daughter has so many options during the summer because they feed her mind and keep her active. “Her summers are rich,� she said. “I never feel like she’s losing any ground.� Summer is a great time to develop new passions or strengthen existing skills, Berger said. When Jodi Andes’ son, David Nirode, developed an interest in sword play because of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, she looked for a fencing camp. “It was honestly all David,� said the Columbus resident. “He had this desire that pop culture gave him. I knew absolutely nothing about fencing.� David got hooked on the activity during a weeklong camp at Columbus Academy. He continues to study the sport twice a week at Royal Arts Sport Fencing Academy in Gahanna. “It’s a lot of fun,� the 15-year-old said. “It’s so fast-paced. You have to outsmart your opponent.� The movies do bring a lot of kids through the doors, which is great for a sport that does not get much exposure elsewhere, said Julia Richey of Royal Arts. She runs camps at her facility and at Columbus Academy, and they serve as an introduction to the centuries-old sport. Many participants find they like the combination of physical and mental skill that fencing requires, Richey said. At the OhioHealth Chiller Ice Rinks, instructors have created a camp that gives youngsters an introduction to several winter Olympic sports. Over the course of a week, the kids learn about figure skating, speed skating and hockey. The camp always gets a boost from the Winter Olympics, said Jeremy Rogers, assistant general manager for the company, which operates ice rinks in several central Ohio locations. “People see it on TV and they want to learn,� Rogers said. “We embrace it. We look forward to it every four years.�
THE OHIO STATE YOUTH SUMMER MUSIC PROGRAMS
Program focuses on enhancing students’ musical and performance skills. For students entering grades 9-12 as well as 2014 high school graduates. Katherine Borst Jones, director.
Immersion in jazz styles with an emphasis on performance and improvisation. For intermediate to advanced jazz students entering grades 10-12 as well as 2014 high school graduates. Ted McDaniel, director.
Summer string playing for students of all ability levels and training styles who are entering grades 4-9. Program meets Monday-Friday from 9:30 a.m. - noon, daily. Robert Gillespie, director.
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Program focuses on enhancing students’ musical and performance skills. For students entering grades 9-12 as well as 2014 high school graduates. Caroline Hartig, director. For more information visit music.osu.edu
SIBLING OR EK E MULTIPLE WTS N U DISCO
Ages 3 to 6
Monday to Friday AM or PM sessions Gymnastics, Games, & More!
AIR CONDITION ED GYM
Ages 6 and up Monday to Friday 1/2 day or Full day Gymnastics and an afternoon activity
June 16 – August 9
Ages 3 to 12
Flexible Scheduling Everday Classes for Boys, Girls, Everyday from Babies, Preschool, Tumbling, June 16 – August 9 and Cheer
6970 Tussing Rd. (Between Brice Rd. and Rt. 256) 614-575-9557 www.cgagymnastics.com
March 2014 | columbusparent.com
culture has created numerous opportunities for kids to learn new skills or expand on concepts taught in school, she said. Her summer offerings include cake decorating, local farm tours and the performing arts. Although she didn’t tie the summer archery program to The Hunger Games, she’s wondering whether the movies in that popular series will create greater interest. Much of popular culture lends itself to enrichment opportunities, added Peggy Berger, Director of Options at The Wellington School. The key is finding teachers who can bring the topics to life and engage the student, she said. “Parents — and kids — are eager for summer programs that add depth to their school work, teach a new skill or get them excited about learning,� Berger said. Wellington’s summer courses cover, among many other things, forensics lessons, using Legos and motorized models to add a new dimension to the Minecraft game, and cooking international dishes. Lola looks forward to learning new things over the summer, said her mother, Linda Romano-Perez. “The summer is not a dead zone for us,� she said. Lola usually devotes a few weeks of camp to tennis and basketball but always mixes in something new. One year, she signed up for a cooking camp based on the family’s passion for food and its interest in food-related television shows. The camp taught her some useful tips that she shared with her dad, Michael, who’s the family cook. “It helped me a lot. I learned that you should always spray (pans) with cooking spray before you bake so it won’t stick,� Lola said. Romano-Perez appreciates that her
2014 summer camp guide
Romano-Perez appreciates that her daughter has so many options during the summer because they feed her mind and keep her active. “Her summers are rich,� she said. “I never feel like she’s losing any ground.�
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