Let’s admit it. This last year has been, you know, a bit of a mess.
Between school closings, extra childcare costs, remote work back to in-person, sanitizing everything and, of course, the big question of mask or no mask, the past year has had its challenges. (And hey, do mask and get a vaccination – all those ages 12 and up are now eligible. Just text your zip code to 438829 to receive information about the vaccination site closest to you.)
As we slowly inch back to normal this summer, it’s time for a bit of fun and laughter and an opportunity to switch our thoughts to imagining what is rather than what was.
So, my fellow parents and caregivers, Ms. Renaissance is here to help you plan your summer, whether you have it all figured out, you’re going with a “no plan is a good plan,” or like myself, still figuring it all out. To help you out, here is a list of Lawrence summer things to do for all ages – but especially kids – that are still accepting enrollments and sign-ups. Let us help you find your family’s summer fit and sunny happiness.
Here’s to sunnier days,
Ms. Renaissance, Kay Emerson
Have a change, or are we missing something? Please email us at hello (at) lawrencekstimes (dot) com and we’ll get this page updated ASAP.
Tip: Use Control + F or Command + F and start typing to look for something on this page.
JUMP TO — Arts • Athletics • Camps • Dance • Kits • Music • Volunteer
Want to give back? Volunteer.
Lawrence Community Gardens
Who: All ages (great for social distancing)
When: Select times on weekdays and weekends, May-August
Cost: Free, supplies provided
Contact: ewestphal@ldchealth.org
Lawrence Humane Society
Who: Ages 7-15 with adult volunteer
When: All summer; create your schedule
Cost: $15 for volunteer T-shirt and training
Contact: 785-843-6835
Sunrise Project
Who: All ages
When: Select times all summer
Cost: Free, supplies provided
Contact: grace@sunriseprojectks.org
Prairie Park Nature Center
Who: Ages 14+
When: Summer animal care
Contact: Volunteer coordinator at mbirrell@lawrenceks.org
Youth Service America
Who: All ages
What: Develop a youth service project
When: All summer
Lawrence Public Library
Who: Ages 8-11
What: Plan and carry out service projects while building community and learning about civic engagement.
When: 4-5 p.m. first Wednesday of the month
Who: Ages 12-18
What: Read books and write 100-plus-word review
Want to learn a skill? Take a class.
Overton’s Archery Center
Junior Olympic Archery Development (JOAD)
Ages: Grade school+ (parental supervision)
When: 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays
Cost: $30 for one-hour orientation, $75 per month
Sew Simple Sewing
Masterminds Market – Youth Entrepreneur Course
Who: Ages 6-16
When: 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 19 and June 26
Cost: $120
Summer Sew
Who: Ages 6-16
When: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. or 4-6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, June-July
Cost: $140
Lawrence Public Library
Crafts for Pets
Who: Ages 12-18
When: 2-3 p.m. July 20
Cost: Free, but registration is required
Last Carnival
Kids Carney Class
Who: Ages 6-12
When: Various class times available
Cost: $80 per month
Theatre Lawrence
Penguin Project
Who: Youths 10-21 with disabilities and peer mentors
When: July-August
Cost: Free
Contact: Hailey Gillespie at youth@theatrelawrence.com
Parks & Rec
Tumble n’ Play
Who: Ages 1-5 (parent/guardian must accompany child)
When: 10:15-11:15 a.m. Mondays through Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, June through August
Cost: $5 per class
Want to stay connected? Join a virtual club.
Lawrence Public Library
Imaginarium Mondays
Who: Ages 8-11
When: 2-3 p.m. Mondays, June 7-July 26
Cost: Free, but registration required
Wednesday Wonders
Who: Ages 5-7
When: 2-3 p.m. Wednesdays, June 2-Aug. 4
Cost: Free, but registration required
JUMP TO — Arts • Athletics • Camps • Dance • Kits • Music • Volunteer
Looking for a camp? See who is still enrolling.
Schiefelbusch Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic
Who: Grades 3-8
When: June 28-July 2
Cost: $180 or $80 with scholarship
Prairie Park Nature Center
All-day science and nature camps
Who: Ages 6-13
Where: In person
When: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: $130 per week
Pet World
Nature camps
Who: Spots available for ages 3-6
Where: In-person
When: Various times for camps by age groups
Cost: $160 per week
Contact: Ande at Ande.PetWorldExperience@gmail.com
KU Natural History Museum
Who: All ages
Where: Virtual
When: Forensic Fun: Wildlife Forensics is set for 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, July 30; other camps are available to go at your own pace
Cost: Free
Parks & Rec
Mad Science half-day camp
Who: Ages 5-8
When: 1-4 p.m. June 7-June 11
Cost: $165
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On the go? Grab a kit.
Lawrence Public Library
What: Filled with books, crafts and goodies as part of Summer Reading
Who: Ages 0-18
When: First Mondays
Where: Readers’ Theater
Cost: Free; registration is limited
Who: Teens
When: Pick up after 4 p.m. on Fridays
Where: Readers’ Theater
Cost: Free; registration is required
More summer fun
The Arts
Theatre Lawrence
(Scholarships opportunity available)
All-day theatre camps
Who: Ages 7-12
When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. June 21-25 or July 12-16
Cost:: $275 per camp
Lawrence Arts Center
(Income-based scholarships available)
Who: Pre-K-K
When: 10-11 a.m. Wednesdays, July 7-July 28
Cost: $50
What: Virtual SYT play performance
Who: Grades 4–12
When: 2-4 p.m. June 1-11
Cost: $160
What: SYT costumes
Who: Grades 5–12
When: 1:30-4 p.m. Monday through Friday, June 1-18 or July 6-23
Cost: $180
What: SYT technical theatre
Who: Grades 5-12
When: 9:30 a.m.-noon Monday through Friday, June 1-18, June 21-25 or July 6-23
Cost: $180/$75 for shorter session
What: Virtual SYT tech: sound design
Who: Grades 5-12
When: 10-11:30 a.m. June 21-25
Cost: $75
What: SYT rookie camps
Who: Grades 1-4
When: 9-11:30 a.m., various dates June-July
Cost: $120
What: SYT rookie virtual camp
Who Grades 1-4
When: 9-10:30 a.m., various dates June-July
Cost: $75
Who: Grades 1–12
When: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or 1:30-4:30 p.m.; several classes still available on various dates June-July
Cost: $120 per session ($100 Virtual)
Sunfire Ceramics
Pottery creation
Who: All ages
When: Walk-in and by appointment
Cost: $15 base for supplies and firing
Dance
Lawrence Arts Center
Summer Dance Film Projects
Who: Grades 6-12
When: 1-4 p.m. Wednesday, June 6-July 2
Cost: $125
Lawrence Dazzlers
Fairy Tale Dance Camp
Who: Pre-K-3rd Grade
When: July 20-22
Cost: $55
Contact: caryn@oylermail.com
Parks and Rec
Summer Dance Camp
Who: Ages 4-10
When: 1-2:30 p.m. for ages 4-6, 2:45-4:45 p.m. for ages 7-10, Monday through Friday; multiple weeks available June-July
Cost: $60 or $80
Music
Amplify Lawrence
(Scholarship available)
Girls Rock Lawrence Hybrid
Who: Grades 4+
When: June 21-25
Cost: $200
Contact: amplifylawrence@gmail.com
River City Rock Camp
(Scholarships limited)
Summer Rock Band Experience
Who: Grades 4+
When: July-August
Cost: $300
Contact: Adrian Rees at rivercityrockcamp@gmail.com
KU’s 2021 Virtual Midwestern Music Camp
Who: Grades 7+
When: June 14-16
Cost: Free
JUMP TO — Arts • Athletics • Camps • Dance • Kits • Music • Volunteer
Athletics
Lawrence Ultimate
What: Ultimate frisbee summer league
Who: Adults
When: Free social night at 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 24; free pick-up game at 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 31; summer league begins at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 7
Where: Youth Sports Complex, 4911 W. 27th St.
Cost: $40 for new players, $50 regular; includes jersey
Jayhawk Gymnastics Day Camp
What: Gymnastic half-day and full day camps
Who: Age 4+
Cost: $30 per session or $150 ($240) per week
Parks & Rec
Gymnastics full-day camp
Who: Ages 5-12
When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. June 7-Aug. 13
Cost: $165 per week
Ninja Camp
Who: Ages 6-12
When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. June 1-Aug. 6
Cost: $165 per week
Climb Lawrence
On Belay Climbing Camp
Who: Ages 7-13
When: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, June-July
Cost: $260/$325 per week
Boulder Buddies Camp
Who: Ages 5-6
When: 9 a.m.-noon June 21-25 or July 12-16
Cost: $225 per week
University of Kansas Tennis
Tennis camps
Who: Pre-K +
When: Various times June 20-23 and July 11-14
Cost: $150 – $200
