Summer is here! Here is an updated list of summer activities in the Rio Grande Valley. I have posted several different sites on my Pinterest board, you can see it here http://www.pinterest.com/thartzog/summer-fun/ . Since I live in the upper valley I have more knowledge of things going on in the Edinburg-McAllen-Mission area. Please send me an email if you have information on anything I missed. I hope that this guide will help keep your kids entertained and you sane this summer. 😉
For the animal/nature lovers:
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands
956-381-9922
www.EdinburgWBC.org
Open Monday – Saturday 8am – 6pm (Extended hours in the summer, they advise calling ahead from days and times.)
$2 for Children & Seniors $3 for Adults 5 years & under FREE
Visit over 40 acres with 2.5 miles of trails
3.5 acres of native Butterfly Garden
Ponds and other water features
Gladys Porter Zoo, Brownsville
www.gpz.org
Dinosaur Safari is going on from March 15 – July 6th
Animal Play Days will be May 18th and July 5th
Kids Appreciation Day is August 3, 2014
The National Butterfly Center’s Critter Camp, Mission
Open to children ages 7-12 from July 7 -August 1st, four one week sessions
Call 956-583-5400 for more information
Point Blank Archery Camp, Pharr
956-992-8799
407 N Jackson Rd, Pharr
Archery Camp for ages 8 and up. $99 per student
Quinta Mazatlan Discovery Camp, McAllen www.quintamazatlan.com
956-681-3370
600 Sunset Drive, McAllen
Family Nature Nights, Early Morning Bird Walks, Youth Nature Photo Workshops, Forest Tots there truly is something for everyone to enjoy at Quinta Mazatlan. Visit the Program and Events section of their website for a complete list of events.
Resaca De Palma State Park, Brownsville -Junior Ranger Camp
Ages 6-9 June 17-19 Participants will learn about native plants and animal species while having fun outdoors.
Valley Nature Center – Nature Quest Summer Camp – Weslaco
956-969-2475
301 S. Border Ave, Weslaco
Week-long nature camps for kids ranging from ages 3 – 12.
Horseback Riding Camp, Edinburg www.wildwestranch.org Ages 3 – 16
For the Artists & Budding Musicians:
Art Connection, McAllen www.artconnectionstudio.com Ages 6 & up
Art Studio by Design, McAllen 956-249-3534 Ages 8 & up Six sessions available to choose from.
Activities include Drawing, Painting, Ceramics, Sculpture, Beading, Photography, & Printmaking
Brownsville Museum of Fine Art, Summer Art Camp Ages 5 – 15 Six sessions available from June 16th – July 25th www.brownsvillemfa.org
Brownsville Museum of Fine Art, Summer Music Camp, Ages 6-15 Three sessions to choose from June 16th – July 25th
Tipsy Canvas, McAllen – https://www.tipsycanvas.com/locations Ages 5 & up Monday – Friday 9am – noon  $125 per child. Price includes 4 paintings, a daily snack, Tipsy Canvas T-Shirt.
 Valley Sip ‘n’ Paint, Mission, www.valleysipnpaint.com Ages 6 & up. Four camps, each with two time sessions to choose from.
Mozarts Academy, June 16 – 26 & July 14 – 24, www.mozartsacademy.com Piano, guitar, violin, art and voice
Valley Keyboards, Summer Piano Camps, Ages 4 – 17, www.EveryLifeNeedsMusic.com/Camps One Week Camps, June & July
For the Athletes:
Future Legends Soccer Academy, Edinburg
UTPA Intramural Fields
Girls ages 8-14, June 23-26 8am-noon $100/player
The UTPA Women’s Soccer team will be represented, along with the UTPA coaching staff. Contact the UTPA Athletic department for more information.
Elite Showcase
UTPA Intramural Fields
High School Girls
Overnight camp, July 23rd – 26th, lead by the UTPA Women’s Soccer coaching staff. $300 per participant
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Dynamo Juniors Training Academy
Bicentennial Soccer Complex, 2001 Fern Ave, McAllen
Ages 3 – 10, $30 per session, 4 sessions available
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For the Dancers & Gymnasts:
Dance Expressions, Brownsville, Ages 2 & up, 956-544-0003, July 7th – July 24th
Little Gym, McAllen
956-687-5353
6500 N 10th Street, McAllen Summer camps run from June 2nd – August 22nd. Campers can attend one day or everyday. Sibling discounts are available.
Super Kids’ Quest (ages 3 – 8) Monday, Wednesday & Friday 1pm – 4pm & Tuesday & Thursday 9am – 12pm
The Little Gym Skill Thrill Camp (ages 6 – 12) Tuesday 1pm – 4pm
School Smart Kids Summer Camp, June 23rd – July 30th, Ages 1 – 9, www.smartkids-nb.com, Gymnastics, Brain Dance, Nutrition, Psychomotricity, Memory Techniques, Logic & Concentration Games
Dancentre of Edinburg, Ages 3Â & up, Full-day and Half-day programs, Ballet, Tap, Modern, Folklorico, Tumbling and Hip Hop
Palm Valley Gymnastics & Dance, 956-423-6488, Ages 3 and up, Six different camps to choose from.
Deborah Case Dance Academy, www.DCDA.com, June 2-6. Registration ends May 21st.
Melba’s Dance School, www.melbasdance.com, Ages 3 & up, Three sessions to choose from, June 9th – August 8th
Church/ Day Camps:
Good Samaritan Community Services
317 W. Gore Ave, Pharr
Camp Good Sam
June 16th – July 25th
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St. Mark United Methodist Church, McAllen, www.stmark-umc.org
Kinder – 5th Grade
Full Time $120/Week, Lunch is included
St. Paul Lutheran Academy, Harlingen, www.stpaultexas.com
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Camps with Various Activities:
Harlingen Parks & Recreation, www.myharlingen.us, 956-216-5951
McAllen Parks & Recreation, http://issuu.com/mcallenparks/docs/mcallen_summer_fun_2014 956-681-3333
Boys & Girls Club of McAllen, www.gbcmcallen.net
The City of Edinburg, Boys & Girls Club & Parks & Recreation, www.cityofedinburg.com
Fun & Educational Places to Visit:
IMAS (International Museum of Arts & Science),  www.imasonline.org
Family Fun Night Activities are listed on the IMAS website.
Children’s Museum of Brownsville, www.cmofbrownsville.com
501 E. Ringold Street, #5 Dean Porter Park
Seven Camp sessions to choose from.  Ages 3 – 9 years
South Texas Historical Museum, www.mosthistory.org
“Summer Nights at the Museum” returns for 2014, 7pm on June12, July 10 and August 7. “During the three night series adventure the museum’s signature exhibition, Rio Grande Legacy, will come to life section by section, providing three different adventures through time for the whole family, a group outing or even a date night.” Included in general admission. Call (956) 383-6911 for more information.