It’s time to start planning for summer camp. Actually it’s past time, but there are still openings in nearby camps for your kids to fit a range of interests.
The Old Opera House Theatre Company in Charles Town offers a June camp. According to artistic director Steven Brewer the camp aims to give kids a general understanding of theater, and features classes and exercises ranging from stage combat to costuming and makeup to special effects. “It’s not just acting,” Brewer says. Participants will be grouped according to age: 8 to 12 will meet June 16–20; teens 13 to 16 will meet June 23–27. Both camps run from 9am. until noon. If there is interest, there will be a camp for younger children, ages 5 to 7, June 9–13. Register by May 15; space is limited. Cost is $75; $60 for children under eight. Scholarships are available. For information, 304-725-4420.
Shepherd University’s Department of Music offers a string orchestra camp and summer jazz camp. Both camps are open to students currently enrolled in grades nine through twelve and those who will have completed eighth grade this year. The string camp runs June 16–20 and includes string orchestra rehearsals, master classes, group coaching, chamber music coaching, faculty performances, and a string orchestra concert. The jazz camp runs June 23–27, and includes jazz band rehearsals, individual and group coaching, combo/improvisation classes, theory classes, master classes, faculty performances, and a concert. Both camps are from 9am. to 4:30pm in the Frank Arts Center on the Shepherd University campus. Tuition for each camp is $250, which includes lunches and Friday dinner. Space is limited. For information, Anne Munro at 304-876-5555, or www.shepherd.edu/musicweb/preparatory.html.
Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Commission offers a wide array of programs and camps for youth of all ages. According to Joyce Moler, Parks & Rec added “a lot of new programs this year,” offering some 500 camps and activities. There are camps for drama, music, creative writing, and visual arts. And there are camps for almost every sport, including baseball and softball, basketball, track and field, and soccer—not to mention camps on science, nature, cooking, sign language, and even Harry Potter. Most camps are still available for reservations.
Jefferson County Parks & Rec will also sponsor summer play camp programs at Morgan’s Grove Park, Sam Michael’s Park, and Wright Denny Elementary School for children ages 5 to 14, from June 16 to August 8, 8am. to 5pm. Each camp offers recreational opportunities, including non-competitive games, sports, arts and crafts, nature activities, theme days, swimming, trips, and special events. Moler says they are taking applications and still have space, but urges you to sign up soon. The fee is $75 per week, but parents can pay in advance for all eight weeks and receive one week free. Registration is accepted at the Jefferson County Community Center. See www.jcprc.org or call 304-728-3207 for information.
One of the area’s most popular camps, the Potomac Valley Audubon Society’s Discovery Camp, is almost full. Ellen Murphy, director of children’s programs, says they recently “opened up a couple of new weeks to take care of the waiting list,” so they may have a few spots available at press time—call immediately you’re interested. The goal of discovery camp, Murphy says, is “to give campers the chance to be in nature all day, so they can learn not only about their environment, but how they interact with the environment.” The camp runs June 5 to July 25. Each week has a different theme, with activities and crafts geared toward that theme. For information, www.potomacaudubon.org or 304-676-8739.
The Children’s Treehouse and River School are hosting camp for children ages five-and-a-half to 9. The Children’s Treehouse/River School is a nonprofit center located on the National Conservation Training Center property in Shepherdstown (it is not federally funded). The child development center is dedicated to a Reggio-inspired program that focuses on the environment and creative processes of young children.
The sessions and schedule are:
June 23–27, Art in Nature
June 30–July 3, Magical Earth
July 7–11, Insectology
July 14–18, Fins, Gills, and Scales
July 21–25, Wild Wonderful West Virginia Animals
July 28–Aug 1, Wetlands
Aug 4–8, Drama in the Woods
Aug 11–15, Harvest Time (organic gardening)
The cost is $130 for each week-long session. The camp will be open from 7:30am to 5pm daily with main activities taking place between 8:30pm and 3:30pm. For information on these events or the Children’s Treehouse and River School, contact Jan Hummer, janhummer@hotmail.com, or Joyce Rudolph, 304-876-7354.
