Summer camp season is nearly upon us and whether local children are into musical theatre, cartooning, painting, cooking, sports or horses there is something in this area for all tastes.
Here are some of the options available to children and youth.
There are a number of camps offered in the Arrowsmith Community this summer.
"These are really creative camps," said Marilynn Sims with the Arrowmsmith Recreation Team.
The Youth Sp-Arts camp combines sports and the arts and this year it is expanding from a half day to a full day at the Coombs Fairgrounds. The first half of the day will get kids running around and playing games like basketball, floor hockey and co-operative games and the afternoon art camp will give youth the opportunity to dabble in photography, arts and crafts or music. All skill levels and experience welcomed. This camp is for ages 9 -15 and runs July 7-11. Youth can do the half or full day camp, which runs 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1-4 p.m.
The Painted Pony Summer Camp is a new addition to Arrowsmith Camps that will speak to horse and art lovers. Participants will work closely with horses, caring and riding them for part of the camp and then creating horse-themed art, whether in paint, sculpture, photography or a variety of mediums. Youth ages 10-15 will spend a week at Donegal Farm July 21-25 in Errington during the camp, with nationally certified Level 1 Gold Equine Canada Coach Dona Naylor. Children with limited or no horse experience are welcomed. Ages 10-12 will attend the camp from 9 a.m.-noon and ages 13-15 will go from 1-4 p.m.
Parksville KidFest! Choir Camp is back by popular demand. Following the five-day music camp at the Soundgarden in Coombs, kids can perform onstage at KidFest. Choir director Allison Shaw has 28 years experience teaching in schools, directing children's choirs and teaching private lessons. The camp is offered to children ages five-12 and the activities and rehearsals run August 5-9 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. daily plus the performance on Aug. 10.
The Errington World Music Camp in August is full but everyone is invited to the recital at the Errington Hall August 15 at 7:30 p.m. and next year organizers hope to expand the camp.
The 17th annual Summer Youth Theatre Workshop with Thea Stavroff will run July 13-19 at the Village Theatre in Qualicum Beach. The camp, for ages seven-14, will have kids working on the production K-I-D-S Radio along with all the teamwork and performance skills that comes with it.
"The production is about a group of kids trying to save their radio station," said Stavroff. "There's lots of room for music and singing and kids to bring their own ideas to the play."
The workshop concludes with two performances at the theatre on July 19 followed by a pot luck cast party.
Bard 2 Broadway will have its theatre workshops running as usual this summer. JUMP (Junior Music and Performance) is for ages six-12 and runs July 21-26. It involves singing, acting, dancing, rhythm, improvisation and more. Classes run from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. daily at the Village Theatre in Qualicum Beach and it concludes with a recital.
B2B's Teen Musical Theatre (TMT) is designed for youth 13-18 and is a three-week workshop which will end with the production of Disney's The Little Mermaid August 14-16. The camp runs July 28-August 16. For more information visit www.b2btheatre.com.
Children and youth interested in art and theatre can take a variety of workshops at the Old School House Arts Centre. The following all run 9:30 a.m.-noon. Ink drawing and cartooning with Kelly Ulrich for ages eight-14 runs July 14-18. Kids ages six-12 can learn to paint with Ulrich August 4-8.
A Paper Collage workshop with Deb Goodman is for ages six-12 and runs Aug 11-15, working in the medium of cut paper. Young students ages six-12 can learn Origami and more with Shino Yoneda August 18-22, and make cards, paper airplanes and more. This class also has a full-day option.
Children six-12 can draw and/or paint with Janice Erwin July 7-11, learning about the great masters and learning basic skills. This class also has a full day option.
Acting workshops include a production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe for kids ages six-12 from June 30- July 4. Jay Doige will teach that workshop and another involving the Roald Dahl book The Twits from July 28-Aug 1. Both workshops offer half and full days.
The Regional District of Nanaimo offers a variety of summer camps for all ages including gymnastics, tennis, yoga, young chef camp and more. Visit www.rdn.bc.ca or call 250-248-325.
Fees and registration: Sp-Arts Camp fees are $65.00 for the Sports, $80.00 for the Arts or $130.00 for the full day camp (all per week). The Painted Pony camp costs $100. For both camps contact Kim Longmuir, at ranlong@telus.net or 250-248-8515 to register. KidFest! Choir costs $150. To register visit www.kidfest.ca or contact Allison Shaw by phone at 250-954-2110. The Summer Youth Theatre Workshop is $141.75 for the week. Financial assistance is available through SOS. Contact Thea to register at 250-954-8237. B2B's JUMP is $178.50. TMT is $288.75. Contact Hilary Whelton 250-752-0547 or email wheltonc@shaw.ca. All half-day workshops at TOSH are $60 per week , full day sessions are $120 per week. Visit www.theoldschoolhouse.org or call 250-752-6133 to register.