Early June Camps in Maryville: Where Kids Go When School Lets Out
May 20th is still a few days away, but the early-bird signups are already moving and a few programs are filling before June even starts.
Here are the early-June camps that are worth bookmarking if your kids go to school in the Maryville City Schools system.
Blount County Parks & Rec Summer Day Camps Multiple locations across Blount County — John Sevier Park, Alcoa Park, Maryville Park, and community centers. These run through June and cover sports, arts, swimming, and free play. Ages vary by site but most take kindergarten through eighth grade. Sign-up is at parksrec.com/recreation-program/summer-day-camps. Cost is one of the better deals in the county — well under $100 a week. They tend to fill up at the larger sites, so if you want a specific location, register early.
Tremont Summer Camps in the Smokies 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend. Ages 6-17. One of the more unique options in the area because it is outdoors — hiking, stream ecology, primitive skills, nature art. It is not a sit-in-a-classroom camp. GSMT runs the program and charges around $250 a week, but they have sliding-scale scholarships available. If your kid loves being outside, this is worth considering. The location in Townsend is about 30 minutes from Maryville but the drive through the Peaceful Side of the Smokies is part of the experience.
YMCA Summer Day Camp 1033 N Wright Rd, Alcoa. GWRYMCA. Ages 5-12. The Y runs traditional day-camp programming — morning circles, field trips, games, crafts, and pool time. You do need Y membership for the best rate, but drop-in pricing is available too. They have sessions starting late May and running through early August. If you already have a Y membership, this is the most convenient option if you are in the Alcoa area.
RIO Christian Academy Summer Camp 3337 Mint Rd, Maryville. RIO Christian Academy. Ages 4-12. The camp combines character development, Bible study, and traditional camp activities — arts and crafts, swimming, sports, and games. Located on the school grounds so the facilities are familiar. They run weekly sessions through June. Pricing is reasonable for a faith-based camp in the area.
Gym Counts Summer Camps 1824 Clydesdale St, Maryville. Gymnastics Counts. Ages 4-12. If your kid already does gymnastics, this is the natural summer extension. They run all-day camps with gymnastics instruction, fitness, and some downtime built in. The Alcoa location tends to fill first since it is the original site — the Maryville location gets less traffic but both are solid. Cost is higher than the county programs but expected for specialty camps.
Van Metre School of Dance Summer Intensive 215 W Broadway Ave, Maryville. Van Metre. Ages 5-18. This is more structured than a recreational dance camp — ballet technique, pointe work, jazz, tap, and modern. It runs for two weeks in June with daily classes. If your kid takes dance at Van Metre year-round, this is where they sharpen their technique. Register at the link above.
Creative Spark Studio Summer Art Camps 2009 E Broadway Ave, Maryville. Creative Spark. Ages 5-15. Two-week sessions in June focusing on painting, drawing, mixed media, and clay. The studio is downtown and has a nice setup for kids — easels, clay tables, and plenty of room to work. Cost is around $150-200 per two-week session depending on length.
Camp Wesley Woods Summer Camps 329 Wesley Woods Road, Townsend. Camp Wesley Woods. Ages 6-16. Traditional camp in the mountains — swimming, hiking, arts and crafts, campfires, and team-building. About a 30-minute drive from Maryville but worth it for the setting. They offer both day camp and overnight options. Pricing is mid-range for the area and they have financial assistance.
Camp Eagle’s Nest 4901 Montvale Rd, Maryville. ETCH. Ages 3-18. This one is specialized — it is for kids with special needs and their siblings. The programming is adaptive and all-inclusive, with trained staff and medical support on site. It is a day camp that runs through the summer. If you have a child who needs this kind of environment, this is one of the best programs in the state.
What to look for beyond June These are the camps already open for early June sign-up, but several programs don’t open their summer sessions until mid-June or July. The Blount County Parks & Rec full summer catalog usually drops in late May, the Y adds new sessions each month, and schools like Maryville Christian and Clayton-Bradley often announce their own programs in May.
My take The Blount County Parks camps are the best value by far. If cost is the deciding factor, start there. If your kid has a specific interest (dance, gymnastics, outdoor education), those specialty camps are worth the extra money. And if you haven’t looked at the special-needs options yet, Camp Eagle’s Nest and the Tremont eco-camps are both excellent for kids who don’t fit the traditional mold.