If you thought the kids loved Utah in the winter, just wait until you bring them back for summer. Resorts are again welcoming families back for fun in the sun…and the alpine shade, too. The mountains are made for adventures of all kinds and kids of all ages. Most Utah resorts offer family-led activities, such as mountain biking and hiking, festivals and concerts. Others provide day and week-long supervised camps full of experienced counselors or instructors.
The best part is that these camps are fun for the entire family. Consider that once the grommets are dropped off, parents (and even grandparents) can head out on their own adventures. After all, “the littles” shouldn’t have all the fun. Moreover, families can save a bundle with slopeside lodging options that are more plentiful and more affordable than during peak ski months. This is also a perfect time to scout out some of the great terrain ski resorts have to offer.
Tip: While looking out upon an alpine meadow or enjoying lunch at an award-winning restaurant, book your winter vacation and buy your season passes at rock-bottom preseason rates.
Like most camps, these fill up quickly but check back throughout the summer for last-minute openings.
Woodward Park City
Woodward Park City will keep the kids busy all summer long at one or more of its adventure sports camps. Campers ages 7-17 years old can sign up for all-day, weeklong camps focussing on a single sport, including mountain biking, cheer, skateboarding, BMX, scooter and parkour. If they can’t decide, they can even register for multi-sport weeks filled with skateboard, scooter, BMX, parkour and trampoline instruction. All camps are designed for all levels. Each 5-day camp is $749 and includes instruction, lunch and Woodward Park City access.
Tip: Become a member of Woodward Park City to save 15% on camp fees.
Bonus Tip: Woodward Park City is located in Jeremy Ranch, about 10 minutes from an abundance of lodging choices (from budget to luxe, urban to rustic) in either Park City or Salt Lake City.
Brighton Resort
When the snow melts in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Brighton looks and feels like a traditional summer camp. This year, it is welcoming children ages 6-15 years old back with Camp Brighton: Mountain Adventures. These weekly all-day camps meld science, nature and adventure with a whole lot of fun. Activities include leadership strategies, wildlife education, environmental stewardship, arts & crafts, plenty of hiking and more. The cost is $350 per week from June 27 through August 5.
Tip: Parents should grab their hiking boots, poles and packed lunch and head from Brighton’s base to one of several stunning alpine lakes above the resort. If the grandparents or children want to join you, consider the Donut Falls trail. Then, head back down and grab a drink on the patio at the historic and very scenic Silver Fork Lodge and Restaurant.
Deer Valley Resort
The popular Summer Adventure Camp at Deer Valley introduces children from ages two months to 12 years to the beautiful Wasatch mountains with adult-supervised and age-appropriate activities like team sports, nature studies, scavenger hunts, as well as art and community projects, all led by state-licensed counselors. Older campers take part in theme-based weeks and can include field trips to nearby sites. Prices range from $95 per day to $425 per week for school-age kids and slightly more for younger children.
Tip: Parents can rent mountain bikes and even hire a guide at Deer Valley, who can introduce them to thrilling cross-country and downhill trails at the resort (or they can just enjoy a leisurely meal on the Stein Erikson patio).
Utah Olympic Park
The FUNdamentals Summer Camp at Utah Olympic Park in Park City is, obviously, all about fun. Kids 7-10 years old focus on different activities each day, including sailing, gymnastics, swimming, basketball and pickleball. Other activities can include: ropes course, tubing, art, recycling or PC EATS classes, skateboarding, and team building. These weekly camps (note: Tuesdays-Fridays, June 14 through July) cost $300 per week.
Tip: Be sure to check out the free ski jumping demonstrations on Friday and Saturdays at 6:30pm featuring its Flying Ace All-Stars.
