As a parent, it’s helpful (and reassuring) to know exactly what your kids will be up to when you sign them up for an activity, whether it’s a one-day sport camp or a summer-long experience. So we asked Shelly Forsberg, director of kids and aquatics at Life Time, to give us an inside look at Life Time’s Summer Camp program for kids ages 4 to 13 years (ages vary by location) and how your kids will be spending their time.
What makes Life Time Kids Summer Camp different from other programs?
At Life Time, a good portion of the camp experience can be personalized to your child. In addition to our mission of providing a healthy place to have fun all summer, we give parents and campers the power of choice.
There are a variety of activities to choose from, meaning the days can be tailored to meet the needs, skillset, and interests of each camper.
You have the convenient option to purchase a lunch for your child through the LifeCafe to ensure they’ll be eating a yummy and healthy meal during camp. Healthy snacks are offered as well. Lunch can be added up to the day-of by 9 a.m.
Life Time allows for flexible booking depending on what fits your family’s schedule — you can book a single day or full week of Summer Camp for your child. Parents also have the flexibility to add additional days to a week a child is currently registered for or switch the days of camp around. If plans change for a family in regards to before- or after-camp care, those can also be added 21 days out.
When you’re dropping off and picking up your camper, we encourage you to use the convenient curbside drop-off and pick-up service located outside the club (this option may vary by club location).
Who can register for Summer Camp at Life Time?
We welcome all our junior Life Time members to join us for Summer Camp.
Registration opened January 1 for all junior members who attended summer camp in 2024, January 15 for signature members, and February 1 for remaining club access members. You can register for a single day, single week, or multiple weeks at a time.
Camp space may be limited due to specific state licenses and building capacities.
There will be a summer camper meet-up offered prior to camp beginning for the season. This event is exclusively for junior members who have registered for Summer Camp this year and will give kids a chance to meet other campers while participating in games and activities. They can also use this time to complete their swim test and assessment in the pool to place them in the appropriate level for lessons at camp. Pizza and juice will also be provided (may vary by club). Parents can stick around during this time to learn more about the Summer Camp experience and confirm they’ve completed all required paperwork. Check your Life Time app for the day(s) and time(s) this is taking place at your club location.
How does payment work for Summer Camp at Life Time?
If you register for Summer Camp more than 21 days in advance, you must set up scheduled payments. However, payments will not be drafted until two weeks prior to the start of camp. You also have the option to pay in full in-person at the club if you prefer. Cancellations are required 21 days before camp starts in order to receive a full refund.
What types of activities will my child engage in at Summer Camp?
Each week has a theme that influences the types of activities kids will be doing. These typically consist of swimming, rock climbing, active gym games, S.T.E.A.M. (science, technology, engineering, arts, math), team building, community connections, and dress-up days. For example, if the theme is “depths of the deep,” the activities for S.T.E.A.M. would involve an oil spill experiment or ocean slime.
Kids will also be able to experience field trips. These excursions take place on Fridays and may include an offsite destination, such as a museum, movie theater, or zoo; or involve something we bring in to do onsite, such as a petting zoo or carnival games. Specific activities and field trip activities vary based on your club location.
What does a typical week look like for a summer camper?
Summer Camp is offered Monday through Friday. Each day, camps begin at 9 a.m. and ends by 4 p.m. Optional before-camp and after-camp care is included. Before-camp care is from 7 to 9 a.m. and after-camp care is from 4 to 6 p.m. Most clubs offer 12 weeks of Summer Camp.
The exact schedule and activities vary based on your club location and child’s preferences, but this example schedule gives you an idea of what a week at Summer Camp could look like for your child.
- 7–9 a.m.: Optional before care with activities to choose from
- 9–9:30 a.m.: Check in, morning meet-up, and ice breaker
- 9:30–9:45 a.m.: Warm-ups and warrior challenge
- 9:45–10 a.m.: Bathroom and water break
- 10–11:30 a.m.: Swim lessons and swim team
- 11:30–noon.: Lunch
- Noon–12:30 p.m.: Activity stations
- 12:30–1 p.m.: S.T.E.A.M. activity
- 1–3 p.m.: Electives
- 3–3:30 p.m.: Gym, sports, and fitness activities
- 3:30–4 p.m.: Community connection
- 4 p.m.: Check out and after care begins
- 4–4:15 p.m.: Snack
- 4:15–4:30 p.m.: Counselor challenge and afternoon assembly
- 5–6 p.m.: Activity stations and check out
Parents are able to select from a number of electives — choosing two activities per week of Summer Camp — to include in their child’s schedule, including arts and crafts, Kids Studio Classes, yoga, Fitness & Agility classes, offline coding, engineering, and more.
Children will also get to explore areas that interest them with activity stations, choosing from options centered around reading, playing, moving, creating, and building.
A big advantage for parents is that swim lessons and Summer Camp Swim Team are now included in the schedule and cost of camp if they choose to have their child participate.
Can my child attend Summer Camp at a different Life Time location than my home club?
Your child is, of course, welcome to attend Summer Camp at your home club if that’s the location that works best for you. However, it is possible to enroll at a different club if there’s one that’s a more convenient stop on your way to and from work, one that offers different amenities or activities that your child may enjoy, or one that has more availability. Reach out to the Kids Leader at the club you’re interested in sending your child to for camp for more information.
How can I find out more or register for Summer Camp at Life Time?
Members are able to register on my.lifetime.life or through the Life Time app. If you’re using the app, tap the “Kids and Families” tile, then tap “View Camps,” and select your desired week(s) of camp and club location before following the prompted steps to complete registration.
If you have questions, connect with the Kids Leader at your club. (Note: All registration must be completed online.) You can also explore more about the Summer Camp options here.
