Summer camp has come a long way from the days when we were all wrangled into the gym for killer dodge ball, scarfed down a snack of butter cookies and Kool-Aid, and arts and crafts meant fun with Elmer’s Glue and popsicle sticks saved up by the cafeteria.
Today’s kids got it good.
They can learn basketball basics from a pro; cook with a world-class chef and even fine-tune their art portfolio. With so many fantastic day camps around town, we were hard-pressed to narrow the list, but we unearthed some gems that have yet to sell out.
Atlanta Hawks Basketball Camp
There’s still plenty of time to sign up at one of the many basketball camps offered by our very own Atlanta Hawks. By scheduling the camps at so many locations across the Atlanta area, more kids (ages 7-16) can participate. And all skill levels are welcome. Whether your child is a rookie or inches from his first slam-dunk, the camp was designed to improve athletic ability, help kids learn the rules of the game, make new friends and just have fun.
Members of the Atlanta Hawks training team are on hand, and kids will also get to meet “special” guests. On Tuesday, campers were thrilled when Hawks center Zaza Pachulia took to the court at the South Cobb Recreation Center for some training exercises. Each camper will also receive a piece of Hawks gear as well as a ticket to a game during the 2012-2013 regular season.
The cost is $200 per camper, and girls are welcome, too. Dates and times vary based on location.
June 4-8, Berkmar High School, 405 Pleasant Hill Road, Lilburn; Fowler Park, 4110 Carolene Way, Cumming; Hebron Christian Academy, 2975 Old Peachtree Road, Dacula; Sprayberry High School, 2525 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta.
June 11-15, Milton Center, Milton; Allatoona High School, 3300 Dallas Acworth Highway N.W., Acworth.
June 18-22. Emory University, 1639 Pierce Drive No. 4000, Decatur; Old Atlanta Park, 810 Nichols Road, Suwanee; North Cobb Christian Academy, 4500 Lakeview Drive, Kennesaw.
See www.nba.com/hawks/2012-summer-basketball-camps to sign up.
Teen Summer Portfolio Development Intensive
Established in 1981, the Hudgens Center for the Arts is a nonprofit organization with a primary focus of supporting the arts in Georgia. Through private donations and endowments the center has tripled in size and boasts a sculpture garden and numerous classrooms and exhibition space. The Hudgens is just the place for a teen artist in training to gather inspiration and real-world advice on making it in the art world.
A five-day program, the Teen Summer Portfolio Development Intensive is specifically designed to help students ages 14 to 18 get their portfolios ready for art school. Mornings will be spent sharing completed works with a practiced artist and an instructor for constructive recommendations and support. Your student then receives individual instruction in an effort to fill any gaps in his or her current portfolio. The goal is for the camper to have a consistent and solid body of work (or the tools to complete it) by week’s end.
The Teen Portfolio Intensive meets from 10 to 1 p.m. July 23-27. The price is $120 for members and $145 for nonmembers. The Hudgens Center for the Arts is located at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Bldg. 300, Duluth, in the Gwinnett Center complex.
770-623-6002, www.thehudgens.org.
Chef Tech Academy
The goal at the Chef Tech Academy summer day camp is to teach kids the science of food -- that you are what you eat and there’s no reason why you can’t be delicious. Beginning June 4, the camp will include four one-week sessions for each of three age groups (5-10, 11-14 and 15-17) throughout June. Campers may attend one, two, three or all four sessions.
Located on the campus of Emory University, Chef Tech Academy provides a unique and stimulating environment for would-be chefs or future weekend grill masters. A ServSafe National Restaurant Association-certified chef will be on hand for a comprehensive and expert introduction to the culinary arts, keeping in mind, of course, that he or she is speaking to children. Campers will learn essential information about food safety, basic kitchen skills and food science, and then exercise this newfound knowledge in the kitchen themselves.
Each day the chefs-to-be will prepare salads, entrees and desserts.
Field trips include visits to local culinary arts schools, working farms such as Serenbe, and food distribution sites such as the DeKalb and Georgia farmers markets. They will gain knowledge of sustainable and organic farming.
The cost is $375 per week, with a $100 discount for students who enroll for all four weeks.
All Chef Tech campers will participate in a daily physical activity as well and have access to the Emory University Student Activity and Academic Center, the George W. Woodruff Physical Education Center and acres of green space for outdoor activities.
Call 404-287-7323 for more details. www.cheftechacademy.com
About the Author
