Lawrence families: Here’s your guide to fun in summer 2021

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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

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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

Kay Emerson 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 

Kids’ Action Club 

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

Volunteens

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

Kay Emerson 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 

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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

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Looking for a camp? See who is still enrolling. 

Schiefelbusch Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic

Articulation Adventure

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

Science Summer Camps at Home 

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 

BookBox

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 

Take & Make Craft Kits

Who: Teens

When: Pick up after 4 p.m. on Fridays

Where: Readers’ Theater

Cost: Free; registration is required

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More summer fun

The Arts

Theatre Lawrence 

Kay Emerson 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) 

Preschool virtual play

Who: Pre-K-K 

When: 10-11 a.m. Wednesdays, July 7-July 28

Cost: $50 

Summer Youth Theatre

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

Visual Art Classes

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

Kay Emerson Sunfire Ceramics

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

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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

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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

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