Cultural Arts / News
Mar 22, 2017
How to tell your parents what you really want to do this summer
Your parents have been looking forward to this all year. They finally get to spend quality time with you: 24/7, every single day for three, consecutive months. It’s all they’ve been talking about.
We know that you’re a year older than you were last summer. A year more mature. A year more independent. We know that you’re ready for adventure, to learn new things, to make memories that will last a lifetime. How are you going to break it to your parents?
You can start by saying, “It’s not you. It’s me.” But then what?
Here’s an idea. Rather than tell them, show them. With help from your friends in Downtown Arlington, you can stretch your creative wings at a Theatre Arlington or Arlington Music Hall performing arts camp. Or flex your brain at an engineering, design or media camp at UT Arlington. Or work on your razzle dazzle alongside the UTA Mavericks’ coaches and athletes.
Decisions, decisions
The hardest part will be choosing from so many great activities! That’s where we can help. Here’s a list of options for making this your Best. Summer. Ever.
PERFORMING ARTS, DANCE AND MUSIC
Fun Arts Camp at Arlington Music Hall
Who? Grades 1-8
When? 10 days: July 10-15 and 17-20
Where? Arlington Music Hall
Participants will have the opportunity to not only sing and dance on stage, but to also play a role in the design and execution of the sets and costumes. Working under the direction of a creative team boasting more than fifty years in entertainment and education, participants will make Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr. come to life.
KidsNotes with Symphony Arlington
Who? Kindergarten through Grade 2
When? June 8, June 19 and July 10
Where? Various Arlington Public Library locations
Participants learn about being in an orchestra through an interactive and engaging presentation. KidsNotes includes a story time, performance by a professional musician, rhythm games, learning how to be a conductor, and the Instrument Petting Zoo, where students and parents have the opportunity to try out real instruments.
Summer Camps at Miss Persis Studio
Who? All ages, plus one adult class
When? June through August
Where? Miss Persis Studio
Miss Persis Studio is offering five camps and classes this summer that incorporate dancing, singing and/or acting for all ages and experience levels. The camps include a Princess Camp for ages 3-6; Musical Theatre Camp for ages 8-18; Acro (acrobatics) Camp for ages 6-14; Summer Dance Intensive experience for ages 6 and up; and a special Adult Couples Dance Class so the kids don’t get to have all the fun.
Theatre Arlington Summer Camps
Who? Variety of ages
When? June through August
Where? Theatre Arlington
For decades, Theatre Arlington has provided a wide variety of outstanding performance and technical summer camps for students of all ages and experience levels. This year, middle and high school students can take master classes in acting, voice and movement, taught by professionals from the DFW area, on their way to performing Legally Blonde The Musical JR. Other camp options including performances of Seussical Kids! or Mulan, plus a Play and Pretend camp for younger performers.
Who? Grades 5-12, plus one adult camp
When? June through August
Where? College of Liberal Arts, UT Arlington
Students attending UTA Summer Music Camps learn from the highest quality instructional staff from around the nation. Fun and enriching, thirteen different camps are offered in a variety of disciplines including Jazz Studies, Strings, Wind, Percussion, Vocal Arts and an Audio Production Camp. The Texas Conducting Workshop fosters the development of conducting and teaching skills for orchestra directors of all levels.
ARCHITECTURE, DESIGN AND FINE ARTS
Who? Grades 10 -12
When? June 11-16
Where? College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs, UT Arlington
Summer @CAPPA is an annual, weeklong camp for high school students interested in architecture and interior design. The students are treated to an immersive experience, staying in the residence halls and working in the studio.
MEDIA
Who? High school students
When? July 17-21
Where? College of Liberal Arts, UT Arlington
Careers in communication and media are growing in rank as a top degree in today’s world. This camp features engaging, interactive sessions from top faculty at UTA including writing, video, editing and broadcasting; digital technology for web, apps and graphic design; professional communication and teambuilding; and storytelling on social media.
ENGINEERING, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND MATH
ExxonMobile Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp
Texas Pre-Freshman Engineering Program (PREP)
Entry to Engineering
Who? Grades 6-8
When? June through August
Where? College of Engineering, UT Arlington
UTA Engineering camps are fun and educational experiences. The one week camps provide students with a broad exposure to the variety of engineering disciplines, while PREP helps students prepare for careers in fields within mathematics, science, technology and engineering (STEM). The ExxonMobile Bernard Harris camp is a free, two-week residential experience for campers from underserved and underrepresented groups.
SPORTS
UTA Maverick Summer Sports Camps
Who? Variety of ages, plus one adult camp
When? June through August
Where? UT Arlington
UTA Summer Sports Camps are great opportunities for youth players to learn first-hand from UTA Division 1 coaching staff and athletes. In this high-energy setting, campers have fun with friends while also improving their skill sets. Choose from eighteen different camps including baseball, basketball, volleyball, specialty skills development, and kids or adult wheelchair basketball.
For more information
Be sure to check all of the websites above for any new information, camp availability, cost, location and all that other stuff. And if you discover any activities we neglected to include, please list them in the comments section below!
Once you’ve narrowed down your list to your top pick(s), it’ll be time to talk with your parents about your master plan. But, please. Break it to them gently.
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About Downtown Arlington
An official State of Texas Cultural District, Downtown Arlington, Texas blends a unique mix of activities, sights, tastes and sounds that attract visitors and locals alike. Within its less than a two-mile radius, Downtown is home to a top tier public research university, prolific fine and performing artists and arts institutions, live entertainment, exciting NCAA and professional athletics, one-of-a-kind dining and retail, and a supportive business climate. Downtown Arlington brings together a plethora of cultures and inspirations with a character all its own.