Panda Chess Academy 17th Annual Summer Chess Camps 2026

17th Annual Summer Chess Camps 2026

Panda Chess Academy

For 17 consecutive years, Panda Chess Academy has hosted its summer camps at the same Westpark location in Houston.

A structured, serious, and enjoyable chess training experience for scholastic players.

Location

Panda Chess Academy
9900 Westpark #252
Houston, TX 77063

Camp Director

National Master Jeffrey Ashton
Owner & Founder, Panda Chess Academy

All instruction is taught and organized by NM Jeffrey Ashton.

2026 Camp Dates

  • July 6–10 – Intermediate to Advanced
  • July 13–17 – Intermediate to Advanced
  • July 20–24 – Beginner to Advanced
  • July 27–31 – Beginner to Advanced

Weeks 1 and 2 are designed for students with prior tournament experience or established intermediate strength.

Daily Schedule

Full Day
9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Full Day campers bring a nut-free lunch.

Morning Session (Half Day)
9:00 AM – 11:45 AM

Afternoon Session (Half Day)
12:45 PM – 3:30 PM

Drop-Off Windows

Regular Drop-Off (Full Day & Morning Session): 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM

Early Drop-Off: 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
$20 per day or $100 per week

Late Pickup: 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
$20 per day or $100 per week

Both for full week: $200 per camper

Tuition (Per Camper, Per Week)

  • Morning Half Day: $245
  • Afternoon Half Day: $245
  • Full Day: $395

Discounts

Returning Camper Discount
$50 off per camper per week
(For students who have attended a Panda Chess Academy camp this summer or in previous summers.)

Sibling Discount (First-Time Sibling)
$50 off total tuition for the week.

A sibling’s first camp uses the $50 Sibling Discount instead of the $50 Returning Camper Discount for that week.

Only one discount may be applied per camper per camp week.

What’s Included

  • All chess equipment
  • Snacks and bottled water
  • Worksheets and folders
  • Lecture notes
  • Practice games using United States Chess Federation rules
  • Small class sizes
  • Prizes

Full Day campers bring a nut-free lunch.

Curriculum & Learning Experience

Each camp features fresh instructional material so returning campers continue building new skills.

Both Morning and Afternoon sessions include:

  • Structured lecture
  • Puzzle solving
  • Guided practice
  • Supervised play with feedback
  • Dismissal

A typical session includes:

  • Lecture
  • Snack break
  • Puzzles and structured activities
  • Guided play with feedback

Instruction emphasizes professional rules, clock usage when appropriate, and sportsmanship so students are prepared for competitive play at local, national, and international levels.

Topics Covered

  • Chess tactics and calculation
  • Opening repertoire development
  • Positional evaluation and strategy
  • Time management in tournament play
  • Recognizing critical positions
  • Endgame fundamentals and advanced techniques
  • Personalized game analysis
  • How to practice effectively

Additional Activities

  • Group puzzle-solving challenges
  • Team competitions
  • Playing against instructors
  • Themed endgame and middlegame training
  • Guess-the-move exercises from master games

Student Conduct

Our core values are:

Focus. Safety. Sportsmanship.

Students are expected to be respectful and courteous.
Rude or unsportsmanlike behavior will not be tolerated.

Registration & Payment

Register online:
www.chesspanda.com/form

Payment options:

Zelle, PayPal, or Venmo:
jeffreyashton@gmail.com

Credit card:
www.chesspanda.com

For details:
camps.chesspanda.com

Email: jeffreyashton@gmail.com
Phone / Text: 832-657-2991

Summer Chess Camps 2026 – FAQ & Price Guide

Below are answers to the most common parent questions about camp structure, eligibility, logistics, and policies. Pricing examples with discounts already applied are included at the bottom.

Who is this camp for?
Students in grades K–8.

Weeks 1–2: Intermediate and experienced players.
Weeks 3–4: Beginners through advanced players.

Does my child need tournament experience?
Not for Weeks 3–4.

Beginners must know how the pieces move. Families may create a free Lichess account, complete lichess.org/learn, and email the username to jeffreyashton@gmail.com for evaluation assistance.

Weeks 1–2 are best suited for students already competing or strongly interested in tournament play.

What is the difference between Half Day and Full Day?

Half Day includes lecture, puzzles, guided practice, supervised play, and dismissal.

Full Day includes both sessions. Campers bring a nut-free lunch.

Are students grouped by level?
Yes. Students work at an appropriate level of difficulty.

What should my child bring?
Full Day campers bring a nut-free lunch.
All chess equipment and materials are provided.

What is the cancellation policy?

  • 7+ days before camp: refund minus $50 cancellation fee
  • Within 7 days of start: non-refundable
  • After camp begins: no refunds

Pricing Examples (Discounts Already Applied)

Two Full Day Campers – First-Time Siblings
$395 + $395 − $50
Total: $740

Two Half Day Campers – First-Time Siblings
$245 + $245 − $50
Total: $440

One Full Day + One Half Day – First-Time Siblings
$395 + $245 − $50
Total: $590

Returning Full Day Camper
(Has attended a camp this summer or previous summers)
$395 − $50
Total: $345

Returning Half Day Camper
$245 − $50
Total: $195

Two Returning Full Day Siblings
$345 + $345
Total: $690

Extended Care (Full Week)
Early Drop-Off: $100
Late Pickup: $100
Both: $200 per camper

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