FunKidsActivities

Smitty's Learning Center & Camp

7710 Hilsdale Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32216, USA

Overview

Category:Summer Camps
Location:Jacksonville, FL

Expert Summary

Detailed Insights

Smitty's Learning Center & Camp offers an exceptionally engaging and caring environment for children, consistently earning high praise for its staff, activities, and the positive impact on children's development. Parents report their kids coming home happily exhausted, having made new friends, and showing progress, all while feeling complete ease about their child's well-being.

Key Highlights

  • Staff are described as 'amazing,' 'helpful,' 'responsive,' and possessing the 'best kind of strict and loving' approach, catering to children's needs and concerns.
  • Children consistently come home 'worn out' from fun and 'raving' about their experiences, indicating high levels of engagement and physical activity.
  • Kids are actively 'making friendships,' highlighting a strong social component within the camp.
  • Parents observe 'progress' in their children, implying a learning and developmental focus beyond just play.
  • Parents feel 'at ease' knowing their children are 'well cared for and learning' while they are at work.
  • Activities are described as 'amazing,' ensuring children enjoy every minute.
  • A strong sense of community and trust is fostered, with one parent describing staff as 'like my family' after years of attendance.

Standout Features

  • Highly engaged, responsive, and nurturing staff who combine discipline with affection.
  • A curriculum or activity set that is fun, diverse, and active enough to genuinely tire out children.
  • An environment that clearly fosters social development and friendship-building.
  • Evidence of positive developmental and learning progress for children.
  • Provides significant peace of mind for working parents regarding their child's care and educational experience.
  • Strong parent loyalty and a long-term 'family-like' relationship with the center.

Perfect For

Suitable for children starting as young as one year old, based on one daughter attending since that age.
Highly recommended for school-aged children attending summer camp, where they can make friends and engage in active, fun activities.

Ideal For

Parents seeking a summer camp that emphasizes active engagement, fun activities, and social development.
Working parents who require reliable childcare that also supports their child's learning and progress.
Families looking for a center with a strong, caring, and long-term relationship with staff (some describe it as 'like family').
Children who respond well to a balanced approach of 'strict and loving' guidance from caregivers.

💡Pro Tips from Reviews

  • If your child thrives in a structured yet loving environment where they can be very active and make friends, this camp is an excellent fit.
  • Parents seeking long-term childcare solutions from toddler age through summer camp years should consider Smitty's due to its proven loyalty and 'family-like' atmosphere.
  • Expect your child to come home happily exhausted and eager to share their experiences.
  • Ideal for parents who value both learning progress and comprehensive care while they are at work.

Things to Consider

  • No specific problems or negative feedback were reported in the provided reviews.

Price & Value

No specific pricing information is available in the reviews. However, the consistent 5-star ratings, high parent satisfaction, observed child progress, and loyalty over many years strongly suggest excellent value for money in terms of childcare, learning, and overall experience.

Accessibility & Special Needs

  • No specific accessibility accommodations or features were mentioned in the reviews.

🍎Food & Drink Policy

  • No specific food and drink rules or policies were mentioned in the reviews.

🚗Parking Info

  • No specific parking details were mentioned in the reviews.

👥Crowd Levels

  • No specific information regarding crowd levels or peak times was mentioned in the reviews.

🛡️Safety Features

  • Staff are described as the 'best kind of strict,' implying a disciplined approach that likely contributes to a safe and orderly environment.
  • Parents feeling 'at ease' that their child is 'well cared for' implicitly includes confidence in the safety measures and supervision.
  • Regular, attentive supervision is indicated by staff being 'responsive to any concerns or needs for the children.'

When to Avoid

  • No specific situations or types of children to avoid sending to Smitty's were indicated by the universally positive reviews.

Pricing/Package/Events

Events & Schedule

Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)

Mini Camp

Seasonal (leading up to kindergarten)

Not specified

For children who have completed VPK and who will be entering kindergarten in the fall.

Summer Camp

Summer

Not specified

A summer program designed to be unforgettable.

🍎Food Policy

  • It is asked 'Are meals and snacks provided?' but no answer is specified in the content.

🛡️Safety Policy

  • Focus on preventing the spread of illnesses including COVID-19, Influenza, Common Cold, Shigella, Hepatitis, Norovirus, Salmonella, and 39 other disease-causing bacteria and viruses.
  • It is asked 'What happens if my child gets sick or hurt?' but no answer is specified in the content.

📅Booking Policy

  • Appointments can be set up to tour the facility.
Information extracted from official website • Last updated: Oct 2, 2025

What People Say

What's Great

  • Friendly and helpful staff (mentioned in 5 reviews)
  • Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 4 reviews)

Recent Reviews

Samantha Macgowan

Samantha Macgowan

5 years ago

My kids have been going to this camp for one week, which it may seem premature to already provide a review.. But I just can't say enough about how amazing this camp is!! My kids are loving it, the staff is amazing.. They are helpful, and so responsive to any concerns or needs for the children. They are the best kind of strict and loving, which my kiddos definitely need! The kids come home raving about the fun they are having and friendships they are making. And the best part? They come home WORN OUT!! :) They are having so much fun!! I just can't say enough about my first impressions.. I can only imagine it gets better from here! Thank you Smitty's for all you do for these kids!! If I could give 10 stars, I would!!

Buchra Watfa

Buchra Watfa

5 years ago

We are very pleased with our daughter’s experience this summer with the camp. The staff are wonderful and the activities are amazing. She enjoyed every minute, we will definitely go back next year.

Sheila Patel

Sheila Patel

5 years ago

The staff is amazing!!! Its been great to see the progress my son has made in under a year. I definitely feel at ease my son is well cared for and learning while I'm at work

HM Trixi

HM Trixi

5 years ago

I’ve been going here for years and have had a wonderful experience. I recommend this place for any parent wanting there child to go to summer camp. -Buddy

Amaleed Alatbee

Amaleed Alatbee

5 years ago

My daughter attended this center since she was one year they are like my family love this center and summer camp if you looking for a great place for your child you should send them to this center :)

Contact Information

7710 Hilsdale Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32216, USA

View on Google Maps

Opening Hours

Monday: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Thursday: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Friday: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Quick Stats

Overall Rating
4.8
Total Reviews14
Recent Reviews5