FUN! FUN! for...Families!
Classes, Workshops, Arts/Crafts
The Columbia Camera Club offers instruction, appreciation and competition of photography the first Tuesday of the month. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Visit their web site or contact them at 786-7022 for more information.
Booker Washington Heights Cultural Arts Center is now offering classes in self-defense, dance, poetic therapy, manners and much more. Call 255-8161 for a complete class listing or check online.
If you're looking to submerge your child and possibly yourself into the world of art, the City of Columbia Parks and Recreation also offers classes on pottery, glazing and an array of other activities.
The Columbia Museum of Art hosts Big Hands Little Hands, a program designed for children and their adult companions the second Saturday of every month. This program combines the exploration of the gallery with a creative activity. Check out their web site for additional information.
Southern Pottery Workcenter and Gallery offers all kinds of classes including handbuilding, wheelthtowing and kids summer classes.
Crochet? Okay! Learn the basics of crocheting for those ages 9-12
Enroll your child in the 2008 "Camp Wanna Cook" class for those ages 4-14 offered by Let's Cook Culinary Studio. The first class is offered the week of June 23th-June 25th and the second class is offered the week of July 14th-July 16th. Check their web site to see their special 3 day event offered for kids ages 15-18 that will be announced soon.
Looking for some after school programs to get you through the end of the school year and into the summer? The City of Columbia Parks and Recreation offers an After school Camp from August-May at the rate of $25 per child.
Girls love jewelry so let them make their own at Swiftwater Beads and Jewelry in 5 Points. They often host large groups and have an array of beads and other products that will please any little girl.
Heidi Darr-Hope is a local artist that hosts exhibitions, workshops and lectures to explore your or your child's inner artist. Visit her web site for workshop specifics.
Camps
Check out EdVenture for their special $1 admission fee every month and while you're there pick a summer camp in which to enroll your child. With over 20 camps offered, your child can't be bored this summer!
Camp Wildwood, sponsored by a variety of organization including the Garden Club of South Carolina and the SC Department of Natural Resources, is a high energy, hands on outdoor environmental camp for kids in 10-12 grade. The camp is at Kings Mountain State Park and costs only $90 for the entire week.
June 9-July 25-Columbia Arts Academy offers camps from June 9-July 25 including Intermediate Guitar CAmp, Beginner Guitar Camp, Beginner Frums Camp and Rock Bands Camps. Each camp is help Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-noon.
June 9-August 8- Riverbanks Zoo Adventure Camp for ages 12-15. These one week camps begin in June and allow campers to travel to various sites in Columbia, learn about exhibit design, animal enrichment, and husbandry at the Zoo and take part in crafts, games and animal encounters. Call 779-8718 or visit them online.
June 9-August 8- Sprout Camp is for ages 3-4 and is designed for children accompanied by a parent. This camp will give kids the chance to discover the Riverbanks Garden from an insect's perspective. Included in this are seed exploration, making mud pies, planting flowers, crafts and more.
July 7-10-A Room of Your Own is a 4 day camp for ages 7-10 (July 14-18) and 11-14 (July 21-25) offered at the Columbia Museum of Art. Create objects for your room that show off artistic and design sensibility. Includes instruction in decorative paint techniques, beading, applique and basic sewing. All supplies are included. Call 343-2186 or visit them online for more information.
July 7-July 11- NASA: Journey into Outer Space. Developed in partnership with NASA & The Langley Center for Distance Learning, this is a hands-on program investigating the four forces of flight, the challenges of space travel and participate in a rocket launch! $159/per child. Recommended 1st through 6th grade. http://southcarolinastatemuseum.org/
July 7-July 11-Reactions in Action: Campers explore the basic building blocks of the universe – atoms and molecules. From gooey slime and movie special effects to how our tongues discern taste, all of our activities involve the three states of matter. $139 per child. Recommended 1st through 6th grade. http://southcarolinastatemuseum.org/
July 7-July 11- CSI 101 Summer Camp is for ages 10-12 where campers will learn how to solve mysteries by looking into the science used by real detectives. Camp will be at EdVenture.
July 9-July 12- All-American Sports Camp for ages 3-9. Campers will be introduced to non-traditional sports. The camp will be held at Crooked Creek Park. Visit the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission or call 345-6181 for more information.
July 14-July 17- All-American Sports Camp for ages 3-9. Campers will be introduced to non-traditional sports. The camp will be held at Crooked Creek Park. Visit the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission or call 345-6181 for more information.
July 14-July 18-Secret Agent Lab: From secret communications and detective crime science to the inner workings of our cells and cool chemistry, each day we sleuth out the answer to many of life's mysteries! $139 per child. Recommended 1st through 6th grade. http://southcarolinastatemuseum.org/
July 14-July 18-Dynamic Dinosaurs: Investigate the habits, needs and characteristics of dinosaurs and explore the fossilization process in this fun, hands-on camp. $139 per child. PreK to 2nd grade. http://southcarolinastatemuseum.org/
July 21-25- Move and Groove Jr. is for ages 4-5 and runs July 21-25 at EdVenture. Children will use their innate energy to explore how their bodies move while learning about basic music concepts.
July 21-July 25-Science in Motion: Science and engineering meet as campers discover what machines and nature have in common. Campers will build various structures, discover how animals and bugs move through their world and ours and run a crazy obstacle course with the help of simple machines. $139 per child. Recommended 1st through 6th grade. http://southcarolinastatemuseum.org/
July 21-July 25-Rockin'Rockets & Aerodynamics: This hands-on program will teach you how to build many different flying devices. See how Newton's Laws of motion help explain how things move, how rockets fly and show you our amazing Milky Way. $139 per child. Recommended 1st through 6th grade. http://southcarolinastatemuseum.org/
July 21-25- A Room of Your Own is a 4 day camp for ages 7-10 (July 14-18) and 11-14 (July 21-25) offered at the Columbia Museum of Art. Create objects for your room that show off artistic and design sensibility. Includes instruction in decorative paint techniques, beading, applique and basic sewing. All supplies are included. Call 343-2186 or visit them online for more information.
July 21-July 25- Comic Book Creation Camp is a camp for grades 4-8 at Heathwood Hall. Students will learn the steps used to create a comic book. The camp runs from July 21-July 25. Direct questions to camps@heathwood.org
July 28-August 1-Crazy Chemworks: Learn chemistry the Mad Science way with dry ice, pH testing, glowing chemicals, sticky polymers, beakers and flasks. $139 per child. Recommended 1st through 6th grade. http://southcarolinastatemuseum.org/
July 28-August 1-Secret Agent Lab: From secret communications and detective crime science to the inner workings of our cells and cool chemistry, each day we sleuth out the answer to many of life's mysteries! $139 per child. Recommended 1st through 6th grade. http://southcarolinastatemuseum.org/
July 28-August 1- Video Editing/3-D Animation for grades 7-8 is hosted by Heathwood Hall and will guide students through the process of making and editing video projects while learning to use digital picture enhancement and 3-D animation. The camp runs from July 28-August 1.
July 28-August 1- Blythewood Park is hosting a dance camp from July 28-August 1 for ages 2-5 and 6-12. Dancers must have tap and ballet shoes and proper dance attire. Visit the Richland County Recreation site for more information.
August 4-August 8- NASA: Journey into Outer Space. Developed in partnership with NASA & The Langley Center for Distance Learning, this is a hands-on program investigating the four forces of flight, the challenges of space travel and participate in a rocket launch! $159/per child. Recommended 1st through 6th grade http://southcarolinastatemuseum.org/
August 4-August 8- Reactions in Action: Campers explore the basic building blocks of the universe – atoms and molecules. From gooey slime and movie special effects to how our tongues discern taste, all of our activities involve the three states of matter. $139 per child. Recommended 1st through 6th grade. http://southcarolinastatemuseum.org/
August 11-August 15-Red Hot Robots 2 (Intermediate): Recommended that you take Robots 1 first. Using principles learned in Red Hot Robots 1, build your brand new binary player robot! Create your own Robot Scribbler and compete in a Robo-Sapien Dance-Off! $169 per child. Recommended 2nd to 6th grade. http://southcarolinastatemuseum.org/
Sports
Basketball fundamentals for ages 6-12 are offered at 6 p.m. at the St. Andrews Park. $12/month. Call 772-6598 for more information.
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources provides a variety of special youth deer hunting opportunities across the state. All youth seriously interested in hunting should take the South Carolina Hunter Education Course either prior to or after attending a special youth deer hunt. Check out their web site for additional information on signing your child up for this great experience.
Tennis programs are also being offered by the City of Columbia Parks and Recreation for munchkins through grade 8. Check out their web site for details on each age group.
Carolina Adventure offers kayaking, canoeing, backpacking and outdoor cooking classes for children of all ages and in early June they will host an Adventure Camp for children ages 9-15. The camp is $200 for the entire week and each day is dedicated to a different adventure including rock climbing, kayaking and wilderness survival. The week will conclude with an overnight canoe trip on the Edisto River with the parents to allow camp members to show off their skills.
Party Planning
Girls love jewelry so let them make their own at Swiftwater Beads and Jewelry in 5 Points. They often host large groups and have an array of beads and other products that will please any little girl.
Art Shack Gallery in Downtown offers 'Art Parties' for children. Children's parties include activities, invitations, balloons for each guest and a t-shirt for the birthday boy or girl. All you're responsible for is the refreshments and your guests!
Plex Indoor Sports is a great place to have a birthday party. With 3 locations in the Columbia area, there's one close to everyone. The cost is $225 for up to 15 guests and add-ons are offered including goody bags and skate instructors.