Here is a list of summer camps and organized activities available for children or young people. Please send information on your camps and activities, to offer parents a variety of choices.
VIERS Eco-Camps
This summer's Friends of the V.I. National Park Eco-Camps are set for July 9-11, 12-14, 16-18 and 26-28 at the V.I. Environmental Resource Station at Lameshur in St. John.
The camps, for youngsters ages 8 to 14, are free for V.I. residents and $200 for others. There's also a $30 registration fee that is refundable when the camp ends, but the Friends hope campers will choose to leave it as a donation to help pay for future educational programs.
Each camp is limited to 20 youth campers and 10 adults, with parents invited to take part. The two night camp experience offers a variety of activities aimed at having fun, but it's a learning experience as well, with an emphasis on helping campers develop an appreciation for their environment.
The Eco-Camps are sponsored by Disney Cruise Lines, Prosser/ICC Foundation and Texaco Caribbean. For a registration form or more information, call Katie at 776-6721.
Pistarckle Theater Performing Arts Camp / St. Thomas
Pistarckle Theater will be offering a young people's dance and music camp that will run July 19-Aug. 20 at the theater company's facility in Tillett Gardens on St. Thomas.
There will be classes in drumming, beginning classical ballet, standard and street jazz dance forms, the Brazilian kick-boxing discipline of capoeira, basic gymnastics, spoken word poetry, world dance traditions, creating found instruments and acting.
According to a release, the camp costs $200 per week. For information about days, hours and target ages, call 775-7877.
Luis Hospital's free Asthma Camp on St. Croix
A free Asthma Camp for V.I. youngsters ages 7 to 15 with respiratory problems will be held July 19-30 at Ricardo Richards Elementary School on St. Croix, hosted by Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center.
Children will participate in games, field trips, storytelling, crafts and swimming, in addition to learning from respiratory experts about asthma and diet for asthmatics. Experts who are scheduled include: respiratory therapists Helen Shirley and Andre Johnson, Dr. Richard Gibbs, dietician Joanna White and other Luis Hospital staff members. For additional information call the Luis Hospital's respiratory division at 778-6311, Ext. 2182 or 2681.
"Gimme the Rock" basketball camp / St. Croix
From July 12 to 16, the V.I. Basketball Federation will host the "Gimme the Rock" basketball camp.
The free camp will be conducted at the St. Croix Educational Complex gymnasium. It is open to the first 100 girls and boys between the ages of 12-17 who complete the necessary registration forms. Forms may be obtained from the office of Sen. Usie Richards in Frederiksted, Election System office at Sunny Isle, and Legal Services office in Christiansted.
Camp hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and lunch is included. Parents will be responsible for drop-off and pick-up of all camp participants.
The camp will be presented by Community In Unity Inc. and is sponsored by the Law Enforcement Planning Commission. For more information contact John Abramson Jr. at 773-1021.
Baa Library "Hooked on Books" Summer Reading Program / St. Thomas
Registration begins June 14 for the Enid M. Baa Public Library's Summer Reading Program, which begins June 28 and ends Aug. 13. The Monday-Friday program offers a Read-a-thon to earn Dockside Bookshop gift certificates, story time, arts and crafts, and help with school summer assignments for three different age groups. For details see the separate article in this section of the St. Thomas Source.
Pistarckle Theater young people's drama camp / St. Thomas
Pistarckle Theater is holding its 7th annual young people's summer drama camp. Titled "STAR 2004," it's open to children ages 9-17. The dates are weekdays June 14-July 11, and hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The last opportunity to register is June 10 at the theater between 4 and 6 p.m. The fee is $800. Participation all four weeks is mandatory, a release states, as everyone is cast in the end-of-camp production, "Wonderland!" Scholarship support may be available for qualifying youngsters.
According to the release, "'Wonderland!' is an unabashedly silly adaptation of Lewis Carroll's 'Through the Looking Glass.' With hip-hopping music, it is an upbeat, coming-of-age story that children of all ages will adore!" The characters include familiar folks from Alice's Wonderland along with a baseball team, a gospel group called The Responsibilities, a train conductor, star-struck tourists, light-saber wielding knights and others. The music ranges from gypsy to doo-wop to bluegrass.
Performances of "Wonderland!" on July 8-11 will wrap up the camp. To learn more or to reserve space by phone, call 775-7877.
Island Center for the Performing Arts / St. Croix
Island Center for the Performing Arts will hold a full summer camp from mid-June through the end of august. The program will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, and will provide instruction and participation in the performing arts, as well as some visual arts. Call 778-5271 or visit the center between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. weekdays to reserve a place. Children from ages 8 to 18 will be accepted.
Hintz Academy of Music / St. Thomas
The Hintz Academy of Music's Musical Camp is set for July 6 to 30 at Tillett Gardens, full day for ages 5 to 13, and half-day for ages 3 to 5. Call 774-1905, or go online to hintzmusic@yahoo.com to register. Deadline is June 25.
A wide range of classes — from Music Theory and Appreciation to Yoga, Pantomime, and Sign Language, instrumental lessons, and field trips is offered to help each child develop musical, social, physical and problem-solving skills. Always on duty are six educators, 2 counselors, 2 volunteers and maintenance crew.
Monday through Friday hours offer a wide range that accommodates working parents: drop off, 7:30 to 9 a.m.; classes, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; half day, 9 a.m. to noon; private lessons, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.; after-hours care, 4:30 to 6 p.m.
Tuition is $480 single child, $800 two siblings, $325 half-day, $150 after-care; scholarships may be available. Transportation is provided for St. John students.
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