Area camps offer fun for summer

For Columbia County children looking for some summer fun, an assortment of camps provide a variety of adventure.

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The Augusta Jewish Community Center bustles with children during the summer months, thanks to the center's numerous camp opportunities.

In addition to a traditional day camp, the center on Weinberger Way in Evans features specialty camps, including some that focus on science, fashion, cooking and martial arts, said Jackie Crute, the center's office manager.

"We just try and offer new things every year," Crute said, adding that cheerleading and Jazz for Kids are new offerings this year.

Art camps are always popular, she said, and so is the center's traditional day camp that features arts and crafts, swimming and archery.

The camps are a way to keep children constructively busy during summer break while exposing them to new things and lots of fun, Crute said.

"It is structured, but not over-regimented," Crute said. "They are busy and they go home and sleep well."

Children can choose academic or athletic summer ventures, opt for creative arts camps focusing on drama, visual arts and dance, or even find good summer fun at traditional day camps.

No matter what a child's interests, a summer camp likely is available.

Here are some of the camps offered this year in Columbia County:

Academic

Augusta Preparatory Day School: 285 Flowing Wells Road, Martinez. For information or to register, call (706) 863-1906, visit www.augustaprep.org or contact Cornelia Isaac at cornelia.isaac@ augustaprep.org.

- Get Your Feet Wet: First Grade Prep: July 20-24. For rising first-graders. 9 a.m. to noon. $175

- Middle School Science: July 12-16. 11 a.m. to noon for rising fourth- and fifth-graders. Noon to 1 p.m. for rising seventh- and eighth-graders

- Middle School English Grammar Review: July 12-23. 8-8:55 a.m. for rising sixth-graders; 11-11:55 a.m. for rising seventh- and eighth-graders. $190

- Study Skills: July 12-16 and July 19-23. 9-9:55 a.m. for rising fifth- through eighth-graders. $100

- Organizational Skills: July 12-16 and July 19-23. 9-9:55 a.m. for rising fifth- through eighth-graders. $100

- Middle School Math -- Basic Skills: June 21-25. 12:30-1:25 p.m. for rising seventh-graders. $100

- Middle School Math -- Pre-Algebra: June 21-25. 1:30-2:25 p.m. for rising seventh-graders. $100

- PSAT/SAT Critical Reading/Writing Prep: June 14-18. 1:30-3 p.m. $165.

MAES Education Center: Elementary through high school. Summer sessions in a variety of educational areas, including elementary reading comprehension and math review, middle school drama and study skills and SAT prep classes. $150-$285. Call (706) 860-8585 or visit www.maes educationcenter.com.

Camp Invention: First- through sixth-graders; 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. June 7-11 at Martinez Elementary School. Science-based activities. $210. Visit www.invent.org or e-mail campinvention@invent.org.

Augusta Jewish Community Center Science Camp (Destination Mars): 898 Weinberger Way. Ages 7-13. June 21-25. Specialty camps cost $225. To register, call (706) 228-3636 or visit www.augustajcc.org.

Arts

Greenbrier High School Drama Camp: Rising first-ninth graders. 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 7-11 at school theater. $75 per child. Contact Steve Hansen at shansen@ccboe.net, or go to www.ghspackplayers.net/drama-camp.html.

Columbia County Youth Orchestra: Third-year students through high school. 6-8 p.m. Thursdays June 3-July 22 at Augusta Christian Schools band room. $25. Contact Rob Nordan at (706) 860-6573, ext. 114, or rnordan@columbiacco.org or visit www.columbiacco.org.

Augusta West Dance: Ages 3-8. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 14-18, June 21-25, July 12-16 and July 19-23. Themed weeks. $100 plus $5 registration fee. Call (706) 860-0998.

Musical Theatre Workshops Summer Workshops: Ages 4-adult. Musical theater, acting, dance and voice. Contact Director Mickey Lubeck at (706) 231-1759 or musicaltheatre director@gmail.com, or visit www.musicaltheatre workshops.com.

Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art Summer Art Camp: Ages 5-11. 10 a.m. to noon June 7-30 at The Quest Church, 4020 Washington Road, Martinez. $60 for members per week and $75 for nonmembers. Call (706) 724-5495 or visit www.ghia.org.

Columbia County Ballet Summer Dance Camps: Weekly sessions in June and July. For details and rates, call (706) 860-1852 or visit www. columbiacountyballet.com.

Portman's Music Academy Summer Camps: Call (706) 738-1651 or www. portmansmusicacademy.com.

- Music Camp: Ages 7-11. 9:30 a.m. to noon June 7-12. Explore instrumental music through rhythm, melody, harmony, tone color and form. $145

- Guitar Camp: Fourth through ninth-graders. July 12-17. 10 a.m. to noon for fourth through sixth grades. 12:30- 2:30 p.m. for seventh through ninth grades. $145 and $25 guitar rental fee.

- Band Camp: Beginners and fourth- and fifth-graders. 9:30 a.m. to noon June 28-July 3. Learn to assemble, care for and play an instrument. $145

- Rock Camp: Ages 12-17. One year musical experience required. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 21-25. $225

Augusta Preparatory Day School: 285 Flowing Wells Road, Martinez. For information or to register, call (706) 863-1906, visit www.augustaprep.org or contact Cornelia Isaac at Cornelia. isaac@augustaprep.org.

- Ballet: Ages 4-7. 1-3 p.m. June 14-18. $100

- Beginning Guitar: June 14-18, July 12-16 and July 19-23. First through fourth grades 11 a.m. to noon; fifth through 12th grades 1-2 p.m. $120 per week

- Ceramic Arts: Fifth through 12th grades. 9 a.m. to 10:55 a.m. or noon to 1:55 p.m. $200

- Digital Photography: Fifth through eighth grades. 10 a.m. to noon or noon to 2 p.m. July 19-23. $150

- Sculpture Studio for Teens: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 21-25. $120

- Teen Drawing Camp for Portfolio Development: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. $85

- Theater: Ages 6-15. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday June 14-25. $450 includes class, registration, snack and T-shirt.

Video Game Creation/Car Racing Video Creation/3D Animation Creation: Ages 8-15. June 4-18. For information, visit www.game buildercamp.com/video.htm or call (888) 652-4377.

Augusta Jewish Community Center: 898 Weinberger Way. Day Camp costs $160 and specialty camps cost $225. To register, call (706) 228-3636 or visit www.augustajcc.org.

- Drama/Dance Camp: Ages 6-9, June 7-11. Ages 9-13, July 12-16

- 3D Design: Ages 5-8. June 14-18

- Jazz for Kids: Ages 5-10. July 5-9. Limit 15 children.

- Basic Sculpting: Ages 9-13. July 19-23

Variety

USA Chess Camp: Ages 5-16. June 14-18. Visit www.chesscamp.com for times and rates. Augusta Preparatory Day School. For information or to register, call (706) 863-1906 or visit www.augustaprep.org.

Family Y Camp Marshall: Ages 5-12. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 24-Aug. 6 at Wesley United Methodist Church in Evans. Arts, crafts, games, songs and character development activities. $85 per week for Family Y members, $110 for nonmembers. Register at any Family Y location or visit www.thefamilyy.org.

Augusta Cheer Academy Summer Star Camp: Boys and girls ages 3 and older. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekly June 1 through July 30. Weekly themes and activities include science, art, sports, history, nature and more. Half-day, early drop-off and late pick-up available. $50 registration fee. Weekly cost $105 (half-day pick-up), $115 (early pick-up) and $125 (late pick-up). Daily rates available. Call (706) 364-1138, e-mail rutley33@yahoo.com or visit www.augustacheeracademy.com.

Augusta Jewish Community Center: 898 Weinberger Way. Day Camp costs $160 and specialty camps cost $225. To register, call (706) 228-3636 or visit www.augustajcc.org.

- Day Camp: Ages 3-13. Eleven one-week sessions May 24-Aug. 6, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Swimming, tennis, archery, arts and crafts, and special events.

- Fashion Camp: Girls ages 7-13. May 24-28, June 21-25. Manicures, make-up, dress-up, and arts and crafts projects. Gain poise and self-confidence.

- Cooking Camp: Ages 7-13. June 14-18 and Aug. 2-6.

Augusta Preparatory Day School: 285 Flowing Wells Road, Martinez. For information or to register, call (706) 863-1906, visit www.augustaprep.org or contact Cornelia Isaac at cornelia. isaac@augustaprep.org.

- Camp Cavalier: Weekly camps June 7-July 23. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Age 4, $100 for half days and $185 for full days. Ages 5-7, $185. Ages 8-10, $185

Columbia County Recreation Department Day Camp: Ages 6-12. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 24-July 31. No camp July 5-9. Early drop-off and late pick-up available. Themed weekly activities and field trips, arts and crafts, and games. $95. Call (706) 868-3458 or visit www.columbia countyga.gov.

Spiritual camps

Gospel Water Branch Baptist Church Summer Enrichment Program: Ages 4-14. May 24-July 16. Bible study, reading, writing, math, science, Christian values and field trips. Call the church at (706) 860-7091.

World of Hope Christian Learning Center: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekly May 24-Aug. 10. Early drop-off and late pick-up are available. Activities include indoor and outdoor play and field trips. Call the center in Grovetown (706) 868-8955.

Football camp

Augusta Preparatory Day School Football Camps: First through fifth grades or sixth through 12th grades. 9 a.m. to noon June 28-July 1. $110 before May 21 and $145 after. Call (706) 863-1906 or visit www.augustaprep.org.

Baseball camps

Grovetown High School Baseball Summer Camp: Ages 6-12. 9 a.m. to noon June 14-17. $80. Call (706) 447-2102, ext. 5833.

Augusta Preparatory Day School Baseball Camps: Call (706) 863-1906 or visit www.augustaprep.org.

- Baseball: Fourth- through eighth-grade boys and girls. 8 a.m. to noon June 7-11. $100

- Baseball All Skills: First through sixth grades. 9 a.m. to noon July 12-16 and July 19-23. $100 per week or $175 for both weeks.

Basketball camps

Lakeside Middle School Sure Shot Basketball Camps: 1-4:30 p.m. at the school. June 7-11 for boys entering Lakeside Middle and June 14-18 for boys entering Stallings Island Middle School. $80. Boys grades 2-5, 9 a.m. to noon June 7-11, June 14-18 and June 26-30 at the school. $75. (706) 855-6900.

Greenbrier High School: Boys and girls fifth- through ninth-grades. 8 a.m. to noon June 8-10. $75. Download an application from the school Web site. Contact Casey Heckathorn at (706) 447-2106, ext. 3750, or casey.heckathorn@ccboe.net.

Grovetown High School Basketball Camp: Third- through eighth-graders. 8-11 a.m. June 1-2. $50. Pre-register at the school or e-mail Casey Dees at casey.dees@ccboe.net.

Augusta Preparatory Day School Basketball Camp: Fourth- through eighth-grade boys and girls. 8 a.m. to noon July 12-16. $100. Call (706) 863-1906 or visit www.augustaprep.org.

Volleyball camps

Greenbrier High School: Fifth- through ninth-grade girls. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 2-4 at the school. $70. Applications available on the school Web site. Call (706) 650-6043 or e-mail dborn@ccboe.net.

Augusta Preparatory Day School: Grades 5-8. 9 a.m. to noon; ninth through 12th grades 1-4 p.m. June 7-8, June 21-25 and July 19-20. The cost is $60 for the two-day camps and $130 for the five-day camp. Contact Rich Bland at (706) 414-6145 or prep volleyball@yahoo.com.

Cheer camps

Greenbrier Cheerleading Camp: Ages 4-14. 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 2-4 at Greenbrier High School. $65 if enrolled before May 17 and $75 after. For enrollment form, e-mail Kim Hines at thehinesfamily@hotmail. com or Ashley Jackson at ajackson@ccboe.net.

Augusta Jewish Community Center Cheerleading Camp: 898 Weinberger Way. Ages 8-13. June 14-18 and July 12-16. Specialty camps cost $225. To register, call (706) 228-3636 or visit www.augustajcc.org.

Augusta Cheer Academy cheerleading camps:

- Super Stars Camp: Boys and girls ages 3 and older. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 14-17. Focus on fundamentals, including dance, cheers, chants, jumps, tumbling and stunts. $125. Call (706) 364-1178, e-mail rutley33@yahoo.com or visit www.augustacheer academy.com.

- Camp I: Boys and girls ages 3 and older. Two-day camp 9 a.m. to noon July 12-13. Three-day camp 9 a.m. to noon June 2-4. Focuses on cheers, chants and dance. Cost is $60 for two-day camp and $75 for three-day camp. Call (706) 364-1178, e-mail rutley33@yahoo.com or visit www.augustacheeracademy. com.

- Camp II: Boys and girls ages 3 and older. One-day camp 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. July 28 and two-day camp 9 a.m. to noon July 19-20. Focuses on motions, jumps and tumbling. Cost is $70 for one-day camp and $60 for two-day camp. Call (706) 364-1178, e-mail rutley33@yahoo.com or visit www.augustacheeracademy. com.

- Back handspring/back tuck/layout/full clinic: Noon to 2 p.m. May 15 and noon to 2:30 p.m. May 22. Cost is $25 for May 15 clinic and $30 for May 22 clinic. Visit www. augustacheeracademy.com.

Soccer camps

Augusta Preparatory Day School British Soccer camps: May 31-June 4 or June 21-June 25. Call (706) 863-1906 or visit www.augustaprep.org.

- Mini Soccer: Ages 3-5. 5:30-7:30 p.m. $105

- Half-Day Player Development Camp: Ages 6-16. 9 a.m. to noon. $123

- Full-Day Advanced Camp: Ages 7-16. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. $190

Augusta Jewish Community Center Soccer Camp: 898 Weinberger Way. Ages 5-10. June 21-25. Specialty camps cost $225. To register, call (706) 228-3636 or visit www.augustajcc.org.

Tennis Camps

Petersburg Racquet Club Summer Tennis Camps: Weekly sessions May 24-July 30. Call (706) 860-9288 or visit www.prctennis.com.

- Half-Day Camp: Ages 6-18. 9 a.m. to noon. $20 a day and $90 per week for members and $25 a day or $100 per week for non-members.

- Pee Wee Camp: Ages 4-5. 8:15 to 9 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. $24 per week for members and $30 for nonmembers.

Augusta Preparatory Day School Tennis Camp: Second- through fifth-grade boys and girls. 9 a.m. to noon June 7-10. $100

Augusta Jewish Community Center Tennis Camp: 898 Weinberger Way. Ages 5-8, June 7-11. Ages 9-13, July 19-23. Specialty camps cost $225. To register, call (706) 228-3636 or visit www.augustajcc.org.

Softball camps

Greenbrier Fast Pitch Softball Clinic: Girls second through eighth grades. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 1-4 at Greenbrier High School. $70 and $55 for additional siblings. Team rates available. Call Garrett Black at (706) 650-6040, ext. 4150, or (706) 564-9653.

Gymnastics camps

Gymmastics Gold Camp Flip Flop: Gymnastics, arts and crafts, movies and special events. Call (706) 650-2111 or visit www.gymnasticsgold.com.

- Preschool Camp Flip Flop: Ages 3-5. 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May 24, 28, June 21-25, July 12-16 and Aug. 2-6. $55 per week plus a $20 registration fee for nonmembers.

- Camp Flip Flop: Ages 4-13. 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekly May 24-Aug. 6. No camp May 31 and June 26-July 4. Early drop-off and late pick-up available. $35 per day or $100 per week plus a registration fee for nonmembers.

Hayden's Gymnastics Academy Summer Camps: For information, call (706) 868-0608 or visit www. haydensgym.com.

- Hayden's Day Camp: Ages 5 and older. 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Weekly sessions June 1 through July 2 and July 12-30. Half-days and early and late pick-up is available. Gymnastics, arts and crafts, field trips, sports, special visitors and events. $110 per week and $25 a day for half-days; $120 per week and $30 a day for early pick-up; and $130 per week and $35 per day for late pick-up.

- Hayden's Junior Camp: Ages 2-4. 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Weekly sessions June 15 through July 1 and July 13-29. Gymnastics and daily activities. $20 per day plus a $50 registration fee for nonmembers.

Lacrosse camps:

Greenbrier High School Lacrosse Camp: Fourth- through eighth-grade boys. 6-8 p.m. June 7-11. $60. Visit Greenbrier High School's Web site at www.ccboe.net or e-mail glenn.vaught@ccboe.net.

Other sports camps:

Augusta Preparatory Day School Running Camp: Fifth through ninth grades. 8-9:30 a.m. weekly June 7-25 and July 12-23. $60. Call (706) 863-1906 or visit www.augustaprep.org.

Augusta Preparatory Day School Core Strength and Fitness for Athletes: 9:30-11 a.m. weekly June 7-25 and July 12-23. $60 per week. Call (706) 863-1906.

Augusta Jewish Community Center Martial Arts Camp: 898 Weinberger Way. Ages 5-13. May 24-28 and June 28-July 2. Specialty camps cost $225. To register, call (706) 228-3636 or visit www.augustajcc.org.

Augusta Jewish Community Center Archery Camp: 898 Weinberger Way. Ages 5-13. June 28-July 2 and July 26-30. Specialty camps cost $225. To register, call (706) 228-3636 or visit www.augustajcc.org.

Multi-sports camps:

Augusta Preparatory Day School All Sports Camp: First- through seventh-grade boys and girls. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 14-18. $160. Call (706) 863-1906 or visit www.augustaprep.org.