Last year we did not participate in any summer camps, but this year we signed up for four! The original plan was just one or two, but then different (free) opportunities came our way and all on weeks that were available so we took full advantage. They happened over four consecutive weeks, but most only went until noon, so we still had plenty of time for other summer activities, like swimming at Town Club and playing with friends.
Week One: Camp Discovery: This was a free camp available to all Amarillo District elementary students (except not kindergarten, grrr). It actually went through all of June, but we only registered for the Ocean Explorer theme week. Her friend Emery went with her. At first Sophie thought she might be able to rescue turtles or swim with dolphins, but then I reminded her we live thousands of miles away from the actual ocean so she probably wouldn't have any encounters that exciting. There were still crafts and ocean activities, and on the last day she went for a hike at Wildcat Bluff. It was in the 90s, but I loaded up a camel back with lots of ice and snacks and she had a great time.
Week Two: Vacation Bible Camp, Destination Dig: VBS is also free and Sophie and Davey were both able to go, hooray! Sophie did bible camp a few years ago and loved all the activities and songs. Davey was less enthusiastic, but did like it better as the week went on. It was an archeology theme and they spent the week uncovering the story of Christ's life. Halfway through the week there was a big family party, complete with dinner, tons of bounce houses, and snow cones. First Baptist Church sure knows how to be welcoming! I'm sure the kids would love to be Baptist if we let them.
This was Davey after I picked him on on the first day. When I asked him how things went he told me, "The said I was going to love it. Well, I didn't."
Happy kids at the VBS party
Charlie was so sweet with his friend Rossi. She didn't like the loud music, so Charlie fed her snow cone with a straw while she covered her ears :)
Week Three: GT Camp - I took no photos of this week, but it was a camp for Gifted & Talented students through the school district and Sophie was invited to attend. She wasn't sold on the idea of going to "school" camp, but her friend Halle was also there, which made her more willing to go. They spent the week doing different puzzles and challenges, and even if she didn't love it, I'm glad she went.
Week Four: AC Kids Camps - Our final week of camp was one the kids had really been looking forward to. Amarillo College hosts kids camps every summer and sent home a big catalog of all sorts of fun sounding things to sign up for. I told the big kids they could go for one week and they had a fun time pouring over all the options. Sophie chose Cookies, Candies and Cupcakes and loved every minute. Each day she would make several different fun desserts and then eat them! Davey chose Dragon Scales & Ninja Tales, which turned out to be a flop. They did nothing awesome and mostly read stories and made lame crafts. It was especially hard to make his camp sound exciting compared to Sophie's. Next year I think we will try Lego camp instead.
Sophie with a "beach party" cupcake and Davey with his Yeti craft, which I actually thought was pretty adorable
