Even in July, summer programs are still available for children

Summer vacation is nearly halfway over for most K-12 students, but there’s still time for kids to expand their horizons.

Many local businesses, including Kidzu Children’s Museum, Carrboro Recreation and Parks Department and the ArtsCenter are still offering summer programs for kids of various ages.

At Kidzu, Tina Clossick, director of operations, said their programs are aimed towards children ages 0 to 8.

“Most of our programs are based on the fact that if you’re here during the school time, you’re going to be 6 and under,” she said.

She said some of the programs Kidzu offers for kids include arts and crafts, storytelling and joint programs with PlayMakers Repertory Company, Ackland Art Museum and FRANK.

Most of the programs at Kidzu are free with the price of admission or membership.

“We’re a perfect indoor space to bring the kids and give them something fun and educational to do,” Clossick said.

The Carrboro Century Center is anything but a space for indoor camps. With both outdoor and indoor classes, and sponsored by the Recreations and Parks Department, the center has a number of programs to choose from each week.

“Now that July is here, a lot of times people are looking to fill that gap before they go back to school,” said Julie Collins, recreation supervisor.

Collins said the center’s main goal was to offer something for everyone.

“We try to get as many kids involved as possible,” she said.

Collins said they offer classes for kids between ages 3 and 12, but the biggest number of programs is for kids ages 6 to 12.

Registration for summer classes at the center begins in January and continues up until the camp is full — a period that Collins said could take anywhere from a few months to one week.

She said there were still some spaces for kids in dance, young gymnast, drawing, watercolor and Zumba classes for the summer.

“It just depends on if there’s space available,” Collins said.

Most of the programs at the center run for about six weeks and cost between $40 and $50.

She said the center tries to keep prices affordable so most families can participate but they do offer financial assistance by reducing fees for families who can’t afford the programs.

At the ArtsCenter, Summer Camps Coordinator Louise Tremblay said they want to give their K-12 graders a well-balanced arts education.

Though the ArtsCenter offers youth programs year-round, she said the summer was definitely their busiest time.

Tremblay said they still had spaces available in their Kid’s Camp, which is designed for 2nd through 7th graders. The Kid’s Camp costs $200 for 5 full days, or $100 for 5 half-days.

She said the Kid’s Camp focuses on a different theme every week and teaches visual art, dance and music that related to the theme.

This week’s camp, Trembay said, is focusing on animals, and next week’s will focus on food.

She said the best way to see which classes were still available was to look online.

“I update our website on a regular basis to show availability,” she said. “That’s the best place to look.”

Contact the City Editor at city@dailytarheel.com.