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Summer camp registration is open. Here are some options for your kids in central Indiana

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Summer camp registration is open. Here are some options for your kids in central Indiana


While it may be hard to think about the end of the school year before spring arrives, summer break is right around the corner.

The Indianapolis Public Schools will host a summer activities resource fair on Saturday, March 9 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Arsenal Tech High School. Families can come and explore different summer opportunities for little children and job opportunities for teens.   

If you prefer to do your research online, here is a look at some summer camp options for kids in the central Indiana area. f you’re searching for ways to amuse your children once school lets out.

Camps with multiple locations

Indy Parks Camps

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Parks around the city offer summer options for children of all ages. The weeklong camps focus on a range of topics, from trail stomping to mural painting to theatre to good old-fashioned summer camp.

YMCA Summer Day Camps

The YMCA of Greater Indianapolis has 14 summer day camp locations across central Indiana. These camps include traditional camp or Discovery camp, held at schools or churches across the city for kids to participate in STEAM activities.

Spring break: Here’s when central Indiana schools and colleges are out of session

Downtown camps

Girls Rock! Indy

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Girls Rock is a day camp for girls, non-binary and trans youth ages 9-16. Campers attend a week-long crash course in instrument instruction, songwriting, and musical collaboration as well as interactive workshops and lessons focused on building confidence, personal empowerment, and leadership skills through the lens of music education. The camp culminates in a Saturday showcase.

The camp has two weeklong options in July and applications close on March 18.

Indiana Repertory Theatre Camp

The IRT offers sessions for students ages 8-15, as well as mini camps for students ages 5-7. The IRT also offers half-day or full-day workshops for high school students.

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Indiana State Museum Camps

While some of these popular camps have already sold out, the museum still has openings for some of its weeklong programs, which focus on topics ranging from time travel to 3-D art to animals and more.

IUPUI Jaguar summer day camps

IUPUI offers day camp options for kids ages 5-12 that let kids explore activities like sports, non-competitive games and other activities involving movement along with swim lessons.

Indianapolis Zoo summer camp

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The Indianapolis Zoo offers three and five-day camps for kids ages 5-14. Kids will learn about wild animals and what it takes to have a career in conservation. Prices vary for members and nonmembers.

Indy’s 2024 concert lineup: Massive country stadium shows and early ’00s throwbacks

Northside and Hamilton County Camps

Arts for Lawrence, Summer Art Camp

Arts for Lawrence runs four weeks of day camps for kids ages 6-12. Each day, kids will get to participate in visual arts classes, including painting and pottery as well as performing arts classes in the afternoon.

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Butler University Summer Arts Camps

Butler University has a variety of day camps for ages 7-18 and even some 18 and older camps for adults. Most of the camps focus on performing arts like music, theatre or dance with half or full-day options.

Butler University Soccer Camps

Butler University offers day soccer camps for kids aged 8-14 of various ability levels. Some of the weeks are already sold out but there are spaces available for the co-ed sessions.

Hamilton County Parks

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Hamilton County Parks offers day camps, some with overnight stays for kids ages 6 – 13. Kids can enjoy outdoor activities, such as fishing, aerial adventures, archery and canoeing as part of the Strawtown Koteewi camp. Registration begins March 16 at 10 a.m.

JCC Indianapolis Day Camps

The JCC Indianapolis has day camps for kids in grades K-9 and a counselor-in-training program for 10th graders. Camp days last from around 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and kids do activities like games, nature studies, arts and crafts and swimming. Non-JCC members can participate in the camps.

Indy Hoops Academy

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The Indy Hoops Academy, located in Fishers has half-or full-day camps for kids in grades K-8. Kids participate in sports like basketball, soccer, flag football, whiffle ball, kickball, dodgeball and other physical activities.

Park Tudor Summer Experience

Park Tudor, a private school on the north side of Indianapolis, offers summer camp options for preschoolers all the way up to high schoolers. The programs offered range from arts and crafts, sports, performing arts, and various other subjects.

White Pine Wilderness Academy

The White Pine Wilderness Academy offers day camp options for two weeks in the summer where kids ages 4-17 can experience activities like fire-making, wood splitting, plant ID, foraging, crafting, scouting, tracking, and storytelling.

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Is there a summer camp in central Indiana that we forgot to add? Let us know by emailing cbeck@gannett.com.

Contact IndyStar reporter Caroline Beck at 317-618-5807 or CBeck@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter: @CarolineB_Indy.

Caroline’s reporting is made possible by Report for America and the John S. and James L. Knight FoundationReport for America is a program of The GroundTruth Project, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening local newsrooms. Report for America provides funding for up to half of the reporter’s salary during their time with us, and IndyStar is fundraising the remainder. To learn more about how you can support IndyStar’s partnership with Report for America and to make a donation, visit indystar.com/RFA.





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Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis Colts Player Spotlight: Tight End Mo Alie-Cox

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Indianapolis Colts Player Spotlight: Tight End Mo Alie-Cox


The Indianapolis Colts changed the landscape of Shane Steichen’s offense by taking tight end Tyler Warren with the 14th-overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

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Warren took the field in Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins and didn’t look back. He’d set the Indianapolis rookie reception record with 76 while also piling on 817 receiving yards and five touchdowns (four receiving, one rushing).

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Warren’s emergence put the other Colts tight ends in the shadow of the limelight. However, one name on the depth chart is ultra-reliable, willing to do the dirty work, and has been a staple for the Colts. That name is veteran Mo Alie-Cox.

This is part four of a series where I’ll detail Colts players who may not get the limelight they deserve. Alie-Cox might not be the playmaker Warren is, but he’s vital to the success of the Colts’ offensive attack.

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From the Hardwood to the Gridiron

Feb 8, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Virginia Commonwealth Rams forward Mo Alie-Cox (12) dribbles as George Washington Colonials forward Tyler Cavanaugh (34) defends during the first half at Charles E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images | Brad Mills-Imagn Images

The craziest part of Alie-Cox’s journey to the NFL is that he didn’t play a single snap of college football during his days with the Virginia Commonwealth Rams. This was, of course, due to the program not having a football team.

Very few players have accomplished this, but the most notable is unquestionably NFL Hall of Fame tight end, Antonio Gates. Gates played at Kent State University and didn’t see any action on the college gridiron.

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What stood out about Alie-Cox was is immense stature and athleticism, standing around 6’5″ and weighing approximately 260 pounds. This type of build and athletic profile made him perfect for a tight end spot.

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Alie-Cox was undrafted in 2017, but Indianapolis liked what they saw from his private workouts and development into a tight end.

Alie-Cox went through a series of signings, injuries, practice squad designations, and releases. However, 2018 is when he saw his first NFL action with then-quarterback Andrew Luck.

He’d play nine games and stack a modest seven catches for 133 receiving yards and two scores. After this season, Alie-Cox got more respect from the Colts coaching staff to begin building his reliable resume.

Sign Up For the Colts Daily Digest – OnSI’s Indianapolis Colts Newsletter

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Respected and Reliable Asset for the Colts

Indianapolis Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox (81) rushes up the field Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, during the game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Colts defeated the Miami Dolphins, 33-8. | Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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Alie-Cox isn’t a freakish offensive weapon like Warren, but he boasts other great attributes that have helped propel Indy’s offense while also providing a steady hand as a pass-catcher in big situations.

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Through eight years with the Colts, Alie-Cox has played 125 games, earned 53 starts, and secured 127 catches for 1,550 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns.

He averages just a single catch per game through his NFL tenure, but two things stand out most about Alie-Cox: his red zone prowess, and his excellent blocking skills inline.

Alie-Cox averages a touchdown reception for every 7.94 catches, and always poses a threat when Indianapolis is in the red zone. Given his small usage as a receiver, this is a high clip to catch scores.

As for his blocking, he’s the top man for the job for all Colts tight ends, and 2025 was no different for the former basketball talent.

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Alie-Cox led the way for Colts tight ends when discussing his Pro Football Focus run-blocking grade, which stood firm at 64.6 on 220 run-blocking snaps. This placed Alie-Cox 37th out of all NFL tight ends in 2025.

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Alie-Cox might not blow anyone’s mind as a pass-catcher, but he’s one of the best rotational pieces for any tight end room in the league. And the Colts are happy to have his services.

Outlook With Colts

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Oct 19, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Grover Stewart (90) and tight end Mo Alie-Cox (81) run on the the field for the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

I chose to refrain from putting any Colts in-house free agents into my Player Spotlight series, but Alie-Cox gets a big pass here.

I would be shocked beyond belief if Indianapolis doesn’t get Alie-Cox a new deal in 2026. He’s cheap to keep, and his value to the franchise can’t be overlooked simply because he isn’t a household name.

In fact, the Colts would be wise to keep him in Indianapolis for the rest of his career. He’s an excellent vet to have available, does every job he’s asked to do at a high level, and brings a great presence to the locker room.

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Alie-Cox has put together a solid NFL career against all odds after not playing a lick of college football or getting an invitation to the 2017 NFL Combine.

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The Colts need to prioritize re-signing quarterback Daniel Jones and wide receiver Alec Pierce, but they must make room in the salary cap to keep Alie-Cox in their roster ranks.

Previous Spotlight Articles
Cam Bynum
Mekhi Blackmon
Adetomiwa Adebawore



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Indianapolis, IN

Anti-war protest sparks in Indianapolis amid US-Iran conflict

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Anti-war protest sparks in Indianapolis amid US-Iran conflict


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – More than a dozen protesters gathered at Military Park. In a dramatic escalation, the US and Israel engaged in military strikes against Iran and protesters are upset, including veteran Lucas Lee.

“I know what it’s like to be on the edge, potentially going somewhere where your life is at risk. And I believe this war is something we shouldn’t be fighting in. It’s important to stand up, because not only is standing up the right thing to do, but it could potentially save lives.”

Protesters held signs that read ‘Hands off Iran’ in front of the corner of West and New York intersection.
Several cars honked in support. Democratic City County Councilor Jesse Brown attended as well.

IPS School Teacher Noah Leininger organized the Anti-Iran War Rally. “The United States spends 1 trillion dollars on war every single year. While there are massive unmet needs right here in our own communities. People need jobs, healthcare, housing, and schools. And instead our government spends a trillion dollars every year to go and bomb elementary school age girls,” he said.

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Iranian officials say the U.S. and Isreal hit a girl’s primary school in southern Iran killing at least 115 people.

The US strikes have not only created tension in the Middle East, but also here at home.
Mark Oakley who supports military action Iran, confronted the anti-war protesters. “Freedom for Iranian people, freedom for Americans. Freedom for everybody, but this [protest] is not it. When you’re debating about innocent people getting killed. You are debating the wrong thing.”

Additional police were called in to de-escalate the situation.

Chris Gomez, attended the protest because he wanted to take action. “Trump ran on a platform called the party of peace. That’s what Republicans run their policy on a party of peace, but look where we are now.”

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Indianapolis Opera’s free concert spotlights influential Black composers

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Indianapolis Opera’s free concert spotlights influential Black composers


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Opera will host a free concert in honor of Black History Month Saturday night at 6 p.m. to celebrate the legacy and artistry of Black composers. The event features a range of spirituals, contemporary art songs, and operatic works performed a cappella.

Lyndsay Moy, the director of education, outreach, branding and design for Indianapolis Opera, said the event is designed to keep this specific music accessible to the public.

Resident artist Ian Williams, describes the concert as a mix of traditional repertoire and new songs. The artists will perform without microphones or instrumental accompaniment. “All of this is just straight out of our voices, so there’s no microphones,” Williams said. “We’re just creating the sound ourselves and putting it into a space, so it’s a little bit of, a little bit of breathing, a little bit of extra work there, yes.”

“So many composers tonight have been so influential in the broader vocal canon and it’s important and wonderful for us to be able to offer this kind of concert for free to our community to keep this kind of music accessible and more importantly to feature these fabulous artists like Ian so much talent,” Moy said.

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Williams noted that the concert allows the organization to celebrate classic composers who were not well known during their own time. “It’s very cool because we get to celebrate some of classic composers all the way back to William Grant Steele, who was one of the who wrote operas back in the day, even during the time of Porgy and Bess, but he wasn’t, it wasn’t well known,” Williams said.

One of the featured pieces is the traditional spiritual “Fix Me Jesus,” which was arranged for the University of Michigan choir. Williams said the arrangement by Stacey Gibbs maintains the traditional spiritual style while adding rich harmonies.

While formal tickets for the event are currently sold out, those interested in attending can email tickets@indyopera.org to be added to a waitlist.

Check out the video above to hear a sneak peak of the Indianapolis Opera!

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