2 SUMMER ’25 EDITOR Mallory Gleich mallory@arcadianews.com DESIGN & LAYOUT Gabe Turner gabe@arcadianews.com ADVERTISING Nawal Hamawy nawal@arcadianews.com SPECIALTY CAMPS Music, sports, cooking, and animals - summer camps cover an assortment of themes. This list may help you and your camper narrow down their next adventure. 8 10 11 LEARN, PLAY, INSPIRE The Musical Instrument Museum showcases instruments and artifacts from around the world while offering events and education – all in the name of music. GLAMOROUS CAMPING Glamping combines modern amenities with outdoor camping, offering a comfortable and unique way to experience nature. Check out these four Northern Arizona glamping spots! 602-840-6379 • arcadianews.com Summer is just around the corner, bringing with it an exciting array of activities for families seeking adventure, creativity, and quality time together. The Valley (and beyond!) offers a blend of summer camps designed to spark your child’s imagination and passion for learning. For young chefs, cooking camps provide the perfect opportunity to explore the culinary world. Aspiring musicians can tune into their talents at music camps, and for animal lovers, camps offer immersive experiences with wildlife, where kids can learn about conservation, interact with animals, and develop a respect for nature. Arizona is full of family-friendly destinations that promise to create lasting memories. From hiking in Flagstaff to exploring wildlife at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, there’s something for everyone. We hope you enjoy our 2025 Arcadia News Summer Camp Guide. Please reach out to editor@arcadianews.com with any feedback or future ideas. Happy summer camp days, and thank you for reading Arcadia News! – Mallory Gleich EDITOR’S NOTE AWA R D W I N N I N G N E I G H B O R H O O D N E W S S I N C E 19 93 – Mallory Gleich CONTENTS 4 COOL STUFF TO DO There’s always something happening in the Valley of the Sun, and with plenty of suggestions, our list can help you decide what’s next for fun. ArcAdiA News SUMMER ’25

3 SUMMER ’25 t’s summer and the big kids are at camp, but you’ve got a toddler at home who’s in need of some socialization – and you need a coffee, tea… or maybe some socialization yourself. The solution? Boutique play spaces that offer curated experiences for parents and their youngsters. Below are four Valley businesses that focus on entertainment, learning and fun. LEO & LUCA 6102 N. 16th St., Phoenix leoandlucaaz.com Leo & Luca opened in July 2023 with a focus on children ages 0-5. In addition to offering drop-in play, drop-off care, memberships and birthday parties, the space provides a full-service coffee bar, a café, retail, and – coming soon – an outdoor play area. “Our space is designed to allow parents to recharge while watching their children engage in a safe environment, or work in the café space knowing that their child is safe and well cared for,” CEO Katie Bettini said. “We love being at the heart of a vibrant community, connecting families with valuable parenting resources.” Leo & Luca hosts a variety of events, including Mommy & Me art and yoga classes, character visits, Parents’ Night Out, and family pizza nights. They also offer monthly parent meetups and have a dedicated event space for semi-private and private birthday parties and special events. Playdate and group discounts are available for friends visiting together, and monthly and annual memberships include the whole family, plus access to events and discounts. Pricing starts at $25 for drop-in, with five and 10-day passes and monthly and annual memberships available, starting at $100. MINI MILESTONES 2805 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix minimilestones.com Mini Milestones opened its doors in November 2023 and caters to children in infancy to age 6, though many of its events are designed to include the entire family. The center offers a variety of activities and services, including open play, developmental and sensory classes, Mama Pilates, a newborn class, a weekly cooking class for littles, summer camps, birthday parties, and community events like movie nights, tailgates, kid-themed farmers markets and dinosaur experiences. “The heart behind Mini Milestones is my son, who was born with special needs and didn’t have many enjoyable social settings available due to him having a feeding tube and not getting into school,” CEO Rebecca Campbell said. “I craved a place that we could go together as a family and work on milestones. I wanted a place that we would both enjoy, so I created one.” The cost for sessions ranges from $18.50 to $35, depending on the event and package selected. To enhance the experience, M Card members enjoy perks such as free cold brew, along with discounts at various businesses. Mini Milestones also limits the number of children per session, guaranteeing a less chaotic environment for those sensitive to overstimulation. THE LITTLE PLAY AVENUE 13802 N. 32nd St., Phoenix thelittleplayavenue.com The Little Play Avenue (TLPA) opened in May 2024 for mini adventurers from infancy through 7 years old. “TLPA was born out of a genuine love for making childhood magical – a beautiful gathering place that could honor childhood in all its messy, magical glory,” Owner Leena Hasbini said. “Our space and programs are intentionally designed to nurture this unique age range, creating meaningful moments for little ones and parents.” The business offers curated play sessions, birthday parties, baby showers, preschool prep classes and coffee at Avenue Brew. Classes include preschool prep, music sessions, and Artful Adventurers. TLPA is also offering its first-ever summer camp in 2025. “The Little Play Avenue is designed differently. We believe in unreasonable hospitality – the kind of thoughtful, generous care that elevates the everyday. We want families to feel genuinely cared for and uniquely celebrated,” Hasbini said. Open play sessions start at $26.50 per child, with additional sibling discounts. Monthly memberships range from $129 to $229 and events begin at $799 to $4,599 for the Ultimate Birthday package. JORDAN’S CORNER 8541 E. Anderson Dr., Scottsdale jordanscorneraz.com Jordan’s Corner caters to children aged 0-7, offering a variety of play experiences, classes and special events. “We provide an enriching experience for all littles, fostering community and friendships,” Founder Jannell Panicko said. “We’ve seen so many families connect here and continue building lasting relationships beyond our space.” In addition to the play areas, attendees can engage in music classes, sensory exploration, and crafts designed to foster creativity and learning. Character meet and greets, monthly holiday celebrations, Mommy and Me Camps and community events keep the calendar packed. Programs like weekly classes and (brand-new!) summer camps are also part of the offerings. Drop-in playdates start at $25 for 90 minutes Monday-Thursday. Open Play Memberships start at $35 a month and special events, including private birthday parties, are available, with packages starting at $350. Parents will find hourly, daily, and monthly rates to accommodate different schedules and preferences. I Immersive play spaces for littles t’s summer and the big kids are at camp, but though many of its events are designed to include the I t’s summer and the big kids are at camp, but I t’s summer and the big kids are at camp, but Immersive play spaces for littles Learn & play