It’s only two weeks into summer vacation, but those two months until the kids go back to school might seem like an endless void of days needing to be filled.
No need to panic yet, because numerous area camps provide daily and weeklong sessions for already-bored 5- to 17-year-olds.
Skewing a little younger is Imagine It the Children’s Museum of Atlanta, which offers three camps — Imaginator Theater Camp, Adventure Camp and Discovery Camp — for the 4- to 9-year-old set.
The camps differ from a random visit to the downtown museum in several ways.
Adventure Camp, which has several weeklong sessions starting Monday-June 17 for ages 4-9 (some weeks are targeted to ages 4-5), is filled with planned activities and educational components provided by certified elementary school teachers and guest visitors.
Tawana Francisco, camp manager for Imagine It, said that as a tie-in with the museum’s new exhibit, “Team Up: Explore Science & Sports,” opening Saturday, NFL linebacker Chris Draft will make an appearance June 16.
In addition, on Mondays chef Damaul Mitchell will discuss healthy eating; Tuesdays feature vets from Banfield Pet Hospital explaining animal care; Wednesdays offer Spanish classes; and Thursdays will have a nurse from CVS on hand to talk about sports injuries.
The museum’s Imaginator Theater Camp, which runs July 11-15 and July 18-22 for ages 6-9, allows kids to produce a full theater production, from sets and costumes to scriptwriting.
And Discovery Camp, June 27-July 1 for ages 5-9, is a full scientific immersion on subjects such as the weather, plants and chemical reactions.
“I hear from parents all the time that when they get home, their kids don’t even want to eat,” Francisco said. “They’re so exhausted that they want to go to bed and get up and come back in the morning.”
For camp prices and reservations, call 404-527-3693 or visit www .childrensmuseumatlanta.org. Reservations accepted until the Saturday before the camp’s start date, space permitting.
Here are some other last-minute camp options:
● Destiny Performing Arts Camp
Produced by Atlanta Workshop Players, the weeklong day camps teach aspiring actors how to express themselves as individuals and as an ensemble through dance, improv comedy, circus arts and special-effects makeup.
Sessions for ages 7-17 are Monday-June 17 and June 20-24. Cost is $399 per session. 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. The Studio of the Arts, 8560 Holcomb Bridge Road, Suite 111, Alpharetta. Info: 770-998-8111 or email info@AtlantaWorkshopPlayers.com.
● Hudgens Center for the Arts
In the specialized “The Story of Me: Exploring Narrative Through Print and Book Arts,” campers ages 5-12 will learn how words and pictures express similar ideas in different avenues and explore the connection between art and literature. Sessions are June 20-24, July 11-15 and July 25-29. Cost is $175 for members, $200 for nonmembers. 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Building 300, Duluth. Info: 770-623-6002, www.thehudgens.org.
● Camp Yesteryear at the Smith Plantation
Campers ages 7-12 can make soap, pan for gold and gems, cook, sew, paint and engage in many 19th-century-era games and activities June 20-24 on the grounds of the Smith Plantation in Roswell. Cost is $150. 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. 950 Forrest St., Roswell. Info: 770-641-3978, www.archibaldsmith plantation.org.
● Atlanta Ballet Center for Dance Education
The “Young Dancers Summer Experience” provides classes in ballet, tap and jazz, and offers arts and crafts lessons and ballet storytime sessions. Open to ages 5-7. June 20-24 at Cobb Centre (2000 Powers Ferry Road, Suite G4, Marietta) and July 11-29 at Buckhead Centre (4279 Roswell Road, Suite 703, Atlanta). Cost is $25 application fee and $240 per week. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at both locations. Info: 404-303-1501 (Buckhead), 678-213-5000 (Cobb); www.atlantaballet.com.
● Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History
“Workin’ on the Railroad” is a one-day camp for ages 5-8 that will teach them about being a railroad engineer through stories and songs. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday. On Wednesday, the one-day “Civil War Soldier” camp for ages 9-12 will allow participants to experience a day in the life of a solider through drills and camp activities.
Registration required by Friday. $2, members; $35, nonmembers. 2829 Cherokee St., Kennesaw. Info: 770-427-2117, www.southern museum.org.
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