Summer Fun

The last day of school is May 31.

But, don’t worry. There are plenty of opportunities to keep children busy and learning all summer long.

Allison Jarrett, the 4-H coordinator for the Grand County Extension Office, has been planning several clubs for the summer season.

Jarrett recently moved to Moab from Logan to accept the new position. She has been involved in 4-H since she was a small child.

“And I’m still doing it,” she said. “It’s changed my life and it’s a good thing for kids to do.”

Children between the ages of 8 and 19 can enroll in weekly clubs that run from June 10 to July 18. Moab volunteers will lead the clubs to teach children a variety of crafts and skills, including: scrapbooking, cricket cutting, wool spindle spinning and dying, leathermaking and beading.

Andrea Stoughton from the Museum of Moab will be hosting an archeology club that includes learning how to throw atlatls, grind corn and sew bead work.

One of the more popular clubs that has been available each year is “Trash to Treasures” where children can make crafts from recycled materials.

Jarrett is excited to lead a card game club and be able to teach the children several different games.

“My family plays games all the time,” she said. “It can get quite competitive.”

There will be a young naturalists club for children who want to learn about plants and animals, as well as sports clubs like volleyball and bowling.

“We have a lot of good clubs this summer,” Jarrett said. “There is something for everyone.”

Registration is $5 per child for three 4-H clubs.

Subhead: The Moab Arts and Recreation Center

Preschool children, between the ages of two and four, can explore art with their parents on Messy Mondays from June 10 to Aug. 5. Messy Mondays is $10 per month for MARC members, or $5 per class.

“Toddlers use art to learn hand/eye coordination while you leave the mess to us,” said Laurie Collins, MARC “Really. We clean all the glitter, glue, and paint off the floor so you can simply play with your kiddo.”

The MARC will host Arty Farty camps for children between the ages of five and seven in June.

The two-hour camps will feature drawing, painting, building, sculpting and storytelling. Each week ends with an art exhibit.

“Costumes are appreciated and encouraged,” Collins said.

The camps themes include Toys, June 10-14; Famous Artists, June 17-21; Lego, Hot Wheels and Barbie Car, June 24-28.

“The week ends with an Art Exhibit for parents and grandparents, just like those fancy art gallery shows,” Collins said.

Modern dancer Liz McNair will help children between the ages of 4 and 7 explore rhythm and tempo Monday through Friday from June 10 to 28 in the Creative Movement class.

“This class pairs perfectly with Arty Farty to make a fun half day of movement and art for your kiddo,” Collins said. “Bring a lunch.”

Midweek Mayhem is for children between ages 8 and 10. Held on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. The two-hour classes are for kids who like to create and are capable of using more advanced tools. The theme is Miniatures for June 11 and 12 and Block Prints for June 18 and 19.

Subhead: Canyonlands Field Institute

Canyonlands Field Institute (CFI) is offering two summer camps this year.

“Ecology Summer Camp is for kids who want to be active, have fun and learn about our amazing backyard La Sal Mountains and Colorado River,” said Allison Hillis, CFI’s registration coordinator. “It’s a great way to get out of the desert heat for a few days.”

Two sessions will be offered for children entering fifth through eighth grades. The first is July 2-5; the second July 9-12.

The second is Rockin’ River Camp for Teens.

“Here they learn to navigate whitewater rivers through a hands-on rafting and ducky trip with CFI’s experienced naturalist guides,” Hillis said. “In the heat of the summer, they can spend three awesome days paddling and rowing the classic ‘Daily’ stretch of the Colorado River.”

This class is open to teenagers entering seventh through twelvth grades.

The cost for each CFI program is $100 for children that attend Grand County schools, which is reduced to $90 for sibling. Other children are $150. Scholarships are available for local children.

Subhead: Grand County Public Library

“We have a full calendar of events scheduled for the summer,” said Charlotte Hurley, children’s librarian at the Grand County Public Library.

The children’s library is having a kick-off party at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 8 with musician Doc Young.

At 2 p.m. each Wednesday from June 12 to Aug. 7 the library will have a program that will include reading, playing games and making crafts.

Musician Eric Herman will close the summer with a performance at 3 p.m., Monday, Aug. 12.

The library is also encouraging children to read all summer long by keeping a reading log.

“For each week they read, they can receive a prize,” Hurley said.

Mike Graf will host a two-hour writing workshop for children between ages of 8 to14 at 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 13. Sign ups are required.

“We look forward to having the kids come and hang out with us at the library,” Hurley said.

Author: Kristin Millis

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