Camp, camp, camp
What are your kids doing this summer? Information about day, residential, fine art, religious and sports camps are listed at www.adn.com/camps.
Tennis talents
Summer Junior League Players party with games, prizes and pizza from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday, July 16, at Alaska Club North, 700 S. Bragaw St. Nick Tracy leads a beginning children's tennis camp for ages 8 to 12 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Monday to Thursday, July 19 to 22. Cost is $75. (330-0146)
Big red book drive
Clifford the Big Red Dog pounces over to the book drive that benefits the children's hospital at Providence Alaska Medical Center from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 17, at Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 200 E. Northern Lights Blvd. (279-3118)
Bobby Norfolk
Storyteller and Emmy winner portrays the Lewis and Clark expedition through the eyes of York, William Clark's slave and the only African-American member of the "Corps of Discovery" at libraries around Anchorage at 7 p.m. July 28 at Glacier City Hall, Girdwood; 2 p.m. July 29 at Eagle River; 4:30 p.m. July 29 at Mountain View; 7 p.m. July 29 at Loussac; 2 p.m. July 30 Dimond; and 7 p.m. July 30 at Muldoon. (343-2975)
Hot shot
Kids from elementary to high school can dribble like superstars with the Nye Jump Shot Basketball Camp from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, July 19, to July 23 and Aug. 9 to 13 at Sullivan Arena. Before- and after-care is from 7:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Cost is $180 per week. (279-0618)
Theatre for Young People
The summer drama group presents musicals and productions starring academy students at 5:30 and 8 p.m. in the University of Alaska Anchorage's Williamson Auditorium. Tickets are $6. (786-6883)
• "We Haz Jazz" is Thursday, July 22.
• "The Hobbit" is July 23.
• "The Princess Plays" is July 24.
• "The Death of Edgar Allen Poe" is July 25.
Festival of Plays
Alaska Theatre of Youth presents favorites, classics and guest directors July 23 to 25 and July 30 to Aug. 1 at Discovery Theatre unless otherwise indicated. Tickets are $8. (317-0925)
• "The Boy Who Fell Into a Book" is at 7 p.m. July 23, 1 p.m. July 24 and 4 p.m. July 25.
• "Oh Rats the Musical" is at 4 p.m. July 23, 7 p.m. July 24 and 1 p.m. July 25.
• "As You Like It" is at 1 p.m. July 23, 4 p.m. July 24 and 7 p.m. July 25.
• "The Odyssey" is at 1 p.m. July 30, 4 p.m. July 31 and 7 p.m. Aug. 1.
• "The Big Friendly Giant" is at 7 p.m. July 30, 1 p.m. July 31 and 4 p.m. Aug. 1.
• "Finally Film" and "Radically Radio" are at 4 p.m. July 30, 7 p.m. July 31 and 1 p.m. Aug. 1.
• "Fairy Tale Theatre" is at 2 and 5 p.m. July 31 to Aug. 1 at Voth Hall.
Creativity classes
Turn imagination into watercolor art, toys, flower presses, knitting projects, music, needle felt work and wall paintings with classes in July at Aurora Waldorf School. Call for registration information. (333-9062, 333-2461)
Nature kids
Gardeners ages 6 to 13 can green their thumbs through activities with ponds, creeks, trees, wild foods, shelters and art from Tuesday, July 20, to July 24 at Stonehill Gardens and Conservatory, 16751 E. Huntley Road, Palmer. (1-907-745-7071)
Clay canvas
Play with mud and glass at art camps from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Wednesdays for ages 8 to 15 with glass and Fridays for ages 6 to 15 with clay through Aug. 27. Costs are $25 to $35. Call to sign up. (696-7737)
Zoo fun
Check out all the animals at the Alaska Zoo, 4731 O'Malley Road. Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. the rest of week through Labor Day. Cost is $9, $8 seniors, $5 youths 12 to 17, $4 kids 3 to 11, free younger than 3. (346-2858, www.alaskazoo.org)
• Kritter Kids for ages 6 and 7 focuses on why orphaned animals need homes in the zoo from noon to 4 p.m. Friday, July 16. Cost is $40.
• Zoo Ventures for ages 8 to 9 focuses on animal care and what to do if you find an orphaned or injured animal from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 23. Cost is $60.
Wrestling camp
Champion grapplers teach you how to take down an opponent from Wednesday, July 21, to July 23 at Service High School, 5577 Abbott Road. Tuition is $75. (522-5840, 748-2245)
Playground program
The Parks and Recreation Department offers crafts, games, field trips and more in a two-week session for ages 3 to 11 from July 26 to Aug. 5. Cost is $50 to $70 per session. (343-4258)
Kids swim
• Splish splash. Dive into pool time just for kids from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays though Aug. 26 at Bartlett High School, 25500 N. Muldoon Road. Cost is $5.25, $3.50 for youth and seniors. (343-6981)
• Ages 3 to 12 can improve their stroke with 30-minute lessons between 4:30 and 6:45 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, July 20 and 22, at Bartlett High School. Cost is $32 for four lessons. (343-6981)
Stories and photos
The National Wildlife Federation invites students in elementary school through college to submit a story, poem or photograph about camping, subsisting, hiking or working in wild Alaska. Written work limited to 700 words. Deadline is Aug. 1. Submit stories and photos to AYEA/NWF "Youth Voices Writing Project"; 750 W. Second Ave., Suite 200; Anchorage 99501, or fax to 258-4811. (339-3913, ayea@nwf.org)
Kidtivities
Paint a frame for that favorite photo from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 20, at Over the Rainbow Toys, 1310 E. Dimond Blvd. Cost is $10; call to reserve a place. The program continues with new activities each Tuesday through the summer. (522-8184)
Library fun
Libraries around town offer various programs. (343-2975, lexicon.ci. anchorage.ak.us)
• Lost? Not Me! Discover ways of getting from here to there at 2 p.m. Friday, July 16, at Muldoon.
• Learn about the Lewis and Clark expedition at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 20, at Loussac; Wednesday, July 21, at Dimond; Thursday, July 22, at Eagle River; and July 23 at Muldoon.
• Teddy bear picnics are at 11:15 a.m. Wednesday, July 21, at Muldoon; 11 a.m. Thursday, July 22, at Dimond; 11 a.m. July 23 at Girdwood; 11:15 a.m. July 23 at Eagle River; and at 11:30 a.m. July 23 at Loussac.
• The Teen Summer Book group discusses "Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage" by Alfred Lansing from 3:30 to 4 p.m. July 28 at Loussac.
• Ongoing events include preschool and family story times, Mother Goose readings and lap sits.
Painting pleasures
Kids 6 to 12 can get creative at Robert Opalinski's workshops at Michaels Arts & Crafts, 601 E. Dimond Blvd. (522-2255, 345-1347, rjo13@aol.com)
• Two-day watercolor painting workshops are from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays through Sept. 1. This week's topic is "Circus Animals & Clowns." The $55 cost includes supplies.
• Watercolor painting workshops are from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Thursdays through Sept. 2. This week's topic is "Hot Wheels & Matchbox Cars." Cost is $30.
• Disney cartoon drawing class meets from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Thursdays through to Sept. 2. Cost is $25.
Crafty kids
Children ages 5 to 12 can make all sorts of things at the weekly crafts club meeting from 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays at Michaels Arts & Crafts, 601 E. Dimond Blvd. Cost is $2. (522-2255)
Botanical stories
Cuddle up with flowers and a tale. Story time for ages 3 to 5 is at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Aug. 25 at Alaska Botanical Garden, 4601 Campbell Airstrip Road. Story time is free and held if cloudy but not when raining. (770-3692)
Valley carnival
Kids ages 3 to 12 can enjoy games and activities to benefit local charities Fridays to Sundays through Sept. 12 in front of Cottonwood Creek Mall in Wasilla. A market features crafts and other goodies on Fridays and Saturdays. Admission is free; tickets for carnival activities are 25 cents. (622-8877)
Sing sing
Children ages 9 to 12 can enroll for a summer singing class with Marlene Bateman from Monday, July 19, to Aug. 23. Cost is $175 for tuition, book and CD. (345-8915, marlene-bateman@gci.net)
Magic guy
Magician Don Russell boggles your mind and tickles your funny bone each week at 6 p.m. Tuesdays at Tony Roma's, 1420 E. Tudor Road. Magic is free and so is food for kids. (561-7427, 522-1364)
Guitar happy
• Teens can start their musical careers with guitar, dulcimer and mandolin lessons by Mary La Fever through August. (258-7002, maryla@alaska.com)
Cool stuff
The two Bosco's Comics stores offer cool events to keep kids busy. (274-4112, 349-3963, www.boscos.com)
• Do you draw? Submit your work to the anime art contest. See stores for details. Deadline is Aug. 31.
• Play Whiz Kids with Big Mike. The Ultimate Hero Clix Marquee Event No. 2 is at 4 p.m. Saturday, July 17, at Spenard.
• Ongoing events include learning various games and open gaming tables.
• Friday night Magic-sanctioned tournaments are at 7 p.m. at Spenard. Costs vary.
Imagine it
The Imaginarium, 737 W. Fifth Ave., offers a variety of cool science activities for kids of all ages. Admission is $5.50, $5 kids and seniors. (276-3179, www.imaginarium.org)
• See fantastic science demonstra- tions on every hour from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, with a separate schedule for Sundays. Learn about radical reptiles, electricity, galaxies and aurora borealis.
• The "I Wonder" preschool science hour is at 11 a.m. Mondays. July's theme is "Creatures of the Sea."
• Full-day and half-day summer camps include science activities for preschoolers through sixth graders.
Tumble time
Tykes can play at open gym from 9 to 11 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at Arctic Gymnastics Center, 3330 Arctic Blvd. Cost is $5; call to reserve a space. (563-3330)
