Kids Learn and Play During Summer in Charleston

By Sana Ali

Charleston is an exciting place to be in for the summer for people of all ages. Now that school is out and summer 2010 is in full swing, many parents look for alternative ways to keep their young ones entertained.

With Charleston’s famed beaches and water parks, kids have many options when it comes to keeping cool in these sunny days. However, some parents look for a different kind of experience for their children.

These parents would like their kids to enjoy their summer but continue to learn and grow during the process.

Irama Abdelmageed is the parent of Wala Ali, a student at Hanahan Elementary School, and she believes that summer is an important time to keep kids active.

Abdelmageed said, “I want my daughter to be doing something productive during the summer, I don’t want her to forget about school and just play at home all summer long.”

Fortunately, to many parents expressing the same concerns as Abdelmageed, Charleston does offer other opportunities for kids to continue learning while still enjoying their summer days off school.

South Carolina’s Information Highway website lists many summer camps in the Charleston area for kids of all ages. These camps range from Girls Scout groups to sailing expeditions along the East Coast.

Some Summer Camp Programs include:

Camp Low Country

According to their website, www.girlscoutsesc.org, Camp Low Country is a non-profit camp affiliated with Girl Scouts of Eastern South Carolina. The camp is for girls only and contains seven program levels beginning with Girl Scout Daisy. The Program fees include $12 registration fee and there are approximately 100 girls in each camp session. The girls engage in daily activities including archery, arts and crafts, environmental activities, outdoor living skills, team building, horseback riding and swimming. The camp promises to be seven weeks of fun is seven weeks in length and a great learning experience for the girls.

For more information, parents are encouraged to contact Program Director Lesley Robinson at 843-552-9910 X224

Camp Puff ‘n Stuff

A different kind of summer experience can be spent at the College of Charleston for children 8-11 years of age. Camp Puff ‘n Stuff is unique in providing a summer camp for children with asthma who are not able to join regular camps and participate in the normal activities. As explained on their website, the camp “allows asthmatic children to experience life to the max.” The camp helps children with asthma manage their illness and raises awareness about the condition. The camp includes activities such as swimming, filed games, and arts and crafts. The program is weeklong residential camp taking place at the college run by medical staff and trained volunteers.

For further information about Camp Puff ‘n Stuff, contact the American Lung Association in South Carolina at (843)556-8451.

Sol Surfers Summer Camp

Held at sunny Folly Beach, Sol Surfers Summer Camp is a five day camp for boys and girls ages 8-15. According to their website, www.solsurfers.net , children will be provided with all necessary tools during the camp including all surfer gear. Participants will enjoy greater one-on-one time with their instructors as to enhance their experience. After successfully completing all camp activities each child will receive a certificate of achievement and have learned the necessary technical skills. The camp holds twelve summer sessions with each session starting at 9:00 am and ending at 12:30pm. The camp also provides group sessions and private lessons for interested parties.

More information about Sol Surfers Summer Camp, please contact Kai at (843)881-6700 or register online

Pattison’s Academy Summer Camp

Similar to College of Charleston’s summer camp, Pattison’s Academy camp is designed to create a warm and welcoming environment for children with multiple or severe disabilities. According to information on their website, the camp is held at North Charleston Elementary School for the duration of five weeks. Camp costs include snack, field trips and therapeutic services for children ages 1-15 years old. The camp invites all interested parents to fill out their online application and promises to help defray camp costs with generous financial assistance.

For any questions, contact the academy at (843)849-6707

Spirit Ocean Adventure

Every summer, Teens ages 15-18 are invited aboard the Spirit of South Carolina ship and sail up the East Coast all the way to Boston. Their website, www.spiritoceanandadventure.com , reports that while the journey at sea can sometimes be challenging, there is always something new to learn from the experience. The program consists of two sessions during the summer, each taking 10-18 days to complete.

Teens interested in joining the voyage are encouraged to contact South Carolina Maritime Foundation at (843)722-1030

More Information about Summer Camps in Charleston can be found at www.sciway.net