Summer camps are more than just popsicles and games, they enrich our children’s lives. The lull of summer can oftentimes be broken up with camps that educate while keeping the day’s fun. It’s a pretty clever model to disguise learning under a canopy or summertime thrill. Children leave camp with the knowledge of certain disciplines that were previously unknown. It’s a great time for socialization and friendship building. There are many options to suit the different interests of our kids, from sports camps to creative and educational camps. There truly is something out there for every niche, passion and inquiring mind. Let’s give them a chance to unplug and reconnect with these four summer camps.
The Legacy Theatre, 1175 Senoia Road, Tyrone.
The Legacy Theatre inspires and educates aspiring theatre artists through year-round classes and summer camps. Students can choose from various areas of performing arts and find which route speaks to their creative fire. Bethany Smith, Owner & Executive Producer is excited to provide theatre in a compassionate and non-discriminating atmosphere. Performing Arts camp will be held this summer, with a few changes due to COVID-19. In addition to outdoor classes, campers can enjoy weekly online workshops with Broadway stars. According to Smith, class sizes will be smaller and all CDC guidelines will be followed, creating a safe and fun atmosphere for young actors and actresses. “We always work to provide a safe, creative environment for our students and a place for the community to engage in the shared experience of live theatre.” During camp, students will partake in drama games, music lessons and dance parties. “We hope our campers walk away feeling inspired and hopeful about the future and themselves,” Smith states. You can also enjoy the live summer theatre series, Legacy on the Lawn, which includes outdoor performances of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” and “Smoke on the Mountain.” Smith and her team have been working hard to build an outdoor space for the shows. “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” opens on June 5th. “We are very excited to bring a safe and connected experience to the community,” Smith shares. Summer Camps are $190 for half-day camps and $350 for full-day camps. For more information, visit www.thelegacytheatre.org.
Gym Sports Academy, 1607 GA-54, Fayetteville.
Located in Fayetteville is Gym Sports Academy, a brand new 10,000 square foot, air-conditioned gymnastics facility. Gym Sports offers year-round classes and summer camps for boys and girls from ages 2 through 18. Gymnastics and tumbling improve coordination, flexibility and determination. Gymnasts will develop mental dexterity and muscle strength through the many different exercises and techniques. Gym Sports yearns to develop healthy, happy and confident children through their many classes and teaching structures. Owners Igor Nechay and Marina Romanova have coached all levels of gymnasts, from beginners to the elite and international level since 1980. They have coached all over the world and now get to bring their love of gymnastics to the parents and children in our community. This summer, your kids can get a taste of the gymnastics world through one of Gym Sports Academy’s camps. Camps include gymnastics skills, games and crafts. There are two camps to choose from: Preschool Camps for ages 3 to 5 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm; July 13th – July 17th and July 27th – July 31st. Cost: $145 all week or $35 per day . School-age Camps for ages 5 and Up from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm; Cost: $220 for all week or $50 per day . Katie Teribury, Office Manager, looks forward to seeing new and familiar faces at camp this summer. “When the children leave the camps, we hope they will start to build good habits for a healthy lifestyle and gymnastics is a part of that.” For more information visit www.gymsportsacademy.com.
The Music Garden, 2860 GA-54, Peachtree City.
Allowing our children to explore their musical abilities is a creative gift that we can give them. Peachtree City-based music school, The Music Garden, is just the place for kids to tap into those skills. Luanne Harms, owner and educator, has a lifetime of music experience. Her bachelor’s degree in music has been used to educate children from preschool to adults in many different settings. The Music Garden allows her to house her expertise and passion under one roof. This summer, Harms will host on-going early childhood group classes for ages 6 months to 3 years, and 3 to 4-year-olds. She will also host five-day camps for ages 5 - 17 in beginner guitar, ukulele and music around the world. “All activities in our classes bridge the natural connection between music and movement and provide musical aptitude in a warm and fun environment. We emphasize total musicianship through playing, singing and listening,” Harms says. Each camp will hold a max of eight students. Their days will be filled with playing instruments, singing, exploring sounds and rhythms, and crafts. According to Harms, The Music Garden is where musicians bloom. “A student of the studio is not only learning the skills to play an instrument or develop a voice, but also the foundations and fundamentals of music, music history, sounds and the amazing ways in which it can be applied to other aspects of learning and growing for all ages.” In addition to group classes and summer camps, The Music Garden is offering three-week demos as a preview for Fall classes. For more information, visit www.themusicgardenptc.com.
Blue Cicada Creative Studios, 401 Dividend Drive, Peachtree City.
Summer camps can also be colorful and innovative, which is why we love the local art studio, Blue Cicada Creative Studios. The studio offers year-round classes and events as well as multiple summer camps with changing themes. A few camp themes students will enjoy include monster mash, mad hatter tea party and around the world. Owner Emily Lawler is heavily involved with planning, teaching and helping students flourish. “We engender creativity and explore imagination through the process of creating beautiful works of art,” Lawler states. Camp days are filled with fun as students learn different techniques for painting, sculpting and various creative projects and craft. The studio offers creative writing camps where students write and illustrate a picture book. Campers tap into their creativity as they are guided through the process of creating a book. They develop characters, settings and storylines while also illustrating their own stories. Books are then published by a local printer and become a keepsake for families to enjoy. Inside the walls of Blue Cicada Creative Studios is splattered paint, joyful teachers and creative students. “It is always our hope that campers leave camp proud and confident with their work. We hope they have been challenged to think outside the box, try new things and develop an appreciation for the process of creating. It's one thing to have a finished piece of art, but it's often the journey of creating that is most rewarding,” Lawler says. For more information, visit www.bluecicadastudios.com.