# The Best Summer Programs for Kids and Adults in Ogden, UT - Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/the-best-summer-programs-for-kids-and-adults-in-ogden-ut/ - Published: 2024-03-11 - Author: Charlene Farwell - Categories: [School](https://33rdsquare.com/category/education/school/) --- Ogden, Utah is a vibrant mountain city nestled against the scenic Wasatch Mountains, known for its easy access to the great outdoors. But there‘s more to this northern Utah destination than hiking trails and ski slopes. Ogden also boasts a thriving arts and culture scene, primarily centered in the buzzing Downtown district. When the long days of summer arrive, Ogden comes alive with an array of programs and classes for visitors of all ages to enjoy. From outdoor adventure camps for teens to watercolor painting workshops for seniors, there‘s something for everyone seeking excitement or enrichment during the sunny season. Read on to discover 20 of the best summer programs happening in Ogden this year that you won‘t want to miss! ## Get Active with Outdoor Adventure Programs Ogden‘s proximity to scenic landscapes like Pineview Reservoir, Willard Bay, and the Wasatch Mountains means there is no shortage of ways to get your adrenaline pumping this summer. Several local companies offer guided programs to help both kids and adults make the most of the city‘s natural playground. ### Hike, Bike and Climb with Weber State University Weber State University‘s robust [Outdoor Program](https://www.weber.edu/outdoor) runs camps, classes and trips focused on everything from rock climbing to swift water rescue. Families can sign up for weekend caving expeditions in Wellsville Canyon or choose week-long day camps teaching outdoor skills like fire building, archery and wilderness survival. The university also rents outdoor gear like tents, snowshoes and stand up paddleboards at affordable rates to support independent adventures. If you’ve been eager to explore Ogden’s trails but don’t know where to start, WSU’s friendly “gearheads” can provide personalized recommendations catered to your ability-level and interests. ### Make Waves with Water Sports Ogden is sandwiched between the Ogden and Weber Rivers, which converge to form a unique inland delta east of downtown. Several companies offer rentals and lessons to experience these waterways up close. [Rock Haus](https://rock-haus.com/), conveniently located on the banks of the Weber River near Fort Buenaventura Park, provides tube and stand up paddle board rentals. Not feeling steady? Sign up for a paddle boarding 101 course for beginners. Their knowledgeable guides cover water safety essentials while leading groups on calm flatwater tours. More thrill-seeking folks can ride Class II-III rapids on a whitewater rafting trip with companies like [Wilderness Aware Rafting](https://www.warnordic.com/). Half to full day trips are suitable for adults and kids ages 5 and up. For an added bonus, their experienced river guides will highlight interesting geological features like Native American petroglyphs along certain routes! ### Scale New Heights From sheer limestone cliffs to towering indoor climbing walls, Ogden serves up seemingly endless rock terrain to ascend. [The Front Climbing Club](http://www.thefrontclimbingclub.com/ogden) operates a massive climbing gym downtown filled with top ropes, lead climbing routes and bouldering areas for all skill levels. Staff host special kids climbing camps over the summer focused on building confidence, coordination and strength. If climbing under the open sky is more your style, there’s no shortage of quality crags near town offering sport, trad and even aid routes. [Rock Haus](https://rock-haus.com/) guides clients to lesser-known local spots like Lands End Wall or the towering limestone cliffs of Black Mountain. Their expert instructors will safely lead newbies up multi-pitch classics or support more advanced climbers honing their lead skills. ## Explore Arts and Culture Beyond adrenaline-pumping adventures, Ogden also promotes creativity and cultural exchange through various arts initiatives. Kids and adults alike can flex their creative muscles through summer classes offered at studios, galleries, theaters and museums city-wide. ### Find Your Voice Since opening its doors in 2008, the [Good Company Theatre](https://goodcotheatre.com/) has earned a reputation for staging quality community-based productions in Ogden. Each summer, they run intensive theater camps tailored for youth (ages 8-18) focused on acting, musical performance and technical production skills. Campers put their new talents into practice staging an original performance. 2023’s production follows a time-traveling teen striving to make history “right”. Down the road, the [Treehouse Museum](https://www.treehousemuseum.org/) hosts imaginative summer theater camps for younger kids centered around children’s books like _Alice in Wonderland, Charlotte‘s Web_ and _Peter Pan_. Costumes, props, music and sets aim to bring favorite stories to life whileboosting literacy. Their final camp performances allow kids to showcase their skills for friends and family. ### Hone Your Craft From painting to pottery-throwing, Ogden’s local art centers offer summer classes and camps tailored for creative kids and adults alike. At the [Ogden Arts Center](https://ogden4arts.wixsite.com/ogdenfinearts) in historic East Bench, guest artists lead oil painting en plein air workshops focused on the urban landscape while pottery wheel lessons let you craft beautiful stoneware. The [Local Artisan Collective](http://localartisancollective.com/), run by over 70 resident artists and craftspeople downtown, provides a supportive space for creatives in mediums like painting, glass art, textiles and jewelry. Their rotating selection of classes ranges from wheel-thrown vases to alcohol ink coasters to improv comedy. Each session aims to uplift and inspire. ## Give Back Through Community Engagement Giving your time and talents provides enriching summer opportunities to meaningfully engage with the local community. From restoring trails to recording audiobooks for the visually impaired, there are many ways to volunteer around Ogden. Here are a few reputable organizations coordinating impactful programs for good this coming summer. ### Weber Pathways: Trail Ambassadors As an outdoor mecca, maintaining Ogden‘s vast network of trails takes serious work. [Weber Pathways](https://www.weberpathways.org/), the county‘s primary trail advocacy non-profit, organizes regular volunteer trail work days tackling everything from clearing fallen trees to constructing bridges to mitigate erosion. Their summer-long Adopt-A-Trail program allows individuals or groups to take ownership over maintaining a specific section of trail. Ambassadors walk their adopted trail at least once a month removing litter, reporting issues, and performing light maintenance. Weber Pathways coordinates larger repairs while empowering the local community to actively care for their outdoor spaces. ### Sharing the Gift of Reading Learning to read is a formative life milestone, yet struggling students often fall through the cracks. [Hill Air Force Base](https://www.hill.af.mil/Home/Community/Volunteering-at-HAFB/) partners with Cairn Reading Center, a non-profit equipping dyslexic students with tools for reading fluency, on an impactful summer literacy program. Base volunteers undergo a short training to record high-interest books compatible with learning disabilities. These digital audiobooks help struggling students continue building literacy skills over the summer months without added screen time. Since 2020, Hill AFB volunteers have produced over 150 audiobooks supporting hundreds of students! ### Keep Ogden Beautiful You can pitch into community beautification efforts with [Ogden City’s Keep Ogden Beautiful program](https://www.ogdencity.com/en/public_works/keep_ogden_beautiful/). Local residents, schools, churches and businesses “adopt” select city streets to regularly collect litter. The non-profit also spearheads restoration initiatives improving neglected community green spaces in partnership with local volunteers. In 2022, their hard work transforming a vacant downtown lot overrun with debris into a vibrant pocket park earned Ogden an “Outstanding Beautification Award” from the state. Lend a hand in their 2023 efforts restoring the historic J.C. Golf Course near Municipal Gardens. With enough elbow grease, neglected community spaces can experience an uplifting rebirth! ## An Exciting Season Awaits From hiking mountain trails to performing theater, there are endless enriching summer programs happening across Ogden to appeal to any age or interest. By participating, you not only learn something new, but also meaningfully engage with the community. These programs foster personal growth while providing opportunities to meet locals who share common hobbies and values no matter your background. You’re certain to make fast friends scaling the climbing gym walls or paddling down the river together. As the mountains west of town shed their snowy cloaks and shade trees regain their leaves this spring, consider what unique summer experiences await you in Ogden this year. The hardest part is deciding which of the many excellent programs to try first! Have you participated in or discovered additional worthwhile summer programs around town I should highlight? Share in the comments below to guide and inspire future visitors. Here’s to an active, creative, and community-driven summer in the scenic mountain city of Ogden! --- Source: [The Best Summer Programs for Kids and Adults in Ogden, UT](https://33rdsquare.com/the-best-summer-programs-for-kids-and-adults-in-ogden-ut/)