Kids Summer Program Guide

Are you looking for fun and educational activities for your kids this summer?

Do you have family or friends coming for a visit and would like to know of all the options to keep kids entertained while the adults play?

Here is a comprehensive list of summer activities for children of all ages.

From art and dance to rock climbing, mountain biking, adventure play and nature tours there is sure to be something perfect for the younger generation to do in the East River Valley this summer!

Enjoy!
Camp CB
Your kids’ favorite ski instructors are sticking around the mountain for a whole new adventure! Camp CB offers quality childcare and memorable summertime experiences.  For ages 5-14, the Camp CB Adventure Camp program is designed for the older age group wanting a challenging adventure around the mountain. Campers can choose from lift rides, nature hikes, Adventure Park, sports and more. For ages 3 and 4, the Mini Camp program is designed for the younger age group to allow the counselors to structure the same activities around their interest and energy level.  Open daily from June 15 – September 3 from 9 AM – 4 PM.  5 and 10 pack discounts available. Visit www.ridecb.com/camps or call 970-349-2211. 

Celebrate the Beat
Celebrate the Beat is excited to announce its annual Joyful Arts Camp for the week of July 15-19.  Once again, local dancers, ages 5-13, can join our talented teachers and musicians for a special week of dance that culminates in a live performance at the end of the week. This is a fun program for all children, whether they have danced before or not. Register on-line at www.ctbeat.org. We teach inspirational dance and music classes, which help children discover their potential by motivating them to believe in themselves, value artistic expression and develop a personal standard of excellence. CTB is a nonprofit organization that serves thousands of Colorado school children each year throughout the state and is an associate of National Dance Institute in New York City.

Crested Butte Mountain Theatre
Join CBMT’s age-appropriate workshops for professional training in the art and craft of stage performance. Students will learn skills in monologue delivery, scene study and musical theatre which provide a unique chance for the student to hone their creative skill set in a safe and joyful environment of play and practice.  Lessons will include Focused Listening, Creating your Character, Setting the Stakes, Playing for Victory, Scene Partner Teamwork, Vocal Projection, Storytelling in Song and much, much more!  Workshops run July 1-3, 8-12 & 15-19 with performances at 1 pm and 7 pm on the 19th.  7-11 year-olds from 8:30 – 10 a.m. for $225/youth, 12-18 year-olds from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30p.m. for $275/youth. www.cbmountaintheatre.org.

Crested Butte Parks & Recreation
Baseball, Skateboarding, Tennis, Gymnastics, Soccer, Field Studies, Kid’s Live! Summer has arrived, and with it a great assortment of programs and activities for all ages, ranging from a couple hours to all day long. Most activities are organized and require pre-registering with the Recreation Office; others are on a drop in basis. All program information is online at www.crestedbutterec.com. Scholarships are available. For more information on your next adventure, go online, call 970-349-7197, or stop by Town Hall. With great weather and better views all summer long, renting a park pavilion is the perfect choice for your next family picnic or birthday barbecue. Go to www.townofcrestedbutte.com and search “Facility Rentals” for details.

Crested Butte School of Dance
Presents DANCE IN THE MOUNTAINS 2013.  Summer Intensives include  intermediate/ advanced ballet classes July 8-11 for children ages 12 and up, taught by Linda Gelinas from the New York City Met and a two week Summer Showcase July 22-August 3. The instructors for the 2 week workshop are Rico Changeux and Laurence Curry from the Streetside Studios in Boulder, Colorado. Classes in hip hop and contemporary jazz for girls and boys, ages 8 and up will be offered and an outdoor showing will be held on Saturday, August 3.  Classes will be held at the Pump Room Studio at 3rd and Maroon.  Pre-registration is encouraged.  Drop-ins welcome.  www.dancecrestedbutte.org

Gravity Groms Camps for Kids Who Rip!
This is where all the summer fun lives for kids in CB! Get in on all the action! Gravity Groms summer action-sports day camps are for kids ages 6 and up. Located in the CB Nordic Center, the ultimate alpine playground is right outside our door. Each day we take Groms on three big adventures including mountain biking, bmx jumps, skateboarding, hiking, disc golf, cooling off in rivers, playing in mud, orienteering, trail maintenance and much, much more! Camps run 7 days a week from 8:00 am – 5:30 pm all summer. Visit Gravity Groms on Facebook where we post daily photos of the kids in action, find more information on our website www.gravitygroms.com, email us at gravitygroms@gmail.com, or call us 970.765.6771. We promise your kids will be tired and dirty at the end of the day!
 
Groms Sessions
New this summer, Groms Sessions are clinic-format action-sports camps which focus on kids & teens ages 7-18 who want to progress their mad skills in cross-country mountain biking, downhill mountain biking and skateboarding. Our coaches are the highest caliber in their sport and are crazy about working with kids. Based out of the CB Nordic Center, camps run 7 days a week from 8 am – 5:30 pm all summer. Sessions athletes may also join our Groms Factory Team and compete throughout the summer at local racing events. Visit Gravity Groms on Facebook where we post daily photos of the kids in action, find more information on our website www.gravitygroms.com, email us at gravitygroms@gmail.com, or call us 970.765.6771. We’ll turn your shredders into animals!

 
Gunnison Parks and Recreation
This summer, The Gunnison Parks and Recreation Department will be offering the following programs:  Rock Climbing, Aerial Dance, Swimming Lessons, BMX Racing Series, Youth Mountain Biking, Summer Adventure Camp, Gymnastics, Adult Softball, Youth Fastpitch Softball, Babe Ruth Baseball, Play 60, Tennis Lessons, Lacrosse Clinics, Skateboard Clinics, WSCU Track and Field Camps, Adult Volleyball, Kickball  Leagues, Fly Fishing Clinics, Rafting Trips, Adult Pickleball, Senior Stretch and Fitness Classes, Day Trips for The Boomers and Beyond Senior Group, and much more.  For more information on any of these programs please stop by the Gunnison Community & Aquatics Center, go to www.gunnisonrec.com or call 641-8060.

Mountain Adventures
Experience our mountains, rivers, lakes, crags, trails, and scenery from river raft, by foot, on a mountain bike, in a canoe, with a fly-rod in hand, or high on a cliff, zipline or chairlift! New this summer, Mountain Adventures for children ages 7 to 14 will be based out of Crested Butte Mountain Resort. The program will continue as it has for the last 20 years; however there will now be added benefits of having access to the CBMR Adventure Park and chairlifts. Mountain Adventures will run from June 10 through August 16 with the exception of July 4 from 9 AM – 3:30 PM. Visit www.mtcbmountainadventures.com or call 970-349-2211. 

Mountain Roots
Summer Field Studies/Roots & Shoots Garden Camp. Hands-on, minds-on environmental education gives children up-close and personal interactions with the natural world. All campers spend mornings in the garden, learning the whole cycle from soil to seed to harvest to table. Older children are ready to experience nature through short hikes, guided exploration, interactive play, field studies, water adventures and more. The group spends afternoons in the field, exploring the rivers, wetlands, forest ecosystems, farms, wild places and even the kitchens of Gunnison Valley with resident expert guest guides. Half day – Tuesdays $30/day;  Full Day-  Wed-Thurs: $40/day. Session discounts.  For weekly themes and field trips and registration information, visit  www.mountainrootsfoodproject.org
Old Rock Library
The Old Rock Library presents its annual Summer Reading Program!  This year’s theme is “Dig in to Reading”!  FREE programs based on the theme are offered on Wednesdays at 4 p.m. for 8-12 year olds, and Fridays at 11 a.m. for 3-7 year olds. Topics include Gardening, Geology, “Tinkering”, Crystals, Potato science, and more!  Kids may also register any time after June 7 to read, or be read to, for prizes, such as gift certificates to local businesses.  Regular storytimes will continue on Tuesdays at 11 a.m. for preschoolers, and Wednesdays at 11 a.m. for babies and toddlers.  Call (970) 349-6535 or visit our website www.gunnisoncountylibraries.org for more details.  Dig it!

Paradise Place Preschool
Paradise Place Preschool opens our doors and our hearts to you and your little ones. Come visit us at 404 Maroon Avenue, the only Qualistar rated Preschool in the valley. We are now accepting applications for 1-4 year olds and our summer Club Paradise Adventure Program K-3rd graders. We have space for visiting students to “drop in” depending on day & availability. This is a great opportunity to promote the social and emotional growth of your child by participating in group activities, special art projects, learning fun and much more! For more information please call Ben at (970) 349-2149 or visit www.paradiseplace.org and we’ll see you in Paradise!

RMBL Kids Nature Camp
Ages 4-12, June 10 – August 16, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. $40 per 5 hour camp day. Come and explore the natural environment of forests, meadows and mountains surrounding Gothic. Through nature awareness games, hands-on field science, nature hikes, nature-inspired art, journaling, story-telling, lab experiments, meeting with RMBL scientists and more… our campers learn to observe, appreciate and ask questions about mountain ecosystems. Participants have the unique opportunity to meet and observe real field scientists at work and learn research skills such as observing wildlife, trapping and tagging animals, and collecting data.  RMBL Kids Nature Camp teaches kids that science is important and FUN! Register online at www.rmbl.org today or call (970) 901-1395.

Stepping Stones Children’s Center
Stepping Stones outdoor-based summer program runs from June 13 – August 20. We are open from 8-5:30 Mon-Fri and accept children ages 3 months-7 years. The Infants and Toddlers (ages 3 months to 24 months), the Bluebirds (ages 24 months-36 months), the Park Play (ages 3-4), the Day Camp (ages 4-5) and the Adventure Club (ages 5-7). YOUR CHILD SHOULD BRING: sack lunch, water bottle, sun protection: sunglasses, sunscreen and a brimmed hat. Appropriate clothing: play clothes, rain gear, sweater or sweatshirt, durable shoes. And a backpack for all of the above.  Adventure Club children should also bring water shoes, bathing suit, towel and extra clothes. Now taking reservations.  Drop-ins are welcome based on availability. Please call 970-349-5288 or visit www.steppingstoneschildrenscenter.com for rates and more info.  

The Art Studio
The Art Studio at 111 Elk Avenue offers summer art classes and private art lessons for kids 12-18. In July, join us for a 6 week Drawing and Sketching class and/or a class on how to use various websites to display your artwork online. Both classes are just for teens. In addition, The Art Studio is open to kids of all ages this summer to paint pottery! Open painting hours start June 26, and are Wed-Fri, 12-4pm and Sat-Sun 1-5pm. Check our website to learn more about private lessons for individuals and groups.  www.crestedbuttearts.org/artstudio or (970) 349-7044.

The Club at Crested Butte
Join us at the club this summer!  The Club at Crested Butte is offering both Junior Golf and Tennis Clinics and a week long Junior Golf Camp.  The Junior Golf and Tennis meet twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons to work through a progressive lesson series.  Participants hone technical skills, while learning rules, history, etiquette and sportsmanship. We use skills-based activities to emphasize fun and reinforce learning. Everyone is welcome, from the total beginner to the aspiring pro. The Club at Crested Butte Junior Golf Academy is a 5-day camp that provides a comprehensive golf curriculum for young players of any skill level. For more information visit our www.theclubatcrestedbutte.com. To sign up please call 970-349-8601.

The Trailhead Children’s Museum
The Trailhead Children’s Museum offers an array of summer drop off programs for kids ages 3-11, including Summer Art and Science Camp for ages 5-11, Advanced Art Camp for ages 9-11, Little Innovators for ages 3-5, and Brain Boosters after camp enrichment for ages 5-11. Register and pay by 5/31 and receive a discount on some programs. Download the registration form online. Also, visit the museum and our fantastic exhibits for kids and families Tues-Sun 10am-4pm for just $6 per person. www.trailheadkids.org or call (970) 349-7160.

Swallow Hill Music Bluegrass Kids Camp
July 1-5, 2013. This July 1-5 the Crested Butte Music Festival is collaborating with the Swallow Hill Music School to offer a fun and amazing music experience for kids ages 7-17. Kids will be divided into appropriate age groups and will have classes on a variety of traditional bluegrass instruments and vocals in a fun supportive atmosphere. Denver’s premier music school since 1979, Swallow Hill Music School provides a wide range of music classes for students of all ages, teaching over 5,000 students annually.  All of the camp instructors have extensive musical backgrounds in both teaching and playing in bands. $260/student. A limited number of local scholarships are still available for $185/student.  www.bluegrassinparadise.org or (970) 349-0619.

Xanadu Performing Arts Company
Xanadu Performing Arts Company presents a SUMMER THEATRE CAMP at The Crested Butte Center for the Arts, June 10-28. The circus-themed, original musical will be performed on June 29 at The Center for the Arts. With Xanadu, children ages 5-18 are introduced to a variety of theatre skills including: prop building, costume design, music, dance and improvisation. For $30/day, your child will audition, rehearse, and perform a live musical for the town of Crested Butte. The camp directors, Taryn Jacob, Kansas City Ballet alumni, and Jordan Mercer, Kansas City Art Institute alumni, have performed in a variety of plays and musicals and have a combined 20 years experience. Contact Taryn Jacob or Jordan Mercer at (785) 230-0507 or e-mail xpac.cb@gmail.com.