The City of Atlanta Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs have
quality programs and events scheduled this summer for the city’s youth.
2011 Chastain Arts Camp “Art a la Carte”
The Chastain Arts Center offers camp that encourages artistic expression and
gives children an experience filled with creative energy, art education and fun!
Summer Camp begins June 6th and runs through August 12th, classes are available
from two‐year old “Mommy and Me” classes to seventeen year old art intensive
week‐long camps.
The program runs on a week‐to‐week registration basis, which means that
you are able to coordinate your summer schedule around family vacations and
summer outings. Each week explores a different discipline through two and three‐
dimensional projects in a variety of media including clay, drawing, painting,
sculpture, and architecture. Along with the visual arts, all age groups will enjoy
performance art such as yoga, acting, and improvisation. The art center is also
pleased to announce there are three scholarships for campers to attend the summer
camp through the generosity of Binders Art Supply.
Camp Best Friends 2011
Celebrating 30 years, Camp Best Friends has been serving families throughout
metro Atlanta. The City of Atlanta’s Office of Recreation will host the 2011 Camp
Best Friends program for over 2,500 children ages 5‐16 years old. There will be
eight specialty camps, 12 day camps, 2 traditional teen camps and one music camp.
The 2011 camp season runs through July 22nd, and the extended camp will be
available from July 25 – August 5 at three locations. Camp Hours are Monday ‐
Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. daily. There is no camp Monday, July 4, in observance of
Independence Day. All Camp Best Friends locations will offer arts & crafts, creative
writing, drama, dance, swim lessons, Big Thinkers Science Exploration, and golf
lessons.
2011 Summer Programming
The 2011 sites include: Adams Park, 404‐756‐1828; Adamsville, 404‐505‐3181;
Ben Hill, 404‐346‐5891; Bessie Branham, 404‐371‐5010; Dunbar, 404‐658‐7117;
Grant Park, 404‐624‐0697; Grove Park, 404‐799‐2342; M.L. King Jr., 404‐658‐1149;
Morningside, 404‐881‐0174; Peachtree Hills, 404‐237‐2756; Pittman, 404‐215‐
2824; and Rosel Fann, 404‐624‐0772.
Camp Best Friends Specialty Camps
The specialty camps are age specific. Please note: All campers must be
interviewed. They include: Adams Park ‐ Basketball (ages 9 ‐ 17) 404‐756‐1828;
Grant Park ‐ Athletic Camp (ages 7 ‐ 12) 404‐624‐0697; Gilbert House ‐ Cultural
Experience (ages 5 ‐ 12) 404‐766‐9049; Butler Park ‐ Seniors Camp (ages 50 and
Up) 404‐658‐6034; and Coan Park ‐ Therapeutics (ages 6 ‐ 21) 404‐371‐5008.
Also, Langford Park ‐ Cheer Camp ‐ (ages 5 ‐ 14) 678‐887‐1986; Lake Allatoona ‐ Residential Camp (ages 8 ‐ 12) 404‐392‐3366; and Washington Park Camp (Tennis
and Swim) ‐ (ages 5 ‐ 12) 404‐658‐1436.
Camp Best Friends Teen Camps
Teen camps include: Rosel Fann ‐ 404‐624‐0772 and Ben Hill ‐ 404‐346‐5891.
In collaboration with the Atlanta Music Project, The Gilbert House will offer Camp
Best Friends. Music instruction will be offered Monday through Thursday. Fridays
will be set aside for field trips and recreational activities. This is the only Camp Best
Friends site offering a music curriculum.
Outdoor Pools
This week marks the opening of the city’s outdoor pools and the city’s first spray
ground. The operating hours and days for the pools will vary. Daily rates are $4
adults and $2 for children and senior citizens. Children under 5 years of age are free.
The following pools are open: Anderson Park, Candler Park, Dunbar Park, Grant
Park, Pittman Park, Powell (Mozley) Park and Thomasville. Community Operated
include: Chastain, Garden Hills, Piedmont, and Center Hill Park Spray ground.
Cultural Events and Programs
In commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War, the city is hosting
events during the weekend of July 15‐16, 2011 at Grant Park. There will be Movies
in the Park Program showing of Glory featuring Denzel Washington that will start at
dusk on July 15th. The entire family is invited to come out and bring a picnic basket.
The movie showing is free and open to the public. There will be a “Back to the
Civil War” youth festival from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm on July 16th near the Atlanta
Cyclorama.
ArtSCooll Returns
ArtSCool is returning this summer and the program offers two summer arts
programs at the following locations Clark Atlanta University, Southbend and JD Sims
Cultural Centers. In conjunction with the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency,
ArtSCool will offer summer employment to teens who show an interest in mixed
media, and digital photography. The program will be facilitated by local professional
artists.
The ArtSCool Collegians will offer Atlanta Public School students film, drawing,
painting/print making and music. The ArtSCool curriculum will also be offered
at various locations throughout the city. A summer mural program will be
implemented at Camp Best Friends where campers will design a mural at selected
recreation centers.
Screen on the Green
Screen on the Green is back for another great season. For five consecutive
Thursday evenings, June 2 ‐ June 30, fans will enjoy classic films under the beautiful
Atlanta skyline. The viewing schedule for the 2011 Screen on the Green is June 2 ‐
Back to the Future, 1985 June 9 ‐ Imitation of Life, 1959 June 16 ‐ Sixteen Candles,
1984 June 23 ‐ Viewers Choice – The Birds, 1963 vs. Frankenstein, 1931 June 30 ‐
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, 1971.
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