Camp is over and school hasn’t started. Here’s what panicky parents can do
The week before school starts can be a particularly trying one for working parents. Not only is there the scramble to buy supplies and uniforms and organize car pools, but summer camp options tend to drop off drastically in late August.
But there are still places to get your children out of the house (and out of your hair) this week, including city-sponsored recreation camps, museums and art centers, even golf and basketball. Here are some suggestions.
- Miami-Dade County's parks system offers EcoAdventures camps, with an Ocean in Motion theme for kids ages 6 to 14, at Greynolds Park in North Miami Beach and A.D. Barnes Park near Miami. Activities include kayaking and science experiments. Cost is $120, plus a $12 registration fee; call 305-948-2891 or 305-944-6111 for Greynolds Park, call 305-662-4124 for A.D. Barnes.
At the Deering Estate in South Miami-Dade, Eco Explorers (ages 6 to 8) or Expedition Deering (ages 9 to 14), can explore Florida's natural ecosystems, with hiking, planting, swimming and more. Cost is $165 to $190. Register at deeringestate.org/summer-camp/ or call 305-234-1668, ext. 233.
The camp at the Miami Children's Museum, on Watson Island on the MacArthur Causeway, extends all the way to Aug. 26. This summer campers from pre-K to 5th grade can explore the role that sports and art play in cultures around the world. Cost is $198 for MCM members and $220 for non-members. Call 305-373-5437, ext. 117, or email yanet@miamichildrensmuseum.org. Details at MiamiChildrensMuseum.org.
The Thunder Summer Camp at Thunderathletix in Doral combines sports and academic enrichment for kids ages 4 all the way to 17. Cost is $130 a week or $30 a day. Call 786-505-5585, or email contact@jointhunder.com. Details at jointhunder.com.
The theme for the final week of camp at the Coral Gables Museum is "KIDnetic Sculptures," where kids ages 5 to 12 can build kites, mobiles and more, and enjoy a trip to the Venetian Pool and the resources of the museum and one of Miami-Dade's most historic cities. Cost is $450 for members and $500 for non-members, call 305-603-806 or email education@coralgablesmuseum.org. Details at coralgablesmuseum.org.
The annual Benny Fragela Summer Basketball Camp for boys and girls ages 5 to 15 in South Miami is at the Wayside Baptist Church, and teaches basketball skills and team building. Cost is $165 a week; call 786-853-0315 or visit CBFCamps.com.
Art camps in Broward for this last week of summer include those at the Coral Springs Museum, at Muzart Studios in Hollywood, and in Pembroke Pines. You can find more at Broward.org/Arts/Events/Pages/Summer-Arts-Camp
This story was originally published August 16, 2016 at 9:33 AM with the headline "Camp is over and school hasn’t started. Here’s what panicky parents can do."