Parks Goes Green with its Summer Camps, Fit To Play, Green It Up
Miami-Dade Parks offers children ages 6-14 a variety of general and specialized camps that are held at more than 40 parks throughout Miami-Dade County.
Promotional Discounts
Fit To Play, Green It Up
General Program Camps
Sport Camps
Camps for Children with Disabilities
Cultural Arts Camps
EcoAdventure Nature Camps
Aquatic/Learn-to-Swim Programs
UHealth/Miller School of Medicine are sponsors of the Miami-Dade Parks Summer Camp Program.
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The Children's Trust is a sponsor of the Miami-Dade Parks Summer Camp Program.
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 Miami-Dade Parks Summer Camps, Fit To Play, Green It Up
While continuing its focus on teaching children how to be fit and healthy, Miami-Dade Parks is also adding a new component to its Fit to Play summer camps program with teaching children about the health benefits of going green with its 2009 slogan, "Fit to Play, Green it Up."
The 10-week summer camp will feature the daily exercise and nutrition education components that have comprised its popular summer camp program for the past five years.
For the second consecutive year, Miami-Dade Parks has partnered with the University of Miami Health System (UHealth) to provide children in our Fit to Play, Green it Up summer camps, with added health services including mini-health fairs at five camp sites put on by UM Miller School of Medicine medical students. Topics addressed have included exercise and fitness, nutrition, stress management, tobacco-use prevention, and sun protection. UM student-athletes from a variety of sports and Sebastian the UM mascot, have made appearances at select camp locations to further energize and motivate the kids.
Green It Up
This year, Miami-Dade Parks is also adding an environment-friendly component where children will learn how a healthy planet is essential for a healthy child. Children will learn the basics of recycling, water conservation and other eco-friendly behaviors that are beneficial for the life of this planet.
The key “Green It Up” components to the program designed to educate kids about the importance of conserving the environment, while getting fit and having fun are:
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The Green Pledge – All Summer Camp participants will be asked to sign a “Green Pledge,” committing them to make at least three “changes for green” this summer to reduce their impact on the environment. Examples of “changes for green” include: recycling; using re-usable water bottles and lunchboxes; turning off lights when not in a room; taking shorter showers; turning the water off when brushing their teeth; planting a new tree in their yard; participating in park clean-ups to reduce litter; and promoting these initiatives amongst their friends and family.
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Recycle – Summer campers will be educated on the importance of recycling, and they will initiate a recycling program at the park hosting their individual summer camp program, as well as at home. Then, the annual Summer Camps end-of-summer carnival celebration will include an art-design challenge in which campers will be challenged to create art projects using only recyclable items collected at parks during the summer.
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Native Plant Identification – Emphasizing the value of planting native trees at parks and at home, Miami-Dade Parks’ EcoAdventures professional naturalists will lead campers in conducting pre- and post-tests of plants native to South Florida, learning to identify such plants/trees, and camps will conduct tree plantings throughout the Miami-Dade Parks system.
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Park Beautification – Summer camp participants will be educated in the value of clean and green open spaces. Campers will engage in service projects that will enhance the beauty of parks.
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Green Lunch Award – Participants will be encouraged to incorporate reusable water bottles and lunchboxes, as well as non-prepackaged foods in the lunches they bring from home each day. Campers will be awarded honor points for their efforts.
In addition to the Fit to Play, Green it Up general camp, Miami-Dade Parks offers a variety of specialty camps including performing arts camps at African Heritage Cultural Arts Center and Raices Hispanic Heritage Cultural Arts Center, camps for children with disabilities, EcoAdventures nature camps, and numerous sports camps such as golf, tennis, cheerleading, football, sailing, basketball, soccer and mountain bike, as well as camps at The Deering Estate at Cutler and Miami MetroZoo.
Miami-Dade Parks also offers Learn-to-Swim programs at all of its parks with pools, taught by American Red Cross-certified water-safety instructors.
General and specialty camps also feature exciting field trips to sites such as Miami MetroZoo, Crandon Park Visitors and Nature Center, Deering Estate at Cutler, Pelican Island, and Joseph Caleb Auditorium for theatre and film programs. Campers will also enjoy an end-of-summer carnival with rides and games, scheduled for July 21-24 at Tropical Park.
Camps are open weekdays from 9 a.m-5 p.m. with 7:30 a.m. early drop-off and 6 p.m. late pick-up. To register, parents must call the individual camp/park of interest. It is a rolling registration, and costs vary.
Ask your park manager about our financial assistance program available for those who qualify.
Miami-Dade Park and Recreation is funded in part by The Children's Trust. The Children's Trust is a dedicated source of revenue established by voter referendum to improve the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade County.
Miami-Dade Parks creates outstanding recreational, natural and cultural experiences to enrich you and to enhance our community for this and future generations.
 General Program Camps - Fit To Play, Green It Up (ages 6-14)
In Miami-Dade Parks’ general camps, children will be thrilled and challenged by activities such as football, basketball, soccer, tennis, swimming, fencing, arts and crafts, board games and exciting field trips. Campers will participate in a fitness and nutrition program designed to help kids become Fit to Play, so they can have Fun for Life.
Parks are listed by address going from north to south Miami-Dade County.
North
Central
South
* These sites are sponsored by The Children’s Trust
Sport Camps
Cheerleading/Dance Camp (ages 6-14)
Learn jumps, chants, and modern and jazz dance techniques. Program includes field trips.
Basketball Camp (ages 8-14)
Trained staff will teach team and individual play using defensive and offensive drills to improve skills and knowledge of the game. Program includes field trips and tournaments.
Football Camp (ages 9-17)
This is an intensive camp on football fundamentals, including position skill drills, film sessions and 7-on-7 games.
Soccer Camp (ages 8 - 14)
Trained staff will teach team individual play using defensive and offensive drills to improve skills and knowledge of the game.
Mountain Bike Camp (ages 7-17)
Boys and girls can develop riding skills from beginning to advanced on various trails and bike trail maintenance.
Golf Camp (ages 7-17)
Learn the basics of golf or sharpen your game and enjoy playing in tournaments. Program includes field trips and awards.
 Tennis Camps (ages 6-15)
Learn the fundamentals of tennis.
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. or 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
National Junior Tennis League (ages 14 and under)
This non-profit organization provides free tennis lessons and equipment to youngsters at selected general program camps. For more information, call 305-666-8103.
 Camps for Children with Disabilities - Sponsored by The Children's Trust
Children and teens with disabilities will find enriching camp experiences, including sports, swimming, arts and crafts and field trips.
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(ages 6-21) Goulds Park, 11350 SW 216 St., 305-234-1673
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 Cultural Arts Camps
African Heritage Cultural Arts Center (ages 6-16)
The Summer Arts Academy provides developmental instruction in the visual arts, dance, costume design, musical theatre, drama, instrumental and vocal music. Students take six classes daily that are taught by experienced arts professionals. At the conclusion of the nine-week program, a grand recital is held at the Joseph Caleb Auditorium to showcase students' newly acquired arts accomplishments.
Raices Hispanic Heritage Cultural Arts Center (ages 6-14)
The Summer Arts Camp is structured to cultivate the tradition of valuing culture within the Hispanic communities through classes in dance, music, theatre, visual arts, and folk arts. Students may select from a variety of classes that introduce the arts of Hispanic culture in an interesting and exciting way, presented by a distinguished staff of arts professionals.
 EcoAdventures Nature Camps
Bill Graham Farm Village Summer Camp (ages 6-14)
City kids get a taste of rural life in this camp, which includes farm activities, agricultural studies and interaction with livestock.
Camp Manatee (ages 6-14)
Boys and girls have fun exploring the South Florida environment. Activities include canoeing (ages 9 and older), hiking, games, arts and crafts, field trips, and hands-on nature studies. Environmental themes change weekly.
Camp on the Sea (ages 12-16)
This is an enjoyable South Florida ecology/marine science program which includes canoeing, kayaking and snorkeling trips throughout Biscayne Bay and to other South Florida locations.
Camp Cutler Nature Camp (ages 9-12) and Turtle Camp (ages 6-8)
Boys and girls learn all about nature through hands-on activities, games, canoeing, fishing, arts and crafts, field trips, marine walks, and live animal presentations.
Camp Silver Palm (ages 6-12)
Children will explore nature's wonders through games, crafts and field trips to wilderness areas such as Everglades National Park.
Nature Detectives (ages 6-8)
Enjoy nature education through games, arts and crafts, wildlife studies, swimming, field trips and canoeing.
Nature Explorers Camp (9-12)
Enjoy nature education through games, arts and crafts, wildlife studies, swimming, field trips and canoeing.
Miami MetroZoo Bank of America Zoofari Summer Camp (ages 4-10)
Miami MetroZoo offers children a fun and recreational camp based on animal science. Activities include zookeepers' talks, interaction with small animals, animal treat creation, art & crafts and more. Camp runs June 15 - July 31 from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. with 8:30 a.m. dropoff. Extended care available to 5:30 p.m.
Deering Estate at Cutler - Discovery Camp, Creative Eco-Art Camp, and Camp Ikana Okee:
Deering Discovery Camp
Children, ages 6-11, will learn about history, archeology, and nature by taking part in a series of hands-on activities at the Deering Discovery Camp. Camp activities include: nature hikes, educational environmental projects, a canoe trip to Chicken Key, and participation in an exciting archeological dig along with other enrichment and recreational activities. Five, 10-day sessions are available from June 8 - August 14 and one five-day session from August 17-21.
Deering Creative Eco-Art Camp
Children, ages 6-11, can experience a non-competitive environment in which they can explore a balance of fine and traditional craft art, and enrichment and recreational activities. Our Creative Art Camps use art students, teachers and Artists in Residence to engage campers in fun art-based activities such as drawing, painting, sculpture, and photography. The program makes use of the many advantages within the archeological, natural, and historic setting of the Estate, including interactive exhibits, our Artist Village and technology lab. Five, 10-day sessions are available from June 8 - August 14 and one 5-day session from August 17-21.
Camp Ikana Okee
Camp Ikana Okee, which means sea and land, is an adventure camp for youth ages 11 and up. Science, education and adventure are the focus as campers explore the wonders of the natural and marine world. Camp Ikana Okee offers unique and innovative recreational activities where the mysteries of the oceans are revealed through hands-on activities, above, beside and below the water's surface. Five, 10-day sessions are available from June 8 - August 14 and one 5-day session from August 17-21.
 Aquatic and Learn-to-Swim Programs:
Amelia Earhart Jr. Sailing Summer Program (ages 9-14)
Through hands-on activities, boys and girls learn all about sailing, including lake facilities for sailing practices, competitions, special events and water safety.
Learn-to-Swim
Boys and girls are taught to swim by certified American Red Cross Water Safety Instructors. Various levels of courses are offered for children and adults, plus Tiny Tots (ages 3-5). For more information or to register, contact the pool of your interest.
*Pools that are accessible to people with disabilities.
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Arcola, 1680 NW 87 St., 305-691-5104
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* Goulds, 21840 SW 114 Ave., 305-233-0537
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Naranja, 14150 SW 264 St., 305-258-4534
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Rockway, 9460 SW 27 Dr., 305-223-8742
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* Tamiami, 11201 SW 24 St., 305-223-7077
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