Summer is so close that kids can reach out and touch it – and there’s no doubt they’ve begun daydreaming about it.
Thankfully, summer is camp season, which gives several options for parents searching for something to fill the void of the extra eight hours of leisure time kids will gain after the school years’ closing bells later this month.
Notices are out and registration periods have begun for a range of camps from vacation Bible schools to arts, sports, history and science camps.
The following certainly isn't an exhaustive list of all summer activities in the Amarillo area, but it is a taste of what’s being offered. Registration often is on a first come, first serve basis, with several camps keeping registration open until they’re full.
Amarillo College: The annual Badger Kids’ College camps begin May 30 and run through the summer featuring art, S.T.E.M. (science, technology, engineering and math) camps, cheerleading, theater, cooking, dance, fencing, gymnastics, music and sports programs. Click here for more information and how to register.
Amarillo Museum of Art: Programs run during different parts of the summer for different age groups between ages 4 and 15. Camps include watercolor painting, making clay pieces, architecture and pottery, with a family architecture-themed event in August. Contact (806) 371-5050 for more information.
Amarillo Zoo: Weekly “Summer Zoofari” camps run from June to August and are geared toward different age groups and subjects. Click here for more information.
Don Harrington Discovery Center: Weekly science-based summer camps for kids from toddler-age through sixth grade will begin June 5 at Don Harrington Discovery Center. Registration has begun and parents can sign up as space allows through the starting day of each camp, according to DHDC.
The camps feature qualified teachers who, using a science-based curriculum, guide children through crafts, exhibits and shows. Lunch can be provided for full-day campers for an additional cost at registration.
For younger children, there are camp themes such as "Dr. Seuss Science," "Budding Builders," and "Superhero Silliness;” For older kids, "Spies 101," "Engineering Genius," "Vet Tech," "Crazy Chemistry," "Robotics," and "Crime Scene Investigation," are among topics.
Half-day camps for three-, four- and five-year-olds cost $70 per week for DHDC members and $95 weekly for non-members. Full-day camps, for kids in the first through sixth grades, cost $150 weekly for DHDC members and $195 per week for non-members.
For additional camp details and registration information, contact Shanna Collins at (806) 355-9547 ext. 120, or by email at scollins@dhdc.org.
Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum: A schedule for summer education programs between June and August on its website.
The programs typically run on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays with activities between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on topics including art, history and paleontology.
West Texas A&M University: Several summer youth programs are scheduled including band, choir, computer science, health careers, horsemanship and sports camps.
Mike Smith is a digital content producer for Panhandle PBS. Contact him at mike.smith@actx.edu, on Twitter at @newsmithm and on Facebook.
