The Arts
Summer Art Institute. The Leesburg Center for the Arts has a full slate of summer art programs in June and July for kids of all ages. Four- and five-year-olds learn from a professional art instructor June 8–12, 9am–12pm. The Center hosts a Portfolio Review Workshop for high school students June 15–19, 9am–12pm. Eight- to 15-year-olds partake in a Performance Camp June 22-26, 9am–4pm. Professional art instruction offered July 6–16, 9am–12pm for six- and seven-year-olds, and the schedule concludes July 6–16, 9am–4pm, with the Rotary Summer Art Institute for ages 8–15. Leesburgcenter4arts.com or (352) 365-0232.
Summer Fine Arts Academy — The Magic In You. A hands-on experience for kids ages 6–12 as they delve into what the Mount Dora Center for the Arts has to offer. Topics covered include photography, journaling, card making, pastels, kite making, colored pencils, and beading, among others. The one-week courses run Monday–Friday, June 8–July 31. Mountdoracenterforthearts.org or (352) 383-0880.
Warren Acting Company Little Theater. Children ages 4–6 will enjoy dancing, singing, and creating as they explore the world of theater in this fun and exciting camp. Each camp ends with a special performance for family and friends. Sessions are June 15–July 12 and July 19–Aug. 16 and meet Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9am-12pm at Trinity Church in Eustis. Cost is $275 per session. Warrenactingcompany.org or (352) 552-8254.
Warren Acting Company Theater Camp. Young thespians ages 7–18 spend mornings rehearsing for a full-length musical production and afternoons participating in theater workshops, including dance, hip-hop, voice, and yoga. The four-week camp sessions meet Monday-Thursday, 9am–2pm, at Trinity Church in Eustis. The first session of June 15–July 12 will put on Dear Edwina; the second session of July 19–Aug. 16 will perform Thoroughly Modern Millie. Cost is $325 per session. Warrenactingcompany.org or (352) 552-8254.
Camps
Boys & Girls Club of Lake and Sumter Counties. The Boys & Girls Club is offering a variety of summertime activities between June 8–Aug. 14 at both their Teeter Unit in Leesburg (ages 5–18) and their NE Lake Unit in Eustis (ages 5–11). Activities will include field trips, a game room, a computer lab, an art room, and a gym. Character building programs are also available. The summer program fee is $150 per child, plus a $25 non-refundable annual membership fee if not current members. Registration for current members will be held April 1–17, and open registration will start April 20. The summer program will fill up quickly and is on a first-come-first-served basis. Bgclsc.org or the Teeter Unit at (352) 787-0053 or the NE Lake Unit at (352) 589-5522.
Camp Invention. Camp Invention returns to Mount Dora from June 15–19 at the Christian Home and Bible School. The camp’s DISCOVER program features several exciting modules, including Viking Treasure Trek: The Quest Begins; Comic Book Science: FlyJack and Jill; Land Sled X-Treme; I Can Invent: Fantasy Interventions & Complicated Machines II; and Recess Remix. Camp is held 9:00am–3:30pm and open to kids entering second through fifth grades. Registration fee is $180, and space is limited. Campinvention.org or (800) 968-4332.
Camp Wewa. Each week of the YMCA Camp Wewa summer day camp features a different theme, including Pirate Week, Beach Week, Western Week, and Olympic Week. Open to ages 6–12, the 10 week-long sessions start the week of June 8 and end the week of Aug. 17. Regular hours are 9:00am–4:30pm with before- and after-care hours also available. $135 per week. Camp is located in Apopka. YMCAwewa.org or (407) 886-1240.
Eustis Recreation Summer Camp 2009. Kids ages 5–11 are welcome to sign-up for the Eustis Recreation Summer Camp 2009 from June 8 to Aug. 14. Fun activities and field trips are in store! $60 per week for first child; $50 per week for second; and $40 per week for third. Camp is held Monday–Friday from 7:30am–6:00pm at the Eustis Senior Service Building on Ward Avenue. $75 registration fee per child. Snacks provided, but kids must bring a bag lunch. (352) 357-8510.
Liberty Christian Academy Summer Camp. The Lil’ Eagles Camp (ages 3–6) and the Soar With The Eagles Camp (ages 7–12) will run June 1 to Aug. 10. Registration for both camps is $50. Call for camp pricing. The price for the Soar With the Eagles Camp includes field trips, bowling, skating, and swimming but excludes lunch. The Lil’ Eagles Camp includes lunch. Each week for both camps features a different theme. 7am–6pm at Liberty Baptist Church in Tavares. Lcaeagles.net or (352) 343-0061.
LSCC Kids’ College. Lake-Sumter Community College lets kids “go to college” this summer with classes offered in Leesburg and Clermont. During the two-week sessions, held June 15 to Aug. 6 (full- or half-days), kids take courses in sports, crafts, science, cooking, acting, ceramics, dance, and computer, among others. Open to second- through ninth-graders. Tenth- through twelfth-graders may volunteer at the camp to receive in-service hours. $90 per session (half-days), $180 per session (full-days). Register early to ensure course selection. Lscc.edu or (352) 365-3556.
Uncle Donald’s Farm Summer Camp. Wednesdays between July 1 and Aug. 5, this camp in Lady Lake will include a variety of activities and programs with exotic and farm animals. Crafts, hayrides, pony rides, hands-on, and behind-the-scenes activities. Open to children ages 6–12. Cost for the camp is $20 per child per day, and the camp runs from 9:45am–2:45pm. Call to make your reservation. Uncledonaldsfarm.com or (352) 753-2882.
Educational
Be Creative at Your Library — Cagan Crossings. This summer reading program at Cagan Crossings Community Library runs from June 15 to July 28 with a party, prizes, and Sidewalk Chalk Art Day. Monday is movie matinee day; Talent Tuesday brings special guests to the library; Wednesday is Cut-Up’s Craft Day; Thursday is Family Storytime Day; Friday is Family Storytime Day in Spanish; and Saturday brings more movies, storytime, and PAWS for Reading Therapy dogs. There will be reading logs, weekly prizes, and grand prizes. Pre-registration is required and must be done in person between May 13 and June 13. Lakeline.lib.fl.us or (352) 243-1840.
Be Creative at Your Library — Tavares. All youngsters are invited to the Tavares Public Library this summer to act out stories and make special art crafts. Participation is free, but kids must be accompanied by an adult. Sessions will be held every Monday, 10:30am–12:30pm, from June 15 to July 20. Lakeline.lib.fl.us or (352) 742-6204.
Cybercamps Academy. Beat the heat with cool computer classes at the University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando this summer. Cybercamps Academy hosts technology summer programs across the country for kids ages 10–17 of all experience levels. The week-long sessions run June 8–July 24, and topics include game design, flash animation and web design, digital photography and graphics, 3-D modeling, and video production. Cybercamps.com or (888) 904-2267.
Kids’ Storytime. Little ones listen to stories, sing songs, and make crafts to take home during storytime every Wednesday and Thursday at the Tavares Public Library. All summer long at 11am for ages 0–5. The event is free and open to the public. Lakeline.lib.fl.us or (352) 742-6204.
Live Performers. The Tavares Public Library is bringing some exciting acts to the Tavares Civic Center this summer for kids to enjoy, including a magician, a reptile expert, and musicians. Performances will be held on Wednesdays at 2pm. Contact the library for more details. Lakeline.lib.fl.us or (352) 742-6204.
LSCC Kids College 2009. The Lake-Sumter Community College Kids College program consists of four two-week sessions with half- and full-day schedules, including classes on acting, basketball, computers, ceramics, creative crafts, dance, kids in the kitchen, science, soccer, and softball. Open to grades 2–9 (ages 7–14). Program dates are June 15–25 and June 29–July 9 at Leesburg campus and July 13–23 and July 27–Aug. 6 at Clermont campus. Cost is $90 per two weeks of half-days and $180 per two weeks of full days. Businessresourcescenter.org or (352) 365-3516.
Events
Citrus Tower Tour. See the view from the top of Clermont’s Citrus Tower, a favorite Florida attraction for the past 50 years. Kids take a tower elevator to the 226-foot tall observation deck. Open Monday–Saturday, 9am–5pm. Citrustower.com or (352) 394-4061.
Leesburg Library Summer Fun. The Leesburg Public Library is hosting lots of fun guests this summer for kids of all ages to enjoy. On select dates, the library will present John Storms “The World of Reptiles,” Didgeridoo Down Under, the October Mountain Washtub Band, the C.A.R.E. Foundation, Scott Humston, and the Talako Indian Dancers. Don’t miss the end-of-summer party on July 25. Registration opens June 1. Leesburgflorida.gov/library or (352) 728-9790.
Leesburg Library Teens. Pre-teens ages 7–12 are invited to the Leesburg Public Library every Wednesday in June and July at 4:30pm for art activities, an anime club, poetry, and even a murder mystery. Registration opens June 1. Two kids will win an end-of-summer drawing for a bag filled with books and prizes. Leesburgflorida.gov/library or (352) 728-9790.
Leesburg Library Toddlers. Leesburg Public Library’s Youth Department will host another Dynamite Summer Reading Program this June and July for toddlers (ages 0–4) every Thursday at 11am. Activities include Motion Potion, Big Blue Bus, Baby Sign Language, and Little Ninjas. A special drawing will be held at summer’s end for two toddlers to win books and prizes. Registration starts June 1. Leesburgflorida.gov/library or (352) 728-9790.
Leesburg Library Tweens. No longer little ones but not quite teenagers, tweens ages 7–12 can now have summer fun specifically created for their age group at the Leesburg Public Library every Tuesday at 4:30pm in June and July. They’ll enjoy Wii gaming, Dirt 101, an anime club, yoga, and a book club. Registration starts June 1. Leesburgflorida.gov/library or (352) 728-9790.
Monster Truck Eco-Adventure. Experience the beauty of Florida’s environment, including alligators and rare birds, from high (and safely) inside the monster-truck-size, zebra-stripped swamp buggy at The Showcase of Citrus in Clermont. Take a tour of local citrus groves, ranch land, lowland marshes, and other property. $20 for adults, $10 for children ages 4-14, and free for ages 3 and younger. By appointment only. Showcaseofcitrus.com or (352) 267-2597.
Movie in the Park. Every second Friday of the month this summer, parents and kids can enjoy a free, family-friendly movie at Donnelly Park in Mount Dora. Selections include WALL-E, Back to the Future, Cars, and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Movies begin at dusk. If weather is poor, movies will be shown in the Community Building. Mountdora.com or (352) 735-7183.
Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration. Get outdoors this 4th of July and celebrate the holiday old-fashioned style in downtown Mount Dora. The day kicks off with a parade at 10am and follows with live music in the park, food, games, and of course, fireworks at dusk! Free and open to the public. Mountdora.com or (352) 383-2165.
The American Three-Ring Circus. The Presidents Hall of Fame in Clermont is a great way to make history fun for kids! With its circus exhibit, kids get to see an animated miniature model of a three-ring circus, complete with elephants, trapeze artists, and clowns. Related memorabilia on display includes a carriage used by famed Barnum & Bailey performer Tom Thumb and a waxwork figure of Mark Twain. Open daily, 9am–5pm. $9.95 adults, $4.95 children ages 6–12, free for 5 and under. Presidentshalloffame.com or (352) 394-2836.
Trout Lake Nature Center. Let your kids get reacquainted with nature this summer with a visit to the Trout Lake Nature Center, a 230-acre wildlife preserve located in Eustis. The nature haven has four peaceful walking trails, including one through an oak hammock and another to Trout Lake. Open hours are 9:00am–12:30pm Tuesday–Thursday; 9am–4pm Friday–Saturday; and Sunday 1–4pm. Troutlakenature.org or (352) 357-7536.
U-Pick Adventure. Choose from over 50 varieties of fresh, pesticide-free fruit in the groves at The Showcase of Citrus in Clermont. A fun way for kids and parents to spend quality time together and bring home some great Florida produce, too. Open through mid-May, 8am-6pm. Showcaseofcitrus.com or (352) 394-4377.
Sports
George E. Mattson Karate School. Located at the Community Building in Mount Dora, the renowned George E. Mattson karate school is offering summertime karate programs for children. The classes teach kids the basics of karate through formal training, exercise, and kata. Mondays and Wednesdays, 5–6pm. Georgeemattson.com or (352) 434-9906.
Jack Travers’ Summer Ski Camp. Local water skiers (from beginners to intermediate) who are interested in a summer camp program are in luck! This camp is geared around three lessons a day on the water, either wakeboarding, slalom, tricks, or jumping. Other activities will include beach volleyball, horseshoes, a bird house or feeder projects, cane pole fishing tournaments, and canoe racing. The camp runs Sunday night to Thursday afternoon. Cost is $615. Jacktravers.com or (352) 429-9027.
JNB Horse Haven Farm. A perfect outing for the horse-loving youngster! A permitted outfitter with the Ocala National Forest, JNB offers guided trail rides through the forest as well as on its property, and free lessons are included in the price of the ride. Guests may ride JNB’s horses or bring their own to the farm. Located in Lady Lake. Jnbhorsehavenfarm.com or (352) 821-4756.
Lake County Junior Golf Clinics and Tournaments. Kids ages 10–18 interested in picking up the game of golf are encouraged to attend the Lake County Junior Golf program at Mission Inn Golf & Tennis Resort in Howey-in-the-Hills. The schedule is five weekends of clinic work focusing on swinging, chipping, and putting, followed by five weeks of tournament play. Registration deadline for all clinics is May 22, and all experience levels are welcomed. To be eligible for tournament play, beginner and intermediate players must attend a minimum of three clinics and advanced players must attend a minimum of two clinics. (Players can attend an unlimited number of clinics.) Free for Lake County residents. $125 per child for non-Lake County residents. (352) 324-3885.
Martial Arts Summer Camp. The Family Martial Arts Center in Mount Dora offers an extensive day camp for kids ages 6 and up that teaches youngsters basic and advanced martial arts and self-defense moves, and promotes physical fitness. Skating and bowling are offered during the camp, too. Hours are 7:30am–5:45pm and the weekly sessions run June 10–Aug. 21. Introductory courses are mandatory to familiarize kids with martial arts. Mtdorakarate.com or (352) 383-0898.
NTC Fast Lane. Summer is the ideal time to get your child involved in this competitive, year-round swim team for ages 4-18. Practice times and cost vary by age and ability. Fastlaneaquatics.com or (352) 241-7144.
NTC Kids Sports & Activities Camp. The National Training Center’s six summer sessions keep kids active in swimming, soccer, and track and field. The week-long sessions from June 8 to July 24 run from 9am–1pm and are open to children ages 5–12. $140 per child, $100 for NTC members, and discounts for sibling enrollment and multi-session registration. Receive a 25-percent discount for a second sibling and 10-percent discount when registering for more than one session. Pre-registration is mandatory. (352) 241-7144, ext. 4202.
NTC Track & Field Throws, Sprints & Hurdles Camp. Open to ages 11 and up, this camp runs June 22–26 from 9:00am–12:30pm. Call (352) 241-7144, ext. 4206 for details and to register.
Skate World. Kids of all ages are invited to spend the hot afternoons out of the sun at Skate World in Leesburg. Hours are 1–4pm; admission is $3 and skate rentals are $2. Daycare is available during the summer hours, and family nights are scheduled for Thursdays, 7–9pm. (352) 787-1178.
Youth Adventure Summer Camp 2009. Golden Triangle YMCA in Tavares has a full slate scheduled this summer for kids of all ages. Morning (9am–12pm) and afternoon (1–4pm) sessions will be held June 8–26, June 29–July 17, and July 20–Aug. 7. Activities include photography lessons, music and movement, sports, nature fun, and games galore. Separate specialty camps are also offered, such as European Soccer 101, Rah, Rah! Cheerleading, Hip-Hop Dance, and Iron Chef YMCA. Extended care hours offered at no extra charge. Centralfloridaymca.org or (352) 343-1144, ext. 222.
