Patch Picks: "Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah" - Time To Go Camping

While March may have just started, it's never too early to start thinking about and planning for the summer. Here's a list of some summer camps in the area where the kids can enjoy their time off in July and August before heading back to school in September.

Camp West Woods (Stoughton)

Located at 808 West Street, offers three summer programs: a day camp, an "Adventure Bound" program and a gymnastics camp.

The day camp is divided into two 4-week sessions and is open to children starting at age 3 up until 10th grade. Enjoy swimming, arts & crafts, archery, sports games, woodworking, yoga, drama...and that's just a start, there's plenty of more activities offered.

Adventure Bound is for campers entering grades 5-10. It gives young adults the opportunity to explore the outdoors through a series of day trips and overnight trips.

The Gymnastics Camp is for campers entering grades 2-10. It is an extension of the Academy of Gymnastics school-year program.

Click here for more information about all three programs or call 781-341-4424.

YMCA Camp--Stoughton

The offers a summer day camp program from June 27-August 19 (four 2-week sessions) for kids as young as three or four, up to 15 and 16 (counselors in training). Some of the activities available include a ropes challenge course, swimming, arts & crafts, sports games and archery.

The typical camp day is from 9 a.m. until 4:15 p.m. Extended day care is available in the morning and afternoon. Click here for more information, including prices, a brochure and open house dates. Any questions, call 781-341-2016.

Kidsports Summer Program (Stoughton)

Kidsports in Stoughton offers a summer program that lasts 11 weeks, where you get to choose the number of weeks you attend and which days you attend. There are outdoor activities, swimming, arts & crafts, sports games, cookouts, field trips and more. There is a different theme for every week.

Click here for more information or call 781-344-2332.

Stoughton Recreation Department Activities

The Stoughton Recreation Department offers a summer playground program, sports clinics and swimming lessons (at Ames Pond). The playground program includes field trips, which in the past sent children to Water Wizz, a Brockton Rox game, a whale watch, and a trip to a zoo, according to the Rec. Dept. website.

To find out more about their summer programs, click here.

Maplewood Country Day Camp (South Easton)

Located on Foundry Street in South Easton near the intersection of Routes 106 and 138, Maplewood will be celebrating its 47th summer. Available for children ages 4-14, campers can swim, play sports games, go boating and partake in arts & crafts, drama, gymnastics, karate, music, dance, rock climbing and more.

Special summer activities and programs are also planned each year, like a camp-wide Carnival and a "Crazy-Backwards Day." Click here for more information or call 508-238-2387.

There will be an open house on Saturday, March 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  There will be a petting zoo, rock climbing, gymnastics, arts & crafts, gym games and more.

College Academy and College Gate (Easton)

College Gate (grades K-3) and College Academy (grades 4-8) annually hold programs in Easton where campers can "build, create, design, experiment, explore, invent, inspire, imagine and investigate" while partaking in a number of multidisciplinary classes and activities.

College Gate will be at Easton's Olmsted School (July 5-22) and at Stonehill College (July 25-August 12) and College Academy will be at Stonehill College for both sessions, from July 5-22 and from July 25-August 14. Click here to learn more about both camps.

Camp Everwood (Sharon)

Everwood is located along the lake in Sharon (125 Lakeview St.) and is that town's newest camp. Everwood has art studios, a beach, lodging, various sports facilities and a theater. There are sports activities, arts & crafts projects, cooking classes, dance and music lessons, exploration, an obstacle course and more. Everwood is available for campers ages 4 to 12.

Click here for more information.