Read stories & sing songs; explore; learn about plants; look for cool bugs; play garden games & create garden art; plant a seed to take home; maybe even taste a fresh-picked radish! Free.
Get on board for Four Mile Historic Park’s Summer History Day Camps, held at 715 S. Forest St. Kids 6-11 head on the trail west to pan for gold, cook on an open fire, ride across the plains in a covered wagon, and marvel at the blacksmith as he works with his forge and anvil. Weeklong half-day camps (9a.m.-noon, $110) and full-day camps (held 9a.m.-3p.m., $175) available. Also at Four Mile, free Hay Bales & Tall Tales family storytime takes place first Saturdays (June 6), 11a.m. Visit www.fourmilehistoricpark.org, or call 720-865-0800 for info and to register for camps.
Get the most out of Denver Botanic Gardens’ Jurassic Gardens exhibition through classes and family activities this month, at 1005 York St. Check out special Family Day weekend activities, including Prehistoric Plant Party (June 6, 7 & 14) and Fun with Fibers (20, 21, 27 & 29). Free with admission; check at the Bonfils-Stanton Visitor Center for activity locations and times. Kids can spend a week as a paleontologist, increasing knowledge of prehistoric life and environments in Plant-o-Saurus Discovery day camp, Mon.-Fri., June 22-26. For ages 6-10. Details or registration, visit www.botanicgardens.org or 720-865-3580.
Rock your summer at Broadway Music School: play with a rock band 6 hours a day for 3 days – 30-Watt Rock Camp for near beginners; 60-Watt Rock Camp for intermediate to advanced players. Perform a concert at the end of camp – invite your friends! Other summer offerings include: guitar & keyboard group classes, jazz, choir, and classical guitar ensembles, Broadway Tots (ages 3 & 4), and private lessons for all ages, all instruments & voice. Classes held at 1940 S. Broadway. Info/registration: www.broadwaymusicschool.com or call 303-777-0833.
Discover art which explores the world and lets the imagination soar at the Children’s Art School, offering week-long and Saturday classes this summer. Highlights: Sunlight in the Garden for Families, Sat., June 27, noon-2p.m. – families can try out watercolors to capture color and light. $20/family. Upcoming Saturday classes, Sketching Trip for ages 7+: in Washington Park, – June 6, 13, 20 & 27, 9-11a.m. The Art Garden, very young artists meet color and shape friends in the garden, June 13 & 20, noon-2p.m. Weeklong classes: Mon.-Fri., June 8-12, 9-11a.m. (ages 8+) Landcapes + En Plein Aire – create a landscape oil painting and learn of the Impressionists who developed the style. For ages 7+: Comic Cartoon Capers – with action-packed animation, Mon.-Fri., June 15-19, 9-11a.m.; Sculpture Park Bicycle Art – craft a whirling, moving bicycle sculpture in space, Mon.-Thur., June 22-25, 9-11a.m. Pre-registration required. Children’s Art School is located at 700 S. Franklin St. in St. John’s School. Info: 720-319-3813.
Sign up soon for Summer Fashion Camps for kids, teens, parents & teachers at TACtile Art Center, 7777 E. Hampden Ave.: Children’s Sewing Club for ages 8-12, Mon-Wed., June 8-10 or June 29-July 1, 9:30a.m.-noon; Young Knitters Beginning Knitting, Thur., June 11, noon-3p.m.; and Mud Dyeing for ages 8-12 (as well as art teachers), held Thur., June 18, 10a.m.-1p.m. Register ASAP on the website: www.tactilearts.org, email info@tactilearts.org, or call 720-524-8886.
Go green and raise some green for kids with cancer at theVolley for Kids round-robin tournament fundraiser for Brent’s Place, Sat., June 13, in Washingon Park (team check-in, 7:45a.m.) Brent’s Place is a local non-profit providing housing and programs for kids with cancer. Entry fees: $35 player, $140 competitive 4’s and $240 recreational 6’s. Info: Katie Keating at 720-343-2803, email kkeating@brentsplace.org, or visit www.brentsplace.org.
Discovery Canyon Vacation Bible School, for kids 3 through entering 4th grade. is June 15-19, 9a.m.-noon, at Augustana Lutheran Church, 5000 E. Alameda Ave. Registration/info: 303-388-4678 or www.augustanadenver.org.
Engage kids in a myriad of creative arts with un poco de español mixed in, at Museo de las Americas’ Art Camp summer program, 861 Santa Fe Dr. Young people, kindergarten-12th grade, can try out mural making, weaving & clay, hand-crafted paper & book binding, movies & DVD filmmaking, and more, led by local artists and teachers. Younger students will learn Latin American history and traditions; older students will be given more in-depth and challenging projects blending historical and contemporary subject matter. Six week-long sessions will be offered as either half- or full-day camps, June 15-mid-August. Email claudia@museo.org for details, call 303-571-4401, or visit www.museo.org.
Kids Summer Music Camp is two weeks of dance, singing and folk music at Swallow Hill Music Association, 71 E. Yale Ave. Held Mon.-Fri., 9a.m.-noon, June 15-26, kids 6-12 do singing, ukulele and folk dance, with a “greatest hits” concert at camp’s end. Parents and young music buffs, ages 2-10, can sing, dance and finger-play in the next Children’s Sing-A-Long, Sat., June 20, 10:30-11:15a.m. The casual, monthly gathering provides shakers, rhythm instruments and instructors. Registration requested. The Julie Davis Music School also offers instruction in guitar, recorder, music theatre and more. Info/registration, call 303-777-1003 or visit www.swallowhillmusic.org.
Create incredible art at a free Kid’s Art Saturday workshop, June 20, 2-4p.m., at the Del Norte Gallery of the Chicano Humanities & Arts Council, 772 Santa Fe Dr. CHAC also offers modest-cost classes for preschoolers to high schoolers, as well as special-need kids, thanks to a grant from the SCFD. The hands-on classes are taught by qualified practicing artists, and they encourage children to explore the world around them through the creative process. Offered year-round. Scholarships available. Call Crystal O’Brien for details. Info: 303-571-0440 or www.ChacWeb.org.
How did trappers, miners and explorers find their way without a car, telephone, towns or GPS? Find out in Mountains, Maps and Me, one of June’s Let’s Make History programs for families, Sat., June 20, at the Colorado History Museum, 1300 Broadway. These Saturday offerings include a guided exhibit tour at 1p.m.; program at 2p.m. Free with admission: $7 adults; children 12 & under are free on Saturdays. Other programs: June 6, Colorado’s Japanese; 13, Plains Indians; 27, Let’s Play Ball. Info: 303-866-3682 or www.coloradohistory.org.
Have a budding chamber music enthusiast in the family? Sign up now for Intermezzo Chamber Music Sessions, a summer camp teaching novice and experienced chamber players to play in an ensemble, and enjoy and express the music to the fullest. Program includes yoga classes, technical and musical interpretations of chamber music, techniques for practicing and rehearsing, stage etiquette and improvisation. Starts June 22 at 1220 S. Fillmore St. Register at www.IntermezzoCMS.com, or call 303-393-7116.
There’s a summer of singing, dancing, and acting awaiting pre- through high-school youngsters in Catchpenny Theatre, a theatrical day camp being offered June 22-July 10, 9a.m.-4p.m., at Kirk of Bonnie Brae, 1201 S. Steele St., with camps’ end performance at Bug Theatre. For details, call 720-238-2223, email josh@catchpennytheatre.com, or visit www.catchpennytheatre.com.
Wellshire Presbyterian Church presents its first Music Camp for 1st-7th graders, June 22-26. Kids learn a full-length musical – 100% Chance of Rain, the story of Noah and the Ark – with choreography and drama, 9a.m.-2p.m. each day, and performance on Sun., June 28, during worship services. Other activities include Bible study, art, games and music. Register soon at www.wpcdenver.org, or call 303-758-2233.
Have fun learning about God through music, crafts and story, at St. Mary’s Anglican Catholic Church Vacation Bible School, held Tues.-Fri., June 23-26, 6:30-9p.m., for ages 5-12, at 2290 S. Clayton St. Dinner served 6:30-7p.m., June 23-25; Pizza Party for kids and parents, June 26. Info: www.saintmarysacc.org or call 303-758-7211.
Come in for ice cream sundaes and stories at Caboodle, 1515 S. Holly St., on Sat., June 27, 6-7:30p.m. Bring a bowl and spoon, and Caboodle will provide the ice cream, toppings and Gwen Bonilla, local storyteller. The event is a fundraiser for the SAME Café, a non-profit dedicated to feeding everyone who comes through their doors a healthy, locally grown organic meal, regardless of if or how much they can pay. Info: 303-759-3966, caboodlellc@gmail.com, or visit www.caboodlegifts.net.
Limited spaces are left in the 2009-10 private kindergarten at Iliff Preschool, Kindergarten & School-Age Summer Camp, 4140 E. Iliff Ave. This great public school alternative offers full- and half-day programs and provides specific outcomes in the areas of language arts/writing, math, geography, history and science. Snacks and lunch included in tuition, plus classes are held during school planning days and holidays. Download registration forms at www.iliffpreschool.com or call Carol: 303-757-3551.
Colorado Fusion Soccer Club is now accepting applications for the Fall 2009 youth soccer season. Formed three years ago by the merger of the Denver and Aurora soccer clubs, Fusion has enough players and coaching resources to compete with the best soccer teams in Colorado at the competitive level, while at the same time supporting a thriving developmental program, focused on local, neighborhood games for young players, ages 4 to 9. Early registration is underway; call 303-399-5858 or visit www.Coloradofusion.org for forms.
Register at any Denver Public Library for a Summer of Reading full of fun, prizes and books! Find out more at http://summerofreading.org or a Denver Public Library location near you: Byers, 675 Santa Fe Dr.: Wii Want to Game – test gaming skills with friends on a Nintendo Wii system – Wed., 2p.m. Tues. & Thur. activities, 2p.m.: June 9, Caricature Fun; 11, Pop-Up Scene; 16, Henna Body Art; 18, Face Paints; 25, Block Puzzle. Info: 720-865-0160. Eugene Field, 810 S. University Blvd. Storytime with Craft for all ages, Fridays, 10:15a.m. Bookbabies, Fridays, 11a.m. Specials: Mondays, 10:15a.m., June 8, Doc Murdoch’s Magical Delight, and 15, Simple As a Giggle; plus Saturdays, 10:30a.m., June 13, Canyon Critters, and 20, Just a Little Magic. Info: 303-777-2301. Central Library, 10 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy. Weekday children’s activities, 10:30a.m.: Mondays & Wednesdays, Tales for Twos (24-35 mo.); Tuesdays, Bookbabies I (0-6 mo.); Thursdays, Preschool Storytime & Craft (3-5 yrs.); Fridays, Bookbabies II (early walkers). Tuesdays & Thursdays at 2p.m., in B2 Conference Center (all ages): June 9, Stone Soup; 11, Heritage Irish Step Dancers; 16, The Big Balloony Show; 18, Dennis Michael’s Magic Show; 23, Reptiles; 25, World Drum Celebration; 30, Creativity Circus. Saturdays at 2p.m. (all ages): June 6, Top Hogs: Starring Mudslinger and Digger; 13, Bucky and the Sunny Dance Kid; 20, Doc Murdoch’s Magical Delights; 27, Playground Theater Presents: The Green Scene. Info: 720-865-1306 or www.denverlibrary.org. Decker, 1501 S. Logan St., will be closed through mid-June for renovations. Schlessman, 100 Poplar St.: Summer Bookbabies, for kids up to 24 mos. & their caregivers, is offered Tuesdays at 3p.m. and Thursdays at 10:30a.m., June & July. Be Creative Craft, Tues., 11a.m.: 16, Face Paints; 30, Yarn Model. Watch for the Digital Bookmobile, to park across the street on Sat., June 20, 9a.m.-5p.m. Information: 720-865-0000. Virginia Village, 1500 S. Dahlia St., hosts Tot Tales (2-3 yrs.) on Mondays, 10:30 & 11:15a.m.; Bookbabies (6-24 mo.), Tues., 10:30 & 11:30a.m.; Preschool Storytime (3-5 yrs.,), Fridays, 10:30a.m. Wednesday Features, 1:30-2:30p.m.: 10, Catfish Charlie’s Summer Camp Trip; 17, Creativity Circus; 24, Ukulele & Kazoo Craft. Super Saturdays, 11a.m.: June 6 & 13, Musical Journey; 20, Buggy About Books; 27, Sneeze Show. Info: 720-865-0940. Note: all branch libraries closed Fri. & Sat., July 3 & 4, for Independence Day.
Urban Skye Kids Art Day Camp offers music, art, writing & theatre for elementary & junior high school kids. Weeklong camps take place Mon.-Fri., 9a.m.-3p.m., at Hope Community Church, 1801 S. Logan St.: July 6-10, Creative Writing, Journalism; 13-17, Photography & Fine Art; 20-24, Music Appreciation & Vocal; 27-31, Improv, Acting, Etc. Tuition, $135-$185; partial scholarships available. June camps also offered in the Highlands neighborhood. Info: Roxann, 720-320-4029, or email roxann@urbanskye.org.
Girls Rock Denver will hold Colorado’s first nonprofit rock & roll day camp for girls, July 27-Aug. 1, at Sixth Avenue United Church of Christ, 3250 E. 6th Ave. Girls 8-18 will receive instrument instruction, form a band, write an original song and take part in workshops/activities designed to build self-esteem, develop communication skills, and encourage creativity and self-expression. No musical experience necessary; financial aid is available. For information and camper and volunteer applications, visit www.girlsrockdenver.org, email girlsrockdenver@gmail.com or call 303-717-3219.
Sign up for Kids Under Construction, Wellshire Presbyterian Church’s Habitat for Humanity-based Vacation Bible School, at 2999 S. Colorado Blvd., for kids age 3 through entering 1st grade. Two sessions (9:30-11:30a.m.): July 28-30 or Aug. 4-6. Register at www.wpcdenver.org. Info: 303-758-2233.
Check out Summer Camps at the Mizel Museum, 400 S. Kearney St., half- and full-day multi-activity camps featuring art, dance, drama and multi- cultural activities for ages 4-12, $95-$185 per week. For details, call 303-394-9993, ext. 103, email jmock@mizelmuseum.org or visit www.mizelmuseum.org.
For All Single Moms – Families First offers a free Circle of Parents support group just for you! Discover proven methods for cutting down on the frustration of being a single parent in today’s hectic world. Unlock the knowledge you already hold and share your wisdom, create a support network and rebuild your self-esteem. Group meets first, third and fifth Thursdays, 6:30-8p.m., at Evanston United Methodist Church, 2122 S. Lafayette St. Free children’s group provided. Come build upon your strengths in a safe and nurturing environment. Info: call the Family Support Line, 303-695-7996, or Families First, 303-745-0327.
Registration for Fall 2009 has begun at Emmanuel United Methodist Preschool, 2700 S. Downing St., on a first-come, first-served basis. Emmanuel is celebrating its 35th year of service to the community. Classes include play, music, literacy, art, dramatics, science, cooking, outdoor play, special events, summer camp and global learning. Call to schedule a tour. Tuition discounts are available to residents through the Denver Preschool Program. Info: Jeanann Johnson at 303-758-1697.