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illustration by Roy Tompkins |
Programs and Camps:
AMERICAN RED CROSS offers practical educational programs and swimming events throughout the summer. A Health and Safety Training course will be presented, including courses on babysitting, lifeguard training, and more. The local ARC Swim-A-Cross event is a summer-long event that includes swim clubs across Austin and surrounding areas. The clubs solicit pledges for laps completed during one practice session (and proceeds benefit the American Red Cross and the swim clubs). Call for a complete schedule. 928-4271.
AUSTIN CHAMBER MUSIC CENTER will pre-sent their 16th Annual Chamber Music Workshop and Festival for young musicians (and adults as well!) in the Helm Fine Arts Center at St. Stephen’s School. School-aged students of intermediate to advanced proficiency participate in a variety of musical activities, including chamber music coaching, chamber orchestra, piano duets, and presentations by professional musicians. Instruments include piano, strings, woodwinds, brass, voice, and guitar. Cost is $375 (Division I); $200 (Division II). In addition, a special piano mini-workshop will be held Wed, May 27-Fri, May 29, 1-5pm. Cost is $85. All students are entitled to attend Festival concerts free of charge if seating is available. Auditions for new students will be held Sat, May 9, 1-3pm. Sun, May 31-Sun, June 14. 3900 Bunny Run. 454-7562.
AUSTIN CHILDREN’S CHOIR will host its annual Summer Choir Workshop from July 27-30 at Concordia University, for children in grades 3-8. The workshop includes training in basic vocal production and choral technique, and features a lively and varied musical repertoire. Children bring a sack lunch; snacks and supervised break-time activities are provided. Cost is $70. The choir will be conducting auditions for new singers for the 1998-99 season during April and May. Children entering grades 3-8 are eligible to apply. Call to arrange an appointment. 486-1169.
AUSTIN CHILDREN’S MUSEUM is still giddy over the opening of their new location, and will be offering a variety of exciting events and programs this summer. The “How and Why Summer Camp 1998” provide children with challenging and exciting explorations into the worlds of art, culture, science, and technology. Full-day camps are open to children 7-10; half-day camps are offered to kids ages 4-6. Topics include City Explorers; Invention Dimension; Global Ambassadors; Time Travelers; Wonders of Weather; and more. Sessions run June through July.
A Theatre Performance Series will be presented at the museum, the first performance featuring Cinderella as performed by Hamms Marionettes. Cost is $7 adults/$3 children. Sun, May 17, 2:30pm.
On June 17, the museum and Sharir Dance Company will introduce the innovative exhibition “Robo-City” in their Theatre Gallery. Fully interactive, the exhibit will encourage and enable visitors of all ages to create their own music and light shows. Visitors will be able to “dance” on a MIDI musical surface, activate cyberhumans, move robots, and control robotic lighting with each movement, actually becoming co-creators of the work.
Early Childhood Educator Workshops will be offered throughout the summer. Call for a complete schedule.
The museum offers several teen volunteer opportunities, including a Junior Volunteer program (for ages 12-17); Counselors-in-Training (ages 13-18); and Multimedia Workshop volunteers. Call for details.
Austin Children’s Museum is located in the Dell Discovery Center, 201 Colorado. 472-2499.
AUSTIN MUSEUM OF ART, LAGUNA GLORIA offers a range of activities and classes for kids throughout the summer months (and beyond). The museum’s 17th annual family exhibition, “Material World: Artists and Their Materials,” is currently on view through May. The show explores the varied and innovative use of unconventional materials by eight artists, and was designed specifically for families. The exhibit also includes a participatory gallery featuring innovative hands-on art activities for children, open Tue-Sat, 10:30am-4:30pm, and Sundays, 1:30-4:30pm. Youth Docent Tours, a program offering educational tours for the exhibition led by specially trained teens, will be available every Saturday at 2pm. Cost is $2 adults, $1 seniors and students; free for children under 12. Thursday is $1 day. Call for a complete schedule of events. 3809 W. 35th. 458-8191, ext. 211.
AUSTIN NATURE & SCIENCE CENTER, located in Zilker Park, provides exhibits and educational programs for children of all ages throughout the year. Summer camps are offered for youth ages 3-13, and include Tadpole Half Day and Full Day Camps; Nature Camp; Adventure I & II Camps; Caves and Life Underground Camp; Advanced Caving; Animal Lovers Camp; Mountain Biking Madness; Backpacking Camp; and Underwater Worlds. Before- and after-care can be provided. Call for a complete schedule of events. May-August. Zilker Park, 2200 block of Barton Springs Rd. 327-8181.
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illustration by Roy Tompkins |
AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY will present their annual Summer Reading Program June 1-July 25 at all their branch locations. This year’s theme is “Furry Tails! Funny Tales!” Children who participate can read books and will receive incentives for their efforts. Additionally, the program includes storytimes, arts and crafts, films, safety programs, and other special events. There is no cost to participate. 499-7465.
AUSTIN THEATRE FOR YOUTH is now accepting enrollments for their Summer 1998 Academy and Little Academy. The Academy (ages 7-17) is a four-week comprehensive drama training program featuring an experienced theatre faculty, electives such as stage combat, puppet and mask making, playwriting and musical theatre, in addition to core acting and technical theatre classes. Two sessions: June 1-27 and/or July 6-August 1. Cost is $725 for one session; $1,300 for two. The Little Academy (ages 5-7) uses creative drama, story dramatization, and role-play. Mon-Fri, 8:30-11:30am. Four sessions: June 1-12, June 15-26, July 6-17, and/or July 0-31. Cost is $175 for one session; $300 for two. 710 E. 41st. 302-5405.
AUSTIN ZOO offers various activities through-out the summer for children and teens. Their Zoocademy summer daycamp sessions will be held through August, featuring a variety of fun and educational programs. Activities include animal encounters, nature hikes, animal enrichment, arts and crafts, train rides, scavenger hunts, games, goat milking, pony care and rides, and more. The Zoocademy Teen Force will pair teens with zookeeper mentors who will teach them how to become a jr. camp counselor and a jr. zookeeper. Call for a complete schedule. June-August. 10807 Rawhide Tr. 288-1490.
THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS of Austin and Travis County offer a wide range of programs for kids throughout the year. Summer activities include a variety of summer camps, chess clubs, field trips, game rooms, arts and crafts, photography classes, music clubs, and more. Call for a brochure. Three locations: South Austin Unit, 303 S. Johanna St.;, 444-6369 Dove Springs Unit: 5405 Pleasant Valley Rd., 447-5875; East Austin Unit, 900 Neal St., 494-9203.
CHILDREN’S DAY ART PARK is an annual tradition here in Austin, presented by the Austin Symphony at Symphony Square. The program is full of music, dance, arts and crafts, storytelling, and more. Beginning at 9:30am, children can visit the “Instrumental Petting Zoo,” where they can try their hand at playing different instruments from the orchestra. During the morning festivities, member of the ASO visit with the children about their instruments and play favorite tunes. At 10am, performances especially geared for young children are presented onstage. In addition, each week there are storytellers, mimes, and magicians to add to the fun. After the featured entertainment, children can follow the Pied Piper down the “Lemonade Trail” to the Art Tent, where local artisans have set up shop, and children can create a variety of items to take home. Admission is still only 50cents per child; adults are free when accompanied by a child. Lemonade is 10cents a cup. Those attending are encouraged to pack a sack lunch and picnic on the banks of Waller Creek. Wednesdays, June 3-July 29. 476-6064.
CHILDREN’S HOUR AT THE NEY is an annual summer storytelling event and costume party held at the Elisabet Ney Museum. A fairy-tale story hour will be held in the morning, followed by the museum’s Fairy-Tale Costume Party that evening. Everyone is invited to dress as their favorite fairy-tale character, and the party will include classical music, ballet, and storytelling. Authentic 19th-century refreshments will be served at both the story hour and the costume party. Admission is free. Sat, June 27, 10am & 7pm. 304 E. 44th. 458-2255.
CLAYWAYS POTTERY STUDIO is currently taking registration for 1/2 day summer camps for youth ages 6-10 and 11-18. Sessions are offered in weekly sessions, Mon-Fri. Participants will receive instruction in handbuilding and/or wheelthrowing. Individual parent/child workshops will be presented throughout the summer. May 26-Aug 7. 5442 Burnet Rd. 459-6445.
FUTURE KIDS SUMMER COMPUTER CAMPS are offered in a wide range of themes for children 4-14. Campers take on a variety of roles and use the computer as a tool to tackle life’s problems, create movies, solve mysteries, compete as athletes, and much more. Camps include: The Pet Shop; Something Fishy; Goosebumps Club; Sports Network; Space Trekker; Detective Club; Movie Magic; and more. Costs are $115-175 per week. Call for a complete schedule. May-August. 3818 Far West Blvd., Suite 101. 346-8020.
KIDS ORGANIC GARDENING SUMMER CAMP at Ronda’s Montessori Garden will feature “double-digging” demonstrations this summer. Mon & Wed, mornings, June 8-Aug 12. 4300 Mt. Vernon Dr. 707-8635.
KIDSACTING is currently taking registration for their Summer Performing Arts Camps, open to youth ages 4-18. KidsActing is Austin’s only theatre school producing full-scale musicals with casts of young people. They offer a variety of topics, including musical production, screen-acting, variety show, dance, and more. Besides their Burnet Rd. location, they also offer camps in the Lakeway area. 5811 Burnet Rd. 458-KIDS.
LAUGHING AT THE SUN GALLERY offers a variety of children’s art classes and Summer Art Day Camps. Call for details. 2209 S. First. 326-4410.
MAGIC CAMP is a unique camp which uses the fun of magic, juggling, and puppets to build self-esteem in children. Programs for youth ages 5-18 are based on interest and age. A Youth Leader Training Academy, open to adult youth leaders, will also be held the first week in June. Website: http://www.magiccamp.com. June-July. 4100 Red River. 288-1596.
NATIONAL WILDFLOWER RESEARCH CENTER has a wide range of children’s programming throughout the year. This summer’s offerings include “Fairy Tales & Flowers,” a literature-based camp where children ages 4-6 explore native plants with a magical touch. Nature walks, a performance, and more are featured. During “Plants & Pioneering Peoples,” children ages 7-9 and 10-12 will discover the wonders and uses of native plants in the same way the original inhabitants of Central Texas did. Campers will build, cook, paint, and make gifts from native plants. Cost for each program is $55 (lunch included). Call for a schedule of weekly events and workshops. June-July. 4801 LaCrosse Ave. 292-4200.
NATURAL EAR MUSIC CAMP offers youth the opportunity to play in a rock & roll band and perform in front of their friends and parents. In each three-week camp, participants are assigned to groups of six kids who like the same kind of music, and who are close to the same age and experience with music. Three three-week sessions are held during the summer, four hours per day, 10am-2pm, five days a week. Cost is $425 per session. No previous musical experience is necessary. June 1-9, June 22-July 10 and July 13-31. Austin Rehearsal Complex, 200 Academy. 447-5910.
PIONEER FARM SUMMER DAY CAMP is currently taking registration for children ages
4-15. Youth can spend either all or part of five days at the Farm experiencing work and play as it might have been experienced during the 1880s. Dressed in period clothing, the children care for farm animals, prepare meals, and work on 19th-century crafts. Sessions begin June 1 and run through August 7. Camps fill up quickly, so call now to see if you can still reserve a spot. If not, the farm provides weekly activities to youth throughout the summer and beyond. Call for a complete schedule of events. 837-1215.
PLAYFEST ’98, Austin’s original festival of performance for children features dancing kids, talking pigs, and flying horses! Presented by the Austin Circle of Theatres and the Coalition for Children’s Theatre, the festival will be held at the Dougherty Arts Center. The series will showcase diverse performances of storytelling, puppetry, dance, and theatre with influences from around the world. Tickets for all shows are $4.50, with group rates and Family Play Passes also available. June 2-27, Tue-Fri, 10am and Sat, 3pm. 1110 Barton Springs Rd.
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SGRAFFITO SUMMER CAMPS, for kids 5-8 and 9 & up, will teach campers the basics of clay while making pinch pots, coil bowls, rattles, mirrors, masks, and picture frames. Camps run late May through early August. Cost is $40 per session. The shop also offers weekday discounts for kids under 12, group rates for parties and events, and more. 809 W. 12th. 708-9000.
SUN DRAGON WOMEN’S MARTIAL ARTS offers Children’s Karate, teaching self-defense, alternatives to violence, and self-discipline. Classes are offered to girls and boys ages 6-13, Wednesdays, 6pm and Saturdays, 10am. A girls-only class is held Tuesdays & Thursdays, 5:30pm. 203 E. Riverside Dr. 416-9735.
TAPESTRY DANCE COMPANY ACADEMY is now holding registration for their intensive summer daycamp programs, as well as weekly techniques classes for children on all levels and disciplines. Call for a complete schedule. 507-B Pressler. 474-9846 (4-Rhythm).
TERRA TOYS CHILDREN’S TOYSTORE offers a variety of events and programs throughout the summer. They even have a new art gallery where children under 16 can submit and display their works. Weekly storytimes are held Sundays, 1-2pm, for children of all ages. Their popular Scavenger Hunt is back again this year, running June 1-August 22. Participants scavenge the city for crazy items, and prizes are awarded to everyone. Lists of scavengeable items are given out every Saturday, noon-6pm. Another annual tradition at Terra’s is Curious George’s Birthday Party. The event features movies, banana bread, a visit from CG himself, and more! The party will be held Sun, August 28, noon-2pm. And finally, children can earn some extra cash this summer by decorating paper bags for the store. Stop in or call for details. 1708 S. Congress. 445-4489.
TEXAS MEMORIAL MUSEUM is a great place to take the kids during those sweltering afternoons. The museum features dinosaur exhibitions, gems and rocks, and indigenous people’s artifacts exhibitions. All this, and air-conditioning too! Call for tours and a schedule. 2400 Trinity. 471-1604.
TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE offers special events, activities, and programs for youth throughout the summer at their various parks across the state. Call for a complete schedule of events. 389-4537.
TOAD HALL CHILDREN’S BOOKSTORE will offer a variety of summer fun days and writing workshops for the kids. Class activities include a storytime and craft for two separate age groups – ages 3-5 and 6-9. Topics include dinosaurs, knights, science, painting, cooking, drama, beading, pyramids, beach fun, music and dance, and more. Cost is $8 per activity. Week-long writing workshops will also be offered throughout the summer for youth ages 7-12. Cost is $40 per week. Storytimes and craft sessions are held Tuesdays at 10:30am and Thursdays at 3:30pm for children ages 2-6. Cost is $2 per session. Call for a complete schedule of events. 1206 W. 38th. 323-2665.
WILD BASIN WILDERNESS PRESERVE is a natural area located just on the skirts of West Austin featuring over 200 acres of beautiful Hill Country that was set aside to preserve the land through active management, nature education, and research. A variety of activities are offered throughout the year for children and adults, including nature walks, stargazing parties, flint-knapping classes, bird watching, trail maintenance, plant identification, and much more. This year’s summer day camp, “Casin’ the Basin,” will be held in late May and June. From insect life cycles to fossil hunts, each week will have its own theme. During the cool of the morning, campers hit the hiking trail to explore Wild Basin through games and hands-on activities. Session I: May 26-29; Session II: June 1-5; Session III: June 8-12; Session IV: June 15-19; Session V: June 22-26. Hours are 8am-12:30pm (no early arrivals). Cost is $75 (plus a $10 material fee) per session. 805 N. Capital of Texas Hwy. 327-7622.
YOUTH RUGBY (non-contact) for boys and girls age 8-14 meets every third Sunday of the month, 1pm, at Burr Field, 6013 Loyola Ln. E-mail: taught123@aolcom or call 448-0362.
THE YMCA offers a range of activities and summer camps for area youth. Costs vary, and financial assistance is available for those eligible. For a complete schedule of events, call Lisa Ramirez at 322-9622.
Miscellaneous:
HAMILTON POOL GUIDED TOURS are offered weekly at the preserve, featuring a quarter-mile hike that begins at the dry uplands and ends at the magnificent collapsed grotto, pool, and waterfall. Along the way, kids and adults alike can learn about the unique history, geology, and ecology of the preserve. Be sure to wear walking shoes and bring your own water (and leave any pets at home!). Hamilton Pool Rd., 13 mi. south of Hwy 71. Sundays, 10-11am. 264-2740 or 473-9437.
ICE CREAM TOURS are offered weekly at Amy’s Ice Cream to groups of 15-25 people (ages 4 & up). Participants can make and taste a batch of ice cream, go into their walk-in freezer and taste and smell various ingredients, and more. This section of the tour is free. After the first section, participants may buy a 4-oz. serving of Belgian Chocolate or Mexican Vanilla ice cream with M&Ms on top for only $1.50 (it’s usually $2.05). Tours are by appointment only, so make sure and make a reservation before you go. Tue-Fri, 10am. 3500 Guadalupe. 458-6149.
FREE TOURS OF LOCAL FIRE STATIONS are offered throughout the year at area locations. Groups and classes should call and reserve a spot before dropping by. Call the Fire Department’s Public Education Office for more information. 448-8302.
SUMMERTIME THEATRE PRODUCTIONS are an annual tradition at the Zilker Hillside Theatre, and this year is no different! Audience members should bring something to sit on, something to drink, and maybe some bug repellent. Plays are always free, though donations are gratefully accepted. Zilker Park, 2200 block of Barton Springs. 479-9491.
This article appears in April 10 • 1998 and April 10 • 1998 (Cover).