Summer Camps in Oak Ridge area

Parents, it’s that time again. School’s almost out and what are we going to do with the kids? Thankfully, Oak Ridge has a lot to offer in the way of summer camps.

Camps are being offered by Continuous Threads Sewing Studio, Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge, American Museum of Science and Energy, Knoxville Zoo, Boys and Girls Club of Oak Ridge, Girls Inc., Sound Company, and the City of Oak Ridge at the Scarboro Community Center and Civic Center.

2012 Summer Camps

Continuous Threads Sewing Studio is offering their “Once Upon a Sewing Camp” this year. All camps are Monday thru Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a break for lunch and stories.The first week starts June 11 with “Rapunzel’s Sewing Kit.” Other weeks include “BFF week with Pocahontas,” “Face Your Space! with Snow White,” and more. For more information, contact Manderley Swain at (865) 964-2178 or email at [email protected].

Scarboro Summer Program is for kids from 6 to 12 years old and is operating for eight weeks. Indoor and outdoor activities are planned and the camp begins June 4 and ends July 27. For more information, go to the Recreation and Parks Department website.

The Civic Center is offering a summer camp for ages 6 to 12, as well. Activities include games, craft options, and swimming at the outdoor pool. They will offer field trips, such as The Lost Sea and the Knoxville Zoo. For more information, go to the Recreation and Parks Department website.

Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge is offering many different camps for ages 3-12. These include classes on bugs, gardening, pottery, cooking and more. For more information, contact the Children’s Museum at (865) 482-1074 or email them at [email protected].

AMSE has a Science Explorer Camp designed for upcoming fifth, sixth, and seventh graders. It focuses on a variety of science topics learned through field explorations and hands-on activities. The camp is located at the historic Freels Bend Cabin. Campers will cover topics such as insects, habitats, water, life sciences, weather, and more. The week includes a tour of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, as well as special presentations by ORNL researchers. For more information, contact AMSE at (865) 576-3200 or visit the AMSE website.

Boys and Girls Club of Oak Ridge will have their summer program, called Celebration of Nations, starting June 4. The program is from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, and lunch and a snack will be provided. Each week of camp will feature a different country, such as France and Madagascar, as well as games, food, and crafts from these areas. Field trips will include going to Tinseltown for movies and going to the outdoor pool. For more information, contact Sarah Baker (865) 482-4433.

Girls Inc. has a camp that involves organized programs and field trips that will include swimming, hiking, and skating. Participants will also enjoy trips to area attractions. For more information, go to the Girls Inc. website.

Knoxville Zoo offers Zoo Camp, a day camp for preschoolers through 8th grade. Zoo campers will take a week-long adventure and explore the world of animals and Knoxville Zoo. For more information, visit the zoo’s website at knoxvillezoo.org or call (865) 637-5331.

Sound Company offers Show Camp, a children’s summer day camp run by Sound Company directors. Campers, who range from children entering kindergarten to those who have just graduated from high school, will learn vocal and stage technique, and different songs and choreography. There will be a show each of those Friday evenings. For more information, please check the website at www.soundcompanytn.net, or contact Peggy Hamby at [email protected] or by calling (423) 215-4525.

Oak Ridge Public Library-The Public Library does not have a summer camp, but they do have a summer reading program that is open to all ages. Each child is to read a certain number of books and fill out a reading log, and there will be a prize pack after so many books are read or listened to. Sign-ups begin May 21st and go through July 14th.

On Monday and Tuesday mornings at 10:30 a.m., in place of Storytime, there will be programs, which include puppets, singers, storytellers and magicians. This summer program is for kids and their caregivers. For more information, contact Ms. Michaela, the Children’s Librarian, at (865) 425-3459.