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Community Corner

Summer is Around the Corner — How Will Your Kids Stay Busy?

Patch gives parents a break from doing all the research with details of many of the summer programs offered for kids locally.

Summer is just around the corner and you know what that means: barbecues, freshly mowed lawns — and no school.  

For parents, it’s time to start looking into what programs Ozaukee County has to offer to keep those students stimulated.  

Luckily, this area offers an incredible range of activities to keep your kids happy, smart and healthy during their time off school. It can be a lot to navigate, but not to worry — here’s an easy breakdown of some of the popular options nearby.

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Summer school 2011
You may be thinking, "remedial english," but there are more than just improvement courses in Port Washington-Saukville School District's summer school program. From cooking to fishing to "Disney Favorites," there are plenty of fun classes your kids can check out. Even fitness classes are covered, with options like sand volleyball, flag football and dance and pom basics.  

The classes take place at Thomas Jefferson Middle School. There is a bus service offered to provide reliable transportation. Download the course catalog online so your kids can decide the classes and you can sign up quickly, as the registration deadline is Friday.

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Summer playground program
What could be better than spending a whole day at the park?  The Playground Program that Port Washington offers is great for socializing kids and keeping them active during the long, summer days.  

On weekdays, children enrolled in the program meet at one of four parks located in Port Washington. Park leaders supervise the participants while they play games and sports, make crafts and take field trips.  

If considering the Playground Program this year, check out its open house from 6 to 8 p.m. June 16 at Hill School park. The event offers a chance to meet the park leaders, talk about the program and register, and kids will get a chance to participate in games early.

The program runs from June 20 to Aug. 12, typically from 12:30 until 5 p.m. Sign up begins May 7 at the Port Washington Recreation Center, located behind the Pirate’s Hollow Community Water Park. Kids ages 6-14 are welcome to register, as long as they are entering 1st grade.

Youth sports
Playing sports is a tried and true way to get the blood flowing and have a good time. 

The Port Washington Recreation Center offers a selection of youth sports during summer, including golf, gymnastics, tennis, track and ballet. Soccer and baseball start in the spring, but you can still sign up if you hurry.  

The local Feith-Family YMCA has even more sports to choose from, such as basketball and volleyball. Stop in to pick up a program guide or visit the website to learn more.  

Dance
For a creative outlet and a good workout, it’s hard to beat the benefits of dancing.  Port Washington and Saukville both offer studios with summer programs for young dancers.

The in Port Washington runs a summer dance program from June 13 through Aug. 13.  Registration is also open, and they welcome kids ages 2-and-a-half years and up.

Alternatively, in Port also has a summer dance program which runs from June 13 through Aug. 12.  Their “Little Movers” class accepts children as young as 18 months.

Marie Herian, an instructor for the Impact Performing Arts Center, explained how dance really makes a positive difference in a child’s life.  

"On a younger level, starting at age two, we teach learning and development in areas like following directions, interaction with other children, coordination, balance, body awareness, taking turns, manners ..." she said. "My older students learn the value of hard work. (It) makes them dedicated, determined and motivated.  We have dance students who generally excel in the classroom and at multi-tasking and time management."

Summer on stage
If your kids get a little dramatic at times, it may be wise to check out Port Summer Theatre. Kids can let their star potential shine on stage, as well as learning all about what goes on the behind the curtain.

Students in grades 1-4 are welcome to sign up for the Rising Stars Theatre Camp.  Grades 5-9 can participate in the Shooting Stars Theatre Camp, which is a bit more advanced.  At the end of the summer, the campers will perform a routine for their most adoring fans — their parents!  

Diana Neumeyer, the instructor of the camps, said that she sees growth in confidence and interpersonal skills in participants over the course of the program. 

"It is always so wonderful to see the friendships develop during class," she said.  "There are many students that I work with at the high school who first met in Rising Stars. Actors work together as a team. We support each other and learn."

Both of the theatre camps meet for an hour every weekday in the auditorium. Walk-in registration begins May 7, and these classes tend to fill quickly.

Swimming lessons
Living right on the beautiful shore of Lake Michigan is all the reason needed to learn to swim. Port Washington certainly doesn’t skimp on the choices, either.

Summer school at provides indoor swimming lessons for kids who are entering 1st grade and above. As part of the summer school program, you can sign your kids up for swimming lessons in addition to regular corse offerings, and bus service is available.

On the other side of town, the also offers swimming lessons indoors, but their graduated entry pool is a little more kid-friendly. Their lessons begin for children ages 6 months and up, and require parent involvement until the participant is at least the age of 3. Anyone is welcome to sign up, but these lessons do cost less with a YMCA membership.

Finally, the Pirate’s Hollow Community Water Park offers swimming lessons outdoors in their pool before public hours. Like the YMCA, their pool also features a graduated entry for kids. Lessons begin for kids at 6 months old, and require parent involvement until the participant is age 6. Lessons are held even in the rain, unless you receive a call prior to that day's class. Walk-in registration begins May 7.  

YMCA day camps
If you’re really looking for something one-of-a-kind, the Feith Family YMCA offers a colossal selection of day camps for kids ages 4 and up.  Their junior specialty camps are for ages 4-5, and with options like, "Dino Detectives," and "Sparkles and Princess Camp," there’s sure to be something that interests your little one.  The camps for ages 6 and up offer more mature subjects such as, "Camp of Rock," "Mythbashers Camp" or "Outdoor Adventures Camp."

There more than 21 day camps to choose from, so stop in and pick up a program guide.  You don’t need to be a member to register.  The earliest registration deadline is May 29, but the camps vary.  

Ozaukee Ice Center hockey camp
If you’re worried about your little one being out in the summer heat, cool them down with a season of hockey lessons at the Ozaukee Ice Center in Mequon. These hockey camps help to develop all the skills needed to become a successful player during either a week-long option or a summer-long camp that meets once a week.

People who register by May 1 get an extra $25 off per camp.  There is only one indoor ice center in Ozaukee County, so this program won't be found so close anywhere else.

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