Family Guide_Summer camp Issue 2023

DAWN DENNIS GEORGE IDELMAN

Contributing Branding Specialists

Accounting / Operations Manager

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Kim Carpenter Editor

Possibilities, Opportunities, and Fun for Everyone! Summer camp issue 2023

Oh, to be a child in the greater Omaha area! Editing this annual issue of Family Guide has reminded me how lucky I am to raise a family right here in Nebraska. We are truly fortunate to have some of the best educational opportunities available as well as extraordinary extracurriculars designed to appeal to and enrich every child.

UNMC’s High School Alliance educates Omaha students through specialized classes designed to showcase all the professional possibilities available in healthcare, whether that’s working as a doctor or leading cutting-edge research into cancer therapies. There are only a handful of such programs in the country, and I hope more students will take advantage of this exceptional educational offering.

Marian High School’s Ceci Urbanski shows what talented students can do when they have the right support and encouragement to achieve their full potential. This young artist’s work will be featured on a Metro bus, so make sure to keep an eye out for her vibrant design rolling down a street near you. Westside’s Shefsky family similarly demonstrates how athletic youth can excel both on and off the court. It takes a village as well as committed, involved parents to raise a child, and Jessica and Andy Shefsky show how to be both.

Central High School’s Sarah Cowan gives voice to her choral students, emphasizing an atmosphere of inclusivity, as does Fran Sillau, the director of accessibility at the Rose Theater. All youth deserve the opportunity to thrive, flourish, and express themselves, and these educational leaders show how that can be achieved.

Then, of course, there is our special summer camp listing. No matter what your child’s passion may be sports, art, theater, writing, creative play, crafts, camping, and more you will find a camp to engage every interest.

This annual issue truly underscores all the wonderful opportunities students in our community have. I hope you enjoy perusing all the possibilities presented on these pages.

Vickie Kauffold Archdiocese of Omaha lovemyschool.com

Jeff Rippe, Ed.D. Bellevue Public bellevuepublicschools.org

Bary Habrock, Ph.D. Elkhorn Public elkhornweb.org

atholic schools create communities that encourage compassion for others. Nearly 19,000 children thrive in these communities that prioritize faith, family, service, academics, and co-and extracurricular engagement. Children of all backgrounds are welcome in our schools. In partnership with school leaders, our office works hard toward the ultimate goal of making Catholic education more accessible and affordable to all in Nebraska who desire it. We believe Catholic education is truly an investment in the future.

With more than 1,800 staff, we are the fourth largest district in the state of Nebraska. Our 70 Catholic schools continue to be the top choice for many families across the 23 counties of northeast Nebraska served by the Archdiocese of Omaha. Visit lovemyschool.com and our social media feeds (@ArchOmahaSchool) to see what makes our schools so special. Some highlights:

Catholic High school students continue to perform above state and national averages on the ACT and other standardized assessments. Six Archdiocesan schools have been recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools in the past four years. Students participate in Mass as part of their school day.

We have so much more to share about the good work happening in our schools every day. Discover what schools are in your neighborhood, what job opportunities we have available, and more–all at lovemyschool.com and via our social media channels. Thank you for your continued community support.

ellevue Public Schools continues to flourish with educational opportunities for the students we serve. The BPS Frank Kumor Career Center is the home to programs that enhance high school education with real-life and relevant learning experiences, which include our automotive maintenance academy, health science (CNA) academy, and the education career academy. Our grant-funded programs have been exciting and impactful for students and staff, from the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) to Project STEM to School Climate Transformation to Project Career Launch to IMPACT-WL to the National Center for Family Literacy. Bellevue is proud of our relationship with Offutt Air Force Base and our commitment to support the needs of over 2,400 military-connected students. All 20 schools in the district are designated as Purple Star Schools.

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strong partnership with our community is paramount to the continued success of the Elkhorn Public Schools. To this end, the District publishes an Annual Report to the community to provide an overview of District demographics, assessment results, finances, and more. Most importantly, the Annual Report provides an opportunity to showcase the achievements of our nearly 11,000 students and our staff’s hard work and dedication.

BPS is focused on creating learning environments that are inspiring, positive, and engaging for students and staff. The strong support from TeamBPS, our families, and community members allow us to continue serving our students’ needs. It takes every one of us playing an important role and being an advocate for the students of the Bellevue Public Schools–we are Champions for Children!

As a result of our culture of high expectations and the commitment of all students to achieve at high levels, EPS students’ assessment results continue to place them among the top, both statewide and nationally. Additionally, the Nebraska Department of Education recently released updated AQuESTT classifications, listing Elkhorn Public Schools as “Excellent,” the highest ranking available. This mark of honor is one that we know comes only as a result of the hard work, dedication, and support of our students, staff, and community. While we know that no test score or ranking can provide a true picture of the accomplishments that are achieved daily in our classrooms, we are proud of our students and staff for their dedication to continued excellence in all facets of education.

illard Public Schools is rooted in academics. Everything we do focuses on our purpose to grow our students for success, and we celebrate them every step of the way. We are proud to share that over the past five years, Millard students have scored higher on the ACT test than both the state and national average. The district educates 7% of the students in the state, yet 40% of this past year’s National Merit Semi-finalists and nearly 25% of the Advanced Placement Scholars came from Millard. This is a direct reflection of the hard work of our amazing students, teachers, staff, and families, and I am always glad to share their stories, especially as we get ready to send our seniors off into the world.

It is astounding to me that in the last school year, Millard students earned 26,638 dual enrollment credits through UNO and MCC, saving Millard families approximately $2 million in tuition. But perhaps what I am even more proud of is the hard-won success that isn’t seen. We have strong systems of support and intervention for all students, and some of our best stories come from our students who work the hardest to reach their goals and the teachers who partner with them along the way. We are a district who supports all children. We are #Proud2bMPS.

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023 brings our third year of expanded summer services for young people. We anticipate Next Level Learning will again reach more than 10,000 children. It is an important part of our layered approach to students’ academic growth.

This year, all students could access tutoring on-demand or in-person through their school communities. It is another student-centered investment of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds made available to our school district.

Through our Strategic Plan of Action, Omaha Public Schools is expanding access to high-quality learning opportunities through College & Career Academies and Pathways. As more students than ever benefitted from these programs in the 2022-23 school year, we were thrilled to hear many report that their academy or pathway classes were a favorite.

We’re set to open our fifth new school, Bluestem Middle, in August. All five new schools made possible by our voters opened on time and on budget. Thank you to our community for the trust and support. Stay up to date on our news and information at ops.org/districtnews.

On a personal note, I have shared that this will be my final year in the Omaha Public Schools community. Since joining in 2018, it has been a joy to serve our students, staff, and families. While I look forward to returning home with my husband and my daughter and extended family, Omaha will forever be a special place to me. Thank you for the partnership these past five years. Omaha Public Schools is an outstanding school district with many great things ahead

e have much to celebrate and be proud of at Westside Community Schools as the result of support from our entire community. Our theme for the 2022-23 school year has been to RISE UP. We want to be Responsible, Influential, Student-Centered, Elevated, United, and Passionate in what we do and who we do it for. In this, our 75th year as a school district, we are so proud of our decorated and successful past and just as excited about our promising future!

We have embraced a mission of “belonging for all” at Westside, as our student and staff populations continue to evolve and change. We are continuously updating an already robust curriculum to reflect changes in our society and new opportunities for our students. Our Board of Education continues to work hard to maximize our budget to meet the needs of our students and staff. As a result of all of these combined efforts, with unparalleled community support, we have seen many awards, championships, and accomplishments, and cannot wait to celebrate more.

We are always going to be an organization that is pushing forward through our Strategic Plan to get better in all areas. We are working to address our next set of facility needs. We are working to retain and recruit high-quality staff that makes a difference with over 6,000 students each day. It’s an exciting time to be part of Westside Community Schools. We thank you for your support and for sharing your children with us.

There’s no better place to be than Westside!

Cheryl J. Logan, Ed.D. Omaha Public district.ops.org

Dr. Mike Lucas, Ph.D. Westside Community westside66.org

Dr. John Schwartz Millard Public mpsomaha.org

hoir members at Central High School have been enthusiastic in their praise of choral director Sara Cowan. Many of her glowing descriptors have included influential, passionate, sensitive, and caring.

The educator has earned those accolades over more than a decade during her tenure at Central, where she directs the school’s A Cappella Choir and the Central High School Singers, co-directs the Junior Chorus, teaches music theory, and serves as Central’s performing arts department head. She is also on the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access Committee for the Nebraska Music Education Association and is the social justice chair for her synagogue.

Cowan herself is a former Eagle, that is, a Central alumna. She graduated from the high school in 2004 before going on to earn her BA from Grinnell College in 2008 and a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota in 2010. She joined Central’s faculty in 2012. “I really love the school, love teaching there, and can’t imagine teaching anywhere else.”

Given this background, it’s unsurprising that remaining sensitive to her students’ needs and making sure they feel safe and protected are Cowan’s guiding priorities.

“It’s important when you’re in choir and you’re doing something vulnerable like sharing your voice, that you feel safe and that you feel validated and comfortable,” she reflected. “I try really hard to make my classroom a space for that, and I guess that comes across as being a good listener.”

Her respect for each student’s individual experience is evident in how she speaks about them.

“A lot of my students right now have diverse gender experiences, like trans or non-binary,” Cowan explained. “Choir is traditionally gendered, so early in my career instead of saying, ‘tenors and basses,’ I’d say ‘gentlemen or men, let’s sing this.’ I worked to change those things and change our dress code for concerts and asking students to share their pronouns, that kind of thing.”

This caring approach resonates deeply with her students.

“Ms. Cowan has been one of the most influential teachers I’ve ever had,” said Central High School senior Ella Novak. “Her ability to share her love and passion for music has influenced me to pursue a career in music myself.”

Cowan’s impact on her students’ lives hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2016, she earned the esteemed designation of Young Conductor of the Year from the Nebraska Choral Directors Association.

selected from outside Tennessee, and only one hailed from Nebraska.

“I’m not a super fan of country or anything,” Cowan admitted. Instead, she listens to an eclectic mix of music, with classical being her most frequent selection.

She feels that as a music teacher, she’s at a distinct advantage in watching students grow into their talents.

“We get to see kids all four years sometimes, and the growth we get to see from the beginning of freshman year to the end of senior year is incredible,” she explained. “In my ninth grade class, I always do a solo unit, and I always tell them, ‘you don’t have to sing a solo. I’m never going to make you sing one,’

“Yes,” she laughed, “At one point I was a ‘young’ conductor.”

The awards kept coming. The choral director was named Central High School’s Teacher of the Year in 2021. One year later, she garnered her most prestigious accolade yet when she received a Country Music Association Foundation’s Music Teachers Award. The prize recognizes professional excellence and includes a $5,000 grant: half for the classroom and half for the teacher to spend as they wish. Demonstrating her commitment to diversity and inclusivity, Cowan is commissioning new music by Black, brown, and women composers for her students to sing.

“CMA does an awesome job recognizing teachers,” she observed. “They’re passionate about music education, so I got to go to the awards ceremony in October in Nashville. That was a lot of fun.”

The ceremony included 10 teachers from Nashville, 10 from greater Tennessee, and another 10 from the rest of the nation. Cowan’s win was a significant achievement because so few teachers were

but I offer everyone the opportunity to try. It’s amazing how many kids in the beginning are like, ‘No way. Not me. I would never do that.’ Four weeks later, they’re doing it. Years later, as juniors and seniors, they’re taking that solo to a district music contest. Seeing that growth inspires me.”

Cowan is also moved by how her students learn to work together.

“Ensemble music takes collaboration at a really high level,” she said. “About three months into performing, the students all realize that they needed to include everyone.”

That inclusion and inclusivity is what keeps Cowan teaching Eagles.

“I love my job,” she said. “I really enjoy it, and there is nothing else I would rather do.”

For more information about Sara Cowan’s choral program, visit ops.org/central.

“I really love the school, love teaching there, and can’t imagine teaching anywhere else.” -Sara Cowan

WINNING AWARDS & changing students' lives

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

TEACHER SARA COWAN

EXEMPLARY EDUCATOR

STORY BY TAMSEN BUTLER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN

DESIGN BY RENEE LUDWICK

BY KIM CARPENTER // PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN // DESIGN BY RENEE LUDWICK

-Amr itasha Singh

Carter Moss commutes 90 minutes every day during the week to get to his classes. He doesn’t have to make the drive; the 17-year-old senior could easily attend Plattsmouth High School all day. Instead, he’s eager to hit the road to get to UNMC’s High School Alliance at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where he does everything from reading CT scans to harvesting liver cells from mice. He even shadows UNMC’s world-renowned doctors and scientists.

“I’ve obtained knowIedge and improved my scientific understanding,” said Moss, who hopes to become a pediatric oncologist. “My days are always interesting. I don’t think I would have gotten this education elsewhere.”

He’s right. The High School Alliance is one of a handful of immersive healthcare-centered secondary educational programs in the country. Founded during the 2010/11 school year, the program is open to all public school juniors and seniors in the greater metro area. College-level classes, held Monday through Friday from 1 to 3 p.m. on UNMC’s campus, focus on healthcare topics like genetics, anatomy, patient care, infectious disease, behavioral health, and more.

It’s a competitive program. The first year, 32 students enrolled; today, 75 attend annually out of a pool of around 200 applicants. Typically, students participate for one year, although some go onto a second as “stellar seniors.” To be eligible, students must complete an interview, be on track to graduate, and have earned a grade of “B” or above in algebra 1, biology, a physical science class, and a third-year science class.

“And they have to have the desire. They have to want to be here,” added program director Heidi Kaschke. “This is more than a field trip. We try to simulate what classes will be like in college.”

The program also gives students a reallife view of what careers in healthcare involve. Noting that many students enter the Alliance with specific career plans many young men, for example, want to become orthopedic surgeons, whereas women frequently cite NICU nurses as their chosen career path; exposure to a variety of healthcare professions introducing new possibilities.

“They can decide, “Do I really want to do this?” Kaschke explained. “We had one student who didn’t want to do the ‘blood and guts’ of healthcare. She ended up majoring in business and earned a masters in hospital administration because this program allowed her to see a variety of healthcare careers. We want students to see that there are many, many options.”

Former students become surgeons, psychiatrists, dentists, nurses, public health administrators, lab technicians, and medical researchers, among other healthcare professions.

This is what attracted 17-year-old Khadijah Hammal Haddad, a Millard South junior, to apply.

“The program sounded very interesting,” she said. “We’ve done hands-on work in labor and delivery like learning how to do ultrasounds and other medical imaging and interpret them. Not many people get this kind of opportunity.”

Bella Gurzick, 18, a Millard North senior, agreed. “This has been an amazing experience. When I first went into the program, I was dead set on neuroscience, but I spent time in the pancreatic cancer research lab at the Buffett Cancer Center, and I got to set up PCR reactions [polymerase chain reactions]. I’ve gotten lots of insights into careers I didn’t know existed.”

Sometimes, students even return for that second “stellar senior” year. Central High School senior Amritasha Singh developed a keen interest in HIV research while in the program and as a summer UNMC Travis Lewis Scholar, which allows students to participate in research in virology, immunology, neurodegeneration, and neuroregeneration.

The exposure was instrumental in the 17-year-old’s desire to pursue a related field. “I feel like it opened a lot more opportunities for me,” Singh observed. “I want to be a CNA [certified nursing assistant] or pharmacy tech. This program has been an affirmation of what I really want to pursue.”

Dr. Benson Edagwa is gratified to hear that. Internationally recognized for his research into the efficacy of conventional antiretroviral therapies, he focuses on HIV-1, tuberculosis, medicinal and polymer chemistry, and drug delivery. Singh works in his lab.

Edagwa said he has enjoyed his time training high schoolers. “These students are not only talented but also very inquisitive, highly motivated, and good at following research directions. They ask many questions that challenge conventional assumptions in scientific research, and this helps us to be patient, openminded, find gaps in what is known, and explore new ideas.”

continued on pg.28

“I feel like it opened a lot more opportunities for me. I think I want to be a CNA [certifie d n ursing assistant] or pharmacy tech. This program has been an affirmation of what I really want to pursue. ”

GAME, SET, MATCH

WESTSIDE’S SHEFSKY FAMILY SERVES IN TENNIS AND BEYOND

When Jessica and Andy Shefsky and their young sons relocated to Omaha from the Atlanta area in 2015, they wanted to find a home near Andy’s new job at Nebraska Furniture Mart, where Jessica also has special ties as a descendant of founder Rose “Mrs. B” Blumkin.

“We wanted to be close. My whole family lives like less than a mile from there,” Jessica said. “It was just the right thing for us.”

More importantly, the couple purposefully chose to make their home in a top-notch school district. Their boys have flourished academically, socially, and in multiple activities, and the family has enthusiastically supported Westside Community Schools ever since.

“We are so lucky at Westside to have many amazing families that are super-supportive,” said Westside Community Schools Superintendent Mike Lucas. “One thing that stands out about the Shefsky family is that they are involved at multiple levels, and their positivity really jumps out at you. They are always rooting for all Westside kids to be successful not just their kids, not just their kids’ friends; they genuinely want everybody to feel accepted, to feel supported, and to be successful.”

The sport of tennis strings the family together; all four of them have played for years.

Son A.J., a Westside High School junior, is a state tennis champion. He and brother Troy, who’s in the eighth grade

at Westside Middle School, have played since early childhood and both have been involved with Tennis Buddies a partnership of athletes with disabilities and tennis players that supplements Special Olympics Nebraska tennis programs.

A.J. also created a racket-stringing business called ShefStrings with support from Westside’s HATCH program for young entrepreneurs, and he’s hoping to eventually pass operations along to his brother (also his first employee).

Jessica and Andy support not just tennis, but all Westside High School sports through their leadership with the Westside Athletic Club, a volunteer and parent-led group that coordinates fundraising and other activities. They even write the club’s weekly newsletter.

STORY BY KARA SCHWEISS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN BY RENEE LUDWICK

A.J, JESSICA, ANDY, AND TROY SHEFSKY

It’s fitting that tennis is also responsible for Andy and Jessica’s meeting. Andy was a volunteer tennis coach for an Atlanta youth team participating at a tournament in Omaha, and Jessica, who’s a local, was there to cheer on her brother, Ryan, in his matches.

“We met on the bleachers, just started talking,” Andy said. “And the really cool full-circle thing about all of it is that it was the same court at Koch Tennis Center where A.J. won his state championship.”

Jessica said her sons first picked up a tennis racket as preschoolers. A few years ago, the family had fun taking a reenactment photo of A.J. on the court for a side-by-side comparison of then versus now.

“I’m excited to be more of a leader on our team and be someone that can be like a role model as the older kids were to me,” A.J. said, adding that when he’s a senior, his brother will be a freshman. “Next year, hopefully I’ll be able to play some doubles with Troy.”

A.J. said he also intends to apply for a fourth year on the Westside school board’s student committee. “It’s been really cool to listen to the board and see how they operate.”

A.J. excels off the court as well and is already considering his options for higher education. “Whenever we travel somewhere, we check out the colleges,” Andy said. ” The budding entrepreneur, whose stringing business serves clients from tennis novices to teaching pros, is also in his second year working on Westside High’s dance marathon event committee and is in charge of fundraising and finance. He’s looking at business schools, and of course tennis programs.

“I always want to keep tennis in my life and keep playing,” he said.

Troy’s plans are a little less concrete as he finishes out his last year as a middleschooler, but the academic standout and Junior Honor Society member said his favorite subject is history. He’s involved in basketball in addition to tennis and is thinking of getting back into soccer, a sport he enjoyed when he was younger. His Tennis Buddies experience was a great background for participating in a school-based program called Circle of Friends, which emphasizes inclusion.

“I’m looking forward to opportunities,” Troy said.

“We’re very happy the boys know that school comes first,” Andy said. “Those standards were laid out from the beginning. And it’s not a strict ‘you have to have straight A’s if you want to play tennis,’ but it’s more about effort, and we want to make sure that they’re taking it seriously, they’re giving it their all, they’re following what the teachers are providing them with.”

Jessica and Andy also participate in Westside’s chapter of the TeamMates mentoring program.

“We both have the same mentees that we’ve had for the past six or seven years. Jessica’s [student] is a senior right now, and mine’s a junior at Westside High School. This is my fourth year on the board for Westside’s TeamMates chapter and my first year as the president,” Andy said. “And we have recently successfully recruited Jessica’s mom! This is her first year of being a mentor.”

The Shefskys said it was easy to become involved in the Westside Schools community.

“I think it starts at the top with our superintendent, because he sets a great tone…and I’m very appreciative and grateful for all the members of our school board,” Andy said, praising the district’s emphasis on inclusivity and kindness. “It starts at the top. That has a snowball or trickle-down effect, and it just feels like a very tight-knit community.”

“I think it’s so important for public school families to get involved because education is a big deal,” Lucas said. “You know, the education of children is going to be life-changing. Our experiences as 5- to 18-year-olds as we go through school can set us up for 70 to 80 years of success upon high school graduation. And families are a huge part of that. We want to continue to partner with our families and community to do great things for young people together. Because it really is a collaborative effort with businesses, with families, with retirees, with school systems. We love working with families, and the Shefskys are a wonderful example of that.”

Added Andy: “Any time we have an opportunity to give back or help make the district continue to prosper and be what it is, we are huge fans. We’re very appreciative and we feel very fortunate for all the opportunities that all of us get.”

For more information about Westside Community Schools, visit westside66.org.

“They are always rooting for all Westside kids to be successful—not just their kids, not just their kids’ friends; they genuinely want everybody to feel accepted, to feel supported, and to be successful.”

-Mike Lucas

ARTIST, JOURNALIST, LEADER

MARIAN HIGH SCHOOL’S CECI URBANSKI

t was obvious early on that Ceci Urbanski was destined to create art. “I’ve been an artist since I was 9. I used to love drawing on my mom’s walls,” reflected the Marian High School senior on her earliest creative endeavors.

Urbanski’s work has evolved far beyond the confines of her mother’s and even gallery walls. In November 2022, she won an art contest open to all OmahaCouncil Bluffs area middle and high school students. Sponsored by Metro, Omaha’s Transit Authority, to celebrate its 50th anniversary, “Wheel Appeal” will feature Urbanski’s vibrant art on a city bus for up to a year.

The message is simple and in line with Marian’s Christian values. “The World Needs More Love,” says one colorful side set against a group of diverse men and women meant to represent the bus-riding pubic. “Spread Love, Omaha,” exhorts the other.

“I was thinking about the future and what it’s going to look like,” the 17-year-old revealed. “I think about what makes us human: our ability to love.”

That love shines through the young artist’s work and is why for her, art is about more than colors and conceptualizing. Urbanski sees her artistic practice as a form of advocacy and a vehicle for being seen and understood.

“There’s always activism to my art,” she explained. “I’m a very opinionated person, and I talk a lot. I feel like art is the easiest way to have my voice heard.”

As a confident woman artist, Urbanski is aware that many people misinterpret her confidence as arrogance. “At this point in my life, I really care about being myself,” she said. “There are things that people may find overbearing about me. I care a lot, and that’s important because what

you care about and what you do really makes a difference.”

That difference for her is critical.

“Kids my age need to know that there’s hope, and that what you do matters,” she continued. “I’ve embraced the title of ‘overbearing,’ and I identify with it.”

Urbanski knows that people probably view her differently than her male counterparts. “I think that anything you do as a woman is going to be different from a man,” she said. “I’ve had the privilege of being surrounded by great female role models my entire life. My mom, my sister, and attending an all-girl school with a legacy of successful women helped me quell any doubts I had that being a woman would stop me succeeding.”

Urbanski credits her influential teachers at Marian for helping guide her along the way in her pursuit of art. “My journalism advisor Marsha Kalkowski helped me realize my potential,” she said. “She’s there to push me and to celebrate me. Ms. Roger, my AP U.S. History teacher last year, inspired me to start new things. Her class was my favorite of all I’ve ever taken.”

Marian’s influence can be seen in the student’s success, both academically and extracurricularly. Urbanski serves as the graphics editor for Marian’s student newspaper as well as the editor-in-chief of “Burn,” the school’s literary art magazine. She is involved in Marian’s theatre program and is interested in documentaries. The active senior also runs Marian’s Sustainability Club and volunteers in a South Omaha community garden during growing season.

“It’s been really interesting progressing through high school, because I’m figuring out what I like,” Urbanski admitted. “One of my greatest strengths, but biggest weaknesses, is that I say yes

to everything. I’ll try anything once. I was in trap shooting for one day–I hated it. I did speech team for a week. I did debate for a year. I did soccer for a while. I did wrestling for a month. I like to try everything once, and I think it’s helped me find a lot of new opportunities. It’s gotten me far.”

Her advice to other students is to get involved in a variety of activities and not be afraid to try something new. “I like to think whenever I jump into something new, what is the absolute worst thing that could happen? Maybe you feel a little embarrassed, but that will maybe last a few days. Usually, the best thing that could happen greatly outweighs the worst thing that could happen in every case.”

As Urbanski nears graduation, she finds herself weighing the pros and cons of a professional life as an artist. The people around her have plenty of opinions on what her future should hold.

“There’s a split,” she said. “Some people in my life would not like to see me go into an artistic field because my talents would be better suited in law or better-paying disciplines because I do take my academics very seriously. I love studying and I love school.”

Urbanski has not yet decided on which college she will attend, although she did earn a scholarship to Loyola University Chicago, a private Jesuit Catholic University. She previously wanted to major in global studies but has since decided that she’ll pursue art in one fashion or another.

“There’s a stereotype of artists that they all wind up burned out and broke. And if that’s the case, so be it,” said the Marian senior. “I keep finding myself coming back to art. It’s what I love.”

For more information about Marian, visit marianhighschool.net.

SUPER

STORY BY TAMSEN BUTLER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN

DESIGN BY RENEE LUDWICK

“There’s always activism to my art. I’m a very opinionated person, and I talk a lot. I feel like art is the easiest way to have my voice heard.” -Ceci Urbanski

FEATURE

STORY BY KIM CARPENTER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN BY RENEE LUDWICK

THE WHOLE ME— AND SO MUCH MORE

FRAN SILLAU, DIRECTOR OF ACCESSIBILITY AT THE ROSE THEATER, MEETS STUDENTS WHERE THEY ARE

hen Fran Sillau began taking classes at the Rose Theater as a child, he felt like he belonged.

Born three months early, Sillau developed cerebral palsy, a congenital disorder impacting movement, posture, and muscle tone. That didn’t stop him from exploring his creativity. He started theater during the late 1980s at the Emmy Gifford Children’s Theater (before it moved to the Rose Theater on Farnam Street) when he was only 4 years old.

“It was magical to me,” he recalled. “They didn’t look differently at me than the rest of the class. They welcomed the whole me, and I felt completely whole when I worked with groups of people. They didn’t focus on my having a disability. I was just Fran. It really saved me.”

Sillau spent most weekends at the theater, and some 35 years later, he’s never really left. Even with studies and jobs elsewhere in the intervening years, the now 39-year-old always found himself coming back to the Rose’s familiar stage and classrooms. He became a high school intern in 2001 and continued as a threetime college intern. “I learned all the ins and outs of a professional children’s theater,” he said.

He has also worked with organizations like the Smithsonian Institution, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Kennedy Center and is today the executive artistic director of Omaha’s Circle Theatre, which engages individuals of all abilities in creative opportunities both on and off the stage.

Still, the teacher, published playwright, actor, director, and advocate for youth with physical and developmental disabilities is exactly where he wants to be: at the Rose, where he is the director of accessibility, ensuring that theater is for everyone.“Here, every class can be inclusive, and the theater goes to great lengths to accommodate

barriers. We’ve always been an accepting and open place where you can make any work come to life on the stage. It’s in the DNA here,” Sillau said. “They formalized that inclusivity in 2016 when they created my administrative position.”

Since then, the director has overseen the Rose’s “classes for children with exceptionalities,” which provide theater opportunities for students from pre-Kindergarten to their early 20s who are on the autism spectrum, have Down syndrome, or are deaf or hard-of-hearing.

“We meet the child where they are and remove real or perceived barriers,” he explained. Addressing real barriers involves providing ramps for mobility access, extra instructors, sign language interpreters, or cool-down spaces for students who become overstimulated and working with healthcare providers to meet medical and medication needs. Financial barriers are also dissolved thanks to scholarships made possible through the Autism Action Partnership.

But what of perceived barriers? “Children might wonder, ‘Am I welcome?’ You are,” he affirmed. “You are welcome.”

When looking into classes at the Rose, families usually start with Sillau, who discusses their specific needs.

“I say, ‘Let’s have a chat. Tell me about your child. Why are they special? What excites them? Why do you think this is the place for them?’” Sillau explained. “This allows us to know what their needs are. We stay in constant contact with the families to make sure everything is going well. We want their relationship with the theater to be as long as mine and have that same sense of belonging.”

The Rose achieves this in large part by integrating creative play into theater so that youngsters can inhabit the world by moving beyond the parameters of a script

to explore works through creative interpretation. This story-driven approach allows students to develop communication skills they can use long after stage lights have dimmed.

“In an inclusive class, we let the young person be the center of the world. They use the body, voice, and imagination as the basis for the story,” Sillau said.

This approach, he explained, provides a solid foundation in life skills that goes well beyond the Rose’s stage.

“If students are like me, they can take the tools we give them as a basis for inquiry that can open the world of communication. We all have to communicate.”

This is true of Sophia Kazmierski, who is autistic and was slow to speak. She began taking classes at the Rose when she was 9 and today, at 21, is a theater student at UNO and resident artist at the Circle Theatre.

The Rose’s inclusive space for her was always important. “The Rose always found a way to fit everyone in,” she explained. “Different actors sometimes needed different accommodations, and they always made the space accessible, which then made the people feel included. This might have meant smaller classes for autistic actors because larger crowds can be overwhelming. The Rose gives people whatever they need to be successful. The space is meant for everyone.”

That kind of experience is exactly why Sillau does what he does. “I’m where I always wanted to be,” he reflected.

For more information about inclusion and accessibility at the Rose, visit rosetheater.org/box-officeaccessibility.

“[At the Rose], every class can be inclusive, and the theater goes to great lengths to accommodate barriers. We’ve always been an accepting and open place where you can make any work come to life on the stage. It’s in the DNA here.”. -Fran Sillau

BECAUSE THERE’S MORE THAN ONE KIND OF KID, WE OFFER MORE THAN ONE KIND OF CAMP.

ACADEMIC & ATHLETIC SUMMER CAMPS AT CREIGHTON PREP

Whether you want to help your child develop an existing skill or explore something entirely new, Creighton Prep Summer Camps offer the perfect opportunity. Designed for boys and girls from kindergarten through ninth grade, camps meet daily. With morning and afternoon sessions, you can select multiple camps to attend.

ACADEMIC Zoology Young Scientists Choir Robotics

ATHLETIC Baseball Basketball Dodgeball Football

Soccer Wrestling Speed & Agility Strength & Conditioning

AND MORE!

Special ADVERTISING SECTION

Summer Camp Guide 2023

As a kid, few things are more exciting than planning summer adventures, whether they involve hitting dusty trails astride a horse, sleeping under the stars, roasting marshmallows around campfires, fine-tuning athletic techniques, or exploring the visual and performing arts. Summer is filled with possibilities, and we have a list to get you started planning just how exciting those possibilities will be. This special advertising section highlights area summer excursions and camps and all that they offer. Let the summer fun begin!

SAY HELLO TO SUMMER!

2023 YMCA SUMMER DAY CAMP

New experiences, skill-building, a sense of community, and lasting friendships are all an integral part of YMCA Summer Day Camp. Weekly themed activities allow campers to create arts & crafts, explore science & technology, swim, appreciate nature, and better understand our many cultures. Campers will build their self-confidence, appreciate teamwork & sportsmanship, all while gaining independence as they nurture their spirits, challenge their minds, and strengthen their bodies. Kids will explore diverse interests and have a lot of fun along the way!

Scan the QR code to learn more + view our 2023 YMCA Summer Day Camp booklet.

YMCA OF GREATER OMAHA metroymca.org/camp

CAMP FILLS UP FAST...

2023 First Place

Youth Summer Camp

Summer Explorations

Fun,

Music Lessons

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THE PERFECT SUMMER ACTIVITY FOR 2023 First Place

Classes Available in: Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Prepointe, Pointe, Leaps & Turns, Acrobats, Hip Hop, Tot Hop, Lyrical, Musical Theatre, Adult Classes, Stompin’ with the Boys, Tinker Tots, Preschool Combo, and Future Stars

Summer CampS!

ROCK N PALOOZA

and Half

Options Available

5 - 9 Ages 7 - 10 June 12 - 16 Ages 11+ June 19 - 23 Ages 7 - 10 @ Benson

Sponsored by Dundee Bank June 26 - 30 Ages 11+ @ Benson Theatre, Sponsored by Dundee Bank July 10 - 14 Ages 7 - 10

17 - 21 Ages 11+

3 - 24 & July 8 - 29

Camps take place at Countryside Village unless otherwise noted

CAMPGROUNDS

ARROWHEAD PARK

29357 310th St., Neola, IA 712.485.2295 mycountyparks.com

ASHLAND RV CAMPGROUND

1301 Ash St., Ashland 402.401.4231 ashlandrvcampground.com

BRANCHED OAK STATE RECREATION AREA

12000 W. Branched Oak Rd., Raymond 402.783.3400 outdoornebraska.gov

CAMP A WAY

200 Campers Circle, Lincoln 402.476.2282 campaway.com

ELKHORN CROSSING RECREATION AREA

25198 Bennington Rd., Valley 402.444.6222 or 402.315.1712 papionrd.org

ELKHORN SHORES

23101 W. Maple Rd., Elkhorn 402.953.4731 elkhornshores.com

EUGENE T. MAHONEY STATE PARK

28500 W. Park Hey 1-80, Exit #426, Ashland 402.944.2523 outdoornebraska.gov

FREMONT LAKES STATE RECREATION AREA

4349 W. State LakesRd., Fremont 402.727.2922 outdoornebraska.gov

GLENN CUNNINGHAM LAKE CAMPGROUND

8305 Rainwood Dr., Omaha 402.444.4628 recreation.gov

GLENWOOD LAKE PARK CAMPGROUND 104 Lake Dr., Glenwood, IA 712.520.3004 cityofglenwood.org

HAWORTH PARK PUBLIC CAMPGROUND

2502 Payne Dr., Bellevue 402.293.3122 bellevue.net

HIDDEN FALLS CABINS & RV PARK

6124 Steinhart Park Rd., Nebraska City 402.209.6662 hiddenfallscabinsrvpark.com

HITCHCOCK NATURE CENTER

27792 Ski Hill Loop, Honey Creek, IA 712.545.3283 pottcoconservation.com

HOME PARK 6902 N. 16th St., Omaha 402.457.4715 parks.cityofomaha.org

KIMBERLY CREEK RETREAT 30010 Kimberly Dr., Ashland 531.500.8001 kimberlycreekretreat.com

LAKE MANAWA STATE PARK 1100 Shore Dr.,Council Bluffs, IA 712.366.0220 iowadnr.gov

LAKE WANAHOO STATE RECREATION AREA

One mile north of Wahoo outdoornebraska.gov

LOUISVILLE STATE RECREATION AREA

15810 HWY 50, Louisville 402.234.6855 outdoornebraska.gov

MEMPHIS LAKE STATE RECREATION AREA

Nebraska 78K Recreation Rd., Memphis 402.471.5497 outdoornebraska.gov

N.P. DODGE PARK

11005 John J. Pershing Dr., Omaha 402.444.4628 parks.cityofomaha.org

PAWNEE STATE RECREATION AREA 3900 NW 105th St., Lincoln 402.796.2362 nebraskastateparks reserveamerica.com

PLATTE RIVER STATE PARK 14421 346th St., Louisville 402.234.2217 outdoornebraska.gov

POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTRY

FAIR CAMPGROUND 307 W. Lincoln St., Avoca, IA 712.307.0509 unleashcb.com

TOMES COUNTRY

CLUB ACRES 706 Veterans Memorial HWY, Council Bluffs, IA 712.366.0363 rvparking.com

TWO RIVERS

I-80, Exit 444/Q St. W., Waterloo 402.359.5165 outdoornebraska.gov

VICTORIAN ACRES CAMPGROUND

6591 HWY 2, Nebraska City 402.873.6866 victorianacresrvpark.com

WALNUT CREEK LAKE & RECREATION AREA

HWY 370, 11710 Turkey Rd., Papillion 402.679.9889 papillion.org/parks

WEST OMAHA KOA

14601 US-6, Gretna 402.332.3010 koa.com/campgrounds/ west-omaha/

WINSOR COVE

2502 Payne Dr., Bellevue 402.933.3717 winsorcove.com

LIBRARIES

BELLEVUE

BELLEVUE PUBLIC LIBRARY

1003 Lincoln Road Bellevue, NE 68005 402.293.3157 bellevuelibrary.org

LA VISTA

LA VISTA PUBLIC LIBRARY

9110 Giles Road

La Vista, NE 68128 402.537.3900 cityoflavista.org/library

OMAHA

DO SPACE

7205 Dodge St. Omaha, NE 68114 402.819.4022 dospace.org

OMAHA PUBLIC LIBRARIES omahapubliclibrary.org

Click on “Hours & Locations”

A. V. SORENSON

4808 Cass St. Omaha, NE 68132 402.444.5274

BENSON

6015 Binney St. Omaha, NE 68104 402.444.4846

BESS JOHNSON (ELKORN)

2100 Reading Plaza

Elkhorn, NE 68022

402.289.4367

CHARLES B. WASHINGTON

2868 Ames Ave.

Omaha, NE 68111

402.444.4849

FLORENCE 2920 Bondesson St.

Omaha, NE 68112

402.444.5299

DOWNTOWN (INTERIM)

1410 Howard St.

402.444.4828

MILLARD 13214 Westwood Lane

Omaha, NE 68144

402.444.4848

MILTON R. ABRAHAMS

5111 N. 90th St.

Omaha, NE 68134

402.444.6284

SADDLEBROOK 14850 Laurel Ave.

Omaha, NE 68116

402.444.5780

SOUTH OMAHA

2808 Q St. Omaha, NE 68107

402.444.4850

W. CLARKE SWANSON 9101 W. Dodge Road

Omaha, NE 68114

402.444.4852

WILLA CATHER

1905S. 44th St.

402.444.4851

PAPILLION

PAPILLION PUBLIC LIBRARY 222 N. Jefferson St.

402.597.2040 papillion.org/1090/Library

RALSTON

BARIGHT PUBLIC LIBRARY 5555 S. 77th St. Ralston, NE 68127

402.331.7636 ralstonlibrary.org

OUTINGS

ASHLAND STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND & AEROSPACE MUSEUM 28210 W. Park Hwy 402.944.3100 sacmuseum.org

WILDLIFE SAFARI PARK

16406 292nd St.

402.944.9453 wildlifesafaripark.com

BELLEVUE

FONTENELLE FOREST NATURE CENTER 1111 Bellevue Blvd. N. Bellevue NE, 68005 402.731.3140 fontenelleforest.org

TREERUSH ADVENTURES AT FONTENELLE FOREST 1111 Bellevue Blvd. N. Ste. A, Bellevue, NE 68005 402.316.7038 fontenelleforest.org

SARPY COUNTY MUSEUM 2402 Clay St. Bellevue, NE 68005 402.292.1880 sarpycountymuseum.org

OMAHA

BEMIS CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY ARTS

724 S. 12th St. Omaha, NE 68102 402.341.7130 bemiscenter.org

BOB KERREY PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE 705 Riverfront Drive Omaha, NE 68102 402.444.5900 visitomaha.com/bob

BOYS TOWN 13628 Flanagan Blvd. (137th St. and W. Dodge Road) Omaha, NE 68010 531.355.1141 boystown.org

CHARLES SCHWAB FIELD 1200 Mike Fahey St. 402.546.1800 charlesschwabfieldomaha.com

DOUGLAS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY 5730 N. 30th St. Omaha, NE 68111 402.455.9990 douglascohistory.org

DURHAM MUSEUM 801 S. 10th St. Omaha, NE 68108 402.444.5071 durhammuseum.org

EL MUSEO LATINO 4701 S. 25th St. Omaha, NE 68107 402.731.1137 elmuseolatino.org

FLORENCE MILL

9102 N. 30th St.

Omaha, NE 68112

402.551.1233

historicflorence.org/FlorenceMill

FREEDOM PARK

2497 Freedom Park Road

Omaha, NE 68110

402.444.5955 cityofomaha.org/parks freedom-park

GENE LEAHY MALL

1001 Douglas St.

402.599.6565 theriverfrontomaha.com

GENERAL CROOK HOUSE MUSEUM

5730 N. 30th St.

402.455.9990 visitomaha.com

GERALD R. FORD BIRTH SITE AND GARDENS

3202 Woolworth Ave.

402.444.5955 history.nebraska.gov/ conservtion-center nebraskahistory.org

GREAT PLAINS BLACK HISTORY MUSEUM

2221 N. 24th St.

402.932.7077 gpblackhistorymuseum.org

HERON HAVEN

NATURE CENTER

11809 Old Maple Rd.

402.493.4303 heronhaven.org

HOLLAND PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

1200 Douglas St. Omaha, NE 68102

402.345.0202 omahaperformingarts.org

HOT SHOPS ART CENTER

1301 Nicholas St.

402.342.6452 hotshopsartcenter.com

JOSLYN ART MUSEUM

(Temporarily closed; chec website for offsite children’s programming) 2200 Dodge St. Omaha, NE 68102

402.342.3300 joslyn.org

JOSLYN CASTLE

3902 Davenport St. Omaha, NE 68131

402.595.2199 joslyncastle.com

KANEKO 1111 Jones St.

402.341.3800 thekaneko.org

LAURITZEN GARDENS & KENEFICK PARK 100 Bancroft St. Omaha, NE 68108

402.346.4002 lauritzengardens.org

LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL VISITOR CENTER 601 Riverfront Drive Omaha, NE 68102

402.661.1804 nps.gov

MALCOLM X HOUSE SITE 3448 Evans St. Omaha, NE 68111

402.881.8118 malcomxfoundation.org

MORMON TRAIL CENTER AT HISTORIC WINTER QUARTERS

3215 State St. Omaha, NE 68112

402.453.9372 lds.org

NEALE WOODS

14323 Edith Marie Ave. 402.731.3140 fontenelleforest.org

OMAHA CHILDREN’S MUSEUM 500 S. 20th St. Omaha, NE 68102

402.342.6164 ocm.org

OMAHA COMMUNITY PLAYHOUSE 6915 Cass St. 402.553.0800 omahaplayhouse.com

OMAHA HENRY DOORLY ZOO AND AQUARIUM 3701 S. 10th St. Omaha, NE 68107 402.733.8400 omahazoo.com

OPPD ARBORETUM 108th & Blondo St. 402.536.4131 oppd.com

ORPHEUM THEATER 409 S. 16th St. Omaha, NE 68102 402.661.8501 omahaperformingarts.org

PIONEER COURAGE PARK & SPIRIT OF NEBRASKA’S WILDERNESS

1601 Dodge St. 402.602.3930 visitomaha.com

THE ROSE THEATER

2001 Farnam St. Omaha, NE 68102 402.345.4849 rosetheater.org

STANDING BEAR LAKE 6404 N. 132nd St. 402.444.5955 visitomaha.com

UNION FOR CONTEMPORARY ART 2423 N. 24th St. 402.933.3161 u-ca.org

PARKS AND POOLS

OMAHA

For a full listing, visit parks cityofomaha.org

ANDERSEN PARK 13625 Cottner St.

AUTUMN HEIGHTS PARK 14206 Grant St.

BENSON PARK 7028 Military Ave.

BOWLING GREEN PARK 7065 Blondo St.

BROOKSIDE PARK 2127 Brookside Ave.

CANDLEWOOD PARK 12049 Franklin St.

CHURCHICH PARK 3712 S. 50th St.

CONOCO PARK 8602 Westridge Dr.

COTTONWOOD PARK 728 S. 154th St.

CRYER PARK (OUTDOOR POOL) 11783 Cryer Ave.

DEER RIDGE PARK (OUTDOOR POOL) 585 S. 126th St.

DEERWOOD PARK 7452 113th Ct.

DEMOCRACY PARK 8780 Templeton Dr.

DEWEY PARK 550 Turner Blvd.

ELKHORN (OUTDOOR POOL)

3200 N. 208th Plz.

ELMWOOD PARK (OUTDOOR POOL)

808 S. 60th St.

ENGLEWOOD PARK

4802 S. 144th St.

FONTENELLE PARK

4407 Fontenelle Blvd.

FREEDOM PARK

3497 Freedom Park Rd.

GALLAGHER PARK (OUTDOOR POOL)

2936 N. 52nd St.

GENE LEAHY MALL

1001 Douglas St.

HANSCOM PARK (OUTDOOR POOL)

3201 Woolworth Ave.

HARVEY OAKS PARK

14948 W. Center Rd.

HITCHCOCK PARK (OUTDOOR POOL)

4220 Q St.

HUMMEL PARK

NATURE CENTER

3033 Hummel Rd.

KAREN PARK (OUTDOOR POOL)

6288 H St.

KEYSTONE PARK

7819 Keystone Dr. LAMP PARK 113 N. 114th St.

LEE VALLEY (OUTDOOR POOL)

10605 Charles St.

LEVI CARTER PARK 4405 Carter Lake Shore Dr. W.

MANDAN PARK 6215 S. 13th St.

MAPLE VILLAGE PARK

3865 Parkview Dr.

MEADOW LANE PARK 11707 Farnam St.

MEMORIAL PARK 6005 Underwood Ave.

MILLARD HIGHLANDS PARK S. 140th Ave.

MILLER PARK (OUTDOOR POOL) 6285 N. 30th St.

MOCKINGBIRD HEIGHTS PARK 8822 Lakeview Dr.

OAK HEIGHTS (OUTDOOR POOL) 10205 U St.

PARKSIDE PARK 14120 Pine St.

PEPPERWOOD PARK 15201 Hamilton St.

PETERSON PARK 1211 Peterson Dr.

PHEASANT RUN PARK 15504 Adams St.

RAMBLERIDGE PARK 11424 Fort St.

REGENCY PARK 9808 Harney Pkwy N.

ROANOKE (OUTDOOR POOL) 4848 N. 113th St.

ROCKBROOK PARK 3525 S. 94th St.

ROXBURY PARK 5414 S. 116th St.

SANDOZ PARK 5938 S. 122nd St.

SEYMOUR SMITH PARK 6802 Harrison St.

SPRING LAKE (OUTDOOR POOL) 4020 Hoctor Blvd.

STINSON PARK 2285 S. 67th St,

SUNNYSLOPE PARK 10309 Grand Ave.

TOWL PARK 9310 W. Center Rd.

TURNER PARK 3110 Farnam St.

TRANQUILITY PARK 12222 W. Maple Rd.

UPLAND PARK 3104 Jefferson St.

WALNUT GROVE PARK 15050 Q. St. WESTWOOD HEIGHTS PARK 12334 Seldin Dr.

ZORINSKY LAKE PARK (OUTDOOR POOL) Bellevue public parks 3808 S. 156th St.

SUMMER CAMPS

ACADEMIC CAMPS

AIM FOR THE STARS 402.554.4999 unomaha.edu/camps

ALL GIRLS/ALL MATH

402.472.8965

math.unl.edu

programs/agam

BIG RED SUMMER ACADEMIC CAMPS

402.472.2846

4h.unl.edu/big-red-camps

BROWNELLTALBOT CAMPS

402.556.3772 brownell.edu/bt-beyond

BRYAN HEALTH COLLEGE SUMMER CAMPS

402.481.8697 bryanhealthcollege.edu

CAMP INVENTION

800.968.4332 invent.org/local

COLLEGE OF SAINT MARY SUMMER ACADEMIES

402.399.2400 csm.edu/summeracademies

CREIGHTON PREP ACADEMIC & ATHLETIC SUMMER CAMPS

402.393.1190 creightonprep.org/camps

CRYPTOGRAPHY CAMP

402.472.8965 math.unl.edu programs/agam

DO SPACE SUMMER PASSPORT PROGRAM

402.819.4022 dospace.org

KANEKO

402.341.3800 thekaneko.org

KIDS CAN! SUMMER CAMPS

402.731.6988 kidscanomaha.org

MATHNASIUM SUMMER CLASSES

844-984-MATH mathnasium.com/papillion

METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S COLLEGE FOR KIDS & TEENS SUMMER CAMPS

531.MCC.5437 mccneb.edu/ce/summerfun

NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL NEBRASKA CLASSES

402.896.0454 safenebraska.org

OMAHA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY CAMPS

402.399.9565 omahachristianacademy.org

OMAHA’S HENRY DOORLY ZOO & AQUARIUM SUMMER CAMPS

402.733.8401 omahazoo.com

STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND & AEROSPACE MUSEUM SUMMER CAMPS

402.944.3100 ext. 204 sacmuseum.org/camps

YMCA STEM, NUTRITION MATTERS, NATURE EXPLORERS & CAREER CAMPS

402.341.1600 metroymca.org ymcasummerdaycamp2023

YOUNG NEBRASKA SCIENTISTS #STEM SUMMER CAMPS

402.472.8946 yns.nebraska.edu

YOUTH TECH INC. 877.984.2267 youthtechinc.com

ART CAMPS

402 ARTS COLLECTIVE SUMMER CAMPS

402.913.1939

402artscollective.org

ARTS FOR ALL SUMMER CAMPS

402.556.7821 artsforallinc.com

BELLEVUE DANCE ACADEMY SUMMER CAMPS

402.291.3727 bellevuedanceaca emy.com

BLOOM SUMMER DANCE CAMP

402.670.7206 danceatbloom.com

CREATIVE GIRLS ART CAMP

402.612.1460 creativegirlsart.com

FINE LINES

CREATIVE WRITING SUMMER CAMP

402.871.3682NEBR finelines.o rg

GROSS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL ART CAMP

402.734.2000 grosscatholic.org

JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER DANCE & MUSICAL THEATER CAMPS

402.334.6426 jccomaha.org/camp

JOSLYN ART MUSEUM SUMMER CAMPS

402.342.3300 joslyn.org

KANEKO SUMMER CAMPS

402.341.3800 thekaneko.org

PACE ART & CULINARY SUMMER CAMP

712.890.5601 paceartsiowa.org

THE ROSE THEATER PERFORMING ARTS SUMMER CAMPS

402.345. 4849 rosethe ater.org

SCHOOL OF ROCK SUMMER MUSIC CLASSES

402.691.8875 omaha.sch oolofrock.com

SING OMAHA SHOW CHOIR CAMPS

402.93 3.7234 singomaha studios.org

SMITTY’S PERFORMING ARTS CENTER SUMMER CAMPS & CLASSES

402.999.6 368 smittyspac- omaha.com

THAT POTTERY PLACE SUMMER CAMPS

CALVIN CREST CAMP AND CONFERENCE

CENTER

40 2.628.6455 calvincrest.camp

CAMP FONTANELLE

UNITED METHODIST

CAMP

402.478.4296 campfontanelle.com

CAMP HANSCOM

402.289.1938 midwest.prosanctity org/camp-fun-faith

CAMP FUN-PLEX

402.331.8436 fun-plex.com

CAMP HANSCOM

402.4 44.4955 parks.cityofomaha.org camp-hanscom-day-camp

CAMP KROC SUMMER CAMPS

402.905.3500 omahakroc.org

MC GUIGAN ARTS ACADEMY

402.315.7955 mcguiganartsacademy.com

NEBRASKA DANCE SUMMER SESSION

402.895.0646 nebraskadance .com

NEBRASKA STORY ART STORYTELLING CAMP 402.312.4749 nebraskastoryarts.org

OMAHA COMMUNITY PLAYHOUSE SUMMER CLASSES

402.553.4890 omahaplayhouse com/education

OMAHA CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC INSTITUTE SUMMER MUSIC CAMP

402.932. 4978 omahacm.org/ocmi

OMAHA GIRLS ROCK!

402.321.22 52 omahagirls rock.org

OMAHA SCHOOL OF MUSIC & DANCE’S DANCE & MUSICAL THEATER CAMPS

402.576.5792 omahaschoolofm sicanddance.com

402.392.1166 thatpotterypl ceomaha.com

TWO KEYS CREATIVE STUDIOS CAMPS

402.660 .1939 twokeysst udios.com

UNL BAND CAMPS

402.472. 2503 unl.edu/band/cor husker-summer-marc ing-band-camp

UNL YOUNG WRITERS CAMP

402.472.1807 unl.edu/newp young-writers-camp

UNO JAZZ CAMP

402.554.2 297 unomaha.edu/col lege-of-communication fine-arts-and-media/music community-engagement jazz-camp

YMCA ART, MUSIC & DANCE CAMPS

402.341.1600 metroymca.org ymcasummerdaycamp2023

OUTDOOR CAMPS

BOY SCOUTS RESIDENT CAMP AT CAMP CEDARS

402.514.3006 mac-b sa.org

CAMP LEGACY 402.88 4.2242 campleg acyomaha.com

CAMP LUTHER 402.3 52.5655 campluth er.org

CAMP MOSES MERILL 402.666. 5639 campmerril l.com

CAMP NAKOMIS—BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF THE MIDLANDS 712 .347.5687 bgcomaha.org club-locations camp-nakomis

CAMP PLATTE 402.341.1600 metroymca.org/youth youth-camps

CAMP RIVERCREST

402.628 .6465 camprivercr est.org

CAMP VIRTUS ET VERITAS CATHOLIC BOYS CAMPS

402.915.0482 archomaha.org

CAROL JOY HOLLING CAMP

402.944.25 44 caroljoyholling .org

CUB SCOUT DAY CAMPS

402.431.9272 mac-bsa.o rg

HUMMEL PARK DAY CAMP

402.444.4760 parks.cityofomaha.org hummel-day-camp

FONTENELLE FOREST & TREERUSH ADVENTURE SUMMER DAY CAMPS

402.731.3140 fontenelleforest.org/camps

GIRL SCOUTS CAMPS

402.558. 8189 girlscoutsnebraska.org

HITCHCOCK NATURE CENTER CAMPS

712.3 28.5638 pottcoco nservation.com

LAURITZEN GARDENS SUMMER ADVENTURE CAMP 402.346.4002 Ext. 212 lauritzengarde ns.org

NEBRASKA 4-H SUMMER CAMPS

402.332.4 496 4h.unl.edu/camps-summer

YMCA CAMP KITAKI 402.434.92 22 ymcacampk itaki.org

YMCA SUMMER DAY CAMPS

402.341.1600 metroymc a.org/camp

SPECIALTY CAMPS

CAMP FLOYD ROGERS FOR KIDS WITH TYPE I DIABETES

402.885.9022 campfloyd rogers.com

CAMP HIGH HOPES FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

712.224.2 267 Ext. 102 camphighh opes.com

CAMP KROC SUMMER CAMPS

402.905.3500 omahakroc.org

CAMP YOUCAN FOR KIDS WITH EPILEPSY 402.770.3936 midwestyoucan.org

CRCC CAMP FOR KIDS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS 402.905.3500 omahakroc.org

CREIGHTON PEDIATRIC THERAPY HANDWRITING CAMPS

402.280.2200 creighton.edu

DURHAM MUSEUM SUMMER CAMP

402.44 4.5027 campsatthedurham.o rg

EASTER SEALS OF NEBRASKA CAMP FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

402.933.6251 easterseals.com

ELITE CHEER CLASSES

402.5 37.0855 eliteche er.com

ELITE ACADEMY OF MARTIAL ARTS JIUJITSU & KARATE CLASSES

402.5 37.0855 karateo fomaha.com

FITGIRL, INC CAMP EMPOWERMENT

402.290 .4144 fitgirlinc.co m

GO! KIDS GYM SUMMER CAMP

402.504. 3702 gokidsgym.com

HIS KIDS SPECIAL NEEDS MINISTRY AT CAMP LUTHER

402.352.5 655 campluther.org

JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER SUMMER CAMPS

402.33 4.8200 jewishom aha.org

METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S COLLEGE FOR KIDS & TEENS SUMMER CAMPS

531.MCC.5437 mccneb.edu/ce/summerfun

NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL NEBRASKA CLASSES

402.896.0454 safenebraska.org

OMAHA CHILDREN’S MUSEUM SUMMER CAMPS

402. 342.6164 Ext. 432 ocm.org

OMAHA FASHION WEEK FASHION CAMP

402.937.1061 omahafashio ncamp.com

OMAHA’S HENRY DOORLY ZOO AND AQUARIUM DAY CAMPS, SCOUT AND ZOO TROOP PROGRAMS

402.73 3.8401 omahazoo.com/DAY-CAMPS

OMAHA PUBLIC LIBRARY SUMMER READING PROGRAM

402.44 4.4800 omahalibr ary.org

OXBOW VET CAMPS

531.721.2300 oxbowanimalhealth com/vet-camp

PROJECT EXPLORE CAMP WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES ASSOCIATION OF NEBRASKA, INC. 402. 334.1677 nchpad .org

RUTH K. SOLOMON GIRLS PROGRAM SUMMER ENRICHMENT ACADEMY 402.457.7772 heartlandfamilyservice.org

SARPY COUNTY MUSEUM SUMMER CAMPS

402.292.1880 http://sarpycou tymuseum.org

STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND & AEROSPACE MUSEUM SUMMER CAMPS

402.944.3100 sacmuseum.org

SUMMER EXPLORATIONS AT QUEST FORWARD ACADEMY, THE FORWARD-THINKING HIGH SCHOOL

402.403.1267 qfa.io/summer

YMCA SUMMER CAMPS

402 .341.1600 metroymc a.org/camp

ATHLETIC CAMPS

AMAZING ATHLETES SPORTS CAMP

402.66 0.7886 amazinga thletes.com

BLUEJAY GIRLS SOCCER ACADEMY 402.2 80.2720 bluejaygirls socce academy.com

CHAMPION SPORTS KARATE CAMP 402.515.2272 championsportkarate.com

CREIGHTON PREP ACADEMIC & ATHLETIC SUMMER CAMPS

402.393.1190 creightonprep.org/camps

CREIGHTON SOCCER ACADEMY FOR BOYS creightonsocce academy.com

DIVENTURES

MERMAIDS & SHARKS SWIM CAMPS

402.933.6251 diventures.com

ELITE ACADEMY OF MARTIAL ARTS

402.537.0855 karateofomaha.com

ELITE CHEER SUMMER CAMP

402.537.0855 elitecheer.com

ELKHORN EQUESTRIAN CENTER CAMPS

402.238 .2027 elkhorneq uestr ancenter.com

EVOLUTION SOCCER CAMP

402.718.6289 evolut ionsoccerclub.com

GRIDIRON FOOTBALL ACADEMY & SUMMER CAMP gridironelitetraining.com

HAPPYFEET LEGENDS OF GREATER OMAHA 800.486.8385 happyfeetnebraska.com

HORSEMANSHIP CAMPS AT AMERICAN LEGACY COMPLEX 402.468.4588 americanlegacycomplex com/summer-camp

HUSKER SUMMER CAMPS

402. 472.3467 crec.un l.edu

JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER SPORTS CAMPS

402.3 34.6426 jccomaha.org/camp

LITTLE SPORTS OMAHA

402. 401.1228 littlesp ortsomaha.com

METRO OMAHA WOLVES SOCCER CAMPS

402.708.8442 metrowolvessoccer.com

METRO STARS GYMNASTICS DAY CAMP

402.991. 5700 metrostars gym.com

MOUNT MICHAEL BENEDICTINE YOUTH SUMMER CAMPS

402.23 8.1457 mountmic hael.com

NEBRASKA ELITE VOLLEYBALL CAMP

402.59 9.0423 nebraska elite.org

OMAHA SPORTS ACADEMY SUMMER CAMPS

402.50 4.1222 omahaspor tsacademy.com

SOCCER SHOTS SUMMER CAMP

402.954.3068 soccershots.com/omaha

SPORTING NEBRASKA CAMPS

402.8 96.4420 sportin gnebraskafc.com

SWIMTASTIC CAMPS & STROKE CLINICS

844.543.7946 swimtastic.com

PONCA HILLS SUMMER

RIDING CAMPS

402.453.0900 poncahillsfarm.com/camp

UNO ATHLETIC CAMPS

Phone no. va ries by sport unomaha.edu/camps

YMCA OLYMPICS

402.341.1600 metroymca.org

COMMUNITY CENTERS/ RECREATION FACILITIES

OMAHA

For hours & amenities, visit cityofomaha.org recreation-facilities.

ADAMS PARK

3230 John Creighton Blvd. 402.444.5164

A.V. SORENSEN 4808 Cass St. 402.444.5596

BENSON 6008 Maple St. 402.444.5184

CAMELOT (OUTDOOR POOL)

92709270 Cady Ave. 402.444.5972

CHRISTIE HEIGHTS

5105 S. 37th St. 402.444.5081

COMMON GROUND RECREATION & AQUATIC CENTER (INDOOR POOL) 1701 Veterans Dr. 402.444.4227

FLORENCE 2920 Bondesson St. 402.444.5216

HANSCOM TENNIS CENTER

3240 Ed Creighton Ave. 402.932.2027

HARRY KOCH TRAP & SKEET RANGE 6802 Harrison St. 402.331.1249

HUMMEL NATURE CENTER 3033 Hummel Park Rd. 402.444.4760

KOCH FAMILY TENNIS CENTER 12440 W. Maple Rd. 402.493.0420

MOCKINGBIRD HILLS (INDOOR POOL) 10242 Mockingbird Dr. 402.444.6103

MONTCLAIR (INDOOR POOL) 2304 S. 135th St. 402.444.4956

MOTTO MCLEAN ICE ARENA 5015 S. 45th St. 402.444.4955

SADDLEBROOK 14850 Laurel Ave. 402.444.5970

SHERMAN 5701 N. 16th St. 402.444.5673

SUBBY ANZALDO COLUMBUS PARK 1515 S. 24th St. 402.444.4111

continued from pg. 8

Noting that the experience helps him communicate research findings to non-experts, Edagwa knows he’s contributing to shaping the future of the healthcare industry. “It is also so rewarding professionally to watch these next generation scientists and problem solvers learn and become familiar with equipment and laboratory assays that help us create knowledge and solutions to biomedical problems.”

Solving those kinds of problems is what makes Carter Moss’s daily drive a pleasure. “Getting to learn one-on-one and have the experience of running all sorts of tests has been the most concrete experience for me,” Moss said. “That oneon-one approach and being part of the process and seeing how things are done are super interesting.”

The only quibble he and his classmates have? “I wish we could spend the whole school day here.”

For more information about UNMC’s High School Alliance program, visit unmc.edu/alliance.

“It is also so rewarding professionally to watch these next generation scientists and problem sol vers learn.”

-Dr. B enson Edagwa