It’s time to start making plans for summer, as the local day camps are finalizing their schedules.
Boca Raton offers so many options that fit a wide range of activities, schedules and prices. Where to begin?
If you have little ones entering preschool in the fall, you might see whether the school offers a summer program. That can be a good way to ease them into the new environment.
For older kids, there are options tailored to almost every interest. Do you want an enriching experience, where they hone a sports skill or a talent in performing? Or do you want a strictly recreational summer? Get the rundown on several options in our Summer Camp Guide.
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If you’re staying in town for all or part of the kids’ winter break from school, you may need a place to a park them for a few days. Here are some of the many camp options during the holidays:
Boca Hoops: The recreational basketball league’s Holiday Mini Camp has two sessions for girls and boys age 7-15: Dec. 26-28 and Jan. 2-4. $120 for three-day session; $200 for both; $45 a day. Lunch and snacks included. Both run 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Olympic Heights Community High School, 20101 Lyons Rd. Call 561-395-7372, ext. 106. Registration form here.
City of Boca Raton: Recreational camp for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade at the Boca Raton Community Center, 150 Crawford Blvd. Offered Dec. 24; Dec. 26-28, 31; Jan. 2-4, 7. $36 a day per child for residents; $52 for non-residents. Call 561-393-7888 to register.
Surf camp: Kids age 6 to 14 can learn to surf at Red Reef Park. Offered Dec. 31 and Jan. 2-4. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Four-day week for residents, $280; non-residents, $322. Daily rate is $79 for residents; $91 for non-residents. Must register in advance at community center. Call 561-367-7081. Tennis: Junior Winter Camp is offered at three city locations:
Rising Stars: Gymnastics Holiday Camp, 1088 S. Rogers Cir., runs Dec.26-28; Jan. 2-4 and 7. Rates for all seven days: 1/2 day, $195; 3/4 day, $220; full day, $250. Daily rates: 1/2 day, $30; 3/4 day, $35; full day, $40. Full day runs 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Twisters: Gymnastics Winter Holiday Camp, 3100 NW Boca Raton Blvd, #308, runs Dec. 24, 26-28 and Dec. 31, Jan. 2-4, 7. Winter-themed gymnastics fun, games, movies and arts & crafts. Daily rates: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., $54; 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., $296; 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., $85. Weekly rates: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., $216; 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., $267; 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., $336. Registration info here.
FAU: Two winter sports camps for kids.
Taylored Athletics: Basketball camp for boys and girls age 5-17 at the Sugar Sand Park Field House, 300 S. Military Tr. Dec. 26-28 and Jan. 2-4. $185 a session. Call 561-347-3950. Registration info here.
The Palm Beach County School District is closing schools early on Oct. 25 and all day on Oct. 26 due to the expectation of high winds and rain from Hurricane Sandy. Here is the news release from the district:
Due to Hurricane Sandy, all Palm Beach County public schools will release students three hours early on Thursday, with no after school or evening activities, and all schools will be closed on Friday. Parents should note that students will be dropped off at their bus stops three hours earlier than normal on Thursday. School officials say their decisions are based on National Weather Service forecasts, which indicate that on Thursday afternoon, sustained winds are expected to reach 25 to 35 miles per hour with gusts up to 50 miles per hour late in the day. On Friday, the National Weather Service forecasts indicate sustained winds are expected to reach 35 to 45 miles per hour along coast with gusts to up 60 miles per hour. School officials say, as a safety precaution, they plan to avoid operating school buses if sustained winds are forecast to exceed 35 miles per hour, as student and staff safety is their highest priority. While the National Weather Service says the storm will remain well off shore as it passes Palm Beach County, it is forecasting 1 to 3 inches of rain Thursday and Friday.
Due to Hurricane Sandy, all Palm Beach County public schools will release students three hours early on Thursday, with no after school or evening activities, and all schools will be closed on Friday.
Parents should note that students will be dropped off at their bus stops three hours earlier than normal on Thursday.
School officials say their decisions are based on National Weather Service forecasts, which indicate that on Thursday afternoon, sustained winds are expected to reach 25 to 35 miles per hour with gusts up to 50 miles per hour late in the day.
On Friday, the National Weather Service forecasts indicate sustained winds are expected to reach 35 to 45 miles per hour along coast with gusts to up 60 miles per hour.
School officials say, as a safety precaution, they plan to avoid operating school buses if sustained winds are forecast to exceed 35 miles per hour, as student and staff safety is their highest priority.
While the National Weather Service says the storm will remain well off shore as it passes Palm Beach County, it is forecasting 1 to 3 inches of rain Thursday and Friday.
The forecast calls for a clearer day on Saturday, so maybe sports games and all the planned weekend Halloween activities will be OK. Sugar Sand Park moved Wednesday night’s Shriek Week activities indoors.
If you have plans to attend any events in the next couple of days, do call ahead to check for any changes.
If you need child care on Friday, the city is having its GAP program. Call 561-393-7807 for more info or follow Boca Raton Community Centers/Camps on Facebook.
Stay dry.
The back-to-school countdown has begun. And for many programs, this is the last week of day camp.
If you’re a working parent, or if you just can’t cope with having the kids around the house ONE MORE DAY, there are still some options available.
Showtime performing arts has a mini-camp inspired by the Glee TV show. A couple of sports and recreational camps run right up until Aug. 17.
Here are a few options:
School starts Aug. 20.
- CHARLENE PACENTI
If you have a child who is already attending preschool or one that is scheduled to start later this year, the free Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program could save you thousands of dollars. The state-sponsored program aims to prepare 4-year-olds for kindergarten by helping them develop vital learning and social skills.
If your child was born between Sept. 2, 2006, and Sept. 1, 2008, you can enroll this year at one of a wide selection of public and private programs in the area. Registration started Feb. 1 for the summer and fall sessions.
There are two programs offered annually, and your child can only attend one. The school-year program begins in August and includes 540 hours of instructional time. The summer program offers 300 instructional hours and can start as early as May 1.
The application process requires all parents to have a face-to-face visit with a Family Central parent counselor to determine eligibility for the program. The main Family Central office is located at 3111 S. Dixie Hwy., in West Palm Beach. However, there are a couple of local off-site registration opportunities:
Save yourself time by filling out the VPK application before heading to one of the above locations. Visit the Family Central website to download the application. You will also need to provide proof of Florida residency and an original copy of your child’s birth certificate with your application.
Once your child is approved for the program, you will receive a voucher and a list of participating providers. There is a wide selection of public schools, private centers, and faith-based programs that meet the VPK quality standards.
Family Central has identified these VPK providers in our area (click on pink center names to visit their websites):
Boca Raton
Delray Beach
Boynton Beach
MORE ON PRESCHOOLS
Read more about other local preschool programs – and how to find the right fit for your family in the BocaParent Preschool Guide.
Can you recommend any of these programs? Share your advice in the comments.
- MERCEDES COPPIN
