learn about animals and their habitats. 
  • Learn more here 

KinderBots Robotics by Snapology 

  • Located at Roy H. Murphy Community Center in Fircrest 
  • Designed for ages 5-8, kids can explore robotics using Legos to build simple models. 
  • Learn more here,. 

Junior Builders by Snapology 

  • Located at Roy H. Murphy Community Center in Fircrest 
  • Perfect for ages 3-5, this camp is all about building functional models of everything from cars and boats to amusement park rides! 
  • Learn more here

Full Day: Junior Builders / Kinderbots Full Day Camp

  • Located at Roy H. Murphy Community Center in Fircrest 
  • Pack a sack lunch and get ready for a full day of learning and play! 
  • Learn more here

Full Day: Advanced Robotics: Attackbots / Video Game Design

  • Located at Roy H. Murphy Community Center in Fircrest 
  • Designed for ages 9-14, kids can put their minds to work learning about video game design basics and robotics. 
  • Learn more here 

Video Game Design

  • Located at Roy H. Murphy Community Center in Fircrest 
  • Kids ages 9-14 can create either very own video game and take it home on a flash drive to show off to family and friends! 
  • Learn more here

Full Day: Mega Machine Robotics Minecraft Basic 

Mining & Building by Snapology 

  • Located at Roy H. Murphy Community Center in Fircrest 
  • Bring Minecrafts to life using legos to create your own world! Perfect for ages 4-12. 
  • Learn more here

Full Day: Combat Robots / Animation Studio

More Resources: 

  • There are SO many Snapology Summer Camps at the Roy H. Murphy Community Center in Fircrest, we’re likely to have missed something! You can browse all Snapology camps and learning opportunities in Fircrest here. 
  • As summer approaches, visit the community center’s rec desk where you can search by date, activity, etc. 

2023 Summer Camps in Tacoma, Washington  

Arts Camps in Tacoma 

Tacoma Little Theater

  • Campers will rehearse and perform 2 different shows this summer—School House Rock and The Addams Family! 
  • Learn more here 

Camp JamTacoma

  • Campers get to create their own bands, write and record songs, and even play a live concert! 
  • Learn more here

Music Camps (Metro Parks Tacoma)

Visual Arts (Metro Parks Tacoma)

Theater Camps (Metro Parks Tacoma)


Sport Camps in Tacoma 

Colleen Hacker’s Success Soccer Camp 

  • This intense clinic is led by Dr. Colleen Hacker along with members of the three-time Intercollegiate National Champion Pacific Lutheran University Soccer Team. 
  • Learn more here

Baseball Camps (Metro Parks Tacoma)

  • Whether you have a 4-7 year old or a 6-12 year old, baseball camps at different levels provide a great atmosphere for learning all about catching, hitting, throwing and more! 
  • Learn more here

Basketball Camps (Metro Parks Tacoma)

  • Whether kids are beginners or honing their skills for middle school, there are some great basketball camps to keep kids active this summer! 
  • Learn more here

Boys Basketball Camp at Bellarmine

  • These camps are conducted by Bellarmine’s head basketball coach, his staff, and current Bellarmine basketball players. 
  • Learn more here

Skyhawks Volleyball Camp

  • Kids ages 8-13 will learn all aspects of volley through drills and exercise, all while learning about leadership and teamwork. 
  • Learn more here 

Yoga Camp at Owen Beach (Metro Parks Tacoma)

  • Designed ages 7-10, campers will learn the basics of yoga while strengthening their bodies. 
  • Learn more here 

Football Camps (Metro Parks Tacoma)

  • There is no shortage of football camps in Tacoma; Skyhawks Flag Football Camp, Advanced Football Camp, and more are all on the schedule this summer! 
  • Learn more here

Skyhawks Beginning Golf Camp 

  • Powered by Payne Stewart Golf Experiences, this entry level golf program is ideal for ages 5-12. 
  • Learn more here

Metro Parks Tacoma – PGA Camps

  • Tacoma offers several different PGA camps for golfers anywhere from ages 7 to 16!
  • Learn more here

Skyhawks Lacrosse Camp

  • Athletics 6-12 will learn everything from stick handling and cradling to passing and shooting. 
  • Learn more here

Rowing Camps (Metro Parks Tacoma) 

  • Designed for ages 13-18, there are both intro and advanced level camps where you can learn and perfect the basics! 
  • Learn more here

Multi Sport Camps (Metro Parks Tacoma)

  • Campers can play flag football, tennis, basketball, soccer, baseball, and more! 
  • Learn more here

Challenger International Soccer Camp

  • Known as North America’s most trusted soccer camp provider, Challenger International Soccer Camp is open to all ages and ability levels! 
  • Learn more here

Mighty Kicks 

  • This introductory soccer program is the perfect opportunity for kids to build skills and self-confidence while learning basic soccer techniques. 
  • Learn more here

Soccer Camps (Metro Parks Tacoma)

  • Whether your camper is age 4-7 or age 6-12, there’s a soccer camp perfectly designed to teach the skills and knowledge necessary to improve their game. 
  • Learn more here

Skateboard Camps (Metro Parks Tacoma + Alchemy Skateboarding)

Swift Feet 253 Speed and Agility Camp 

  • Designed for ages 8-18, this program is designed to improve an athlete’s overall skills and abilities. 
  • Learn more here

Skyhawks Tennis Camps

  • Kids ages 7-12 will learn everything from grips and footwork rules and etiquette. 
  • Learn more here

Skyhawks Cheerleading Camp 

  • Learn cheers, proper hand/body movements, how to support a team, and more! 
  • Learn more here

Dance Camps (Metro Parks Tacoma)

  • Everyone from toddlers to teens will find something fun; little ones will focus on dance and play, while older kids will improve technique and explore ballet, jazz, modern dance, and hip hop. 
  • Learn more here 

Martial Arts & Ninja Camps (Metro Parks Tacoma)

  • Kids ages 6-10 will learn running, climbing, jumping, tumbling, and other skills needed to stay mobile and agile. 
  • Learn more here

The Mountaineers Camps for Kids & Teens

  • Go on backpacking adventures, learn how to rock climb, learn about wilderness survival, and so much more. 
  • Learn more here

Offense – Defense Seattle Football Camp

  • Campers have the opportunity to be coached by NFL and top college coaches!
  • Learn more here

Educational Camps in Tacoma 

Bricks 4 Kidz Lego Camps/Classes 

  • Located in Tacoma, Gig Harbor, Lakewood, and Puyallup
  • There are SO many incredible STEAM-based opportunities for kids to learn about robotics, coding, stop motion animation, motors, and more through Bricks 4 Kids! 
  • Learn more here and here

STEM Snapology Camps 

  • There are SO many Snapology classes and camps available in Tacoma (as well as Fircrest!). Build robots, design video games, create animations, and so much more. 
  • Learn more here

Summer Camps in Tacoma 

Outdoor Adventure Camps (Metro Parks Tacoma)

  • Backpacking, kayak and canoe trips, swimming, rock climbing—it’s all on the schedule! 
  • Learn more here

Wapato Summer Day Camp (Metro Parks Tacoma)

  • Kids ages 5-12 can enjoy themed weeks of games, crafting, and activities. 
  • Learn more here

Titlow Summer Day Camp (Metro Parks Tacoma)

  • Designed for ages 5-12 and offering themed weeks of games, crafts, and activities. 
  • Learn more here

Norpoint Summer Day Camp (Metro Parks Tacoma)

  • Kids ages 5-12 can enjoy themed weeks of games, crafting, and activities. 
  • Learn more here

Nature Camps (Metro Parks Tacoma)

  • STEAM activities, trail exploration, and learning about animals and the environment are all on the calendar!
  • Learn more here

Fort Nisqually Camps (Metro Parks Tacoma)

  • Campers learn about history through games, crafts, music, and other fun activities. 
  • Learn more here

Cooking Camps (Metro Parks Tacoma)

  • Kids Cooking Camp, Taste of Italy, and Baking Classics Camp are all options this summer and each class is designed around a different age group. 
  • Learn more here

Babysitter Camps (Metro Parks Tacoma) 

  • Perfect for ages 11-16, this camp prepares campers how to be safe whether they’re at home alone or caring for others. 
  • Learn more here

Camp STAR 

  • Kids ages 4-6 can enjoy a new theme each week throughout summer, like superheroes, dinosaurs, space explorers, Olympians and more! 
  • Learn more here

Hilltop Heritage Summer Day Camp 

  • Kids ages 5-12 can enjoy games, crafts, and other fun activities with a new theme each week. 
  • Learn more here

Baker Summer Day Camp

  • Games, crafts, and activities are centered around a new theme each week, perfect for ages 5-12. 
  • Learn more here

Larchmont Summer Day Camp 

Summer Camps at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

  • Learn about animal habitats, how to take care of different animals, learn about becoming a biologist, and more! 
  • Learn more here 

YMCA Summer Day Camp 

  • Located in Lakewood, Tacoma, Gig Harbor 
  • YMCA Summer Day Camp is an immersive experience where kids can learn, have fun, and discover new interests! 
  • Learn more here

2023 Summer Camps in University Place, Washington  

DiscNW Ultimate Frisbee Camp

  • Kids ages 8-18 will learn how to play Ultimate Frisbee, build relationships, and have fun outside! 
  • Learn more here

Eco Explorers Adventure Camps 

  • Located in Graham, Spanaway, University Place 
  • Kids ages 8-11 years can enjoy outdoor exploration, hands-on activities, free play, and outdoor games. 
  • Learn more here

Do you have a question about living in Tacoma, Fircrest, or University Place? We’re happy to chat whether you’re buying or selling a home, or just trying to decide if a neighborhood is right for you!