High Country Press

Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

|| High Country Press Newswire

March 6, 2008 issue

Spring and Summer Spell F-U-N
It’s Time to Register for Spring Sports, Summer Camps

Compiled by Anna Oakes, David Brewer and Corinne Saunders

Summer in the High Country is still several months away, but now is the time for parents, kids and teens to start thinking about spring sports and summer camps. Registration for spring sports has already begun, with some registration deadlines approaching as soon as this Friday, March 7. Summer camps are accepting applications as well, and many programs fill up fast.

We’ve divided the spring sports and summer camps into four categories—sports, summer learning, outdoors and 4-H and Girls Scouts—but read all of them carefully because some fit in more than one category.

Not all summer programs are included here because some are still in development. Call the contacts below for info about additional programs, contact your local organizations or check back with the High Country Press for new programs as they are announced.

Parents, give the kids a fun and educational break from the babysitter/daycare/Grandma’s house while allowing yourself a little vacation, too.

SPORTS

Spring Swim Lessons
Watauga County Parks and Recreation’s spring swim lessons begin on Monday, March 17. Classes are taught at six levels based on experience. Level 1, Water Exploration, is for children 3 and up with no previous lessons. The other levels are as follows: Level 2, Primary Skills; Level 3, Stroke Readiness; Level 4, Stroke Development; Level 5, Stroke Refinement; and Level 6, Skill Proficiency.

Four sessions will be offered. The first session, for levels 1 through 3, runs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, March 17 to April 4, from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. The second session, for all levels, runs Mondays through Thursdays, March 31 to April 10, from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. The third session, for levels 1 through 3, runs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, April 14 to 30, from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. The fourth session, for all levels, runs Monday through Thursday, April 14 to 24, from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.

Lessons are $40 for members and $50 for nonmembers. Classes are limited to 10 students, and Watauga County residents have first priority for all lessons. A minimum of six students must be registered for the class to be scheduled. Non-county residents will be put on a waiting list, and an additional 50 percent will be added to the fee.

For more info, call 828-264-0270.

Jr. Tennis
The Watauga County Parks and Recreation Jr. Tennis program is for children ages 7 to 15. The program is scheduled to begin the week of June 4 or the day after school is out. The fee is $75. Practices are held at the Recreation Tennis Courts every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, weather permitting. Tuesdays and Thursdays also may be used for match days.

The class levels are Level I, True Beginners—first-year players; Level II, Beginner—second- or third-year players; Level III, Intermediate; and Level IV, Team Practice. The tentative schedule is Level I, 8:45 to 10:00 a.m.; Level II, 10:15 to 11:30 a.m.; Level III, 12:00 to 1:15 p.m.; Level IV, 1:30 to 2:45 p.m.

Ballet Basics
Instructor Shannon Hatley will teach this 10-week children’s ballet class focusing on the fundamentals and basics of ballet. The classes will be held on Mondays beginning March 17 and ending May 19 at the Optimist Clubhouse on State Farm Road. At the end of the class, the students will perform in a ballet recital for family and friends on Friday and Saturday, May 23 to 24, at the Old Cove Creek Gym.

The cost is $75 per child. Registrations will be accepted until classes are full or until Friday, March 14, at 5:00 p.m. at the Watauga County Parks and Recreation Office. For more info, call 828-264-9511.

Kinder T-Ball in Blowing Rock
Registration for the Blowing Rock Parks and Recreation Kinder T-Ball program begins in March. The noncompetitive introduction to T-ball is offered to children ages 3 to 5 years twice a week for four weeks. A birth certificate is required with registration. For more info, call 828-295-5222.

Baseball, T-Ball and Softball in Avery
Registration for baseball, T-ball and girls’ softball in Avery County was held March 3 and 4. Call 828-733-8266 to check for available slots.

SUMMER LEARNING

The Art of Sketchbook Drawing June 3 to 12
Teens, adults and Appalachian State University students are invited to take part in The Art of Sketchbook Drawing, a workshop taking place at the Turchin Center Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 3 to 12, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Una Pett is the facilitator.

A sketchbook is among the artist’s most important tools—a place to record observations, explore ideas, practice drawing skills and play. Over the two-week, four-session workshop, the class will work indoors and outdoors to enhance, begin or revive sketchbook skills.

Preregistration is required; the class has a minimum enrollment of 10. The cost is $40 for Turchin Center members and $75 for nonmembers. For more info, call 828-262-3017 or email turchincenter@appstate.edu.

Cre8tive Drama Day Camp June 23 to 27
The Cre8tive Drama Day Camp is a weeklong day camp focusing on creative drama and movement. The camp takes place Monday to Friday, June 23 to 27, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the I.G. Greer Studio Theatre and adjoining classrooms on the Appalachian State University campus.

Children and teens will be challenged to think creatively and encouraged to work collaboratively while exploring theatre and movement. ASU faculty member Gordon Hensley is the facilitator and will teach the workshop in several blocks: Block One, ages 6 to 8; Block Two, ages 9 to 12; and Block Three, ages 13 to 16. Each block is limited to 15 participants and preregistration is required. No walk-ins will be permitted.

The cost is $50 for Turchin Center members and $75 for nonmembers. For more info, call 828-262-3017 or email turchincenter@appstate.edu.

Paper-Mâché Dragons July 28 to August 1
Get the kids indoors during the Dog Days of summer for weeklong instruction on making paper-mâché dragons. From Monday through Friday, July 28 to August 1, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. each day, the art students of Appalachian State faculty member Gayle Weitz will help children look at dragons from around the world for inspiration in creating their own paper-mâché dragons.

Preregistration is required. The cost is $35 for Turchin Center members and $50 for nonmembers. For more info, call 828-262-3017 or email turchincenter@appstate.edu.

Camp Invention June 23 to 27
Camp Invention is a nationally acclaimed day camp scheduled for Monday to Friday, June 23 to 27, at Appalachian State University. Designed for students in kindergarten through fifth grade, the camp runs from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day. Sponsored by ASU Conferences and Institutes, the classes are taught by local teachers.

Children participating in this day program will develop their creativity, teamwork and decision-making skills. They will learn some of the basic principles of science, engineering and creative problem-solving as they build things, take things apart and do hands-on explorations.

Prices range from $180 to $205. Discounts are available for three or more students from the same household or for children who enroll in more than one program. Register online at www.campinvention.org before Monday, March 31, for the best rate. Partial scholarships for Watauga County students with financial need are available for this camp. For info, contact your school principal or call 828-262-2530.

The camp has a maximum enrollment of 110 children, and as of March 1, 60 children were enrolled. For more info, call 800-968-4332 or click to www.campinvention.org.

Camp Broadstone’s Residential Summer Camps in June and July
Camp Broadstone will offer a residential summer enrichment program for academically gifted youth currently in fourth through ninth grades. Morning enrichment classes and afternoon adventure programs stimulate the campers to grow intellectually, socially and physically. Campers in grades 7 through 9 will participate in a four-day out-of-camp advanced program held at Mount Rogers National Recreation Area.

Three two-week sessions are available: June 15 to 27, July 6 to 18 and July 20 to August 1. Each two-week session costs $1,750.

One-week residential explorer sessions are offered for current fourth through sixth graders and cost $1,000 per session. These will be held June 15 to 20, July 6 to 11 and July 20 to 25.

Students must meet at least one of the following criteria to be counted as academically gifted: have an IQ of 120 or higher according to a standardized intelligence test, score in the 90th percentile or higher on an end-of-grade test or have been enrolled in Duke TIP (Talent Identification Program). A maximum of 72 campers will be enrolled in each camp session. Limited scholarship funds are available to help with the cost of attending.

For registration info, call Camp Registrar Beth Higley at 828-262-2944. For more info on residential camps, call Camp Director Judith Bevan at 828-963-4640 or click to www.campbroadstone.com.

Camp Broadstone’s Weeklong Summer Day Camps in June and July
The Day Camp Program at Camp Broadstone provides a new option for working parents who want their academically gifted children to get something out of their leisure summer hours.

Six themed weeklong day camp sessions will be offered this summer for current fourth- through sixth-grade students. The first session will begin June 16 and the last one starts July 28.

A maximum of 24 campers will be enrolled in each week’s day camp, and the cost is $250 per week. Because every week will have a different theme, students do not run the risk of losing interest by participating in numerous day camps. The camp will run from 8:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Students must meet at least one of the following criteria to be counted as academically gifted: have an IQ of 120 or higher according to a standardized intelligence test, score in the 90th percentile or higher on an end-of-grade test or have been enrolled in Duke TIP (Talent Identification Program). Limited scholarship funds are available to help with the cost of attending.

For more info, call Day Camp Director Katy June Abrams at 828-963-4640 or click to www.campbroadstone.com.

Summer Arts Camp June 23 to 28
The Watauga Arts Council’s long-running Summer Arts Camp featuring the Missoula Children’s Theatre is a weeklong romp of interactive drama, storytelling, music and visual art workshops that will culminate in a public performance of the classic play Robin Hood complete with professionally designed scenery and costumes. Camp will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday, June 23, to Saturday, June 28.

Summer Arts Camp is limited to 65 students from rising first to rising tenth graders. Registration forms will be available online at www.watauga-arts.org beginning Saturday, March 15. For more info, call 828-264-1789.

OUTDOORS

Elementary Escapades No. 1 June 9 to 13
Appalachian Pathways, an Appalachian State University initiative offering educational programs to the community, presents Elementary Escapades, a camp for youth ages 5 to 10, Monday to Friday, June 9 to 13, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day.

In this outdoor exploration camp, kids will create their own fun, build toys, make fiber arts, explore creeks and much more. The program starts each day on the ASU campus, then travels on two afternoons to a nearby creek/swamp habitat and two afternoons to the farm home of a fifth-generation Watauga County fiber artist.

Cost for the camp is $205 and the maximum enrollment is 10. Children must have turned 5 years old before October 15, 2007. For more info, call 828-262-2530 or click to www.pathways.appstate.edu.

Blowing Rock Summer Day Camp June 9 to August 1
Registration for Blowing Rock Parks and Recreation Summer Day Camp began March 3 for Blowing Rock taxpayers, and open registration begins Monday, March 24. Camp is open to rising first through seventh graders—a birth certificate is required for rising first graders—and runs from Monday, June 9, through Friday, August 1. Activities include swimming and sports at the town’s facilities.
To receive taxpayer registration fees, parents/guardians must present a copy of their Blowing Rock tax bill. For more info, call 828-295-5222.

Summer Adventure Camp June 16 to August 1
The Watauga County Parks and Recreation’s Summer Adventure Camp will be held at Watauga High School weekly from Monday, June 16, to Friday, August 1. The camp is open to children 5 to 13, or rising first through seventh graders.
The camp runs from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Each week of the camp has a different theme, and campers may pick and choose which weeks they wish to attend. The cost is $80 per week with extra field trip fees some weeks. Half of the cost is due at registration, and all fees must be paid by Monday, June 9. For more info, call Keron Poteat at 828-264-9511 or email keron.poteat@ncmail.net.

Fun in the Sun Camp June 16 to July 25
Fun in the Sun is a camp at Hardin Park Elementary School open to ages 5 to 13, or rising first through seventh graders. The camp runs daily from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from Monday, June 16, through Friday, July 25.

The six-week camp includes swimming once a week and physical activity and art on a daily basis. Campers have access to the gym and playground. Children are divided into Giggle Gang, ages 5 to 7; Super Troopers, ages 8 to 9; and Explorers, ages 10 to 13.

Cost is $70 per week with extra fees some weeks. Half of the cost is due at registration, and all fees must be paid by Monday, June 9. For more info, call Rebecca Woolard at 828-264-9511 or email rebecca.woolard@ncmail.net.

Western Youth Network Summer Day Camps in June and July
Watauga County’s Western Youth Network will host five weeks of outdoor day camps that will last daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The camps are open to rising sixth through rising ninth graders and will heavily center around experiential learning in an outdoor setting designed strengthen self-awareness, leadership and social skills.

WYN’s Summer Day Camps will take place Monday to Thursday, from June 9 to 26 and from July 7 to 17. Campers can sign up for as little as one week or for all five sessions. Transportation will be provided for those who qualify for assistance. Slots are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more info, call 828-264-5174.

4-H/GIRL SCOUTS

Watauga County 4-H Camp July 13 to 18
Watauga County 4-H will escort a group of 8- to 14-year-olds to the Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Center for the week of July 13 to 18. The center is located north of Greensboro in Rockingham County near Reidsville.

Camping slots are still available, and you can make a reservation now with a deposit of $50. The balance of the camp fee—$290—will be due in July. The fee covers meals, lodging, T-shirt, transportation to camp and activities. For info about the camp, click to www.nc4h.org/centers. To register or for more info about Watauga County 4-H, call 828-264-3061.

Summer WOW 4-H Program
The Avery County 4-H will again offer the Summer WOW Program in 2008. Youth ages 5 to 12 can participate in Summer WOW, or Wonderful Opportunities Waiting, throughout the summer.

Individual classes include sports, jewelry making, fishing, model rockets, cooking and much more. Transportation will be offered at many of the community schools. Newland Elementary School will serve as the host site. Programs likely will begin in mid-June.

Many programs fill up fast, so be sure to register early. Registration packets will be available around Tuesday, April 1. For more info, contact Tres Magner or Debra Buchanan-Hughes at 828-733-8270.

Camp Ginger Cascades in June and July
Camp Ginger Cascades, located in the Brushy Mountains outside of Lenoir, will host more than 55 camp sessions in June and July for girls who will be in grades 2 through 12 in the coming fall.

Camp sessions will assist in the development of life skills such as leadership, confidence, independence and teamwork through a wide variety of outdoor activities. Programs ranging from 3 to 6 days in length will be available to Girl Scouts and non-Girl Scouts alike. For more info or to register, click to www.cvgirlscouts.org.

Camp Cotillion Day Camp in June
The Girl Scout Council of the Catawba Valley Area is offering Camp Cotillion, a four-day summer day camp, from Monday to Thursday, June 16 to 19, in Hickory and from Monday to Thursday, June 23 to 26, in Boone.

At the camp, girls will learn to appreciate and make the most of their good qualities, learn to be happy with their appearances and feel confident and poised, and learn to be at ease in new situations and know what to say and when to say it. Attendees will dine with finesse at a fancy restaurant, make the most of the fashions that flatter them and have fun planning and providing a mother-daughter banquet.

The camp is open to girls who will be in grades 4 through 8 in fall 2008. The cost is $95. Contact Pat at the Girl Scout Council at 828-328-2444 or 800-328-8388 for a registration packet.