by Caroline Gabsewics
Staff Writer
Although summer camps are geared towards children, several area camps are also giving parents some help this summer, too.
Once school is out and children are left not knowing what to do with themselves all day, many parents opt to enroll them in summer camps. Summer camps can be held at museums, parks or churches, but no matter where it is, parents know their child is being cared for while they are at work.
The City of Jacksonville as well as many of the local museums offer summer camps with extended hours in both the morning and evening to help the parents who work 8-9 hour days.
“We want to be here for people and have that option be available for parents,” said Kristi Ballinger, communications and public relations manager for the Museum of Science and History (MOSH).
MOSH is offering three different sections of camps this year. There are camps for kindergarten-5th graders, prekindergarten and planetarium camps. The planetarium camps and camps for kindergarten-5th graders are from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Camps for prekindergarteners are from 9 a.m.-noon. Extended care hours include 7:30-9 a.m. and 3:30-5 p.m. There are no extended hours for pre-K campers. If parents choose to use the extended care hours, it costs $50/week for a.m. and p.m. care and $25/week for a.m. or p.m. only. MOSH’s summer camps begin the week of June 4-8 and end the week of July 23-27.
“Parents can pick up or drop off their children when they need to within those hours,” said Ballinger. “It lets us accommodate people and their schedules.”
MOSH’s camps are 65 percent full and they usually fill every spot, she said. Registration ends seven days before each camp. For more information on MOSH’s summer camps call 396-6674.
The City of Jacksonville’s Department of Parks, Recreation, Entertainment & Conservation are offering three 2-week summer camps. The first session begins June 11, the second June 25 and the third July 9. This Friday is the last day to register at the Department of Parks and Recreation, 851 N. Market St.
The City of Jacksonville, like MOSH also offers extended care hours. All camps run from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Extended care is offered from 7-9 a.m. and from 4-6 p.m. For more information on the types of camps and where they will be held visit www.jaxparks.com.
The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is offering Camp Cummer to children ages 6-12. The Cummer Museum will have five 1-week sessions. The sessions are every week beginning June 4-8 until July 9-13. Camps are held Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Christina Hunady, public programs manager for the Cummer Museum, said if the sessions become full, and there is still an interest, the museum can add more sessions.
Unlike the City and MOSH, the Cummer Museum does not offer extended hours, because the camps aren’t structured like a day care. Students can only come for one of the 1-week sessions.
“Because we are an art museum, we want to stay in line with our mission,” said Hunady. “We always try and maximize our capabilities as an art museum.”
The children will have access to the gardens, galleries and the museum’s Art Connections — a child-focused area. Campers will have an opportunity to do printmaking, make objects out of clay, paint and draw. Some of the themes that will be incorporated into those media include: book-making, passport through culture, weather and contrasts.
Hunady said they do have limited space and the sessions are filling up. For more information on the Cummer Museum’s Camp Cummer call 355-0630.