Summer hits: Activities, camps offered for children this summer in Hancock County

GREENFIELD — There’s something for every taste and interest this summer for Hancock County’s kids, from nature to networks, books to basketball and so much inbetween.

Several schools, parks and nonprofit organizations are hosting activities and camps for children this summer. Here’s a look at what’s available and how to sign up.

If your group would like to share an event for a future listing, email [email protected]

Hancock County 4-H: Children in grades kindergarten through 12 have until May 10 to sign up for 4-H. Students complete hands-on projects in animals, crafts, health, science, agriculture and more through Hancock County’s many 4-H clubs, receiving guidance from adult mentors. The Hancock County 4-H Fair is June 18-28. To sign up, visit v2.4honline.com. To learn more about local clubs or for general questions, call Hancock County Purdue Extension at 317-462-1113 or email Amber Barks, [email protected].

Summer Camp: Registration is open for 2024 Summer Camp through the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hancock County. Camps are for ages 5-18 and run June 3-July 19. Cost is $75 per week; activities include pool time, sports, games, STEM labs, Spanish lessons, arts and crafts, community service projects, field trips and more.

New this year, a camp will be open at the Fortville Community Center, in addition to the site in Greenfield on Lincoln Street. Register at bgchc.com/summer2024 or learn more at facebook.com/BGCHancockCounty.

Plug Into Nature Camp: The Plug Into Nature Camp will be July 8-12, offering children entering third through fifth grades a five-day experience with nature exploration, arts and crafts, sports and more at Nameless Creek Camp just south of Greenfield.

The camp is $140 per camper, unless the student qualifies for a scholarship. To learn more, visit namelesscreekyouthcamp.com/pin-camp-2024. Registration opens May 1.

Multi-Sport Kids Camp: Get a taste for several sports in a camp June 17-20 at Brown’s Chapel Wesleyan Church. The program is for kids ages 5 to 11 and is $65. Try basketball, soccer, volleyball, flag football, field hockey, lacrosse, kickball, wiffleball, ninja warrior, water games and more from 9 a.m. to noon each day. Register at fca.regfox.com/2024hancocksport.

Swim Lessons: Greenfield Parks and Recreation offers several group swim lessons for multiple age groups this summer at the Kathy Dowling Aquatic Center at Riley Park. Three sessions run June 3 through July 17, with six lessons per session. Cost is $50 for residents and $55 for non-residents. Register at parks.greenfieldin.org or call 317-477-4340. The pool also offers family swim passes; the free splash pad adjacent to the park is scheduled to open May 1, weather permitting.

Summer Tennis Program: Two local schools are sites for the National Junior Tennis and Learning of Indianapolis. The nonprofit organization will host programs at Greenfield-Central High School and New Palestine Junior High School Classes are twice a week from June 3-July 19; the days of the week are determined by location. For more, including details on scholarships, visit indynjtl.org/classes/summer.

Mt. Vernon sports camps: Camps in basketball, volleyball, soccer, cheer, tennis, golf and more are available through Mt. Vernon athletics this summer. Cost and dates vary. Visit maraudersathletics.com for camp flyers and registration information.

Sit, Stay, Read Summer Camp: Hang out with the reading dogs of Bentley’s Buddies and Friends in programs centered around books from June 11-14. The Sit, Stay, Read Summer Camp is from 9 a.m. to noon each day and features a different book and activity each time. Camps will be at Bentley’s Place, 707 N. State St., Greenfield. Registration is limited to 15 campers per session; email [email protected] or call 317-318-2230.

Greenfield Parks and Recreation Art Studio: Three art camps for children ages 6 to 12 are available at the Patricia Elmore Center this summer, located in Riley Park. Greenfield Parks and Recreation art Studio will host Amazin Animals June 10-13; Squishmallow Madness June 24-27; and Creative Castles July 8-11. Ages 6-8 meet from 9-11 am., and ages 9-12 meet from noon to 3 p.m. Visit parksingreenfield.com.

Camp Invention: Camp Invention is returning to local schools in Hancock County, offering elementary students a summer experience with science, technology, engineering, art and math.

Camp Invention, a national program, is for students entering grades 1-6. Cost is $270 but a discount is available at registration and for siblings.

Mt. Comfort Elementary School in the Mt. Vernon district offers the program June 3-7, while J. B. Stephens Elementary School in Greenfield offers it July 22-26. Learn more at invent.org/camp or email [email protected].

Summer Enrichment Programs: New Palestine schools will host 17 camps covering a wide range of subjects for children. Programs include mind mazes, Spanish, cooking, robotics, kindergarten readiness and more. Participants do not need to be enrolled in the school district to apply, however, priority registration will be given to NP students should the classes become full. Cost is $125 per camp. For a link to a complete list of programs and how to register, visit newpal.k12.in.us.

Kindergarten 101: A free, week-long experience helping youngsters prepare for kindergarten is July 22-26 at JB Stephens Elementary School, 1331 N. Blue Road, Greenfield. Students enrolling in the 2024-25 school year will be able to participate in common kindergarten activities, such as lunch, recess, small group activities, daily read-alouds and more. The goal is to install a love of learning and excitement to prepare for a successful school year.

The program is hosted by Purdue Extension Hancock County; contact Mandy Gray with questions at [email protected] or 317-462-1113. Space is limited. Follow the link to sign up through Greenfield-Central Community School Corporation’s Facebook page.

Summer reading: Local libraries will open summer reading clubs for children, teens and adults. Keep track of how much you read for prizes, and visit for special performers, art programs and more. For updates and to sign up, visit hcplibrary.org (for the Hancock County Public Library) or vtpl.lib.in.us (for the Vernon Township Public Library, serving the Fortville and McCordsville areas).

Camp Healing Tree: This camp is for children who have experienced the death of someone close to them. Sponsored by Brooke’s Place in Indianapolis, is an opportunity for youth ages 7-17 to be with friends their age who have also experienced death. The camp is on the west side of Indianapolis. Learn more and register at brookesplace.org/camp-healing-tree.

Camp Until A Cure: Children and teens with diabetes are welcome to come to Camp Until a Cure in Hamilton County to experience swimming, hiking, nature and more. Learn more and register at dyfi.org/summer-camp.

Girl Scout camps: Girl Scouts of Central Indiana offers two camping experiences for girls with transportation out of Greenfield. Camp Gallahue, in southern Indiana, is June 9-14 with a bus stop at Park Chapel Church in Greenfield for transportation to the camp. Indianapolis’ Camp Dellwood will have a bus running June 17-21. There are overnight options at both camps, but Camp Gallahue is primarily overnight camp while Dellwood is a day camp. Experience outdoor activities, overcome obstacles, learn resilience and more; participants don’t have to be a scout to attend camps. Learn more or register at girlscoutsindiana.org or call 317-924-6800.

Ivy Tech: Indiana high school students grades 9-12 can enroll in free courses this summer at Ivy Tech Community College.

Free summer courses provide an opportunity for students to explore possible career options while earning college credits. Students who qualify for courses will receive free tuition and textbooks, with no limit on the number of courses students can take. To qualify, students must be Indiana residents at any high school, including current eighth graders entering ninth grade, graduating seniors, homeschool students and students at adult high schools.

For more, visit ivytech.edu/programs/special-programs-for-students/high-school-programs/free-summer-classes-for-high-schools-students.