“Hot” Summer Idea: Kids Club at Michaels

Here is a quick post about something I discovered right after we moved here that was perfect for those ridiculously hot summer days when we just had to get out of the house and find something fun to do in an air-conditioned space :)… Kids Club at the Michaels store in the Augusta Exchange.

WHO:  Officially, kids ages 5 and up.  That said, my not-yet-two-year-old was able to tag along and do some of the crafts last summer.

WHAT:  “Passport to Imagination”: Globally-inspired craft time just for kids at the local Michaels store.  Last year, the sessions were weekly and on a drop-in basis; many were free but others cost between $1 and $3 dollars.  This year, their website is advertising a more structured event taking place at specified times, $2/child and online registration required.

WHEN:  Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 10am-12pm.

WHERE:  All participating Michaels stores.

WHY WE LIKE IT:  Creative crafts!  Tiny price!  Did I mention air-conditioning??

HOW: Further information and online registration can be found at http://www.michaels.com/Passport/pti,default,pg.html.  I’m going to  try to make it to our store in the next few days to see if they are really requiring registration this summer, or if drop-ins will still be welcome (because sometimes summer requires some spontaneity!)… I’ll post an update when I know more.

Summer Camp 1: Symphony Camp

In the interest of posting at least one summer camp recommendation before summer starts (and registrations start filling up), I wanted to post about a camp that my oldest attended last summer (he was 5 1/2) and LOVED.  So much so that he is already excited about going again this year!

WHO:  Kids entering kindergarten through entering 5th grade.

WHAT:  The camp is called “Collage: Creative Arts Camp” and is run by the Symphony Orchestra of Augusta.  As their flyer advertises, in this camp kids will be exposed to: brass, woodwind, string and percussion instruments; Drama; Art; Weaving; Chorus; Movement; Puppetry; Storytelling and Creative Writing.

WHEN:  Three separate one-week sessions running June 3-7; June 10-14; and June 17-21.

WHERE:  The first week of camp is held at Vineyard Church of Augusta (3126 Parrish Road, Augusta, GA 30907).  The second two weeks are held at Woodlawn United Methodist Church (2220 Walton Way, Augusta, GA 30904).

WHY WE LIKE IT:  My son had such a blast at this camp!  They do so many things right.  To start with the basics, the camp runs from 9am until 1pm daily, which was just the right amount of time for a young child (the kids are asked to bring a sack lunch with them each day).   From the moment we arrived, I was very impressed by the organization.  Greeters were set up at a welcome table that had name tags ready for each child indicating which group they were in.  The groups rotate through music, drama, and art, and upon their arrival each morning, one of the counselors leads them to the activity their group is starting with that day.  The counselors include a mix of adults and art-inclined high school students.  My son loved the art projects, which included chalk drawings, oil pastels, collage, tracing, painting, etc.  I was impressed by the emphasis on creativity for all the projects.  He also enjoyed drama, which included things like learning a choreographed dance routine and storytelling (a great literacy skill for young kids!).  In the music sessions, he learned all about stringed instruments and even got to try playing each member of the string “family” (as he explained to me, the bass is the dad, the cello the mom, the violin the kid, and the viola the baby… very cute!).

HOW:  For information and to register, contact Sue Alexanderson at (706) 738-7527 or walexanderson(at)comcast.net.  I will give one caveat here, since my blog is largely aimed at finding free or inexpensive activities in the area: this camp is not exactly inexpensive.  Fees are $125/week ($100 for a 2nd child and $75 for a third).  That said, I do believe that you get a VERY high-quality program for your money.  In addition, the camp is sponsored by the Friends of the Symphony and benefits the Symphony Orchestra of Augusta, a very worthy cause!

Interested in finding another arts-centered camp?  Check out The Augusta Chronicle‘s list of Art Camps here:

http://m.chronicle.augusta.com/things-do/applause/2013-05-09/summer-camps-guide-2013-arts

Sunday Sketch at the Morris Museum of Art

WHO:  Best for adults and children around 9 and up.

WHAT:  A FREE afternoon of sketching in the art galleries.  The Morris provides drawing supplies that are free to use (just return them when you leave):  large and small drawing boards, sketch pads/paper, pencils and erasers, and portable stools to carry into the gallery if you want to sketch a painting that doesn’t have a bench in front of it.

WHEN:  Typically one Sunday a month, from 2pm until 3:30pm (although when I went I was there until almost 4pm and the supplies were still available).

WHERE:  The Morris Museum of Art, at 10th Street and Reynolds.  Supplies are available in the activity room at the top of the stairs before you get to the lobby.

WHY WE LIKE IT:  Did I mention that it’s FREE?!   I personally find this to be a great time to unwind on my own after a hectic week with little ones!  Some parents with older children make it a family event, which I look forward to doing one day as well.  A great way to nourish your creative, artsy side, whether you think you have one or not ;).  I hadn’t sketched since I was a kid taking art classes myself, so I didn’t know what to expect– but I really loved the experience and definitely plan to go often.  Also, the day I went, there was also a string quartet giving a (free, again!) concert in the downstairs auditorium, so it made a very nice afternoon to be able to enjoy the music and then the art.

HOW:  Couldn’t be easier–  just check the Morris’s calendar of events to find out when they are having a Sunday sketch, and go!  There is a sign-in sheet when you get there, but you don’t need to call or reserve in advance at all.  Here is the website where you can find their calendars:

http://themorris.org/

Saturday Market on the River

WHO:  Everyone!!

WHAT:  A large outdoor market with tons of vendors from the area.  The market area, which is closed to traffic and easy to stroll, is full of great stuff: fresh fruits, vegetables, milk and other offerings from local farms; plants and flowers; breads and other baked items (even funnel cake… yum!); handcrafted jewelry, pottery, and woodwork by local artisans; handmade children’s clothing and accessories; and more!

WHEN:  Saturdays through the end of October, 8am-2pm.

WHERE:  Downtown Augusta, on 8th St. at Riverwalk.

WHY WE LIKE IT:  So many reasons!  Aside from all the goodies for sale, there are balloons and balloon animals for the kids, as well as the 8th St. public splash fountain (featured in this blog’s banner, actually).  The last couple of times we have been to the market, there was a hula-hoop vendor and lots of people were demo-ing and trying the hoops, which my boys found entertaining.  And of course another big draw… it is a quick stroll down Riverwalk to reach the playground and marina at Riverwalk Park (see next post).  Between strolling the market and hitting the playground, our Saturday mornings are full!

HOW:  For more information on finding and exploring the Market, as well as how to become a sponsor or vendor, check out this website: http://www.myaugustadowntown.com/saturday_market.shtml

“Artrageous” Sundays at the Morris Museum of Art

WHO:  This event is for the entire family to enjoy!  Events and activities vary month-to-month, but most seem to appeal to a large age-range of kids, from toddlerhood on up.

WHAT:  A FREE afternoon of creative fun at the Morris Museum of Art.

WHEN:  Once a month at 2pm on Sundays.  The next one is this Sunday, July 10th!

WHERE:  The Morris Museum of Art is on the corner of 10th St. and Reynolds St. on the riverfront downtown.

WHY WE LIKE IT:  First of all, it’s FREE, even for non-members!  Also, the museum does a great job pairing an entertaining program with a related art craft to be completed by the children either outside or in their activity room immediately following the main program.  We attended the June Artrageous Sunday and a great time was had by all, little ones and adults alike.  The program was led by “Okefenokee Joe”, a wildlife enthusiast, herpetologist, and musician.  For over a half-hour, Joe entertained the kids with stories and original songs about the wildlife he has encountered and engaged with during his many years working at the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in the swampland of southern Georgia.  Following the storytelling and music, the kids all got to see various live snakes– venomous and non– indigenous to Georgia.  There was one moment of particular excitement, for kids and adults alike, when an antsy copperhead attempted to make his escape… fortunately, Okefenokee Joe is a seasoned and expert snake handler and quickly put the wayward snake back in his place.  The kids then got to complete two crafts– one in which they used molding “art noodles” to create sculptures of snakes and other swamp animals, and another in which they created a torn paper landscape.  Both crafts were ably led by enthusiastic and engaging museum staff.  All in all, we had a fantastic time and are looking forward to this Sunday’s event: a puppet show by the company “Planet Earth,Inc.” and a chance to decorate a flowerpot that comes complete with a live baby plant to take home.

HOW:  For more information on how to get there and their normal business hours and pricing, visit the Morris Museum of Art website: http://www.themorris.org/index.shtml.

BONUS… The Morris also has a great monthly program called “Toddler Time”… stay tuned for an upcoming post!

Okefenokee Joe

Craft: Torn paper landscape