Interest is up in camps for area children
As the school year winds down, parents find themselves making summer preparations that often include that ritual of childhood - camp for the kids.
Amber Doninguez, 13, sketches a picture before beginning to paint during an art class at the Jewish Community Center.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Although summer camps have been around a long time - the oldest was established in 1875 in Dovington, Pa. - interest in camps has blossomed in the past few years.
The American Camping Association estimates there are about 8,500 camps nationally serving more than 6 million young people each year.
With parents' busy work schedules and the desire to offer children exciting activities during the school break, summer camps have become increasingly more popular, said Robin Santagata, a counselor at Evans High School.
Santagata, who helps coordinate a summer cheer camp at the school, offered advice on how to select an appropriate camp program.
"Make sure they show a real interest in the camp," she said.
Santagata also offered the following tips:
- Let the child knows what to expect. Talk to the camper beforehand and answer any questions.
- Make sure the child is mature enough for the camp. Don't force a child if he or she doesn't feel ready.
- Inform camp officials of any special medical needs, such as food allergies.
- Dress the child appropriately. Call ahead if necessary to find out what clothing is suitable for the activity at hand. Don't forget sunscreen and hats for outdoor camps.
- When the camping day arrives, be supportive, positive and excited.
Visiting the camp ahead of time is a good idea, too, said Alberta Goldberg, program director of the Augusta Jewish Community Center, which offers a number of summer camps.
"Look for a welcoming, warm atmosphere," she said.
Also important is the counselor-to-child ratio and the number of staff members who are CPR and first-aid trained.
Parents should show an upbeat attitude about the camp, letting children see their enthusiasm for the fun that is about to begin.
Columbia County offers a number of camping choices that span the spectrum of childhood interests. Campers can learn skills from cooking to sailing or attend a general camp that offers a little of everything.
Here is a list of upcoming summer camps in Columbia County.
For the sports minded:
Augusta Prep will offer the following sports camps: girls volleyball for grades 6-8, 9 a.m. to noon, June 14-17; for grades 9-12, 1-4 p.m., June 14-17. $80. Call 863-6858, ext. 361, or Coach Rich Bland at 863-1906. All-sports camp (soccer, volleyball, baseball and basketball) for grades 3-6, 8 a.m. to noon, June 21-24. $70 before June 7, then $85. Call 863-6858, ext. 333 or 382. Striker-Keeper Camp: grades 4-8, 8 a.m. to noon. $80. Call 738-4614.
Augusta Christian Schools will offer boys basketball 9 a.m. to noon, June 1-4, and girls basketball 1-5 p.m., June 7-10. Football is offered for grades 1-6, 9 a.m. to noon, June 7-10, and baseball is 9 a.m. to noon, June 14-17. Call 863-2905, ext. 142.
The Augusta Sailing Club will offer its 2004 Youth Sailing Camp May 24-28, June 7-11, June 21-25, June 28-July 2 and July 12-16 at Thurmond Lake. $150 first week, $100 for additional weeks. There is a $25 deduction for first week for Augusta Sailing Club members. Call Jim Holder at 651-0587 or e-mail jholder@mainsheet.net. Registration forms are available at www.augustasailingclub.com.
The Evans Youth Cheerleading Camp is offered June 14-18 and June 21-25 for grades Kindergarten-5. Camp is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday with performance at 1 p.m. Learn cheers, chants and dances while practicing and developing skills such as jumps, tumbling and stunting. $100. Call Kelly Garnto at 855-0699, Robin Santagata at 650-1796 or 868-3663, ext. 214.
Sure-Shot Basketball Camps are offered for elementary school age from 9 a.m. to noon, June 7-11 or July 19-23 at Lakeside Middle School. $75. For middle school children, camps are 1-4:30 p.m. June 7-11 or July 19-23 at Lakeside Middle. $80. For either camp, call Tom Weidenaar or Dave Pitock at 855-6900.
The Augusta Jewish Community Center is offering basketball camp for ages 6-9 June 28-July 2. $215. Horseback riding is offered for ages 7 and older June 14-18, July 12-16 and July 19-23. $275 per week. Karate is scheduled for ages 5-8 and ages 9-12 June 14-18. $215. Call 228-3636.
The fifth annual Greenbrier fast-pitch softball clinic will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 1-3 at Patriots Park Softball Complex. Conducted by Head Coach Garrett Black, the clinic will include girls in grades 2-8 and kicks off Greenbrier High School's summer program. Call 650-6040, 863-8709 or 868-7588.
Harlem High School's annual baseball camp for ages 7-14 will be June 7-11 from 9 to noon each day at the Harlem recreation field. $50 per player. Call Jimmie Lewis at 556-6659 or Benjie Moore at 556-9136.
The Fourth Annual Greenbrier Volleyball Camp for girls in grades 6-9 will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 7-10 at the Greenbrier High School gym. Call Coach Debbie Born at 650-6043.
The 13th Annual Evans Knights Basketball Camp for boys and girls age 6-14 will be June 7-11 and July 5-9 at Evans High School gym. Call Coach Kevin Kenny at 863-1198 or 650-8008.
The Evans High School Lady Knights Volleyball Camp for girls in grades 6-9 will be 9 a.m. to noon June 8-July 1 at the school. Call CeCe Armstrong at 863-1198.
For a taste of fine arts:
Augusta Prep will offer a summer theater camp for grades 6-12 from June 14-July 23. Times vary. Campers will audition and be cast in a role in the play The Hobbit, then will rehearse and work on their acting skills. $750 for all six weeks. Call 863-1906, ext. 223 or 863-9970.
The Children's Musical Theatre Ensemble is open to ages 6-14 from May 26-Aug. 12. Classes are 90 minutes each week at Ron Jones Academy of Ballet on Furys Ferry Road. $200. Call Mickey Lubeck at 869-0089 or 231-1759.
Columbia County Arts Inc. will offer a summer art camp for grades 2-8 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. June 7-11. The program includes arts, dance, drama, voice, music, movement, set design and production. Camp concludes with a performance based on the Thirteen Colonies. $175 for Columbia County Arts members, $200 for non-members. Call Lewiston Elementary School at 228-1666.
The Family Y will offer dance and drama camp for ages 8-14. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 31-June 11, June 21-July 2 and July 12-23 at Wesley United Methodist Church. Before- and after-camp care is available. Two-week sessions offer campers basic performing arts techniques. Performances will be presented at lunch on Fridays. $160 for Family Y members; $220 for non-members. Call 738-6670.
Kindermusik specials are offered for young campers. Peek-A-Boo, I Love You! is designed for newborns-18 months and is 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. June 7-11. Activities include instrument play, special parent-baby dances, songs, lullabies and American Sign Language. $80. Zoo Train, 18 months-3 years is offered 10:45-11:45 a.m. June 7-11. Music, stories, crafts and snacks stimulate a toddler's emerging sense of imagination. Sing songs in new languages and learn about animals. $100. On The Road is for ages 3-5 and is 1-2:30 p.m. June 7-11. Take imaginary trips to summer vacation locations including a carnival, summer cottage and the beach. $120. All camps are at Vineyard Church off Furys Ferry Road. Call Vonda Darr at 228-5108.
Ron Jones Academy of Ballet will offer The Princess Series: A Ballet Workshop for Young Girls. For 3-5 year olds, the camp is 10-11:15 a.m. June 14-18, $60; 5-7 years-old, 10-11:30 a.m. June 21-25, $65. Introduction to Ballet for ages 8-12 will be 10-11:30 a.m. June 28-July 2. $75. Call 860-1852.
The Augusta Jewish Community Center will offer Art Factory Drama Camp for ages 5-8 June 28-July 2. $225; for ages 9-12, July 19-23, $225. Art Factory Art Camp for ages 5-8 is scheduled June 21-25. $225. For ages 9-12, July 12-16. $225. Call 228-3636.
Something a little different:
Cooking camps with Karin Calloway are being offered: The Geographic Gourmet is for grades 3-5 and is offered 1-3:30 p.m. June 7-June 11; The Luscious Life, for grades 6 and up is 1-3:30 p.m. July 26-30. $100. Call Augusta Prep at 863-1906.
Augusta Jewish Community Center will offer a Teen Leadership Camp on June 21-25 for ages 13-14. $215. Call 228-3636.
An overnight outdoor camp adventure for children with asthma, Camp Whispering Wind, is scheduled for ages 8-14 June 11-13 at Camp Daniel Marshall, Lake Thurmond. $25. Call 774-5864.
Augusta Prep academic enrichment camps are planned for middle and high school age youth. Classes focus on academic subjects such as math, middle school and high school grammar review, Spanish, writing, study skills for middle school and biology. Dates and prices vary. Call 863-6858 or visit www.augustaprep.org.
A bit of everything:
The Martinez United Methodist preschool will hold summer camp registration May 17-May 20 from 9:30 am to noon. Camp is open to children 6 months-12 years. For information, call 863-0229.
A Child's World will offer camps for ages 5 and older, and hours vary according to location. Activities include reading programs, water activities, field trips, drama, art projects and more. Registration $20, weekly fee $80. Augusta Tech Drive, 798-5547; Columbia Road, 860-0059; Grovetown, 868-9966; Hardy McManus Road, 364-4276; Marvin Griffin Road, 560-1493; North Augusta, 278-0150; Steven Creek Road, 863-9485; Windsor Spring Road, 796-3505 and Wrightsboro Road, 733-1099.
Augusta Jewish Community Center will offer Try-It Camps June 1-4 and July 6-9. $120. Mini camps for ages 3-4 is scheduled June 1-July 30. Full and half-day camps are available. Call 228-3636.
Augusta Prep day camps are scheduled for ages 5-12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 7-July 23 except for July 5-9. Day camps offer a variety of activities, including games, archery, kitchen science, robotics, math, art and computer. Extended care is available. Call 863-1906.
Columbia County Recreation Department will offer camp for ages 6-12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 24-July 30 (no camp week of July 4). Early drop off and late pick up are available. Offerings include arts and crafts, field trips, activities and games. $75 a week. Call 868-3458.
The Family Y is offering Camp Lakeside for ages 6-12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 24-Aug. 6. Before and after camp care is available. Offerings are swimming, hiking, arts and crafts, environmental education, canoeing, archery and more. $80 for Family Y members; $110 for non-members. Camp Marshall is held at Thurmond Lake for ages 5-12, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. May 24-July 30. Before and after camp care is available. Activities include swimming, arts and crafts, games and weekly field trips. $80 Family Y members; $110 for non-members. Held at Wesley United Methodist Church in Evans, Camp Aiken is for ages 5-12. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 24-July 30. Before and after camp care is available. Sports, games, songs and field trips are planned. $90. 738-6670.
The Martinez Montessori Academy is offering Summer Quest 2004 for ages 4-12 from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 24-July 30. Themes include: Sea Adventure, Sports Challenge, Express Yourself through Art, Math Challenge and Reading Roundup. $90 per week. Call 864-0273.
Girl Scout overnight camp for girls ages 5-17 will be held at Camp Tanglewood in Columbia County from June 13-July 23. You do not need to be a Girl Scout to attend. Activities include horseback riding, swimming, canoeing and other outdoor adventures. There are general interest camps and camps that focus on specialized activities such as riding, canoeing, swimming, archery, sports and crafts. One experience, Ultimate Adventure, for 4-12 graders will take girls caving in the Tennessee Mountains, trekking through Cloudland Canyons and touring the Tennessee Aquarium and its I-MAX Theater.
Girl Scout day camp is offered for girls age 5-11. The Columbia County Day Camp is Camp Tanglewood, June 7-11 and June 28- July 2. You do not need to be a Girl Scout to attend. For more information on programs and costs, visit www.girlscoutscsra.org or call 706-774-0505 or 800-997-2472.