Classes and Camps to Sign Up For

Class and Camps to Sign Up For:

Camp Invention – several dates and locations   A fun, creative, 5-day summer enrichment for rising 1st – 6th graders, part of the nationally acclaimed, non-profit, creative science enrichment camp held in 48 states. http://www.campinvention.org  Registration Fee is $225 or special discount of $205 if you sign up with a friend or sibling (see details on site about discount).   There are several locations for my Maryland readers (the Summer Fun Guide is expanding!), so visit the site to find the location closest to you.  I’ve listed three locations in Northern Virginia which is the “core” location of the Summer Fun Guide.

1) Oakton location: Oakton Elementary July 12-16  Visit http://www.oaktonpta.org, click on the “Summer Camp” button on left side of the page, and follow online instructions. You will receive an email regarding your child’s enrollment requesting payment within 7 days.  Oakton Elementary School, 3000 Chain Bridge Rd., Oakton, VA.  Email questions to: campinvention@oaktonpta.org

2) Ashburn location:  Virginia Academy, Ashburn  June 14-18 http://the-virginia-academy.com/camp_invention

3) McLean location: Saint John AcademyJune 28 – July 2 Register at http://www.campinvention.org 

Church of the Good Shepherd Drama Camp July 5-9  – for kids ages 6-12.  $225 (call for a discount for multiple registrants in same family).  Registration deadline is June 30.  http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dFhUckR0dGxsOGt1LUQyY1pBcGZkcUE6MA 

Digital Art and Photography Camp July 6-9: 9am-3:30  for rising 6th – 9th graders.  $240 if bringing your own digital camera, $280 if you don’t have your own camera.  Oakton Elementary.  Visit http://www.oaktonpta.org, click on the “Summer Camp” button on left side of the page, and look for 2010 Digital Art and Photography Camp to get to registration page. 

Pender United Methodist Church’s Vacation Bible School July 12-16 - For rising Pre-K3 (potty trained) through sixth grade, space is limited and it fills up quickly — http://penderumc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=66298 to register.

Pender United Methodist Church’s Music Camp July 12-16  - For rising second graders through sixth graders – http://penderumc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=110050 to register.

Cheerleading Camp July 19-23: 12:30-3:30 for rising 4th – 6th graders.  $135/week.  Oakton Elementary.  Visit http://www.oaktonpta.org, click on the “Summer Camp” button on left side of the page, and look for 2010 Cheerleading Camp to get to registration page. 

Art Sampler Camp July 19-23: 9am-3:30 with half day options of 9-12 or 12:30-3:30  for rising 2nd – 7th graders.  $280 full day, $135 for half day.  Oakton Elementary.  Visit http://www.oaktonpta.org, click on the “Summer Camp” button on left side of the page, and look for 2010 Art Sampler Camp to get to registration page. 

Summer Spirit Camp July 19-23: 9am – noonfor rising 1st - 3rd graders.  $135/week.  Oakton Elementary.  Visit http://www.oaktonpta.org, click on the “Summer Camp” button on left side of the page, and look for 2010 Summer Spirit Camp to get to registration page. 

Beginner’s Chess Camp August 9-13: 9am-1 for rising 1st – 7th graders.  $100/week.  Oakton Elementary.  Visit http://www.oaktonpta.org, click on the “Summer Camp” button on left side of the page, and look for 2010 Chess Camp to get to registration page. 

Advanced Chess Camp August 16-20: 9am-1 for rising 1st – 7th graders.  $100/week.  Oakton Elementary.  Visit http://www.oaktonpta.org, click on the “Summer Camp” button on left side of the page, and look for 2010 Chess Camp to get to registration page. 

Michaels Craft stores have kid’s craft camp – Ages and prices (sometimes free!) range by project, most classes are 30 minutes.  Check http://www.theknackkids.com/TheKnackFaculty.aspx  or the flyer for the schedule for the store closest to you.  The site also includes projects you can do at home!

Lake Anne Plaza – Free Children’s Art Workshops  - Every Saturday 10 am – noon.  Reston Art Gallery & Studios 703-481-8156  Make-and-take projects, themed for the seasons. Presented by Pat Macintyre. Free. 

Home Depot Kids Workshops – First Saturday of every month between 9am and noon- see http://bit.ly/dcqWnm  for more details.  Although it says ages 5-12, I know people who have taken children (boys, in particular) who were younger.  They tend to list project a month or two at a time.

Lowe’s Build-to-Grow Clinics – Although recommended for elementary school kids, I know people who have taken younger children – use your own discretion.  Check out https://www.lowesbuildandgrow.com/ for class projects, dates, and sign ups.  They only list a month or so at a time.  The classes are approximately every two weeks.

Events at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park – Located at 5040 Walney Road, Chantilly, VA 703-631-0013 

  • Nature Camps at Ellanor Lawrence Park:  sign-ups are going too fast for me to list individually — go to http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/ecl/eclcamps.htm
  •  Single-session classes and events:
    • Wednesday, Jun 2: (9:30-10:30am) Kids Korner: Birds at the Water’s Edge  (ages 3-5)  Reservations required. $5
    • Saturday June 5 Pond Life (Families) 10am – noon. (Families.) 10am-noon. Meet a Naturalist by Walney pond. Bring boots that can get wet and get ready to find out who is living under the water at the ponds edge. We will talk about tadpoles, dragonfly nymphs, water scorpions and other creatures we may catch. Reservations required. $10/family.  
    • Thursday, Jun 3: (1-2pm) Kids Korner: Birds at the Water’s Edge  (ages 3-5)  Reservations required. $5
    • Monday, June 7: (9:30-10:30am) Kids Korner: Birds at the Water’s Edge  (ages 3-5)  Reservations required. $5
    • Monday June 7 Nature Snoopers- Birds at the Water’s Edge (5-6 yrs.) 3-4pm. With strainers, scoop out small critters from the edge of the pond and identify prey for the waterfowl that visit Walney Pond.  Check cattails and tall grasses  along the nearby stream for nests and other animal evidence. Simple craft included. Accompanied by an adult.  Reservations required. $5
    • Wednesday, Jun 9: (1-2pm)  Kids Korner: Birds at the Water’s Edge  (ages 3-5)  Reservations required. $5
    • Wednesday June 9 Evening Explorations: Campfire Night With Constellations (All ages), 8:30-9:30pm, Cabell’s Mill. (Families.) 8:30-9:30pm. Cabell’s Mill. Meet at Cabell’s Mill and talk stars around a warm campfire. Then head out into the meadow with a naturalist to learn how to identify the early summer constellations. Reservations and advanced payment  required by 6/7. $10/family.Thursday, Jun 10: (2-3pm)  Kids Korner: Birds at the Water’s Edge  (ages 3-5)  Reservations required. $5
    • Saturday June 12 Long-tailed Salamander Excursion (All ages), 10am-1pm. Meet at Hemlock Overlook in Clifton, VA to look for long-tailed and three-lined salamanders. Help with a salamander survey to monitor these disappearing species. Reservations  and advance payment required by 6/10. Directions provided. $10/person
    • Sunday June 13 Creating Herbal Vinegars (Families) 1-2pm.Visit our herb garden to find the best herbs for flavored vinegars. Learn to make herbal vinegars along with the benefits of using vinegar in your own home. Reservations and advanced payment required by 6/10. $10/family.
    • Monday June 14 Junior Naturalists- Birds at the Water’s Edge (7-11 yrs.) 3-4pm. With strainers, scoop out small critters from the edge of the pond and identify prey for the waterfowl that visit Walney Pond.  Check cattails and tall grasses  along the nearby stream for nests and other animal evidence. Simple craft included. Drop-off program.  Reservations required. $5
    • Wednesday June 16 Evening Explorations: Bats (All ages), 8:30-9:30pm. Cabell’s Mill. Walk the meadows and forest edges to see bats feeding on insects. Use a bat detector to hearecholocation. Learn about our native bats and their habits. Reservation and advanced payment required by 6/13. $10/family.  
    • Friday June 18 Father’s Day Campfire (All ages), 7-8pm. Begin Father’s Day weekend with a hike, campfire and s’mores.  Moms are invited too.  Reservation and advance payment required by 6/1/6, $5/person
    • Wednesday June 23 Evening Explorations: Civil War Walney (All ages) 7:30 -8:30 pm Meet at Visitor’s Center. Uniformed re-enactors share what life was like during the Civil war. Soldiers conduct rifle-firing demonstrations, discuss equipment and answer your questions. Reservations required. FREE!
    • Wednesday June 23 Evening Explorations: Fishing at Walney Pond (All ages.) 7:30-8:30pm, Walney Pond. Join a naturalist at the pond and go fishing. Learn about our native fish, receive tips on equipment and techniques. Beginners welcome. Bring your own fully rigged fishing poles; worms provided for bait. Reservation and advanced payment required by 6/21. $5/person. 
    • Saturday-Sunday June 26-27 Saturday-Sunday Six-Lined Race Runners Camping Trip (Families.) Meet at Westmoreland State Park, Montross VA for an overnight adventure. Take a nature walk with a naturalist looking for the fastest lizard in Virginia. Walk on a beach in search of shark teeth. Learn about the native animals that call the coastal plain home. Call the park to have full details sent to you. Visit www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/wes.shmtl or call the state park to book your camping spot.  Reservation and advanced payment required by 6/20. $20/family. 
    • Wednesday June 30 Evening Explorations: Fireflies (All ages.) 7:30-8:30pm. Cabell’s Mill. As dusk approaches, the meadow is crawling, hopping, flying, and flashing with insects. Learn why they behave as they do. Bring a plastic jar with a lid to catch and then release. Wear long pants. Reservation and advanced payment required by 6/25. $10/family. 
    • Sunday July 11 Reptile and Amphibian-Nature Photography (8yrs-and up.) 10-11am.  Join a naturalist for a nature walk to photograph reptiles and amphibians. Learn tips on camera angles in field situations. Bring a digital camera and hiking shoes.  Reservations and advanced payment by 7/8. $5/person. 
    • Wednesday July 14 Birds Around Us (Families) 7-8pm, Burke Lake Park. Examine beaks, feathers, nests and talons as you learn about the avian world that lives around us. Find out about bird life cycles, migration patterns and adaptations that make birds such fascinating animals. Reservation and advanced payment required by 7/11. $5/person
    • Wednesday July 14 Evening Exploration: Reptile Campfire (Families), 8-9pm. Join a naturalist for a night hike to learn about our native reptiles that become nocturnal during the warmer months. Return to our campfire to roast marshmallows and make s’mores. Reservations and advanced payment by 7/10. $10/family.
    • Saturday July 17 Green Tree Frog Excursion (All ages.) 10am-2pm. Meet at Mason Neck State Park, Woodbridge VA, to look for green tree frogs. Learn about these awesome amphibians and find out why scientists believe they can predict weather. Reservation and advanced payment required by 7/15. Bring lunch. Directions provided. $20/family. RR
    • Sunday July 18 Reptile Survey: Northern Water Snakes
      (8 yrs. and up), 9-11am. Assist a naturalist with a reptile survey. Learn the habits and habitats of the aggressive but misunderstood water snake as we search for them and document their size, gender and location. Wear shoes that can get wet. Reservations and advanced payment required by 7/15. $10/person
    • Tuesday July 20 Queen and King Snakes  (8 yrs. and up), 9-10:30am. Walk the creeks and streams in search of queen and king snakes. Learn about these two unique species while having fun. Soft shell crayfish is on the queen snake’s diet, and the queen snake is on the king snake’s diet. Wear shoes that can get wet. Reservations and advanced payment required by 7/15. $10/person
    • Wednesday July 21 Evening Explorations: Night Creek Walk  (8yrs. and up), 8-9pm, Cabell’s Mill. Explore Big Rocky Run Stream at night! When the park shuts down, nocturnal animals come out. Bring flashlights and wear good hiking shoes for this hike to locate and identify local nocturnal critters. $5/person
    • Sunday July 25 Painted Turtles (Families), 10-11am, Walney Pond. Meet a naturalist at Walney pond to learn about painted and other native turtles. See turtles close up and then search for them at the pond. Reservations and advanced payment required by 7/23. $10/family
    • Wednesday July 28 Birds Around Us (Families) 7-8 pm, Lake Accotink Park. Beaks, feathers, nests and talons are examined to explore an avian world that lives around us. Find out about bird life cycles, migration patterns and adaptations that make birds such fascinating animals $5/person.
    • Sunday August 15 Lizards (All ages), 10-11am. Watch a short movie on our native lizards and see our lizards up close. Join a naturalist on a short hike to find these elusive reptiles. Reservations and advanced payment by 8/13. $5/person
    • Tuesday August 17 Snake Search (8 yrs. and up), 9-11am. Assist a naturalist with a reptile survey. Head to the outback of Ellanor C. Lawrence Park to search for, capture, identify and release reptiles. Learn the habits and preferred habitats of our native snakes. Reservations and advanced payment required by 8/14. $10/person
    • Wednesday August 18 Evening Explorations: Nocturnal Animals Campfire (Families), 7-8pm. Join a naturalist for a night hike to learn about the park’s nocturnal animals. Catch and release fireflies, locate bats with a bat detector and search for other live animals. At the campfire roast marshmallows and make s’mores. Reservations and advanced payment required by 8/15. $10/family
    • Tuesday August 24 Birding at Burke Lake  (12yrs and up). 8-9am. Meet a naturalist at Burke Lake to go birding. Visit the lake’s edge to see early migrants. Bring binoculars. Reservations and advanced payment required by 8/21. $5/person.
    • Wednesday August 25 Evening Explorations: Night Creek Walk (Families), 7-8pm, Cabell’s Mill. Explore Big Rocky Run Stream at night! When the park shuts down, nocturnal animals come out. Bring flashlights and wear good hiking shoes for this hike to locate and identify local nocturnal critters. Reservations and advance payment required by 8/22. $10/family
    • Saturday August 28 Pond Life (Families), 10-11am. Meet a Naturalist by Walney pond. Bring boots that can get wet and get ready to find out who is living under the water at the ponds edge. Tadpoles, dragonfly nymphs, water scorpions and what else we catch will be talked about. Reservations required. $10/family
    • Tuesday August 31 Bat Night (All ages) 7-8 pm Cabell’s Mill.  Did you know that some bats can fly as high as 10,000 feet and catch up to 3,000 insects in a night? Discover the fascinating world of this flying mammal through a discussion, game and then trying to echolocate bats with a bat detector.  Limit 40. $5 per person.

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