By Special to the Daily World
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 a camp that encourages artistic expression and gives children an experience filled with creative energy, art education and fun. Summer Camp begins June 6 and runs through Aug. 12. Classes range from “Mommy and Me” classes to art intensive weeklong camps for teenagers.
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 arts center also announced three scholarships for campers to attend the summer camp through the generosity of Binders Art Supply.
CAMP BEST FRIENDS 2011
Camp Best Friends has been serving families throughout metro Atlanta for 30 years. The City of Atlanta’s Office of Recreation will host the 2011 Camp Best Friends program for more than 2,500 children ages 5 to 16 years old. There will be eight specialty camps, 12 day camps, two traditional teen camps and one music camp.
The camp season runs through July 22, and the extended camp will be available from July 25 to Aug. 5 at three locations. Camp Hours are Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily. There is no camp Monday, July 4. All Camp Best Friends locations will offer arts and 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 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 404-756-1828 end_of_the_skype_highlighting; Adamsville, 404-505-3181 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 404-505-3181 end_of_the_skype_highlighting; Ben Hill, 404-346-5891 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 404-346-5891 end_of_the_skype_highlighting; Bessie Branham, 404-371-5010 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 404-371-5010 end_of_the_skype_highlighting; Dunbar, 404-658-7117 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 404-658-7117 end_of_the_skype_highlighting; Grant Park, 404-624-0697 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 404-624-0697 end_of_the_skype_highlighting; Grove Park, 404-799-2342 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 404-799-2342 end_of_the_skype_highlighting; M.L. King Jr., 404-658-1149 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 404-658-1149 end_of_the_skype_highlighting; Morningside, 404-881-0174 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 404-881-0174 end_of_the_skype_highlighting; Peachtree Hills, 404-237-2756 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 404-237-2756 end_of_the_skype_highlighting; Pittman, 404-215-2824 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 404-215-2824 end_of_the_skype_highlighting; and Rosel Fann, 404-624-0772 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 404-624-0772 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
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 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 404-756-1828 end_of_the_skype_highlighting; Grant Park – Athletic Camp (ages 7-12) 404-624-0697 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 404-624-0697 end_of_the_skype_highlighting; Gilbert House — Cultural Experience (ages 5-12) 404-766-9049 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 404-766-9049 end_of_the_skype_highlighting; Butler Park – Seniors Camp (ages 50 and Up) 404-658-6034 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 404-658-6034 end_of_the_skype_highlighting; and Coan Park — Therapeutics (ages 6 – 21) 404-371-5008 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 404-371-5008 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
Also, Langford Park — Cheer Camp — (ages 5-14) 678-887-1986 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 678-887-1986 end_of_the_skype_highlighting; Lake Allatoona — Residential Camp (ages 8-12) 404-392-3366 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 404-392-3366 end_of_the_skype_highlighting; and Washington Park Camp — Tennis and Swim — (ages 5-12) 404-658-1436 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 404-658-1436 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
CAMP BEST FRIENDS TEEN CAMPS
Teen camps include: Rosel Fann — 404-624-0772 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 404-624-0772 end_of_the_skype_highlighting and Ben Hill — 404-346-5891 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 404-346-5891 end_of_the_skype_highlighting. 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
Last week marked 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 for adults and $2 for children and senior citizens. Children under 5 are free.
The following pools are open: Anderson Park, Candler Park, Dunbar Park, Grant Park, Pittman Park, Powell (Mozley) Park and Thomasville.
Community Operated facilities 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 at Grant Park. There will be a Movies in the Park Program showing of “Glory” featuring Denzel Washington that will start at dusk on July 15.
The movie showing is free and open to the public. There will be a “Back to the Civil War” youth festival from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. on July 16 near the Atlanta Cyclorama.
ARTSCOOL RETURNS
ArtSCool 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.