BOREDOM BUSTERS: GET YOUR CHILDREN INVOLVED THIS SUMMER – How will you spend your summer days with the kids? Don’t scrounge for things to do this summer or keep the kids at home. Allow them to explore their city as well. Abilene has plenty of camps to offer throughout the summer that will keep children of all ages active, learning and out of the heat.

Boys entering grades 7-12 will enjoy McMurry University’s Elite Guard Camp, June 7-10 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. This camp is a high intensity teaching camp for the serious minded guard that is looking to take his game to the next level. This camp is designed to develop fundamentals, skills and offers an intense learning environment that will include a progression of skills that every successful guard must have to play at the next level. Cost is $275 for an overnight camper and $200 for a commuter. Camp includes daily instruction, lectures and demonstration from an outstanding group of experienced high school and college coaches. Campers will receive written evaluations daily. For more information, call Matt Garnett at (325) 793-4865 or visit http://athletics.mcm.edu/ and follow the link to men’s sports and basketball. 

Hey, batter-batter! Boys entering grades 7 to 12 can fine-tune their skills at McMurry University’s Baseball Camp, June 8-10. 9 a.m. to Noon at Driggers Field. Cost is $70 per person. For more information or to register, contact Coach John Byington at (325) 793-4651.

Calling nature lovers ages 9-12 to explore their creative side! The National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature along with AgriLife Extension Services bring literature, art and nature together in an exciting summer camp, June 8-12 from 9 a.m. to Noon. Explore nature with the works of artists while learning what it takes to be a Junior Master Gardener at “Earth Kind Tones: Art and Nature.” All campers will be certified as Junior Master Gardeners in Literature at the end of the camp. Cost is $125 per person. Advance registration required. Register online at www.nccil.org. For more information, call (325) 673-4586.

For ages 3-5, join APAC at “Tinkerbell’s Dance Camp” for an unforgettable time of dancing, creating, dreaming and learning with Tink. Preschoolers will experience five days of pre-ballet dance, crafts, treats and friendships, June 8-12 from 10:30 a.m. to Noon in Dance Studio A. Cost is $120. Scrapbook and snacks included.

Introductory Musical Theatre Camp I is for any child who has completed kindergarten, first or second grade and is interested in singing, dancing and acting, June 8-11. The children will spend a week learning music and choreography to perform in a camp showcase at the end of the week together. 2-5 p.m. in Dance Studio A. Cost is $150. For more information about any APAC camp, call (325) 437-2486 or visit www.apacstars.com.

Enroll your pre-K and kindergarten aged children in “Buggy Down” Summer Camp at the Abilene Zoo, June 8-12. Noon to 2:30 p.m. They will learn about the interesting world of insects through a combination of animal encounters, crafts, activities and stories. $65 for members and $75 for non-members. Enroll your third through fifth graders in “Lions, Tigers, and…Penguins?” Summer Camp at the Abilene Zoo, June 8-12. 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Children will learn about the animal mascots of popular sports teams. Cost is $105 for members and $125 for non-members. Advanced registration required. Camps are filling up fast. For more information or to register, contact Joy Harsh at (325) 676-6085.

Young artists, second through twelfth grades, will enjoy the “Seasonal Sensation” Summer Camp at Mine by Design, 4150 Southwest Dr., Suite 118. June 9-11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Children will learn painting and clay hand building techniques. Cost is $135 with a $25 deposit to reserve the spot. For more information, call (325) 698-7967.

For more information about all of Abilene’s events, attractions or later camps, visit www.abilenevisitors.com or call (325) 676-2556.


Shanna Smith is Heritage Tourism and special projects coordinator at the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau. Contact at shanna@abilene.com.