Summer camps help keep kids busy

The school year has ended, and deciding what to do during summer vacation might be occupying the mind of students. Even parents, especially those leading busy lives, can sometimes be at a loss when it comes to pointing their children toward things to do. But there is a bevy of safe and healthy summer programs in the Cape Girardeau area that children of all ages, and parents, can take advantage of.

For parents of young children who want the learning process to continue during the summer, the Cape Girardeau Public Library has teamed with the United Way of Southeast Missouri's Read to Succeed program to offer Reading For All Learners from 2 to 4 p.m. every Saturday through July 27. The program, free of charge, is held at the public library and includes trained, volunteer tutors helping children entering kindergarten through second grade with reading. The tutors also help parents learn how to teach their children to read at home.

"It's something for the whole family," said Heather Short, communications and marketing director of the United Way of Southeast Missouri. "The tutors are helping the kids with reading, and they're also assisting parents with ways to keep summer reading going at home. It's something that we feel is very important."

No registration is necessary for the Reading For All Learners program, but children must be accompanied by a family member 16 or older. For more information or for a listing of all summer programs offered at the library, contact Brenda Renner at 334-5279 or visit capelibrary.org.

A summer program offered by HealthPoint Fitness in Jackson involves six space-themed activity camps for children ages 5 to 12. At Space Odyssey Summer Camp, children will learn about planets, shooting stars and spaceships while they also take part in activities that include dodgeball and lessons in CPR and nutrition.

"We think space is a fun theme for the summer," said Scott Givens, manager of HealthPoint Fitness in Jackson.

The activity camp at HealthPoint Fitness in Cape Girardeau ended Friday, but camps at HealthPoint Fitness in Jackson will begin with To Infinity and Beyond from June 24 to June 28; Space Invaders from July 8 to July 12; Cosmic Camp from July 15 to July 19; To Infinity and Beyond Part II, Super Nova Camp on July 22 and 23; Camp Super Nova on Aug. 8 and 9; and The Final Voyage from July 29 to Aug. 2. All camps are from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Camp Super Nova in August is being offered to children ages 12 and older who have Down syndrome. For more information, contact HealthPoint Fitness in Jackson at 243-2211 or visit SEhealth.org/HealthPoint.

For young people and parents who lean toward the outdoors, the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center will offer a variety of programs all summer long. Sara Turner, manager of the center, said children of all ages are welcome.

"Research shows that kids who spend time outdoors tend to do better in school and are more creative," Turner said.

According to Turner, two programs offered in June at the nature center are of particular interest. The first, Families In Nature, is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The program will focus on "nature-deficit disorder" and will provide outdoor activities.

The second program, Nature Center at Night Family Canoeing, is scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. June 13. Families with children ages 5 and older are encouraged to stop by the nature center and take a canoe ride in the center's pond. For more information on the programs and other summer activities at the nature center, call 290-5218 or visit mdc.mo.gov.

Southeast Missouri State University is offering summer academic and athletic camps for youth. An academic camp geared toward the scientific mind is the Robotics Design Summer Camp from June 17 to 22.

"It's kind of a boot camp for robotics design," said Dr. Bradley Deken, a coordinator for the camp. "A team will have six days to work on a robot while in competition with others."

The Robotics Design Summer Camp is for students entering grades seven through 10. For information on how to register or for information on other academic camps at Southeast, contact Kari Talik at 651-2274 or visit semo.edu/camps/.

On the athletic side, Redhawks head football coach Tony Samuel is excited about the football camps offered at Southeast.

"It's a good way to teach fundamentals and techniques while doing it safely," Samuels said. "The earlier a player starts, the better he'll be."

The Individual Kids Football Camp is non-contact and is scheduled for June 27 through 29. Children entering grades three through eight are eligible to register.

An Elite Prospect Camp will be June 29 at Houck Stadium. Also non-contact, the camp is open to athletes entering grades nine through 12. For more information on the football camps, contact Salim Powell at 587-0824. For information on other athletic camps at Southeast, visit semo.edu/camps/.

klewis@semissourian.com

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