Summer Play & Learn

This summer, parents across the Edmond area might hear the phrase “When I grow up, I want to be…” and actually get to see those dreams start to take shape.

Thanks to summer camps, kiddos get the chance to be scientists building robots, programmers creating video games, artists firing clay pottery inside kilns, figure skaters gliding across the ice and soccer stars gaining confidence as they score the game-winning goal.

Read on to see how a local summer camp can set your child’s dreams in motion.

Artworks

Children ages 8-12 will realize their artistic abilities and master their craft at Artworks, an arts-focused summer day camp that offers three two-week sessions from June 6-July 15.

“We’re kind of a neat flavor of camp,” Director Scott Filleman said. “It’s essentially a two-week immersion into the arts. We take you where you are in your area of interest and make you better at it.”

The campers choose a “major” class and two others, ranging from music, dance, theater and visual arts, and all their efforts culminate in a comprehensive showcase at the program’s end. For instance, this year, the camp will present a retelling of the Peter Pan story.

Filleman considers Artworks, now in its 29th year, “Oklahoma’s best kept secret.” With its high caliber of teachers and guest artists that include hip-hop dance crews and barbershop ensembles, this is the perfect place for a child’s interest in the arts to blossom into a passion.

“Personal development and personal growth is just rampant throughout the camp on all levels—it’s really something,” he said.

Outdoor activities and games are built in for breaks, and the camp also throws an old-fashioned cookout and water balloon fight.

“We really try to give them not just outstanding classes and structure, but just the whole, overall experience,” Filleman said. “We want this to be the highlight of their childhood.”

Artworks is a program of the Children’s Arts Network. Registration is open. Visit artworksok.org to learn more.

Arctic Edge

At Arctic Edge ice arena, campers get a chance to—you guessed it—get into some ice skates and try hockey and figure skating on for size. This summer camp doesn’t take place solely on ice, although that is a huge draw.

“We can host lots of different programs here because we have such a big facility,” said Darryl Rowley, General Manager. “We don’t have to go other places. We can bring people in here to teach karate, basketball, soccer, dance, and more. And obviously, a big part of it is the kids get to skate every day.”

The Arctic Edge summer sports camp, now in its 13th year, runs May 31-Aug. 14, offering various sports camps for kids age 5-12.

“We find that 95 percent of the kids who do sign up for the camp haven’t skated before and by the time summer has ended, they’re all great skaters,” Rowley said. “Many times, they get into our hockey and skating programs after camp ends because they’ve been so successful with learning how to skate.”

Rowley said many parents are unfamiliar with figure skating or hockey. It often takes an interest from their children to get them in the arena door.

“One thing we find is parents start playing, too, because they’re here so much and it’s something they can do with their kids,” Rowley said. “After the first few months sitting behind the glass watching their kids, they get comfortable and want to get out there, too. There aren’t too many sports where you can do that.”

Registration for Arctic Edge’s summer camp is open. Learn more and enroll at arctic-edge.com.

Summer at the Hall

Heritage Hall, a coeducational private school in Oklahoma City, has hosted Summer at the Hall every summer since 1990 and offers more than 100 weekly sessions ranging from academics to athletics, arts and enrichment—and all are open to the community.

Have a budding archaeologist on your hands? Sign up for “Dinosaur Days.” What about a kiddo who’s curious about the deep blue sea? Enroll in “Underwater Adventures.” Other sessions include mad science, chess, video game programming, stop-motion photography, movie production, cheerleading, softball and soccer—just to name a few.

“The fact we offer something for all ages is a big draw in itself,” said Connie Martin, program director. “We have small class sizes. Our classes are innovative and our teachers are truly the backbone of this. We have teachers who give individual care and attention.”

Sessions, for ages 3 through college prep, run May 31- Aug. 4. With so many sessions available, children have a variety of ways to learn and grow, Martin said.

“Summer at the Hall ignites the imagination and challenges the spirit of each student,” she added.

Registration is open for Summer at the Hall. Learn more and enroll at heritagehall.com.