Kids' Summer Activities

All area codes are 850 unless specified.


Destin Library
Children ages 13 and younger can participate in the Destin Library Summer Reading Program. Children must read 10 books and complete a 2009 Summer Reading Log before receiving a couponfor a free Kid’s Meal at Applebee’s restaurant. Call 837-8572.

Destin YMCA
Summer events for children at the Destin Family YMCA include the following. Call 837-8440.
•Y Day Camp: One week sessions from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Aug. 21 at Grace Lutheran Church. Activities in the Fellowship Hall and daily visits to the Destin YMCA Aquatic Center.

Destin Commons Free Kid’s Summer Movie Series
Rave Motion Pictures will host free movies at 10 a.m. every Tuesday and Wednesday in June and July. Doors open at 9:30 a.m.
Scheduled movies are:
July 14, 15: Space Chimps
July 21, 22: Igor
July 28, 29: Shrek 3

Be Creative@Your Library
The Fort Walton Beach Library Summer Reading Program, “Be Creative@Your Library,” will be held at 10:30 a.m. every Tuesday through July 21. Each week will feature a different aspect of creativity: Dance, acting, music and art. Call 833-9594, Ext. 235 to register.

Destin Community Center
The following events will be held during the summer at the Destin Community Center. Call 654-5184 for information and to register.
•Kids’ Camp: Summer day camp from 9 a.m. to noon Mondays through Fridays for children ages 5 through 12 years. Camp runs every week through Aug. 14. Towel and swimsuit required on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Cost is $35/week for Destin residents and $45/non-residents.
•Kids’ Camp Lunch Program: For ages 5 to 12 from 12 to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday to fill gaps between camps. Bring cold lunch. Drinks provided. $15/resident and $25/non-resident.
•Game Room: Open to children 10 and older from 1 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.
•Kids’ Night Out: For ages 5 through 12 with games, pizza, movie and fun from 6 to 9:45 p.m. July 10 and Aug. 7. Cost is $15/resident and $25/non-resident. Register in advance.
•Movie Under the Stars: Free movie begins at 8:30 p.m. July 17 for 13 and up or under 12 accompanied by adult. Bring blanket or lawn chair. Popcorn and drinks supplied.
•Basketball camp with FWBHS Vikings: Camp offered by varsity basketball team for ages 7 through 14 from 1 to 4 p.m. July 21-24. Cost is $50/resident and $60/non-resident.
•Cheerleading camp with the DMS Marlins: Cheerleaders offer camp for ages 5 through 12 from 1 to 3 p.m. July 13-15. Cost is $30/resident and $40/non-resident. Parent show at 2:30 p.m. July 15.
•Teen Dance: For middle school students from 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 28. Cost is $5.
•Cooking and Serving: Course for ages 8 through 15 from 1 to 3 p.m. July 7-9. Cost is $35/resident and $45/non-resident.
•Babysitting Safety Course: Courses offered by the Destin Fire Department for ages 11 through 15 from 12:30 to 5 p.m. July 6, July 21 and Aug. 5. Each student will be certified in CPR and First Aid. Cost $20/residents and $30/non-residents, which includes textbook.
•Big Truck Day: Eleventh annual event from 9 to 11 a.m. Aug. 14.

Mommy & Me/Daddy & Me program
A camp just for pre-school aged children 3 to 5 years old from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday at the Florida Gulfarium. Cost is $100 per child. To register, call 230-1102. Camps include:
•Gulfarium Life: See “behind the scenes” including foods animals eat and what it takes to be an animal trainer.  July 6-10 and Aug. 3-7.
•Beach Party: Animal shows, scavenger hunts, beach games, and water activities. July 13-17.
•Animals in Motion: Visit the animals and watch their shows. July 20-24.
•The Rhythms of Nature: Animal encounters, crafts, and music. July 27-31.

Gulfarium Summer Camp
Summer Camp offers five-day sessions from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for children entering grades first through six. Cost is $250 per child. Call 230-1102 to register. Sessions include:
•Gulfarium Life: Animal and trainer encounters, water sports, music, art projects and games. July 6-10 and Aug. 3-7.
•Beach Party: Animal encounters, swimming and snorkeling, art, music and Beach Olympics. July 13-17.
•Animals in Motion: Animal encounters, aquatic activities, campers in motion sports, dip netting and snorkeling. July 20-24.
•The Rhythm of Nature: Making musical instruments, singing, animal encounters, water activities, and art projects. June 29 to July 3 and July 27-31.

Kids on Campus
Enroll for Kids on Campus summer enrichment program at NWF State College at all six NWF State College locations.
Kids on Campus provides students entering grades three through eight an opportunity for fun learning in the areas of athletics, theater, art, and academics in a college environment.
The program will host a session at the Niceville campus from July 20-30. Classes are held Monday through Thursday. Half-day sessions are from 9 a.m. to noon or 12:30 to 3:20 p.m. Full-day sessions are 9 a.m. to 3:20 p.m.
The course list and registration forms are available at all area elementary and middle schools, NWF State College campuses and centers, and at  www.nwfstatecollege.edu/schedule
For an additional fee, extended day options begin at 7:30 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. Call 729-6086.

ECWR Summer Camp
The Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge will hold a summer camp from July 13-17 and 20-24 at Uptown Station, Suite 44, in Fort Walton Beach.
Camp counselors are needed. Call 685-9014.
 
 “P’ZAZZ”
 The Pensacola Children’s Chorus announces “P’ZAZZ”,  a musical theater day camp for fourth through eighth-graders, will be conducted from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 13-18 at the Margaret Moore Nickelsen Center, 46 East Chase St. in downtown Pensacola. 
“P’ZAZZ” offers a musical theater experience, featuring master classes in dance, drama, music and stagecraft. 
“P’ZAZZ” will culminate with performances of an original musical based on the Old Testament at 7:30 p.m. July 17 and 18. 
The cost is $185 per student. Call 434-7760.

University of West Florida
The University of West Florida will offer a variety of camps for kindergarten through high school age children. Camps include robotics, marine biology, math and English as well as a 1-week architecture program for high school students and a 1-week energy camp for middle schoolers.
Call 474-2083 or visit uwf.edu/explorecamps for times, fees and registration information.

Kamp Kellywamba
Kamp Kellywamba Summer Day Camp for students entering grades 1-8 in the fall will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 3-7 at Destin Middle School. Classes feature acting, jazz dance, cooking and arts/crafts. Call 650-2226 or visit www.mattiekellyartsfoundation.org
 
2009 Children’s Summer Fun Guidebook
The United Way of Okaloosa & Walton Counties Children’s Summer Fun Guidebook is available at  www.united-way.org. It has a listing of activities for children ages 4 through 18.