Summer Babe
Summer can be more than pool parties and video games in the A/C. Summer camps and other programs can help your kids learn new skills and bolster their creative interests. Plus you may even find something for the whole family to enjoy!
Camp Art Academy
Art is more exciting when you color outside the lines! Give your kids an outside-the-box arts experience that will help them sow the seeds of creativity and grow their futures. At the in-person Camp Art Academy, children receive an award-winning arts education while exploring their creativity and making new friends within a diverse and inclusive community.
June 14–18: A Galaxy Far Away…
June 21–25: Pop Culture Madness!
July 5–9: Abstract Throwback: It's 1980!
July 12–16: Curtain Call: Theatre as Storytelling
July 19–23: Comics and Cartoons: Create Your World
See details and register at www.artacerademy.edu/com-ed/summer-art-camp/summer-art-camp.
Art Academy of Cincinnati, 1212 Jackson St., www.artacademy.edu.
Cincinnati Art Museum
Artist Workshop
Visitors of all ages are welcome to learn about techniques and materials used by professional artists in these fun, educational, and hands-on workshops. Children must be at least 6 years old to participate. Students under 12 need to be accompanied by an adult who is also enrolled in the class.
Third Saturdays, 1–3 p.m. General Admission: $12. Members: $6. Reservations Required.
Studio Classes
Become a better artist with these weekly studio classes, built on traditional art-making techniques, for students of all ages and abilities. Classes will meet every Thursday night for a month in the Rosenthal Education Center. Monthly registration only. Children must be at least 6 years old to participate. Students under 12 need to be accompanied by an adult who is also enrolled in the class.
Thursdays, 6–7:45 p.m. Members: $40. General Public: $80. Reservations Required.
Register at www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org/events-programs/families-teens/family-programs.
Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org.
Cincinnati Ballet Summer Dance Programs
Youth Summer Intensive
June 21 – July 30
For six weeks, students step into a professional company environment where they benefit from full days of dance, the support of world-class faculty and a community of like-minded peers. Three-week sessions are also available.
Acceptance is by audition only for students ages 12 and up.
Kids Dance Camp
Each week-long experience explores an overall theme through ballet classes and activities led by professional faculty. For students ages 5-8. Placement based on age. Former dance experience not required.
See program dates and tuition at cballet.org/academy/summer-dance-programs.
Cincinnati Ballet, 1555 Central Parkway, cballet.org.
Cincinnati Museum Center
Summer Museum Camps
Explore science, technology, history, and the arts through creative activities and games at Cincinnati Museum Center’s fun and educational Museum Camps. All camps include an afternoon snack and days full of exciting educational activities, including science experiments, crafts, group projects, games, and more. Summer Camps are sold by the week.
See the weekly schedule at www.cincymuseum.org/museum-camps.
Super Sprouts
Create a masterpiece with your little one Mondays and Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 12 pm.. Super Sprouts is an art program for children 5 and younger, offered twice a week in The Children’s Museum's Super Sprouts Classroom. Drop in and stay as long as you like while learning about different artists, cultures, art movements, and artistic styles from around the world. Free for Members or with Museum admission.
For details, visit www.cincymuseum.org/super-sprouts.
The Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave., www.cincymuseum.org. The Children’s Museum re-opens July 1.
Cincinnati Zoo
Summer Camps
Explore the Zoo, experience nature, and discover the excitement and wonder of animals. Hikes in the Zoo, visits from animal ambassadors, crafts, train rides, and so much more. Camps run until August 13.
Learn more at cincinnatizoo.org/education/camps-classes/zoo-camp.
Zoo Troop
The 4-week series classes for toddlers through eighth graders develop curiosity, create empathy, encourage healthy social skills, and grow self-esteem. Participants are immersed in fun, educational, wildlife-rich experiences designed to develop knowledge and life skills. They will explore a new interactive topic each series. Zoo Troop fosters caring, confident, and inspiring young people who know and love the wild world around them.
See the dates and register at cincinnatizoo.org/education/camps-classes-zoo-troop.
Zoo Family Day Programs
Family Programs are great fun for the whole family to enjoy together, throughout the year, and during the day or in the evening.
See the programs at cincinnatizoo.org/education/kids-families.
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St., cincinnatizoo.org.
Clifton Cultural Arts Center Summer Camps
Visual Arts Camps
Cartoon Camp – Ages 8-12 (June 28 – July 2)
Dragons, Fairies, and Fantasy Art Camp – Ages 8-12
My First Summer Camp – Ages 3-5
Installation Art Camp – Ages 6-12
Safari Art Camp – Ages 8-12
Under the Sea Art Camp – Ages 8-12
Music Camps
Ukulele for Kids and Teens! – Ages 8-15 (June 14 – 18)
Ukulele for Kids and Teens! – Ages 8-15 (July 12 – 16)
Details and registration at cliftonculturalarts.org/classes/summer-camps.
Clifton Cultural Arts Center, 2728 Short Vine St., cliftonculturalarts.org.
Contemporary Arts Center
Thursday Art Play
Join the creative playtime on Thursday mornings through Washington Park's Pop-Up Play series. The program uses hands-on art making activities and yoga to excite and educate our youngest visitors. Registration is recommended, however there are a few drop-in spots available each week. Art Play is designed for children ages 3-8 and their parents or caregivers, though older and younger siblings are welcome.
See complete schedule at www.contemporaryartscenter.org/programs/family-programs/thursday-art-play
Family Festival
Guest artists and educators with a talent for creative learning have developed unique art and science projects geared specifically for families. Projects use unusual materials and processes that artists of all ages can enjoy.
This is a free program, but registration is required at www.contemporaryartscenter.org/programs/family-programs/family-festival.
Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E. Sixth St., www.contemporaryartscenter.org.
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati
Summer Camps
ETC camps and classes ignite students’ imaginations through the collaborative process of theatre, empower them as creative thinkers, and support their development as artists and young adults.
It is a unique chance for aspiring artists who are eager to participate in theatre but who may prefer working behind the scenes. Students leave equipped with a strong foundation of acting and production skills along with practical training.
View classes and schedules at ensemblecincinnati.org/camps-classes. Scholarships are available.
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, 1127 Vine St., ensemblecincinnati.org
Great Parks of Hamilton County
Bike Rodeo at Miami Whitewater Forest
Friday, June 11, 1– 3 p.m.
Meet the Great Parks of Hamilton County Rangers and learn about bike safety. This free, two-hour event is for kids ages 4–12 and includes many fun activities, contests, education stations, and a helmet giveaway. Kids should bring their own bikes and helmets. Due to COVID-19 precautions, this is a pre-registered event with 12 available registrations every 20 minutes. Supplies and sizes are limited but will be available during each time slot. Register at https://www.greatparks.org/calendar/special-events/bike-rodeo.
Free (register by Jun 9), though there are parking fees at the park.
Miami Whitewater Forest. 9001 Mt. Hope Road, www.greatparks.org/parks/miami-whitewater-forest.
Newport Aquarium
Summer Camp WAVE
A day camp experience for students who have completed grades K-8, Camp WAVE gives campers the chance to meet sharks, penguins, and stingrays up close while exploring aquatic wonders, from cruising alongside Antarctic penguins to celebrating innovations in science and engineering.
An optional after-care is available from 4-5 p.m.
See camp dates and register at wavefoundation.org/education/campwave/summer-camp.
Newport Aquarium, One Aquarium Way, Newport, KY, www.newportaquarium.com
Taft Museum of Art
Summer Fun with Take-Home Art Kits
Grab one of the Take-Home Art Kits and enjoy art activities at home to complete with family and friends. Each kit comes with instructions and supplies for five art projects. You can choose your kit based on your child's grade level. Kits are available for grades 1–3, 4–6, and 7–12. Purchase the kit online and pick them up at the Taft Museum of Art. To learn more and purchase, visit www.taftmuseum.org/families-children/summer-camp.
The Taft Museum of Art, 316 Pike Street, www.taftmuseum.org.
Wyoming Fine Arts Center Summer Camps
The Wyoming Fine Arts Center offers numerous in-person and online camps each week, beginning June 14 and continuing until August. The Center is also offering a Supervised Lunch program during the summer.
See all of the classes and details at musicartdance.org/camps.
Wyoming Fine Arts Center, 322 Wyoming Ave., musicartdance.org.
– Kamellia Smith