Summer Activity Guide 2022

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CSU YOUTH DANCE CONSERVATORY SUMMER CAMPS: JUNE 6-10

Royal Ballet Camp (ages 4-6): 9am-12pm Beginner (Level 1/2) Intensive: 9am-12pm Intermediate (Level 3/4) Intensive: 1pm-5pm Advanced (Level 5/6) Intensive: 1pm-5pm

columbusstate.edu/ydc | 706-507-8070

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If you attended summer camp as a child, you may have treasured memories of songs around the campfire and learning outdoor activities with new friends.

Today, there are so many choices that it can be hard to choose what sort of camp you should schedule for your child. Here are a few questions to ask yourself when deciding.

IS THE CAMP AGE-APPROPRIATE FOR MY CHILD? A child that is pre-k or kindergarten age would probably enjoy starting out at a half-day camp. This will help her get used to being away from home.

Day camp is a good in-between transition step for kids ages 6 to 10 years. Signing them up for a week-long day camp will get them familiar with spending time away from home in an unfamiliar environment. Depending on the child, usually ages 10-12 have matured enough to defeat the initial homesickness and enjoy overnight camp.

PREPARE YOUR CHILD BEFORE SENDING THEM TO AN OVERNIGHT CAMP. If your child has never spent the night far away from home and seems anxious about it, let your child practice spending the night at some place familiar but a good distance away, like grandma’s house, to help prepare them.

If they still seem anxious, it might be best to choose an overnight camp that’s closer to home at first.

DOES THE SUMMER CAMP MATCH YOUR CHILD’S INTERESTS? These days, there are both day camps and overnight camps to match almost any special area of interest, such as sports or performing arts. Consider your child’s personality when you are selecting a summer camp. For an adventurous child, an outdoor summer camp with plenty of outdoor activities would be perfect. A child that loves science may enjoy a technology

(also referred to as STEM) summer camp. If your child likes being challenged to learn new skills, a less specialized summer camp that covers many different skills, from crafting to canoeing, may be right for him.

IS THE CAMP ACCREDITED AND THE STAFF WELL-TRAINED? Look on the American Camp Association website to see if the summer camp you are interested in meets all the standards required for certification by this organization.

Check to ensure the counselors receive adequate training and that the counselor-to-camper ratio is appropriate for the age range of the campers.

Also, find out how long the summer camp has been operating, as longevity usually indicates a quality program.

HOW DO I FIND THE RIGHT CAMP FOR MY SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD? There are summer camps specifically for special needs children, but if your child wants to attend a mainstream camp with his friends, that may be possible too.

According to the experts, if your special needs child is able to attend a mainstream school, most summer camps should be able to make the necessary accommodations. With any camp, interview the director to find out their special needs experience, qualifications of the medical staff and how medications are handled.

Check out our SUMMER CAMP & ACTIVITIES GUIDE on pages 22-33 for some great options. Discover even more at: familyandkidsga.com/cat/camp/

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HOO’s NEWS

Library Kicks Off Summer Activities with BOOK FESTIVAL

The 7th annual COLUMBUS CHILDREN’S BOOK FESTIVAL has returned! On May 14 from 10am-1pm, four of America’s most talented children’s authors and illustrators will be there to visit and sign autographs at the Columbus Public Library. Join in for an exciting day of entertainment, meet-and-greets, crafts, costumed characters, entertainers, petting zoo and special guests: • MARC BROWN, creator of the book series and television series ARTHUR. • JARRET J. KROSOCZKA, author of the National Book Award finalist HEY, KIDDO and the author/illustrator of the LUNCH LADY and STAR WARS: JEDI ACADEMY series.

• JANET TASHJIAN, the much-lauded veteran author whose MY LIFE AS A… and EINSTEIN THE CLASS HAMSTER series are favorites of older kids and tweens.

• CHRISTIAN ROBINSON, the incredibly gifted artist and animator (Pixar, Sesame Street) who is rocking the publishing world with his stunning picture books (at your nearest Target store) that explore life in urban settings.

The Columbus Children’s Book Festival also marks the start for Oceans of Possibilities… the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries’ Summer Reading Challenge. The annual challenge provides exciting programs for readers of ALL AGES for 12 weeks during the summer months. You can read or attend free programs and track your progress for a chance to win great prizes. And the more you read, the more chances you’ll have to win the grand prize drawings! Be sure to pick up your first log at the Festival, at your favorite library branch or participate virtually with the BEANSTACK app, available at www.cvlga.org.

Visit your favorite branch of the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries on May 31 or July 5, show them your library card (or apply to get one) and you’ll receive this year’s Golden Ticket!

Scratch it off to see if you’re the lucky winner of a VISA gift card or the recipient of a code to help you gain more entries in the Summer Reading Challenge.

A complete schedule of events for the Festival and for the Summer Reading Challenge can be found at www.cvlga.org.

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LOOK LOOK WHO’S WHO’S COMING COMING TO TO COLUMBUS! COLUMBUS!

Marc Marc Brown Brown

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Jarrett Jarrett J. J. Krosoczka Krosoczka Christian Christian Robinson Robinson Janet Janet Tashijan Tashjian FEATURED FEATURED ENTERTAINERS: ENTERTAINERS: DJ DJSolo Solo Muscogee MuscogeeCounty County Sheriff’s Sheriff’sOffice OfficeMobile Mobile Gaming GamingTrailer Trailer Petting PettingZoo Zoo Photo PhotoBooth Booth 501st 501stLegion LegionStar StarWars Wars Appearances Appearances

FEATURED FEATURED COSTUMED COSTUMED CHARACTERS: CHARACTERS: Elephant Elephant&&Piggie Piggie Curious CuriousGeorge George Lyle LyleLyle LyleCrocodile Crocodile

VISIT VISITcvlga.org cvlga.orgOR ORCALL CALL706-243-2669 706-243-2669FOR FORMORE MOREINFORMATION INFORMATION

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family EDUCATION/CARE GUIDE

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HOO’s PICKS

Highlight On Taekwondo is a traditional Korean martial art that trains both the body and mind, and it is an activity that everyone in the family can enjoy. Benefits of practicing Taekwondo include improved muscle strength, stamina and coordination.

Taekwondo also teaches leadership and goal-setting. Students are taught the five tenants of Taekwondo: Leadership, Strength, Commitment, Knowledge and Respect, and are asked to incorporate them into their lives.

Bishop’s TaeKwonDo Plus in Midland, GA offers families the opportunity to learn this ancient Korean martial art and has programs available for children and adults. Their mission is to develop students physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially so that they can become leaders in their community.

Owner Daniel Bellware says, “We want our students to become the best versions of themselves and be the best leaders they can be.” In their classes, students have an opportunity to practice the leadership skills they learn. Children with special needs are welcome to participate in the programs. A program specifically for children on the autism spectrum is currently under development and is due to be launched in August 2022.

Children can enroll in the martial arts programs offered by Bishop’s TaeKwonDo Plus or take martial arts classes while attending the Excel After School & Summer Camp program, which are sister businesses and located in the same building.

Visit their website at www.bishopstkd.com for information on how to enroll in a martial arts program or summer camp.

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Excel Summer Camp helps students ages 5-12 stay active over the summer and have fun participating in a variety of activities, such as Taekwondo, dance, tumbling, outdoor sports and crafts.

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The age-based Martial Arts programs start at age 3. From Ages 3-6, students start to learn basic martial arts skills. The main martial arts curriculum starts at age 7 and kids start adding advanced techniques to their basic skills. A program for teens and adults is also offered.

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A program for toddlers ages 18-36 months and a yoga program are scheduled to begin in August 2022.

RESOURCES: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6659987/

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FOURTH STREET MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

Camp Victory A SUMMER CAMP FOR KIDS 5-12

Reading & Math Lessons, STEM, Art, Drama, Field Trips, & much, much MORE!

June 20- July 22 WWW.4THST.ORG 706-324-2055

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