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2020 Family Favorites: Camps & Lessons

Any kid in Colorado can find a group or space where they feel inspired to grow and follow their passions. From academic enrichment programs to fun physical feats, check out these exceptional camps and lessons.

Table of Contents:

Special Needs Camp or Class

Top Three

Winner

exL Learning Camps

Kids K-8 look forward to camps and no-school day learning adventures that will get them practicing yoga, doodling, experimenting with science, and boosting their academics. Activities at exL Learning are endless, and just might include making puppets or animated videos. Students benefit from certified educators, including Orton-Gillingham-trained teachers for students with dyslexia.


Avid4 Adventure
Photos: Addyson Santese

Sports Camp

Top Three

Winner

Avid4 Adventure

At Avid4 Adventure, kids can try sports not typically offered at school: rock climbing, paddleboarding, biking, kayaking, and skateboarding. Specialize in one sport or try learning something different each day. Parents feel good about safety measures and helmet use, and watching their kids grow into skilled outdoors people.


Dance Studio

Top Three

Winner

Flatirons Dance

Boys and girls who like to bust any kind of move—hip-hop, ballet, poms, jazz, and more—enjoy classes at Flatirons Dance in Arvada. Kids learn steps and technique but also the history and context behind each dance. Parents love the confidence their tiny dancers build and the community forged at the studio.


Colorado Children's Theatre
Photo: Rebecca Schonbrun

Acting Lessons

Top Three

Winner

Colorado Children’s Theatre

With classes across the Denver metro area, Colorado Children’s Theatre aims to teach Colorado kids theater techniques as tools for life: self-confidence, hard work, trust, and connection. Young thespians can join classes, camps, and private lessons, and perform classics such as The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Guys and Dolls.


Art Studio or Craft Center

Top Three*

Winner

artSPARK Creative Studio

There’s plenty of space and inspiration for creatives of all ages to express themselves in artSPARK’s large-windowed studio. They offer classes, camps, workshops, and open studio times, in addition to curated birthday parties and events. Tweens and teens particularly enjoy Maker Club after-school classes where they explore 2D and 3D materials.

*Tie occurred in this category


Camp Chief Ouray
Photo: Camp Chief Ouray

Overnight Camp

Top Three

Winner

Camp Chief Ouray

Families count on the memories made and life skills learned at Camp Chief Ouray as integral parts to their kids’ upbringing. The camp has engaged youth in outdoor activities for more than a century. They offer summer camps for ages seven to 17, and stays from three days to four weeks. In the off season, there are fall and winter weekend camps. CCO is a Leave No Trace accredited camp, teaching kids care and responsibility in nature.


Music Instruction

Top Three

Winner

Do-Re-Mi Lessons

This young business is run by a tight-knit group of music professionals and offers parent/child sing-alongs, seasonal group classes, individual lessons, recitals, and events throughout the year. Parents take pride in their little musicians and some join the ranks of Do-Re-Mi students as well. Find all things music through Do-Re-Mi, which sells sheet music and instrument accessories, and partners with local instrument repairmen.


School of Rock
Photo: Heidi Calega

Day Camp

Top Three

Winner

School of Rock

The School of Rock Method™ combines one-on-one sessions with group rehearsals and live performances to teach students how to play together as a united band. Rockin’ artists ages three to 18 join camps like Little Wing and House Band at locations around the Denver metro area. Background-checked instructors help kids grow from beginners to confident performers, gifted in music study, technique, and collaboration.


STEM Class or Camp

Top Three*

Winner

Silicon STEM Academy

At Silicon’s summer camps, self-paced courses, tutoring, and game nights, tech-savvy kids expand their capabilities in coding, game design, digital media, and more. Passionate instructors help students problem-solve and learn innovation techniques that will serve them in the future.

*Tie occurred in this category

Family Food

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