Look around you, Moms and Dads. Spring is in the air. The winter chill that wreaked havoc on our bougainvillea is gone and lovely flowers and trees are blooming again. The quail are courting each other again and soon they will be teaching their little ones how to swiftly scamper across the roads while avoiding our cars. Your kids have just finished their Spring Break and getting themselves prepared (hopefully) for final exams. All of which means that summer is just around the corner and kids will be out of school and underfoot again. How can parents get a mid-summer break and keep their restless sons and daughters from being bored? Why, summer camp, of course! Several local organizations, schools and churches are already planning their summer schedule and so we thought we'd share that information with you.

Smart Starts LLC Technology Summer Camp

Smart Starts LLC, the organization that provides technology enrichment classes using the latest technology tools available, i s pleased to announce their new technology summer camp programs for Anthem and the surrounding communities. These camps will be offered to children from pre-school age through 8 th grade. Weekly camps will provide children exposure to new technologies in a fun interactive and hands-on environment. Camps are to be held a various locations through the area and will offer different weekly activities. All weekly activities will feature a different technology focus for that week and theme. Classes will include time on the computers, experiments, exposure to other technologies and more. Each class is very hands-on. Snacks will be included.

Kids 3 to 6 years old will have fun and learn new things in classes with such fanciful names as Dinosaurupus, Stars and Constellations, Animal Safari, Underwater Fun, Bugs & Creepy Crawly Things, Dr. Seuss and Friends, Artic Animals, Dora, Winnie the Pooh and more, and Wacky Techno Science. Kids from 6 to 16 will enjoy studies in classes like Animation 101, Junior Robotics, Digital Media, Graphic Design, Typing 101, Gaming 101, Spybotics, and I Spy Adventure.

Studies have shown children who continue the learning through summer months in interactive and fun programs will have little adjustment back into school life for the upcoming school year. The teachers at Smart Starts have been certified and carry Arizona fingerprint clearance cards.  Each teacher is equipped with a mobile computer lab that includes everything from laptop computers, digital cameras, robotics equipment, and more.  You can register for these classes at the Anthem Community Center located at 41130 N. Freedom Way , Anthem, AZ 85086 or by calling the number below. Please visit the Smart Starts website for full calendar and cost information.

INFO> Elizabeth Hall, 623-810-3636, ehall@smartstartsllc.com.

Cross of Christ Christian School Summer Camps

Cross of Christ Christian School will be open for the summer! Students will participate in theme-based, weekly camps with a daily Christ-centered routine. Camps are from Monday to Friday; families select the weeks and times.

Pre-school (ages 3-5 ) have the following choices: 7:00 -11:30 am ($100/week); 12:30 - 5:30 pm ($100/week); 8:00 am - 3:30 pm ($160/week); or 7:00 am - 5:30 pm ($200/week). Pre-school camp includes a SmartStarts computer/technology class every Friday for all students (six at a time).

Elementary ages (entering 1st - 6 th grade) can sign up for Adventure Camp, with the same exciting themes - just older-kid activities! Time slots: 8:00 am -3:30 pm ($160/week) or 7:00 - 5:30 pm ($200/week). Elementary-age kids also have two other exciting offers: Mad Science (most weeks, 8:00 am -3:30 pm, cost $210/week; 7:00 am - 5:30 pm available at $40 extra/week) and SmartStarts, (6/25-29 and 7/9-13, 8:00 am - 3:30 pm, cost $250/week; 7:00 am - 5:30 pm available at $40 extra/week). Elementary ages get SmartStarts included in Adventure Camp, also, every Wednesday!

Parents can pick up brochures/enrollment forms, as well as tons more information, at the front desk at Cross of Christ Christian School.

INFO> Tom Healy, 623-551-3454, tom@anthemcross.org

Camp Rising Star

Camp Rising Star is a summer theater camp for youngsters ages seven to eighteen that will be run in conjunction in conjunction with Starlight Community Theatre. Students will learn techniques in Acting, Vocalization, Dance and Technical Theater. The camp will run two Sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon from June 18 through June 29. During the week of June 18, classes will be held at Gavilan Peak Elementary School Multipurpose Room and during the week of June 25, at the Boulder Creek HS Performing Arts Center. At the end of the camp, students will get to show off what they have learned with a performance on Saturday, June 30 at Boulder Creek Performing Arts Center. Camp Directors are Mark Osterle and Barbara Surloff.

The AM Session will be for students, ages 7-12. The theme will be "Disney Stars" and will run from 8:30 am to 11:30 am. Favorite songs will be put to dance, movement and theatrical interpretation.

The PM Sessions will be composed of Class A and Class B. Class A will be geared to students, ages 13-18. The theme will be "Monster Star Mania" and will run from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Songs from favorite movies and plays with a monster element will be put to dance, movement and theatrical interpretation. Class B will be a Technical Theater Session ONLY and is open to students ages 13 to 18. They will learn lighting design, sound design, and set construction/design techniques. This session will run from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm. The cost for both AM and PM Sessions is $300.00 per student; 20% sibling discount available.

Child Opportunity is "Playing with Theater" and is geared for children ages 4 to 6 who have family members in the above camp. Children must be potty trained. A certified elementary school teacher will run the service. Activities will include storytelling and puppetry and snacks will be provided. The children will also get a chance to perform a song and dance on June 30 th . The cost will be consistent with camp prices of $30.00 per day/per session.

INFO> 623) 445-5018 ; starlightcommunitytheater.org

Jaguars Summer Basketball Camp

The men's basketball program at Boulder Creek High School is offering a summer basketball camp for boys from ages 7 to 12 years in age. The purpose of the Jaguars Summer Basketball Camp is to introduce the "Jaguar" way of basketball. Each camp participant will learn the fundamentals that are stressed at the high school level, along with the fundamentals of all successful players.

The boys will also get the chance to meet and play with Jaguar's current players and staff, along with several other successful coaches. By the end of the week, the camp participants will have had a lot of fun learning the skills necessary to be better basketball players, and they will receive an official Jaguar Basketball t-shirt.

The cost of the camp is $125.00 and will run from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, July 9th through July 12th.  The participants are asked to wear basketball shoes, shorts and t-shirt and to be sure to bring along a bottle of water. For a registration form or if you have any questions, please contact Head Basketball Coach Adam Wertz.

INFO> Adam Wuertz, 623-445-8817; adam.wertz@bc.dvusd.org

DVUSD's Sun'sational Summer Day Camps
A Pirate's Life for Me, Out of this World, and Sports of Course are just a few of the weekly program themes of the Sun'sational Summer Day Camps that will be offered this summer by the Deer Valley Unified School District Community Education.  Daily activities for ages 5 to 13 include sports, games, crafts, and field trips.  There are twelve locations with 10-week sessions designed to fit work and vacation schedules.  Day camps are held on DVUSD elementary school sites in Phoenix , Glendale , Peoria and Anthem.
Week One starts May 29th.  Campers can attend some or all of the 10-week sessions.  Camp hours are 6:30 am to 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday.  Camp fees are $25 per day/per child.  There is a three-day minimum plus a $40 registration fee per family. All locations are authorized DES Child Care Assistance sites.  In Anthem, summer camps will be held at the Diamond Canyon Elementary School at 4004 Liberty Bell Way and at the Gavilan Peak Elementary School at 2701 W. Memorial Drive .

INFO> 623-445-5005; dvusd.org

Fellowship Church Summer Camps

The Fellowship Child Development Center is hosting Summer Camps in two-week sessions for the months of June and July.  Here are some of the fun titles that have been dreamed up to pique the interest of the kids: "Messy Mania" (cooking & science), "It Came from Beneath the Sea" (ocean, submarines, volcanoes), "Nuts and Bolts" (construction, building, mechanical), and "Getting Grounded" (earth, recycling). 

Fellowship will have programs from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, and 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.  These programs have some flexibility from two days up to five days a week, so tuitions will vary.  Contact or stop by Fellowship for details and registration.  There is a one-time $50 non-refundable registration fee per child.   The camps are aimed at children from age three (potty trained) through age nine.

INFO> Heidi Lekan, 623-551-1144; heidi@fellowshipanthem.com

Valley Youth Theatre Summer Workshops

Two half-day Summer Playhouse sessions are being offered for children ages 5 and 6 June 5th through 28th and July 10th through August 2nd from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Tuition for each workshop is $300.00 and includes materials and a camp workshop t-shirt. 

Older youth can choose from two all-day Musical Theatre workshops for ages 7 through 17. Session I runs June 4th through 29th and Session II runs July 9 through August 3rd from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Tuition for each session is $630.00 and includes materials fees and a camp t-shirt .  Each participant must bring a sack lunch daily. Extended care is available for an additional fee.

Named by the Arizona Republic as "The Best Place to Get Your Child into Show Business" in 2003, VYT's staff of professionals will work with students on audition skills; music; dance and movement; and improvisational activities, as well as behind-the-scenes technical skills. At the conclusion of each session, participants will perform in a showcase for parents, highlighting the skills they have learned.

Musical Theatre Workshops will take place at Valley Youth Theatre in downtown Phoenix , 525 N. First St. (southeast corner of First and Fillmore Streets).   The location for the Summer Playhouse will be at a downtown Phoenix location to be announced soon.

INFO> Jessica Graeber, 602-253-8188 x 312; vyt.com

Adobe Dam Family Golf Center - Junior Golf Program

The Adobe Dam Family Golf Center, which is conveniently located just two minutes west of I-17 at 3847 W. Pinnacle Peak Road in Phoenix, is offering several summer golf aimed for the younger set. These programs are as follows:

Junior Tournament Players (5/25 - 7/27) is designed for juniors who are able to play 9 holes of golf comfortably. On nine Fridays throughout the summer, participants will have a 30-minute group golf lesson followed by an event of the day, in which participants will be paired by age and/or ability at the discretion of a member of the golf professional's staff. Rules and etiquette will also be emphasized. Cost: $125 per student; $85 for each sibling.

Junior Group Lessons (5/31 - 6/28) will be held five Thursday mornings from 9:15 am to 10:15 am beginning on May 31 and ending June 28. Swing instruction includes short game points, as well as basic rules and etiquette of golf will be covered. Recommended for ages 7 to 11. Cost: $60; $40 for each sibling.

Li'l Whippers (7/12 - 8/2) is designed for youngsters ages 4 to 7. The four 30-minute sessions will emphasize participation, safety, fundamentals and just plain fun. This is strictly created as an introduction to the game of golf. Cost: $30 per child.

Junior Clinic (5/31 - 6/28) is recommended for children ages 10 to 14. Between 8:00 am and 9:00 am, five one-hour lessons will be given in pre-swing fundamentals, in-swing technique, putting, pitching and golf course strategy. Cost: $60; $40 for siblings.

INFO> 623-581-2800; adobedamfamilygolfcenter.com

Sonoran Arts League Summer Art Studio

Some of the Sonoran Art League's top artists have offered to teach kids and a adults some of their artistic secrets at classes to be held at the Cactus Shadows High School in Cave Creek (5802 E. Dove Valley). Each class will offer participants the opportunity to observe demonstrations and to create individual works of art. Students will also learn the art of giving and receiving critiques. Classes such as painting in oils and pastels, drawing, photography, sculpture and ceramics are being offered. In addition, there are a series of mini-workshops in subjects like painting, papier mache and art glass. Classes are limited to twelve students and will fill up quickly, so register as soon as possible. Copies of the brochure detailing these classes, the teachers and costs are available on the Sonoran Arts League website.

INFO> 480-437-9995; sonoranartsleague.org

Separation Anxiety - Your Child's First Time at Overnight Camp

Going away to an overnight camp for a week or two can be very beneficial for a child's development. They learn new skills and experience new activities and make new friends, building their self-confidence, social abilities and sense of independence. But, a child who is used to being close to the family nest, may experience some trepidation at the prospect of being away from his parents. There are some things you can do, however, to prepare him or her in advance of the big move from home.

1. Encourage your child to take part in overnight visits at a friend's or another family member's home.
2. Talk to your child about camp and all the wonderful activities available, etc. and let him or her take part in choosing which camp appeals to him or her the most and which best matches their interests.
3. If your child expresses concern about being away from home, encourage him or her to talk about their specific worries. Answer their concerns honestly and express confidence in their ability to handle it.
4. If you can get a friend of the child to go to the same camp, all the better. Or, find out ahead of time from the camp director the names of children in your community who are also attending the camp and see if you can arrange a play date with them before the big day.
5. If you can visit the camp ahead of time with the child and familiarize him or her with the surroundings, then do it.
6. You might want to leave little fun notes in the pockets of the clothes they take to camp.
7. Help them prepare pre-addressed postcards ahead of time for them to send from camp.
8. Let them take a few of their favorite possessions to camp, along with some family photos.
9. If your child has trouble sleeping away from home on nearby overnight visits or still seems too shy and nervous about going away to camp, don't push it. Children mature at different ages and he or she just may not be ready yet. It is supposed to be fun, after all!