Sports camps get kids off the couch this summer

Each summer, organizations all over Houston offer summer sports camps for children of all ages and abilities. Whether your child wants to improve his batting average, work on her backhand or be quicker on the field, the city has something for everyone.

The YMCA of Greater Houston hosts a range of summer camps for preschool- through high school-aged children, including soccer, volleyball, tennis, basketball, baseball and T-ball, NFL flag football, martial arts, track, golf, gymnastics, and dance.

“YMCA Sports Clinics offer youth-specialized sports training in a clinic setting. Kids improve their skills, sense of fair play, teamwork and sportsmanship,” said Heather Saucier, spokesperson for the YMCA of Greater Houston.

For budding soccer players, the Houston Dynamo’s camps for children ages 5-12 work on ageappropriate soccer skills. The program is split into indoor and outdoor camps, each of which focuses on how to play on these surfaces. For more information, call 713-433-3967 or visit www.houstondynamo.com/youthprograms/dynamocamps.

The University of Houston also hosts summer camps for children in elementary school through high school. UH camps include baseball, men and women’s basketball, football, golf, women’s soccer, softball, track and field, tennis, and women’s volleyball, and each caters to a range of ages and skill levels. For more information, visit www.uhcougars.com/camps/hou-camps.html.

Rice University works with children in first grade through high school. Rice’s program offers football, men and women’s basketball, baseball, soccer, volleyball, tennis, track and field and golf camps. For more information, call or visit www.riceowls.com/camps/rice-camps.html.

Houston Gymnastics Academy hosts half-, week long and full day-camps for children ages 3-12. Students will take part in activities involving gymnastics, trampolines, obstacle courses and games. For more information, call 713-668-6001 or visit houstongymnastics.com.

IMA Houston Karate’s summer program offers children the chance to work on martial arts and fitness, as well as build character and improve physical, mental and emotional endurance and strength. Martial arts covered in the summer camps include karate, Jiu Jitsu, kickboxing and ground grappling. For more information, call 281-617-7345 or visit www.imahoustonkarate.com.