Take a Peek at 5 Summer Camp Options

Summertime and the campin’ is easy. Or is it? So many choices, so many ways to keep the kids busy, but are they all they’re hyped up to be? Patch Picks did some homework for you and found these summer camp offerings for 2011 at the recent summer camp fair held at Severna Park High School.

Keep in mind your children’s interests and abilities as you plan activities. You may have dreamed of becoming a famous artist, but Johnny may be more into those extreme sports. Keeping HIM happy keeps US happy in the summer months ahead.

1.  Skateboard Camp. It’s radical, dude! This new camp for the beginner through the intermediate skateboarder is held in 4 and 5-day sessions several times through Aug. 5 at Sawmill Skateboard Park on Dorsey Rd. off of 97, just minutes away. Anne Arundel County Parks and Rec’s counselor and instructor Douglas Nguyen, is pumped to get kids out to safely learn ollys, kick-flips, grinding, and skateboard etiquette. Campers need to come with all safety gear, ready for a great time. To register: www.aacounty.org/recparks or call 410-222-7313.

2. KidzArt Summer Camps.  With the motto, “If you can dream, you can draw," owner Ebbie Slacum brings this creative camp for 5 – 11 year-olds to our county from her success in Howard County.  Classes will be held at (and other AA County locations) from June through August. If words like clay, watercolor, chalk, and woodworking are some of your kids' key words for fun, this is the place for you.

 And, if your older child loves fashion, there’s a camp called TeenzArt Fashion Forward Design Challenge for the 15-year-old crowd. Only requirement? “A passion for fashion,” say the camp’s leaders who help kids create their own designs leading up to a fashion show.  Again, register at: www.aacounty.org/recparks   or call 410-222-7317.

3. FasTracKids.  Also available through our county’s Recreation and Parks department, this program is one of enrichment for those children who enjoy learning and don’t want it to end just because summer has arrived.

Camps include Spanish Immersion I and II, Creative Literature and Math (yes, it can be creative!), and Music Camp. Very convenient for Severna Park folks, classes will all be held at in Millersville, and cover a pretty broad age range - from age 3 to 10. To see more about this camp experience, visit www.innovativecreativeeducation.com. Visit www.aacounty.org/recparks or call 410-222-7317.

4. Carter School of Dance.  Join this wonderful “troupe” of dance educators as they do their dance thing at the all summer long. Severna Park is blessed to have had such a wonderful resource in our community for so long.  Summer 2011 lineup:  the 3- 6 year-olds have ballet and tap, the 6 -10’s have a little bit of everything a la camp-style, and the 10 - 18 ‘s will focus on ballet, tap, jazz and more. Music, fun, exercise, skill-sharpening all rolled up into one. Look up Mary Carter’s school at www.carterschoolofdance.com or call 410- 431-5228.

5. Downs Park Day Camp and Pre-Teen Camp. With two-week sessions and family discounts, this camp should not be overlooked.  These full-day county-sponsored camps are an ideal option for working parents of children entering grades K – 6. Counselors Amanda and Michelle were busy greeting possible campers, explaining this year’s theme:  “Downs Park Goes to the Movies.”

Games and activities will be set up for the campers based on the theme and a good time is promised to all. Extended hours are offered for an additional fee and bus transportation is also available. Not familiar with Downs Park in Pasadena? Preview it ahead of time on “Family Day at the Park, May 14 (rain date Sun.), where there will be activities and entertainment for the community to enjoy at 8311 John Down Loop, Pasadena, 21122. Call park office for more info: 410-222-6320. Register for summer camp at www.aacounty.org/parkrecs.

For more ideas see: