School’s Out: What Do I Do With the Kids?

Christa Campbell June 10, 2012 at 12:08 pm

Check out dance and fitness classes at Merge Dance Studio, a new dance studio opening in Manayunk this summer! Merge offers weekly classes in ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, modern/contemporary, musical theatre dance, jazz funk/hip-hop, Piloxing and Zumba. More information can be found at www.mergedancestudio.com.

Kathy Bestwick June 10, 2012 at 01:09 pm

Kids love the Art Camp at Phoenix Village Art Center!! This is our 10th year of Summer Camp and this year we have added Prop Shop on Monday evenings. The camp is flexible, you can attend full day or half day, full or partial weeks. The kids can concentrate in 2D, 3D,Crafts or Photography. Go to www.phoenixvillageartcenter.org and click on the summer camp button on the home page. There is an FAQ sheet and a registration form.

Ylva June 10, 2012 at 01:29 pm

There are so many great things to do here. We usually skip camps in favor of all the beautiful arboreta, parks for hiking and outdoor fun, museums, day trips to lancaster & poconos, etc. I love local resources like Main Line Neighbors, Delaware County Moms blog and Out 'n About for great kid activities.

Meg Gerrity June 10, 2012 at 01:45 pm

My kids have always loved theater camps. There's a new one this year, Facetime Community Theatre summer stage, running July 2-21 at Ursinus College. It's for 4th grade and up. They're doing the musical "Oliver!" Check it out at www.facetimecommunitytheatre.org.

Drew Jennings June 10, 2012 at 02:04 pm

Need an affordable, flexible, fun summer camp, Greenhill Day Camp is just down the hill at Plymouth Meeting Friends School located at the corner of Butler and Germantown. The camp is all inclusive like a resort and as such morning drop off from 7:30 to 9:00 included, daily Whole Foods sourced and chef prepared lunch included, swimming 5 days a week and enrichment activities like golf, tennis, soccer, reading, writing and chess and yoga included, as well as after camp care from 4:30 to 6:00 included. There is a program for 3 to 5 year olds called Seedlings (only $225 week) where the kids stay on campus and another called Big Kids Camp (only $300 week) for kids entering 1st through 7th grade. The program runs ten weeks from June 18th to August 24th but you can attend any number or combination of weeks there are no minimums. A non profit camp run at an established Quaker school this camp is focused on making memories for campers and families rather than money. As director and parent of 3 children (two cmapers) I invite you to check out our program at pmfs1780.org or better yet email summerprogram@pmfs1780.org and I'll give you and your friends and family a tour of the campus any day this week.

Lillian Mittleman June 10, 2012 at 03:27 pm

For older kids - who have finished grades 4 - 8, come to the Summer Academy at Haverford Middle School. Everything you need to know can be found at:
http://www.haverfordedfoundation.org/summeracademy2012.html

Nathaniel Prentice June 10, 2012 at 03:58 pm

Well, I may not be a mom, but this is certainly relevant. Phillyfunguide.com works for me. One of my daughters and I had a wonderful time yesterday at an art related street party in S. Philly that was FREE. We purchased "Convenience Passes" at 69th St. Station and saw other sites in the city as well. Start out with http://www.phillyfunguide.com/categories/index/12/0 to start, and know that you can search by date and category (free) by using: http://www.phillyfunguide.com/advanced_search. Hope this helps.

Karen Barton June 10, 2012 at 04:00 pm

It's important to separate the self-promotions from the tried-and-recommended parent suggestions.

Taylor Luthultz June 10, 2012 at 10:57 pm

We are having a blast with Fit KIDS Boot Camp on Saturdays (for ages 6 to 12) and are excited that additional times and days are being added starting the week of June 18th. There are also activities for moms and dads, as well as a special time for Little Feet (ages 3 to 6). Check out http://www.peacethrustrength.com for info and scheduling! There are also groups for teen guys and girls to keep them moving and increase self-esteem and confidence!!!

Sheila Turner June 11, 2012 at 11:38 am

From the Top Dance Studio (Newtown Sq Shopping Center) offers both 1/2 day and full day camp. June 18-22, June 25-29, Aug 6-11 & Aug 13-17. Different theme each week. Campers will dance, play games, make crafts and HAVE FUN!
http://fromthetopdance.com/id17.html 610-35-DACNE (353-2623)

Theresa June 11, 2012 at 11:59 am

We have a summer fun jar my daughter picks from, some things are free and others minimal cost. A couple examples: picnic and playground, Valley Forge hiking, Grand Slam, Rita's water ice, library, playground, bowling, "spa day" at home, etc.....I supplement that w/ a few Upper Darby Summer stage shows, 2 camps, visits to grands, Malvern Library activities and our vacation.

Theresa June 11, 2012 at 11:59 am

We have a summer fun jar my daughter picks from, some things are free and others minimal cost. A couple examples: picnic and playground, Valley Forge hiking, Grand Slam, Rita's water ice, library, playground, bowling, "spa day" at home, etc.....I supplement that w/ a few Upper Darby Summer stage shows, 2 camps, visits to grands, Malvern Library activities and our vacation.

Jackie June 11, 2012 at 01:45 pm

We joined the UMLY for summer. We usually set a date to meet friends at least once a week and then if we ever end up going alone, I never get to read my book because there's always someone there we know to hang out with. They offer a kids' workout room for kids 8 and up. We usually hit that first - parents can workout there or go for a class or the adult workout room. Then we head out to the pool. We are also loving the Chester Valley trail for bike rides and also enjoy going to Valley Forge for rides, hikes and history. We plan to take some day trips to Philadelphia on the train too. My kids are getting older but in past years we loved the programs offered at the Malvern Library.

Jackie June 11, 2012 at 01:49 pm

Oh, and when my kids were younger, we belonged to the MOMS Club of Malvern which was WONDERFUL! We were never at a loss for things to do year round. Our "alumni" group still meets for a monthly book club and Christmas party (without the kids now LOL!!)

Lorraine Barrett June 11, 2012 at 02:27 pm

Great theatre camp right in our neighborhood Penn Wynne) is Wolf Performing Arts Center. Reasonably priced, and you don't have to sign up for a long session. All ages, and terrific counselors.

Michele Orellana June 14, 2012 at 03:19 pm

We have a full-time Table Tennis Club that is fun for kids of all ages! There are 8 tables, FREE paddle and ball rentals, and opportunity to work with a private coach. Come play whenever you want or you can book the facility for private events/birthday parties. Visit www.trolleycarttc.com for more information and rates!