Filling summer with fun and games

From architecture to baton twirling to cooking, there's an alphabet-sized list of activities to keep children of all ages occupied and learning over the summer months.

Local schools, community organizations and the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department all offer a variety of summer programs.

"It's something to break the monotony of summer. If they have an interest, we probably offer a class in it," said Jared Tanz, recreation coordinator for the parks department's summer program.

That program offers classes in June and July in everything from baton twirling and cooking to sports camps and crafts.

In July, the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri will hold its 30th annual summer arts camps, with classes designed for infants all the way through adults. Those courses include beginning water color, puppet making and jewelry making.

Southeast Missouri State University's Horizons Program offers summer courses for local children through the month of June. Registration must be completed by June 1.

This year, Horizons will offer courses in areas such as architecture, global gourmet and photography.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Cape Girardeau will also offer a program designed for students in kindergarten through 12th grade, including classes in crime scene investigating, money management and sports clinics.

"It's more like a camp, where they learn, but it's fun," said Natika Rowles, director of Boys and Girls Clubs. The program runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration began Thursday.

Local schools, including Jackson, Cape Girardeau and Scott City, also offer enrichment programs during the month of June.

According to Shannon Heisserrer, director of the Jackson School District's preschool through eighth-grade summer school, the program gives students and teachers an opportunity to experience a different kind of education.

"Teachers get to do more fun activities that they don't have time for during the regular school year. There's more hands-on activities," Heisserer said. "Summer school keeps skills learned during the regular year fresh in the students' minds."

An estimated 660 students will attend the district's elementary enrichment and remedial reading summer program, which began Thursday.

Scott City's summer school also began this week as did a grant-funded program at Franklin Elementary in Cape Girardeau.

According to director Julie Harrington, Franklin's program will focus on reading, math and computers but also include fitness classes, Spanish, cooking and other fun activities.

"We have a little more freedom. Teachers are branching out," Harrington said.

Around 55 students attend Franklin's program.

"Kids do get bored," Harrington said. "This provides social interaction and keeps them off the street and away from the front of the TV."

cmiller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128