Camp-A-Palooza Camps
Our Staff | Summer Weekly Themes | Specialty Camps | Venture Camps | Lunches & What To Bring | Holiday Camps | LIT Program | FAQs | Testimonials | Tax Information
2023 Summer Camp Brochure!
(click here or click the image)
CAMP-A-PALOOZA is Greater Cincinnati’s most talked about summer camp experience!
Why? Four words: Kids First Sports Center... 108,000 square feet of kids sports heaven! Imagine a summer camp taking place in the country’s largest children’s activity center with exceptional instruction in the most popular children’s recreational pursuits:
- Swimming
- Gymnastics
- Dance
- Taekwondo
- Soccer
- Basketball
- Volleyball
- Cheer
- Ninja
- Trampoline & Tumbling
- Fencing
- Abrakadoodle art classes
But that’s just the beginning! We also feature over an acre of outdoor fun created especially for the kids of Camp-a-Palooza:
- Rock climbing wall!
- Two story climbing playground!
- “Slip n’ Slide Mountain” giant water slide!
- Horticultural planting station!
- Covered pavilion for lunches and crafts!
- Enclosed Dodge Ball Court!
Ask any camper! Camp-a-Palooza counselors are special people chosen for their compassion and love of children. And they’re just plain fun! The majority of camp staff are college–bound to college graduates. All are deeply committed to the care and development of each and every camper. We don’t cut corners in our training. Camp-a-Palooza counselors are American Red Cross CPR and Standard First Aid certified and attend courses in Character Development and Leadership Training.
If you know someone that you feel would be a great fit for our staff, please encourage them to apply! We typically hire staff beginning in February thorough April. For more information, click here.
2023 SUMMER WEEKLY THEMES
Week 3: June 12-16 - Princess and Pirate Fever! (Field Trip: Scallywag Tag)
Week 4: June 19-23 - Lost in Space! (Field Trip: Kings Island)
Week 5: June 26-30 - Under the Sea! (Field Trip: Newport Aquarium)
Week 6: July 3-7 - Holidaze! (Field Trip: COS) No camp July 4th - 4 days $345
Week 7: July 10-14 - Tropical Adventure! (Field Trip: Kirkwood Adventure Park)
Week 8: July 17-21 - Camp Olympics! (Field Trip: Boonshoft Museum, K-2nd Gr. & Reds Game, 3rd-7th Gr.)
Week 9: July 25-29 - Color Wars! (Field Trip: Entertrainment Junction, K-2nd Gr & Main Event, 3rd-7th Gr)
Week 10: July 31st-Aug 4 - Fairy Tale Fantasy (Field Trip: Coney Island)
Week 11: August 7-11 -Creative Camper! (Field Trip: The WEB)
Week 12: August 14-18 - Superheroes Assemble! (Field Trip: In-House Inflatables)
2023 CAMP HOURS & PRICING
No add-on surprise costs! Includes all field trips, lunches and sports classes! All inclusive!
- Times: 9am-4pm weekdays
Extended Hours:
7:00-9:00 am Before Care
$10 per week/ $5 per day (Includes AM Snack at 7:45am)
- $429 per week
- $101 daily rate (2 day minimum per week)
DISCOUNTS:
PRIMARY DISCOUNTS
(Only one primary discount can be used per week)
- Every third full week attended is 25% off! Attend three full weeks, and your third is 25% off! This discount is automatically applied on your 3rd, 6th, and 9th full week.
- Bring A Friend Discount: Bring a friend to a full week of camp (non-sibling, new to Camp-A-Palooza) and receive $50 off each.
-
10th, 11th and 12th full weeks attended -Attend 9 full weeks of camp? The following discounts apply:
10th full week: 50% off
11th full week: 50% off
12th full week: 50% off
SECONDARY DISCOUNTS
(Can be applied to any week in combination with primary discounts)
1. Sibling Discount - First child pays full fare.
20% off second child’s tuition.
30% off third child’s tuition.
40% off fourth child’s tuition.
No sibling discount greater than 40% off.
2. Early Bird Discount - (These discounts apply to campers who sign up for camp by March 5, 2023.
$25 off full week rate
Specialty Camps: Experience Hands-On Learning!
*No sibling discounts nor multi week discounts applicable*
Camp-A-Palooza Specialty Camp Programming offers half-day camps for those wishing to expand their knowledge in a specific area or discipline including technology, science, art, among others!
These half-day specialty camps can be done stand alone or combined with our full day Camp-A-Palooza programming for working parents or just for a full day experience!
June 5-9 Beach Party! Art Camp - Provider: Abrakadoodle - Get ready for some wet and sandy fun! Create a palm tree sculpture; imagine a beach scene and design a beach towel pattern. Make shell designs, ocean creatures and much more. Join us for some cool time while you learn about artists, experiment with different materials and have fun on the run! Materials included.
9a-12p (K-3rd gr.) 1-4p (3rd-7th gr.)
$237 (Specialty Camp Only)
$449 Full Day (Specialty Camp & Camp-A-Palooza)
June 12-16: Seussical STEAM! - Provider: CincySTEM- This is the perfect series for your little scientist! We’ll explore oobleck, create art and even make butter in this adventurous series designed to get kids curious about STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) while enjoying the fantastical world of Dr. Seuss
9a-12p (K-3rd gr.)
$299 (Specialty Camp Only)
$459 Full Day (Specialty Camp & Camp-A-Palooza)
June 19-23: Our Planet, Our World! STEAM Art Camp - Provider: Abrakadoodle - If you love our planet this camp is for you! Our camp includes artwork projects, crafts, games and books that inspire people to care for nature. Learn how artists are making a difference with their art. Create a wind sculpture, a sea globe, a trash can that smiles and art inspired by endangered animals! Explore exciting STEAM concepts and be part of caring for our planet! Materials included.
9a-12p (K-3rd gr.) 1-4p (3rd-7th gr.)
$237 (Specialty Camp Only)
$449 Full Day (Specialty Camp & Camp-A-Palooza)
June 26-June 30: Cooking Summertime Favorites- Provider New Leaf Kitchen-New Leaf Kitchen’s mission is to nourish young minds and bodies through cooking and food education for all. When children take part in growing and preparing their own food, they learn new skills and are more willing to try new foods. This camp will explore foods and the process from the root up. Campers will make healthy snacks using fresh ingredients, practicing food preparation skill and enjoying hands-on art and gardening activities. Recipe Examples:Pizza Bites, Coconut Cream Iced Cream, Black Bean Brownies, Artichoke Dip, Broccoli Tacos, Tempeh Sliders, Chickpea Cookie dough, Herbed Edamame Hummus, Iced figgy Oat Bars, and many more!!
9a-12p (K-6th gr.)
$325 (Specialty Camp Only)
$530 Full Day (Specialty Camp & Camp-A-Palooza)
July 10-14: Paws, Claws and Hooves! Art Camp - Provider: Abrakadoodle - From pets to dragons, bring your imagination and we will provide a ROAAAAARing camp experience! Using paints, collage, sculpture and more, we will bring your favorite animal creatures to life while you have lots of FUN. Materials included.
9a-12p (K-3rd gr.) 1-4p (3rd-7th gr.)
$237 (Specialty Camp Only)
$449 Full Day (Specialty Camp & Camp-A-Palooza)
July 17-21 Engineering Design Squad - Provider: CincySTEM - Calling all creative builders and Jr. Engineers! Young engineers will explore the principles of engineering by designing and building projects using Robotic LEGO bricks and designing their own hydraulic structures using raw materials. This camp is a definite skill builder for problem-solving, communication, time management, and teamwork.
9a-12p (3rd-7th gr.)
$299 (Specialty Camp Only)
$459 Full Day (Specialty Camp & Camp-A-Palooza)
July 24-28: Super-Tastic Cartoons Camp! Art Camp- Provider: Abrakadoodle - From superheroes to super-pets, we will learn about the art of cartooning and its different expressions. Improve your skills and learn new ones while you create a comic strip, a graphic novel or a single-panel comic! We will create cartoon vehicles, cartoon robots and an enchanted house and more while we discover that all characters have a unique way to tell a story! Materials included.
9a-12p (K-3rd gr.) 1-4p (3rd-7th gr.)
$237 (Specialty Camp Only)
$449 Full Day (Specialty Camp & Camp-A-Palooza)
July 31-August 4 Cooking - Summer Dips and Treats! - Provider: New Leaf Kitchen -New Leaf Kitchen’s mission is to nourish young minds and bodies through cooking and food education for all. When children take part in growing and preparing their own food, they learn new skills and are more willing to try new foods. This camp will explore foods and the process from the root up. Campers will make healthy snacks using fresh ingredients, practicing food preparation skill and enjoying hands-on art and gardening activities. Recipe Examples:Pizza Bites, Coconut Cream Iced Cream, Black Bean Brownies, Artichoke Dip, Broccoli Tacos, Tempeh Sliders, Chickpea Cookie dough, Herbed Edamame Hummus, Iced figgy Oat Bars, and many more!!
9a-12p (K-6th gr.)
$325 (Specialty Camp Only)
$530 Full Day (Specialty Camp & Camp-A-Palooza)
August 7-11: Summer Time Cool Down! - Provider: New Leaf Kitchen -New Leaf Kitchen’s mission is to nourish young minds and bodies through cooking and food education for all. When children take part in growing and preparing their own food, they learn new skills and are more willing to try new foods. This camp will explore foods and the process from the root up. Campers will make healthy snacks using fresh ingredients, practicing food preparation skill and enjoying hands-on art and gardening activities. Recipe Examples:Pizza Bites, Coconut Cream Iced Cream, Black Bean Brownies, Artichoke Dip, Broccoli Tacos, Tempeh Sliders, Chickpea Cookie dough, Herbed Edamame Hummus, Iced figgy Oat Bars, and many more!!
9a-12p (K-6th gr.)
$325 (Specialty Camp Only) $530 Full Day (Specialty Camp & Camp-A-Palooza)
August 7-11: Summer All Wrapped Up! - Provider: New Leaf Kitchen -New Leaf Kitchen’s mission is to nourish young minds and bodies through cooking and food education for all. When children take part in growing and preparing their own food, they learn new skills and are more willing to try new foods. This camp will explore foods and the process from the root up. Campers will make healthy snacks using fresh ingredients, practicing food preparation skill and enjoying hands-on art and gardening activities. Recipe Examples:Pizza Bites, Coconut Cream Iced Cream, Black Bean Brownies, Artichoke Dip, Broccoli Tacos, Tempeh Sliders, Chickpea Cookie dough, Herbed Edamame Hummus, Iced figgy Oat Bars, and many more!!
1-4p (K-6th gr.)
$325 (Specialty Camp Only) $530 Full Day (Specialty Camp & Camp-A-Palooza)
Not available at this time.
+ Comfortable clothes for active camp events
+ Shoes appropriate for running, jumping and hiking
+ No open-toed shoes please!
+ Waterbottle (labeled with name)
+ An extra change of clothes
Tax Information
If more than one party is sharing program payment responsibilities for child/children and for tax purposes, you need the tax statement to reflect separate payments made by each party, you must communicate this in advance. Separate billing accounts can be set-up upon registration. We cannot separate accounts to reflect payments made by different parties for a child/family after your child starts the program.
Many parents claim camp expenses on their taxes or get reimbursed through flexible spending or child care reimbursement accounts. If you need the Tax ID number for any reason, please email Julie at jhalusek@kidsfirstsports.com.
LIT - Leaders In Training Program
The Leaders in Training Program is a leadership development program designed to provide teens with the skills and knowledge to interact and communicate successfully with individuals and lead groups of all ages.
For complete information, click here >>
For more information or specific questions on Summer Camps or LIT, please contact Julie Halusek - 513-489-7575 | jhalusek@kidsfirstsports.com
Testimonials
I just wanted to take a moment to let you both know what an incredible experience Daniel had this summer in the LIT program. He developed skills, refined others and learned a lot about himself during the 6 weeks he was an LIT. Daniel had only positive things to say about the people, the program, the choices and activities. Your approach with the teens was ideal and Daniel had a great deal of respect for your staff. He felt comfortable talking with you if he had any concerns or suggestions and was sure his voice was being heard. He was part of true team and loved being a role model for the younger campers. Daniel is looking ahead and wants to complete the CIT program in the future, possibly another year of LIT too!
We want to thank you both for providing such a quality experience for young teens. There are few programs that offer everything a young teen needs and the LIT program is a gem. By combining instruction & education, opportunities for fun, spending time with peers, giving back to others and mentoring younger campers, you have created an inspiring blend. Thanks again for a wonderful summer! - 08/26/2014 -
I wanted to thank you overall for what a great job you've all done to put this camp together. My daughter usually takes a while to warm up to new things, but she LOVED her first day at camp. She couldn't stop talking about all the activities and can't wait to see what's next. I can't tell you what a relief it is to know that she is happy, trying new things, and in great hands. ~S.Z.
I wanted to let you know how much my son has enjoyed his time at Kids First this summer. He will be back for some more fun next summer! I also wanted to say thanks to you and your team for accommodating my older son (with some special needs) as well. I really appreciate the opportunity for him to be involved, though he is hard to persuade to participate in some things, it still means a lot to him and me that he can come. ~S.A.
Cooper really enjoyed the time he's had a camp. I just wanted you to know that your counselors have been amazing. Cooper had a particularly great time with Cullan and Eric. He talked non-stop about how much fun and how awesome they were. This was his first time attending anything like this, so thank you so much for making this such a fantastic experience. Thanks again for such a wonderful experience!! We look forward to attending again next summer! 
~K.B.
Department Leader
Julie will be overseeing our camp department as well as coordinating the Virtual Academy that will be beginning for Kids First families at home.
Julie joins the Kids First team after serving at the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati for the last 10 years and Mercy Healthplex in the years prior. She graduated from Miami University with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology. She has worked in the recreation field for the last 20 years running sports, camps, aquatic, fitness and membership programs.
Julie is happily married to her husband of 18 years and they have three sons, ages 15, 11 and 9. They all three enjoy playing sports including lacrosse, soccer and baseball. Her children were participants in Tumble Bees when they were little. Julie says, "I love the memories that we made at Kids First. I want to be a part of making memories for other children and their families."
Julie also said, "I want to make summer camp a great experience for kids and parents. I want kids to walk away learning something new and wanting to come back each day excited to be here. I want them to have a friend and feel welcome each day at camp." We are so happy to have Julie joining our team! When you see her for the first time, stop and say hello! 
