ENTERTAINMENT

Children’s summer activities

Staff Writer
The Destin Log
Thirty-two campers and 12 leaders enjoyed this past week at Holy Mackerel Kidz Camp at Immanuel Anglican Church. Activities and studies included learning about the Fruit of the Spirit, the importance of God’s Holy Word, how to find scriptures in the Bible and praise and worship with dance moves. AFter learning new jump rope moves, a jump rope competition is held on Thurdays. We also have lots of praise and worship with dance moves and are learning some really cool jump rope. Arrival of an ice cream truck, deck games, crazy dress day and Waterday round out the activities. The last camp of the summer is from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 22-26 for ages K-5. Registration fee is $15; cost is $80, $60/siblings. Call 830-3146 to register.

It’s time again to choose activities that kids will enjoy during their summer vacation.To list an activity, email pgriffin@thedestinlog.com.

Mike the Knight

Gallop over to the stage and get ready to be a knight in training as Mike and his medieval friends present Mike the Knight and the Mission for Hidden Treasure at 7 p.m. July 13 at Destin Commons. This fun-filled mission full of discovery, determination and friendship will have knights and princesses of all ages engaged from start to finish.

Destin Community Center

The following events will be held during the summer at the Destin Community Center unless noted. Call 654-5184 for information and to register.

• Kids’ Camp: Summer day camp from 9 a.m. to noon Mondays through Fridays through Aug. 9 for children ages 5 through 12 years. Towel and swimsuit required on Fridays. Comfortable clothes and tennis shoes required. Cost is $40/week for Destin residents and $45/non-residents. Advance payment required. Lunch $10 and $15.

• Kids' Night Out: Games, movie, pizza and fun for ages 5-12 from 6-9:30 p.m. Aug. 16. Cost is $20/resident and $25/non-resident.

• Volleyball Camp: Ages 9-14 improve volleyball skills with Fort Walton Beach High School Volleyball Team from 1-3 p.m. July 15-18. Cost is $25/resident and $30/non-resident.

• Baton Camp: Ages 5-16 learn basics of baton twirling from the All-Star Twirlers from 1 to 3 p.m. Date TBA. 

• Babysitting Safety Course: Courses offered by the Destin Fire Department for ages 11 through 15 from 1 to 5 p.m. July 18. Each student will be certified in CPR and First Aid. Cost $30/residents and $35/non-residents.

• Dodge Ball Camp: Ages 9-14 learn official rules, techniques and strategies from 1-3 p.m. July 29-Aug. 1. Cost is $15/resident and $20/non-resident.

• Softball Camp: Ages 8-12 learn softball fundamentals from 9-11 a.m. Aug. 12 and 13 at Dalton Threadgill Little League Park. Cost is $20/resident and $25/non-resident.

SummerWILD Children’s Camp

Children in first through sixth grade can spend a week on the Destin harbor learning about exotic animals and their natural habitats with the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge during SummerWILD Children’s Camp from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 15-19, 22-26, 29-Aug. 2, Aug. 5-9 and 12-16. Contact Susan Leveille at 850-830-3933 to register. Cost is $150 for the week; family discounts are available.

Children will talk with a real marine biologist, do arts and crafts, and encounter actual animals like owls, tortoises, gray foxes, and raccoons, and learn about dolphins, sharks, seashells, sandcastles, and more.

Holy Kidz Summer Camp

Holy Kidz Summer Camp provides a fun wholesome Christ-centered summer experience for children entering K-5th grade in the fall of 2013. Camps include games, activities, field trips, arts, crafts, cooking, Spanish, science, opportunities for learning and great times with new friends. Cost is $100/week for first child; $80/second child. Call 586-8264.

Sessions at the Destin Life Center at Destin United Methodist Church will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday through Aug. 16. To register, visit www.destinumc.org. After hour care will be provided by Destin Life Center, but you must pre-register.

Summer Day Camp

First Baptist Church, in partnership with Rocky Bayou Christian School Destin Campus, will hold Summer Day Camp for ages 5 to 13 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Aug. 2. Activities include field trips to The Track, Goofy Golf, swim lessons, roller skating, bowling and Bible lessons. Weekly cost is $113; single day, $35. Call 279-3700 or email SummerCamp@rbcs.org.

Destin Library

Whataburger has joined with the Destin Library to promote reading for ages 13 and younger. Children can receive coupons for a free Justaburger after they read 10 books this summer and complete a special 2013 Summer Reading Log, available at the Library. Call 837-8572.

Sunset Camp

Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park on Okaloosa Island will offer Sunset Camp to children ages 6-14 from 4-9 p.m. on select dates during the summer.

Activities include a dockside dolphin interaction, with the opportunity to feed and give behavior signals to an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, an ocean-themed scavenger hunt throughout the park, an exploratory adventure along the beach, and dinner next to the seals. Make reservations at www.gulfarium.com or call 243-9046.

Surf school

Ride On Surf School, on the beach behind Captain Dave's restaurant on Scenic Hwy. 98 in Miramar Beach, will host the following events. Call 240-7822 or visit www.rideonsurf.com.

• Billabong Surf Camp: Three-hour surf instruction from 9 a.m. to noon. Cost is $80 and includes T-shirt, goody bag. Additional days,$50.

• Group Surf Lessons: One hour instruction and one hour free surf time for 2 or more people. Cost is $55/person.

• Ride On Surf Camp: For those wanting multiple visits throughout the summer, two hour surf instruction daily (choose your times). Cost is $40/person for four or more lessons.

• Mini Surf Lesson: A half hour introductory surf instruction. Cost is $30/person.

Kids on Campus

Register for the “Kids on Campus” summer enrichment program at Northwest Florida College online at www.nwfsc.edu/kidsoncampus or parents may register at all seven NWFSC locations.

Kids on Campus offers youth entering grades 3 to 8 an opportunity for fun learning in a college environment with a variety of classes in the areas of athletics, theater, art and academics.

 Session will be held July 15-25, Monday through Thursday, with half-day sessions from 9 a.m. to 12 noon or 12:30 to 3:20 p.m., or full-day sessions, 9 a.m. to 3:20 p.m.  For an additional fee, extended day options are available from 7:30 a.m. to 5 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.nwfsc.edu/schedule.  For more information, call 729-6086.

Archaeology Kids

Students entering third through sixth grades can explore archaeology from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. July 15-19 at the Indian Temple Mound Museum at the Fort Walton Beach Heritage Park & Cultural Center, 139 Miracle Strip Parkway. Registration forms available at the museum. The camp fee is $100 and all snacks and materials are included. Call 833-9595 for information.

Topics include:

• Digging into the Past. Campers will experience a mock excavation and field archaeology.

• Partners with the Past. Campers will learn about early Native American life as they analyze artifacts and learn Native American skills.

• March into the Past. Campers will learn about the Civil War and visit Civil War history sites right here in Ft. Walton Beach.

• School Then and Now. Campers will experience a day in the life of a student in the historic 100-year old Camp Walton Schoolhouse Museum.

• History Alive.  Campers bring everything they learned together in summary activities from creating an archaeology exhibit in the museum to building a colony.

Theater camp

Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation hosts The Emerald Coast Theatre Company theater camp from July 21-27 at Destin Middle School. Cost is $125/students. Designed for students entering grades 2-12 in fall 2013, this one-week theater camp is dedicated to the development of life skills in children through participation in the performing arts. This year’s production will be “Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp.” Students will experience auditions and casting (everyone gets a role), acting, theatre games, and prop construction in a positive team building environment. Group auditions are from 3-4 p.m. July 21; camp, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. July 22-26; rehearsal, 1-5 p.m. July 27; and ticketed performance at 6 p.m. July 27. Tickets are $5/adults and children under 12 are free.

Colossal Coaster World

A free weeklong event for children ages 4 to fifth grade will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 5-9 at First Baptist Church Destin, 201 Beach Drive, with cotton candy to amusement park setting, including a roller coaster. Other activities include crafts, music, snacks and more.

Fear can seem colossal in the eyes of a child, but First Baptist week for children will teach those who attend how to overcome fear with God’s help. Call 837-6515.