Liza Mitchell
Summer camp does not have to be the dreaded rite of passage that it used to be, with endless days of failed archery attempts, mosquito bites, and Popsicle stick crafts. Kids today have more to look forward to than campfire singalongs and burnt marshmallows on a flaming stick. Whether they are active and outdoorsy or dramatic and creative, there are a multitude of summer camp options available that will entertain and educate children of all ages.
PAINT SOME SUMMER FUN!
ArtCamp@MOCA
Nine week-long creative sessions beginning June 9 for ages 4-14 in the museum, as well as the University of North Florida campus. Experienced art educators will offer an array of artistic activities from learning about contemporary art to creating their own one-of-a-kind art pieces in a variety of mediums. Register on the website, under the family/camp tab. Full and half days are available for each age group. Extended day available for all ages at MOCA Jacksonville. Space is limited. www.mocajacksonville.org, 366-6911
The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach’s Arts Camps
Designed to encourage artistic expression, art appreciation, interpretation, and imagination, they offer children an opportunity to explore and create, using various media, and to learn from professional artists and educators. You provide the lunch, we provide a snack, art supplies, professional instruction and tons of fun and creativity. Children will be divided into age groups and taught in a separate art studio unless otherwise indicated. www.ccpvb.org. 50 Executive Way, Ponte Vedra Beach, 280-0614
Camp Cummer
9am – 3:30pm (Extended care available)
The Cummer offers camp for both elementary and middle school students, and is designed for students with a variety of art experience. Children of all ages will create art projects inspired by their exploration of the Cummer Gardens and Galleries including painting, drawing, printmaking, mixed media and clay sculpture. Elementary School Camp is available for children entering grades 1 through 6 and will have six sessions June 9-July 25. In addition to the studio activities listed above, students will learn new ways to think and talk about art, and spend time in Art Connections, the Museum’s nationally recognized interactive education center. Middle School Camp is geared toward intermediate to advanced middle school art students looking to advance their skills outside of school, and provides the opportunity to build a portfolio. Middle School Camp is July 28-August 1. Cost for members $180 per week, Non-members $200 per week and Military $180 per week. Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, 899-6034, cummer.org.
TAKE IT TO THE STAGE!
Improv-a-thon at The Cummer
June 16 – June 27, 9am – 2pm Monday – Friday
Advanced 8th -12th graders. Interview Required.
This unique, two-week workshop is exciting and challenging for teenagers using theater games, improvisation techniques, and movement to integrate visual art with theater. FRAMED will have participants exploring the Cummer Museum’s collection and developing characters and scenes inspired by the art. Participants will learn the mechanics of field study, making observations, documenting their experiences, and collecting and recording information. They will also learn how to edit and choose material. Students will be involved with all aspects of the piece including set, costumes, and musicscape. The two week session will culminate with an original collaborative theater piece triggered by the art work. Limited to 15. Tuition: $425. Deposit of $150 to register. www.cummer.org/education or email jthomas@cummer.org. 355-0630
Let’s Put On A Play!
July 14 – August 1, 9am – 1pm Monday – Friday
This fun, play-building program for rising 5th through 12th grade students incorporates improvisation, theater games, and scene work to teach students how to rehearse a play in a professional manner at PBtS Community Theatre in Jacksonville Beach. The three-week sessions are designed to develop teamwork, listening, focus, projection, and movement skills. Camp culminates with a fully realized production with set, costumes and lights at 6pm Aug. 1st. Limited to 24 students. New students are encouraged to request a tour and meet and greet with camp facilitators. Tuition: $445. Deposit of $150 to register. www.playersbythesea.org/summer-camp, 106 6th St N, Jacksonville Beach, 249-0289
Camp-A-Go-Go
June16-20 (Showcase on Friday, June 20 at 12:30pm.) or July 14-18 (Showcase on Friday, July 18 at 12:30pm.), 9am to 1pm. Monday – Friday
One week creative dramatic camps, geared for 1st through 4rd graders. Camp-A-Go-Go encompasses theater games, storytelling, dress-up, pantomime, singing, and dancing. Students learn body awareness and control in a fun and educational atmosphere. For our youngest campers emphasis is on focus, theater vocabulary, and expressing oneself non-verbally. Camp culminates with a presentation in our Grace Darling Studio Theater showcasing skills learned. New students, please request a tour and meet and greet! Tuition: $175. Deposit of $75 to register. www.playersbythesea.org/summer-camp, 106 6th St N, Jacksonville Beach, 249-0289
Get in the Character Zone
9am – 1pm. Monday – Friday, June 16 –20 (Showcase on Friday, June 20 at 1pm) or July 14 – July 18 (Showcase on Friday, July 18th at 1pm)
This one-week acting camp for 5th-10th graders employs improvisation, theater games and pantomime, encouraging teamwork, and concentration. Students learn how to develop characters and how to breakdown and perform a monologue. This popular, fun camp builds listening, focus, blocking, and projection skills. It is highly recommended for both the beginner and returning student. Camp culminates with a presentation in our Grace Darling Studio Theater showcasing skills learned. Tours and meet and greet encouraged for new students. Tuition: $175. Deposit of $75 due at registration. www.playersbythesea.org, 106 Sixth St North, Jacksonville Beach, 249-0289
Camp Broadway
June16-20, 8:30am-5pm
Camp Broadway introduces young people aged 10-17 to the world of life on-stage and behind the scenes. Campers work with Broadway directors, choreographers, and musical directors to receive training in acting, scene study, improvisation, music theory, solo and ensemble singing, movement, and dance. This five-day performing arts program offers each camper the opportunity to expand his or her creative talents, build self-esteem, learn the art of collaboration, and gain a fuller respect and understanding of musical theatre. Space is limited; reserve today! Tuition: $550.00 per camper. www.artistseriesjax.org/education/camp-broadway, Wilson Center for the Arts, 11901 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, 442-2932
Camp Theatre Jacksonville
June 9 thru July 3 and July 14 thru August 8
9am–2pm (Early drop off and extended day available.)
Camp Theatre Jacksonville travels back to the 1960s.On the set of one of the decade’s most famous variety shows, our campers will rub elbows with the best and brightest talent from the silver screen. Broadway, television, and even across the Pond. Our energetic and well-trained acting, musical theatre, dance and Improv instructors will have your child singing and dancing to the music of Motown, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, The Beatles, and many more! Come get your kicks watching our campers put the groove back in GROOVY in a production built around their many talents. $500 per session of which a nonrefundable $150 deposit is required at registration. Discounts available when enrolling in multiple sessions or with siblings. The first three weeks are held at San Marco’s Trotter Activities Center (1435 Atlantic Blvd.) and the final week of camp and all performances will be back at Theatre Jacksonville in San Marco. 396-4425 ext. 16, theatrejax.com
GET OUTSIDE!
WEKIVA YOUTH CAMP
June 15 – July 26
This is a residential nature camp for 3rd through 8th graders sponsored by the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs (FFGC) for the purpose of instilling a love and respect for the REAL Florida in our youth through nature study, conservation, and protection of our environment for the future of our state and our planet. Critter Camp is a mini-camp experience open to children that are currently attending 1st or 2nd grade. The three-day, two-night session is well-suited for younger campers. Wekiva Leadership Training is a spring weekend orientation for adults interested in Volunteering or learning more about Wekiva Youth Camp. Wekiva Youth Camp is accredited by the American Camp Association and is comprised of six one-week sessions during June & July in Wekiva Springs State Parks. Wekiva Youth Camp delivers an unforgettable experience enjoying nature, crafts, and the beauty of the natural world in a magical, pristine setting. Campers enjoy a unique outdoor living and learning experience, with close supervision. Fee varies depending on the package. wekivayouthcamp.org
JAX ZOO EDU-CAMP
June 16 – August 1, 9am–3pm, Extended Care Available
Where else can you spend all week nose-to-nose with an elephant, eye-to-eye with an anaconda or shoulder-to-shoulder with a gorilla? All of the Jacksonville Zoo camps include zoo tours, behind-the-scenes excursions, activities, crafts and hands-on encounters with animals every day. Zoo Summer Camp is open to children ages 5-13. Camp topics are divided by age group. Tuition: $200, $175 for members, +$50 per week with extended care. www.jacksonvillezoo.org/education/day_camps Jacksonville Zoo, 370 Zoo Parkway, Jacksonville, 757-4463
JACKSONVILLE SUMMER SURF CAMP
June 9 – August 4
Jacksonville Surf Training Summer Surf Camp is a fun and safe way to advance a child’s surfing skills, ocean knowledge, and comfort in the water. Camp is open to all ages 6-16 and will be divided into groups depending on age and skill. After completing our five-day surf camp your child will have learned how to have fun surfing safely, paddle, navigate in the surf, and of course stand up. Swim and stand up paddleboarding lessons are also available. Registration is now open online. Camp now available for Half Day 9 am-12 pm ($200/week or $50/single day) or Full Day 9 am-3 pm ( $325/week or $80/single day) All-girls session July 21-25. www.jacksonvillesurfandpaddle.com/pages/kids-camps, 222 Orange Street, Neptune Beach, 435-7873
SPORTS CAMP
June 4 – August 4, 8am-3pm, Extended Care 3pm-6pm.
Campers from K through 6th grade will participate in team sports and age appropriate activities at St. Paul’s Gym in Jacksonville Beach. Youth will enjoy basketball, soccer, flag football, kick ball, whiffle ball, dodge ball, tag games and much more. On Fridays, pizza and drinks will be provided and campers will take a bus to Beach Bowl to bowl. All campers will receive a T-shirt on Friday. Cost: $95-110 per week, and this includes the pizza/drinks, T-shirt, and bowling. Extended Care from 3pm – 6pm for an additional $50 per week. A special program is available for 7th and 8th grade girls and boys. They attend camp at half price and are given some responsibilities and duties, as well as playing opportunities. This program has a limited number of spots. Please contact Tommy Hulihan if you have any questions and/or to reserve a spot. www.tommyhulihanbasketball.com, St. Paul’s Gym, 212 5th St North, Jacksonville Beach, 349-2611
DISCOVER SUMMER!
June 16 – August 8, 9am-3pm
MOSH Summer Discovery Camps are open to students in K through 8th grade in eight weekly sessions. Campers will explore science, history and astronomy as they conduct experiments, journey to the edge of the universe in the Bryan-Gooding Planetarium and explore museum exhibits, including the summer blockbuster exhibit, Megalodon: Largest Shark that Ever Lived! Some camps will also feature special guest speakers and space camps will culminate with a trip to the Kennedy Space Center. WEEK 1: June 16 – 20 LEGO I (K – 5); WEEK 2: June 23 – 27 Pirates & Princesses (K & 1) Now You See It Now You Don’t (2 & 3) Rockets & Roller Coasters (4 & 5); WEEK 3: June 30 – July 3 Superheroes (K & 1) The Age of Discovery (2 & 3) Nano MOSH (4 & 5); WEEK 4: July 7 – 11 Get Your Game On! (K & 1) Fire & Ice (2-5) Survivor (6 – 8); WEEK 5: July 14 – 18 Swimming with the Sharks (K – 5); WEEK 6: July 21 – 25 Prehistoric Parade (K & 1) Micro MOSH (2 & 3) Grossology (4 & 5) Movie Making (6 – 8); WEEK 7: July 28 – August 1 LEGO II (K – 5); WEEK 8: August 4 – 8 Space Pioneers (K & 1) Space Explorers (2 & 3) Space Astronauts (4 & 5). www.themosh.org The Museum of Science and History, 1025 Museum Circle, Jacksonville, 396-6674
JUST FOR FUN!
June 16 – July 25, 9am-3pm, Extended day available
Campers ages 3-14 can choose to take classes in a variety of areas at the LaVilla School for the Performing Arts. Drama, Dance, Instrumental, “Top Chef” Science, and Arts & Crafts are available for ages 7 – 14. Camps for ages 10 – 14 include Visual Arts, History, Comics, and “Blast Off” Science. The only intensive camp is Film which is for ages 10 – 14. Jr Counselors Camp provides instruction to rising 9th and 10th grades to be camp counselors. Volunteer opportunities are available for former campers who have successfully completed Junior Counselors Camp in a previous year. The camp also serves the Federal Summer Lunch/ Snack Program to provide free lunch to all campers. Friday Fundays include a field trips or free play time. Older campers can swim at Jefferson Street pool and younger ones get wet in our own water play area. Tuition: $125-$145/week. Intensive camp is $375. www.dcps.duvalschools.org/lavilla, LaVilla School for the Arts, 501 North Davis St, Jacksonville, 633-6069 ext. 1008
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