LITTLE ROCK — Summer break is here and many parents who didn’t plan ahead are frantically searching for programs and activities to keep the kids busy. Luckily for them, there are many day camps that still have openings.
Here are some — chosen from hundreds of options offered across the state this summer — that sound particularly interesting.
For the young historian, the Old Independence Regional Museum in Batesville offers two day camps focusing on the Arkansas home front during the Great Depression and World War II. The first camp is for third- and fourth-graders and is Tuesday-through June 18. The second camp, for fifth- and sixth-graders, is June 22-25. Programs begin at 9 a.m. and end at 1 p.m. each day. There is a $40 registration fee. The museum is at 380 S. Ninth St., Batesville. For more information, see www.oirm.org or call (870) 793-2121.
Future detectives and investigators can learn to catch a criminal at the CSIstyle camp, “Murder in the Oil Field.” Hosted by the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources in Smackover, this new day camp for 7- to 11-year-olds lets participants use modern investigative tools to solve a mystery. The camp is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 12-14. The registration fee is $45, and the deadline is June 30. The museum is located at 3853 Smackover Highway. For more information, see amnr.org or call (870) 725-2877.
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Community School of the Arts will host summer arts camps and summer strings camp. The art classes are for ages 5 to 15 and include sessions on acting, creative writing, Chinese brush painting, musical theater-dance and international cooking. The first session is Monday through June 18, and the second session is Aug. 2-6; the programs run from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day. These summer courses are taught by college faculty who are professionals in their fields. Tuition is $160 per child, and discounts are available for families enrolling more than one child. The summer arts camp will take place in the Commons building on the UALR campus at 2801 S. University Ave., Little Rock.
Young musicians can attend the Community School of the Arts’ summer strings camp June 21-25. Children from elementary to high school with at least one year of experience on their instrument are eligible. The camp is from 1:30-5 p.m. daily at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, 4823 Woodlawn Ave., Little Rock. Tuition is $110 for those who register before Friday and $115 afterward. For information about either camp, see ualr.edu/ communityschool or call (501) 569-3480.
The Arts and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas in Pine Bluff has six day camps throughout the summer. “Mapping Nanotechnology: What’s the Big Deal?” is for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. Participants will create explosions, conduct nano-experiments and even create a to-scale “Mini Me.” The camp is from 1-4 p.m. today through Friday. Registration is $55 for members and $90 for nonmembers. The Arts and Science Center’s other programs include an art shop, theater camp and cooking classes. The center is at 701 Main St., Pine Bluff. For details see ArtsScienceCenter.org or call (870) 536-3375.
For kids who would otherwise be flipping over furniture, River City Gymnastics has 11 weeks of day camps this summer. Participants will practice gymnastics, rock climbing, bowling and other sports. The program is open to ages 5-11 and the hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day. Tuition is $135 weekly for full-day participants, and $90 weekly for half-day participants. The daily rate is $40. River City Gymnastics is located at 5310 S. Shackleford Road, Suite A, Little Rock. For details, see rivercity-gymnastics.com or call (501) 407-8000.
The University of Central Arkansas will host its annual summer drama camp from June 21 to July 15. Participants will spend the summer rehearsing to produce a full-length play. The junior group, consisting of grades three to six, will perform Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations. The senior group, for grades seven to 12, will perform The Frogs. The camp will be held on the UCA campus at 201 Donaghey Ave. in Conway. No experience is necessary. Cost is $275 before Monday, $300 after. For more information, see uca.edu/theatre/ youththeater.php or call (501) 450-5092.
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is also offering baseball and basketball camps. The UALR Baseball Youth Development Camp
will be from 9 a.m. to noon June 21-24. Children ages 6-14 are eligible. Parents may register their children on the first day of the camp for $100 per child. Participants are expected to bring equipment. The baseball camp will be at Gary Hogan Field at Harrison and 24th streets. For more information, see ualrtrojans. com or call (501) 280-0759. There are three sessions for UALR’s Steve Shields Basketball Camp this summer. The first is Monday to Friday, the second is June 21-25 and then July 12-16. Each session has a morning mini camp for children in kindergarten to third grade from 8-10 a.m. A regular camp for fourth- to 12th-graders is from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The regular camp for the third session is for children in grades four to six only. Cost for each mini camp is $95 per child and $195 for each regular camp. All sessions will be held in the Jack Stephens Center on the UALR campus. For more information, see ualrtrojans. com or call (501) 569-8927.
The Shiloh Museum of Ozark History in Springdale will host two sessions of its 1800s History Camp for children ages 6-9. Each camp is from 9 a.m. to noon, and will have different themes each day, including the Civil War, railroads and pioneers. The first session is June 21-25, and the second is July 12-16. Registration is $45 for museum members and $50 for nonmembers. The museum is at 118 W. Johnson Ave. in Springdale. See springdale ark.org/shiloh or call (479) 750-8165 for more information.
Aspiring archaeologists can attend the archaeology day camp at Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park, 490 Toltec Mounds Road, Scott. Children ages 8-12 will learn about excavation and American Indian crafts with handson programs. The camp will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today through Friday. Admission is $50. For more information, call (501) 961-9442.
The Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area in Rogers is having a nature exploration day camp for children ages 6-8. Campers will learn about and see many of the region’s animal species. The camp is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 22-24. Registration is $50. The park is at 20201 E. Arkansas 12, Rogers. For more information, call (479) 789-5000.
Check local museums, colleges and private schools — in addition to the ones listed below — for more day camp options.
Many state parks (arkan sas stateparks.com) are having camps throughout the summer. The Museum of Discovery (amod.org), 500 President Clinton Ave., Little Rock, is offering many summer programs as well. The Episcopal Collegiate School (episcopalcollegiate.org), 1701 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, offers summer programs as varied as study skills and photography.
Family, Pages 33 on 06/09/2010