By AUBRIE GEORGE | The Haddonfield Sun
Just because school is no longer in session doesn’t mean children have to spend their summer vacation days with nothing to do.
Plenty of activities are going on throughout the community to offer education and age-appropriate entertainment to fill the hours during the long days of summer.
Library events
The Haddonfield Public Library offers a number of events and programs to keep everyone from babies to teens entertained throughout the summer.
Preschool Story Time will take place at the library every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.
This program is open to children ages 3 to 5. Toddlertime, for children ages 2 and 3, will take place every Tuesday throughout the summer at 10:30 a.m. Sleepy Story Time will be held every Monday throughout the summer for children ages 3 through 6 at 7 p.m.
Children will also have the opportunity to make a silly or sparkly mask during the July 20 Sleepy Story Time, the July 21 Preschool Story Time and the July 23 Toddlertime.
Book Beat, for ages 7 to 10, offers children a chance to read together on Wednesdays from 1 to 2 p.m.
Not only can Haddonfield teens and children pick up copies of books for their summer reading requirements, but they can also take part in the library’s summer reading program.
Under the 2009, Be Creative program for kids and Express Yourself program for teens, any child who signs up and reads six books over the summer will receive a prize.
A number of programs and events will be going on at the library for teens as well including a lock-in on Saturday, July 18 from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. Teens will spend time with their friends in the library enjoying movies, games, crafts, and food.
On Thursday, Aug. 13 teens are invited to “A retro teen movie and t-shirt craft” from 6:30–9 p.m. Teens will “Pretty In Pink” and deconstruct or decorate a t-shirt in solidarity with Molly Ringwald’s character, Andie.
As summer winds down, teens are invited to an “End of the summer make your own sundae party” on Saturday, Aug. 29 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. This social event will allow teens to enjoy ice cream and catch up with friends before heading back to school.
To sign up for these programs and for more information, visit the Haddonfield Library’s Web site, www.haddonfieldlibrary.org, or call them at 429–1304.
Markeim Arts Center
The Markeim Arts Center offers summer camps and classes all summer long to give children a fun and dynamic summer experience that will spark creativity, engagement, exploration and individual expression.
Art Camp will take place during several sessions this summer through Aug. 28. This camp gives children the opportunity to jump into the arts as they are guided through activities in visual arts tailored to their curiosity and sense of discovery.
The young artists will paint, draw, build and design original pieces of art.
Camp will be a source of inspiration and enjoyment while creating artistic projects that stimulate the imagination and open the door to further exploration of the arts.
This camp for children ages 4 to 12 will take place Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and/or 1 to 4 p.m.
The Markeim Arts Center also offers a Pottery Camp during a number of sessions throughout Aug. 28.
At pottery camp children will learn the art and craft of clay while having fun and exploring their creativity. This is a unique pottery program offering a total hands-on experience. Campers will learn the fundamentals of working on the potter’s wheel and there will be lessons in wedging, centering, opening up and making wheel thrown forms. Campers will progress to finished glazed pieces.
No prior ceramics experience is required.
Camp is open to children 7-and-a-half-years-old and up and will take place Monday through Thursday from 9:45 a.m. to noon or from 1 to 3:15 p.m.
In addition to camps, classes that are open to teens will be held at the center throughout the summer.
On Tuesdays Aug. 4, 11, 18 and 25, open studio — painting acrylics, watercolor and/or oil — will take place from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
This class is designed to help students make art interesting. Oil, acrylic or watercolor paints are welcome.
Techniques and the artists’ own personal touch will be emphasized.
Students should come with their own reference materials — drawings, photos, etc. — and painting supplies.
A materials list will be provided prior to the first day of class. The same class will be offered on Thursdays Aug. 6, 13, 20, and 27 from 7 to 9 p.m.
A yoga class for teens and adults will be held on July 16, 23, 30 and Aug. 6 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Key features of this classical Yoga approach are structural alignment, building endurance, strength and flexibility.
It is strongly advised that participants bring a yoga sticky mat and wear loose fitting clothing.
For more information about camps and classes and to register, visit the Markeim Arts Center Web site, www.markeimartcenter.org, or call them at 429–8585.
