By Imari Scarbrough

for the SNAP

With summer on its way, several Stanly County organizations are planning to host a variety of camps for county youth.

Summer Outdoor Challenge Program

Albemarle Parks and Recreation will host its annual Challenge Program from June through August with activities available for children from ages 7-15.

The Young Explorers group will include kids ages 7-9. The first session will take place in Rock Creek Park from June 25-28 and the second session will be hosted July 23-26.

For Albemarle children, the experience will cost $45. Residents who live outside of Albemarle will pay $60.

Older children between the ages of 10-15 can participate in the Outdoor Challenge.

A co-ed day trip to Inner Peaks Climbing will be held on June 14. It will cost Albemarle residents $40 and non-residents $55.

Girls Week will be from June 18-22. The girls will meet from 8 a.m. to noon Monday through Wednesday, then hold a one-night camping trip at Hanging Rock on Thursday and Friday. The charge is $60 for Albemarle residents and $75 for non-residents.

A co-ed trip along the Virginia Creeper Trail will be July 10-11. City residents can pay $55 while non-residents will be charged $70.

Boys Week will be July 16-20. Like the girls’ adventure, the boys will meet at Rock Creek Park from 8 a.m. to noon Monday through Wednesday, then have a one-night camping trip at Hanging Rock on Thursday and Friday. City residents will be charged $60 while non-residents will pay $75.

A co-ed day trip to Richland Creek Zipline will be July 27. It will run city residents $40 and non-residents $55.

A two-night co-ed camping trip at Morrow Mountain will be July 30-Aug. 1. The trip will include hiking and boating. City residents will pay $40 and non-residents will pay $55.

On Aug. 8, a co-ed Falls Dam canoeing trip will be held for $10 per person.

All trips will be held only if the minimum of eight attendees per event is met, according to a notice from the city. Registration is held during normal business hours up until a week before each camp begins.

Summer Blast

Registration for the Stanly County 4-H Summer Blast will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center.

According to the brochure, “registration for classes/trips will remain open until all spaces are filled. If a class does not have a minimum of five participants, it will be cancelled.”

Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis, with no reservations available. Slots will be left open until the class/trip payment, enrollment form and registration forms are all turned in.

A one-time $10 registration fee will be charged per participant in addition to the class or trip cost. According to the brochure, the registration fee is used to pay for 4-H T-shirts, an end-of-summer party and snacks.

Classes and/or trips are available for children from ages 5-18.

Sew Much Fun will be from 9 a.m. to noon June 12-14 for children ages 9 and up.

“Participants will learn how to use a sewing machine, sewing tools, and equipment all while constructing a cozy pillow case and a cute reversible tote bag,” the brochure says. The class fee is $20. There is space for 10 participants.

Citizenship Focus will be June 13-15. Participants must be age 14-18 as of Jan. 1. The teens will have a chance to meet elected officials, listen to speakers, meet peers and participate in workshops, as well as “create and implement an action plan to make Stanly County a better place,” according to the brochure. To learn more, contact Kacie Hatley at kacie_hatley@ncsu.edu.

Children can learn how to cook with Chef Jennifer Leamons from Carolinas HealthCare System-Stanly during Healthy Together on June 15. From 9-11 a.m., children ages 5-8 will learn to make homemade pizza. From 1-3 p.m., children ages 9 and up will learn to make sandwich “sushi.” Both classes are free and can hold up to 15 students each.

Young amateur archaeologists may enjoy a trip to Town Creek Indian Mound from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 20. For $17, children ages 9 and up can visit the site to learn about the Deer Clan and what artifacts have been discovered from their past. Up to 18 students can participate in this trip.

Children ages 9-11 can take a free hiking trip on the Falls Mountain Trail (4.1 miles) at Morrow Mountain State Park from 9 a.m. to noon on June 21. Up to 10 children can participate on the trip, during which the hikers can see Lake Tillery. Parents will drop off and pick up their kids at the boat launch parking lot, where the trail head begins. A snack and lunch will be provided.

No one will need their passport to experience “people, foods and cultures” from around the world, according to the brochure. Children ages 9 and up can participate in a trip to Montgomery County Cooperative Extension Office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 21 to participate in activities to learn about people all over the planet. Lunch is included in this $25 trip, which can hold up to 10 students.

Seagrove potter Sid Luck will teach children ages 5 and up how to create their own pottery. Adults can also sign up for this class. Students will collect their creation at the end-of-summer 4-H party. There will be three classes on June 22, each holding up to 15 students: one from 9-11 a.m., one from noon to 2 p.m. and one from 3-5 p.m. This class costs $20.

Pre-teens with an interest in LEGO robotics may enjoy a trip to the Rowan County Cooperative Extension office from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 25. Children ages 9-12 will learn “STEM skills, critical thinking, teamwork and creativity,” according to the brochure. They will need to pack a bag lunch for the trip, which can hold up to 10 students and costs $20.

The Greensboro Grasshoppers will face the Kannapolis Intimidators at the Greensboro ballpark on June 26. Participants ages 9 and up can attend the game from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for $15. The group will eat a picnic lunch on the way to the game, with each participant packing their own lunch. This trip can hold up to 15 participants.

Children ages 9 and up can visit Brown Creek Creamery from 9 a.m. to noon on June 27 to learn about the business, which has its own Jersey dairy cows used to produce milk for the creamery’s cheese and ice cream. The trip will cost $8 and can accommodate up to 18 participants.

Participants ages 9 and up can take a group trip to Central Piedmont Community College to watch a production of “Shrek: The Musical” from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 28. The musical will last one hour, and the trip will include a packed lunch eaten at Locust Park. This trip will cost $18 and can hold up to 12 participants.

Cloverbud Camp at Millstone 4-H Camp will let children ages 5-8 camp, swim, complete arts and crafts, hike, canoe, kayak and participate in other activities from July 1-3. The cost of the camp is $185. Parents will drop off and pick up their children at Millstone where 4-H agent Kacie Hatley will stay with the children.

Children interested in animals may enjoy a visit to Twisted L Farm from 9 a.m. to noon on July 6. This trip will be for children ages 5-12 for $10. It can hold up to 20 children.

“Learn fun facts, meet the horses and even have a chance to ride a horse,” the brochure says. “In addition, Twisted L raises Nigerian Dwarf dairy goats; learn about the breed, try out milking and bottle-feed the goat kids.”

Children can participate in the week-long overnight Betsy Jeff Penn 4-H Camp in Reidsville from July 8-13. Contact 4-H agent Kacie Hatley for more information at kacie_hatley@ncsu.edu.

“Campers will participate in a variety of activities including canoeing, shooting sports, horseback riding, swimming, crafts and so much more,” the brochure states.

A workshop on safe, healthy recipes for picnics or other events will be from 9 am. to 1 p.m on July 10. Participants will learn about the app MyPlate, how to wash their hands, read recipes and hold a picnic. This workshop will allow up to nine children from the ages of 5-8.

In Cannin’ and Jammin’, children ages 9-12 will learn how to make jam using a water bath canner. The class will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 12 and costs $20. It can accommodate up to nine students.

An archery class will be available for children ages 9-12 from 9 a.m. to noon on July 17. This class will be taught by Lee Scripture with the N.C. Wildlife Commission at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center. The class is free and can hold up to 15 participants.

Children ages 9-12 can take a trip to the UNC-Charlotte Botanical Gardens, then “stop for pizza at lunch, pick blueberries at a local farm, and return to the Ag Center to make homemade fresh ice cream with our blueberries,” according to the brochure. The trip will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 18 and will cost $15. It can accommodate up to 15 students.

Students can get involved in STEM activities to learn the relationships between science, technology, engineering and math on July 19. Children ages 5-8 will learn from 9 a.m. to noon, and children ages 9 and up can participate from 1-4 p.m. Each class can hold up to 10 students.

Children ages 9 and up can learn about how to safely participate in electricity projects in a class at Stanly Community College. The class will be 9-11 a.m. July 20 and will cost $15. It can hold up to 15 students.

“Participants will learn about electric circuit components, how to safely solder, and will leave with a product of their own creation,” the brochure says.

North Carolina 4-H Congress will be available for 4-Hers ages 13-18 (as of Jan. 1) from July 21-24. The congress is an overnight event and will include dances, service projects, leadership workshops and fun in Raleigh, according to the brochure. To learn more, contact 4-H agent Kacie Hatley at kacie_hatley@ncsu.edu. An animal agriculture class will be for participants ages 5 and up from 1-4:30 p.m. July 25. There will be games, crafts and activities. The class can hold up to 15 students.

An overnight trip to the North Carolina Zoo will be July 26-27. Participants ages 9-12 will learn about animals and African culture. This trip costs $55 and can hold up to 15 students.

A multi-day trip to Millstone 4-H camp will be for campers ages 9-12 who would rather return home each day than camp overnight. Campers will canoe, kayak, participate in crafts and shooting sports, swim, hike and more. Lunch will be included.

Campers will leave from and return to the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center each day of the camp from July 30 to Aug. 3. The camp costs $175 and can hold up to five students.

An etiquette workshop will be from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Aug. 1. Children ages 9-12 will learn how to set a table, write thank-you notes, hold introductions and more, then use their sharpened skills at Five Points Public House Restaurant. The class costs $20 and can hold up to 10 students.

4-H will have its end-of-summer party Aug. 7. There will be hot dogs and water games. The event is open to all.

Arts Council Camp

Rising first- through sixth-graders can learn about a variety of arts during the Stanly County Arts Council Summer Arts Camp this year.

The same classes will be offered two different weeks, one July 16-19 at West Stanly High School and one July 23-26 at Stanly Community College in Albemarle.

The camp costs $85 and includes materials, a T-shirt, snacks and bottled water, according to the brochure. It also includes the cost of a pizza party on the last day of camp. Campers will have to pack their own lunches every other day.

From 9 a.m.-2 p.m., thstudents will learn about drama, art, music and dance.

Registration is due by June 15 for either camp and a limited amount of spaces are available. Registration can be completed at stanlycountyartscouncil.org. Parents can also request registration forms by emailing stanlycountyartscouncil1974@gmail.com or calling 704-982-8118.

Cooking Classes

Kid Creationz will hold several cooking classes for children this summer. In Cookademic Connections, participants can participate in “Nature’al” Nuggets to learn about cooking with all-natural ingredients, Body-Boosting Binge to learn about foods that help certain body parts and Biographical Bites, where they will make meals or snacks enjoyed by celebrities, according to the flier.

In Geographical Goodies, they’ll learn to make food from around the world. Fairy Tale Foods will teach kids to make foods “inspired by famous fairy tales.”

Mystery Munchies will let kids create recipes with secret ingredients. In Movie Madness, participants can make foods inspired by movies, such as a Death Star cheese ball. In Colorful Combinations, students learn to arrange food.

These workshops will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 19-22. There is a per-day fee for two classes or a discounted for all classes.

The Kitchen Days of Summer Classes will provide more learning opportunities in July.

In Lets Get Fruity, students will learn about the variety of ways to use fruit. Sizzling Snacks will let them make hot foods, while Surf ’n Turf will teach about foods from the oceans, mountains and more.

Students can learn to make the titular meal in Brunch Basics, make apple-based recipes in Apple Palooza or create wraps in Wrap It Up.

These classes will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 22-24. Participants can pay for an individual day (two classes) or for a student to attend all classes at a discounted rate. Visit kidcreationz.com to register or email Kelly@kidcreationz.com to ask questions. Classes will be in Stanfield.

YMCA Camps

The YMCA will offer two camps for rising kindergarten through sixth-grade students this summer.

Summer Day Camp will be offered 6:45 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. June 4 through Aug. 22 at the park across the street from the YMCA.

Campers will swim, take field trips, work on literacy, do devotions, complete camp crafts, garden and focus on team-building, according to Kelley Bigger, family services director at the YMCA.

There will be a drop-off and pick-up location at the Locust Community Building for those on that side of the county.

The Norwood Summer Enrichment Camp will take place at Norwood First Presbyterian Church from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 18 through Aug. 10. Campers will spend one day a week at a yoga studio, one at the library, one at Piney Point for swimming, one at the YMCA and one completing community service.

Lunch will be provided most weeks of both camps. The registration fees will vary based on whether a student attends part-time or full time and if their family is a member of the YMCA. Children can attend for one or more weeks.

Scholarship options will be available for both YMCA members and non-members. Parents can register their children by downloading the information from the YMCA website or picking up a parent packet and registration form at the YMCA.

The theme this year is Friendship, Accomplishment and Belonging.

“It keeps them active, it keeps them socially involved, it creates them all kinds of wonderful memories and new friendships,” Bigger said.

Stanly Community College Camps

Stanly Community College will have several academic summer camps for rising fourth- through ninth-grade students in June and July. Morning and afternoon sessions are available, according to a press release.

Students can choose a camp suited to their interest: agribusiness, air conditioning/heating/refrigeration, collision repair/refinishing, computer-integrated machining, crime scene investigation, engineering technology, graphic design, heavy equipment/welding, nails, science, self-defense, and simulation and game development.

Camp fees range from $25 to $50. All will be held at the Albemarle campus.

Interested students can learn more or register at stanly.edu. There is limited space available in each camp. Registration will end on May 31.

For more information, call Lorie Narolewski, SCC pre-college success coach, at 704-991-0353 or email summercamps@stanly.edu.

Pfeiffer University Camps

Pfeiffer University will hold several STEM camps for children this summer.

There will be two series of camps: one for elementary school students who are rising kindergarten through fifth-grade students, and one for middle school students who are rising sixth- through ninth-graders.

“We are offering all new camps this year in addition to the return of the dissection, chemistry, critical thinking, and physics camps, favorites from past summers,” Laura Lowder, Pfeiffer’s STEM camp director, said via email.

Elementary school camps include:

• An all-day physics and coding camp for rising kindergarten through fifth-grade students will be offered from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. June 11-14 for $235. The fee includes lunch.

• An all-day LEGO math and critical thinking camp will be for rising kindergarten through third-grade students from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. June 18-21. The fee is $236 and includes lunch.

• An all-day neuroscience and critical thinking camp will be held for risking third- through fifth-graders from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. June 18-21. The fee of $250 includes lunch.

• A physics camp will be offered for kindergarten through fifth grade students June 11-14 for $122. Kindergarten through second-grade students will meet from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and third- through fifth-grade students will meet from 12:30-3:30 p.m.

• A coding camp will be offered on June 11-14 for $122. Kingergarten through second-grade students will meet from 12:30-3:30 p.m. and third- through fifth-grade students will meet from 8:30-11:30 a.m.

• A neuroscience camp will be held from 8:30-11:30 a.m. June 18-21 for third- through fifth-grade students for $139.

• A LEGO math camp will be from 8:30-11:30 a.m. for kindergarten through third-grade students for $122.

• A critical thinking camp will be for kindergarten through fifth-grade students from 12:30-3:30 p.m. June 18-21 for $122. Middle school camps inlcude:

• An overnight neuroscience/neuroanatomy and chemistry camp will be from 6 p.m. June 10 until 4 p.m. June 14 for sixth- through ninth grade-students for $518.

• An all-day neuroscience/neuroanatomy and chemistry camp for sixth- through ninth-graders will be from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. June 11-14. The $325 cost includes lunch.

• A neuroscience/neuroanatomy camp will be for sixth- through ninth-graders from 8:30-11:30 a.m. June 11-14 for $170.

• A chemistry camp will be held from 12:30-3:30 p.m. June 11-14 for sixth- through ninth-grade students for $170.

• A dissections/anatomy camp will be offered from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 18-21 for students in grades six through nine for $170.

Campers will each receive a T-shirt, according to Pfeiffer’s website.

A document on the camps sent by Lowder explains Pfeiffer’s priority on STEM education for children.

“According to the U.S. Department of Education, only 16 percent of high school seniors are proficient in mathematics and interested in a STEM career,” it says. “School testing data from surrounding counties show a disproportionate level of preparedness in STEM concepts and the future careers that will require a solid grounding in math and science. STEM camps benefit the community by introducing students to STEM concepts in an entertaining and educational way. By engaging youngsters in STEM camps early on, and continuing to offer STEM opportunities throughout these camper’s K-12 years, we hope to help grow the local percentage of high school seniors who are both proficient in and likely to major in STEM fields.”

According to the document, 90-100 percent of campers from the last four years have shown more knowledge and interest about STEM and possible career paths related to it.

Although an early registration discount expired on April 15, Lowder said families who mention this article during registration can take the extra $10 off their bill.

While the school has applied for grants, it currently does not have the funds to offer camp scholarships, Lowder said.

For those who want an extra discount, there is an advertising offer.

“Share on social media and take $5 off the cost for each camper each week,” the website states. For more information, contact camp director Laura Lowder at laura.lowder@pfeiffer.edu. Register at tinyurl.com/y7grcz6d.

Imari Scarbrough is a freelance contributor for The Stanly News & Press