Tag: Miami International Riding Club

 
If your brood is interested in furthering their talent in a certain sport so that they are more competitive for the next academic year, or if they are interested in trying a new sport privately, without the pressure of trying it in front of classmates, a directional summer camp is going to be for you. Miami is filled with opportunities for youngsters to attend sports camps while school is out, here are a few of the stand-out offerings that we have seen.

1 – Tennis Camp at Dante Fascell Park (South Miami)

If your youngster is looking to channel their inner Rafael Nadal or Serena Williams, you’ll need to start early. At Dante Fascell Park, located at 8600 Red Road in South Miami, you will find 9 weekly sessions this summer, beginning in mid June. The camp is designed for kids aged 4 years up to high school seniors and takes place from 9:30 am-12 noon each day. There are no rain-out days, so come ready to play rain or shine.

With small group ratios (6 players per instructor), each child receives age-appropriate training and individual attention, increasing the likelihood they will excel when competition time rolls around in the fall. The cost is $155/week for South Miami residents, $175/week for those who live outside of the area.

2 – Swimming Lessons (Multiple Locations)

Learning to swim is not just fun, it’s also a life-saving necessity, particularly in Miami where so many activities revolve around water. There are many options for swimming lessons that go from life-saving courses for babies up to competitive camps for older kids who are looking toward a future paved by Michael Phelps.

We recommend Ocaquatics because they host not only a variety of levels, but also have multiple locations. The location we would choose is in Coral Gables, but there are also offerings in Kendall, near Tropical Park, and Hialeah Gardens. Tuition is $28 per class, or $80 per private lesson and is billed monthly.

3 – Equestrian Training (Cutler Bay)

If your child has shown an interest in English Horseback Riding, we suggest the Miami International Riding Club prior to investing in a stable. Beginning at age 6, the MIRC includes riding lessons, horsemanship, and lessons on horse care. There are fun activities and games to play on the horses and with them, ensuring that your child will be comfortable with these majestic animals.

The camp runs from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm with optional after-hours time until 5:00 pm for an additional fee of $50. The camp offers several options as far as duration with daily rates of $150 up to the full 6-weeks of summer for $3,000.

4 – Coconut Grove Sailing Club (Coconut Grove)

For those kids who are 6 years old or higher and have already mastered basic swimming, they are also ready to begin sailing. At the Coconut Grove Sailing Club, kids of all levels are welcome for week-long sessions of sailing camp for $475 per week. They are divided into groups by age and size, learning how to rig & launch a boat, basic knots, sailing terminology, develop wind awareness, and learn to sail a race course.

Some groups do require previous sailing experience and if your child bonds with the sport, classes can continue throughout the year. Camps run Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm at 2990 South Bayshore Drive, Coconut Grove FL, 33133.

5 – Baseball/Softball Camp (Miramar)

Baseball is one of the more competitive sports in high schools throughout the country and loads of kids are looking to catch Derek Jeter’s eye, getting scouted to the Miami Marlins and representing their hometown on the diamond. For some this is a pipe dream, but it is our job as parents to provide them with the resources they need to set them up to realize even the loftiest of dreams. This brings us to the All Star Training Center in Miramar.

While it is in Broward County and a bit of a drive, this camp has come highly recommended by parents whose children are incredibly competitive in the sport. The camps are each a week long and host just 45 children each week. The cost is $350/week for a full day that goes from 8:00 am – 2:00 pm or $280/week if you would like to check your child out at noon. Discounts do apply if you book additional weeks and there is the option for daily practice rather than the weekly camp.

6 – Paris Saint-Germain Academy Soccer Camp (Tropical Park)

Naturally soccer is going to be incredibly popular in our region. With all of the different cultures that Miami has to offer, most all are avid fans of the sport. At Paris Saint-Germain Academy, the children have the opportunity to learn the Paris Saint-Germain methodology of European soccer and to see what day to day life is like in the world of high level soccer.

During the camp, players focus on one area of soccer per day. This includes attacking, transitions, defending and finishing. Young athletes are taught from world class coaches who exclusively work with high level players that routinely find themselves on the pitch in the world stage. There are several different locations, we are choosing to highlight Tropical Park as it is closer to coastal Miami, where most of our readers are located.

The half day camp is available at a rate of $575 per week and runs from 9:00 am – 12:30 pm Monday through Friday.

7 – Top Gun Cheer & Dance Camps (West Kendall)

Beginning at age 3 and becoming competitive at ages 5 or 6, Top Gun Cheer and Dance is going to be for those children who view Simone Biles in awe and adoration. Open to both boys and girls, the kids will begin with the fundamentals of balance and coordination, moving up to complex tumbling and flying moves that bring home medals.

Before going all-in with year-round team training, you can test the waters of the sport with a week-long summer camp. The different levels offered will teach front and back walkovers, moving up to handsprings as well as single and multi-base flying stunts. Prices and times vary depending upon the age group. Private coaching is also available.

We hope this list helps you to nurture the interests of your kids during the summer, setting them up for success in the new academic year. Stay tuned next week as we look at less intensive outdoor activities for your family to enjoy!

Photo Credit: Kateryna Hliznitsova