Wednesday, May 19, 1999
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Wednesday, May 19, 1999 |
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Summer camp options for parents and children
By MICHAEL
BOYLAN
It is almost time for summer vacation for school children all over the country. Soon, the streets and parks will be inundated with children raising all sorts of heck, facing over two months of pure freedom. Parents know that they cannot possibly supervise the children every hour of each day. They also know that summer camps are perfect places for children to get lots of exercise while they explore and socialize. But which camp out of the thousands out there is right for them? There are many camps in the area that target certain types of children. For instance, if your child is into sports, Clayton College and State University offers basketball, soccer, tennis and speed camps throughout the summer. Each camp is under the direction of the coaches of Clayton's college teams. The camps are open to children ages 6 and up and most of the camps are half day camps. For specific information about which camps run when, phone the Department of Athletics at 770-961-3450. Fayette County Baseball will present the Doyle Baseball School for children 6 and up from June 7-11. The camp will run 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at a cost of $150 per player. Deadline for early registration is June 1. For information phone Charles McCollum at 678-817-0725. The Wendell Coffee Golf Center will offer junior golf camps every week from June 7 to Aug. 26 for age groups 6-17. The cost is $175 per week, which includes, lunch, drinks and prizes and clubs if needed. Phone 770-969-4469 for information or to sign up. The Fayette County Recreation Department and Encore Entertainment will offer two theater camps this summer. They will be for children 7-11 and 12 and older. They will perform in a show that they create. The focus of the classes will be movement, voice and the Spolin technique of improvisation. The camps will be offered July 12-16 and Aug. 2-6. The camp runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily at a cost of $75 per week. To register, phone 770-461-9714. Horse camps also will be offered at the Eagle's Landing Stables and Camp Calvin. The camp is only minutes from Atlanta Motor Speedway on the Clayton/Henry line and will be open to children ages 5 and up. Three different camps will be open this summer. The first is summer horsemanship camp, which is open to children in kindergarten through second grade. Along with the horse activities, children will cool off in the swimming pool, enjoy picnics and participate in arts and crafts. Phone 770-472-RIDE. Resident Horse Camp is an overnight camp for children in grades 3-6. They will learn how to ride, while they enjoy cookouts, hayrides and marshmallow roasts in the evening. Adventure Horse Camp is for children in grades seven to 12. The intensive hands-on camp will include an overnight pack trip on horseback in the outskirts of the camp's 500-plus-acre property. Phone 770-946-4276. There truly are thousands of other summer camp options, including Girl Scout, Boy Scout and park camps, which are camps offered by recreation departments at neighborhood parks. The United Way also has a hot line with 217 camps in the metro Atlanta area that can help parents narrow down their choices depending on cost, length and activities. Dial 211 and a referral specialist can help locate the camp that is right for you and your child. Enjoy your summer, by helping you child enjoy his or hers. Summer camps are the backbone of this great nation, well, not really, but they are lots of fun. Many long-lasting friendships are formed at summer camp and kids can actually learn something there as well.
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