Our Guide: Winter Programs in Hawai‘i-2018

9 daytime camps to keep your keiki busy during the holidays.

November 7, 2018

Honolulu Family Team,

Therapeutic Horsemanship of Hawaiʻi

Photo: Courtesy of Therapeutic Horsemanship of Hawaiʻi

Halloween is done! Now, let’s think about winter break. If your family will be in town for Christmas and New Year’s, consider signing up your keiki for a specialty day camp on Oʻahu. Here are the details on nine you can register for now.

Therapeutic Horsemanship of Hawaiʻi

Located in Waimānalo, this camp is for children of all equestrian levels. Kids ride horses in the morning and learn about horsemanship in the afternoon. Bring water, snacks, lunch and sunscreen. Wear covered shoes and long pants. There are no refunds for weather cancellations.

Ages: 8-15
Cost: $210 per session
Session 1 Dates: Wednesday, Dec. 26 to Friday, Dec. 28. 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Session 2 Dates: Wednesday, Jan. 2 to Friday, Jan. 4. 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Location: Therapeutic Horsemanship of Hawaiʻi, 41-1032 Kalanianaʻole Highway, Waimānalo. GPS may not work well to find the location. Visit this link for driving directions thhwaimanalo.org/images/docs/directions-to-thh.pdf
Deadline: Register until full.
Contact: (808) 342-9036, dana@thhwaimanalo.org
thhwaimanalo.org

The Oʻahu Club

This sports-themed camp includes swimming, water polo, tennis, beginner tae kwon do, volleyball and a community-service day at Hāwea Heiau complex. Bring sunscreen, change of clothes, water, snacks and lunch. Register at the pro shop. Enrollment is limited.

Ages: 6-10
Cost: $150 per session
Session 1 Dates: Wednesday, Dec. 26 to Friday, Dec. 28. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Session 2 Dates: Wednesday, Jan. 2 to Friday, Jan. 4. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: The Oʻahu Club, 6800 Hawaii Kaiʻi Drive
Deadline: Dec. 22. Enrollment is limited.
Contact: (808) 395-3300, 2fitness@theoahuclub.com
theoahuclub.com

Rainbow Art Studio

This art camp incorporates pastels and acrylics, watercolors, 3D objects and other materials to make colorful masterpieces. The first session’s theme is “Mondrian Rocks,” and the theme for the second session is “Matisse WinterLand.” Bring snacks, lunch and water. Childcare is available until 5 p.m. for an additional fee.

Ages: 5-14
Cost: $195 per session (includes art supplies). $45 extra per session for after-camp care.
Session 1 Dates: Wednesday, Dec. 26 to Friday, Dec. 28. 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. with optional after-camp care from 3 to 5 p.m.
Session 2 Dates: Wednesday, Jan. 2 to Friday, Jan. 4. 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. with optional after-camp care from 3 to 5 p.m.
Location: Rainbow Art School, Kāhala Elementary School, room E23, 4348 Waiʻalae Ave.
Deadline: Register until full. Each session will accept 20 to 25 students.
Contact: (808) 497-5718, rainbowart808@gmail.com
rainbowartstudiohawaii.com

Kroc Center Hawai‘i

Kroc Center in ʻEwa Beach offers two winter day camps for keiki. “Fun in the Son” is a Bible-based adventure that incorporates arts and crafts, sports, science, swimming, outdoor play and more. “Minecraft Mania-Club Z Camp” has 3D models, cubes, computers, crafting tools and more, to help keiki learn about sustainability. Kids from both camps will come together for field trips and swimming. Dress to play and bring two snacks, a sack lunch, water bottle, sneakers, sunscreen, backpack, change of clothes, bathing suit and towel.

Ages: Grades K-6
Cost: “Fun in the Son” is $136 for members and $140 for non-members. “Minecraft Mania-Club Z Camp” is $186 for members and $200 for non-members. Scholarships are available.
Week 1 “Fun in the Son” Dates: Monday, Dec. 24 to Friday, Dec. 28. 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.(half day on Christmas Eve and no camp on Christmas Day.)
Week 2 “Fun in the Son” Dates: Monday, Dec. 31 to Friday, Jan. 4. 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Half day on New Year’s Eve and no camp on New Year’s Day.)
“Minecraft Mania” Dates: Monday, Dec. 31 to Friday, Jan. 4. 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Half day on New Year’s Eve and no camp on New Year’s Day.)
Location: Kroc Center Hawai’i. 91-3257 Kualakaʻi Parkway, ʻEwa Beach
Deadline: Register until full.
Contact: (808) 682-5505, daycamp@kroccenterhawaii.org
kroccenterhawaii.org/camp.html

Camp Kama‘āina Kids

Located at 11 sites on Oʻahu, this day camp program will have field trips, arts and crafts, cooperative games, science experiments, singing, dancing and more.

Ages: Grades K-6
Cost: $260-$280 for eight-day session. $30-$32 per child for daily rate on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31. $34-$36 per child for daily rate on Dec. 26-28 and Jan. 2-4. Lunch is $6 per child per day.
Dates: Monday, Dec. 24 to Friday, Jan. 4. 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Program begins at 8 a.m. (No camp on Christmas and New Year’s days.)
Location: Eleven elementary schools on Oʻahu. See website for specific locations.
Deadline: Dec. 14
Contact: (808) 262-4538
Web: kamaainakids.com/intersessions-summer/winter-intersession-oahu

Camp Bishop Museum

This daytime program is a partnership between Kama’āina Kids and the camp’s location Bishop Museum. Keiki will have daily access to the Science Adventure Center, Hawaiian Hall and current exhibits. The theme for the week is “Extreme Space.”

Ages: Grades K-6
Cost: $185 per week. Lunch is $24 for the week.
Dates: Monday, Dec. 31 to Friday, Dec. 4. 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Program begins at 8 a.m. (No camp on New Year’s Day.)
Location: Hall of Discovery, Bishop Museum. 1525 Bernice St.
Deadline: Dec. 14
Contact: (808) 262-4538
Web: kamaainakids.com/intersessions-summer/winter-intersession-specialty

Camp Sea Life Park

This daytime camp is a partnership between Camp Sea Life Park and Kamaʻāina Kids. Keiki will snorkel with stingrays, splash around with dolphins and hang out with birds in the sanctuary. They will also learn tricks of the trade from the animal trainers.

Ages: Grades K-6
Cost: $270. Lunch is $36 for the week.
Dates: Wednesday, Dec. 26 to Friday, Dec. 28 and Wednesday, Jan. 2 to Friday, Jan. 4. 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Program begins at 8 a.m.
Location: Sea Life Park, 41-202 Kalanianaʻole Highway, Waimānalo
Deadline: Dec. 14
Contact: (808) 262-4538
Web: kamaainakids.com/intersessions-summer/winter-intersession-specialty

I Got Skills Soccer Camp

The “Hawaii Total Package Soccer Camp” will teach keiki to move the ball, dribble, pass, juggle and shoot. Beginners will work on basics and ball mastery, while elite players will be taught advanced skills training. Wear soccer attire including cleats and shin guards. Bring water, snacks and a sack lunch daily.

Ages: 6-14
Cost: $225
Dates: Wednesday, Jan. 2 to Saturday, Jan. 5. 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Program starts at 9 a.m.
Locations: Waiʻalae ʻIki Park, 4850 Kalanianaole Highway. Central Oʻahu Regional Park, 94-801 Kamehameha Highway, Waipahu.
Deadline: Register until full. Space is limited.
Contact: (808) 389-6210, customer-service@igotskills.com
Web: igotskills.com/soccer-camps/hawaii-winter-soccer-camp

Hawai‘i Nature Center

Oʻahu Nature Adventure Camp is designed to help keiki understand and appreciate their environment. “Legends of the Landscape” will delve into traditional Hawaiian stories and encourage children to take care of the environment. “Our Blue Planet” will teach kids about the importance of water and will include a visit to Makiki Stream for hands-on activities. Wear closed-toed shoes with good traction and bug repellent; bring morning snacks and a hearty lunch, sunscreen, hat, eye protection, and swimsuit and towel for field trips.

Ages: 6 to 11
Cost: $180 for members. $230 for non-members. Extended care until 5 p.m. is $75.
Week 1 “Legends of Landscaping” Dates: Wednesday, Dec. 26 to Friday, Dec. 28. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Week 2 “Our Blue Planet” Dates: Wednesday, Jan. 2 to Friday, Jan. 4. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Hawaiʻi Nature Center, 2131 Makiki Heights Drive
Deadline: Registration closes at noon the Wednesday prior to the start date.
Contact: (808) 439-9008, or (808) 955-0100 ext. 126
Web: hawaiinaturecenter.org/oahu-nature-camps

Hawaiʻi Children’s Discovery Center

Due to full enrollment, Discovery Center is no longer accepting applicants as of Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. Please visit discoverycenterhawaii.org for special events during winter break.

Art Explorium

This little art studio on Koko Head Avenue does not have a winter day camp but will offer workshops and classes for kids ages 2 and up. Keiki can build models out of boxes, incorporate dance moves with art, and find creative uses for recycled art materials. There also are workshops for teens and adults. Visit the online calendar for specific classes. The studio will be closed for Christmas and New Year’s.

Ages: Ages 2 to adult
Cost: $5 for Open Studio; $15 to $20 for workshops.
Dates: Year-round
Location: Art Explorium, 1142 Koko Head Ave.
Deadline: Register online prior to classes and workshops. Walk-in payment is an option for open studio sessions.
Contact: (808) 312-4316, info@artexplorium.org
Web: artexplorium.org