I suppose we shouldn’t have doubted the groundhog.
If we get as much snow as hype this week you’ll need this list we made last year of great spots to go sledding in Richmond. We also have a few egg carton crafts and if you stock up on milk, only to get an inch of snow you may want this list too. Whether you stay in or go out, please remember to bundle up. It’s seriously cold out there and if it does snow, you may want to call ahead to make sure these events are still happening.
Keep an eye out for events marked *FREE to save a little green, but there are lots of cheap and low cost events this week. Click on the link to get the details and scroll all the way down for all the information. If you’d like to view our whole calendar of events you can do that here.
Monday, February 16th 2015
“Four Score” Set Special: All Fired Up
Monkey Joe’s Annual Birthday Party
Story Time-Bon Air Library *FREE
Early Literacy Bilingual Spanish-English Story Times *FREE
Early Literacy Pajama Story Times *FREE
NAMI Central VA *FREE
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All Fired Up Art Camp is an art-intensive summer camp offering specialized instruction and a wide variety of projects in several art media. Summer camp sessions run June 22-August 28.
Each camper will have the opportunity to explore new areas of art and spend the summer in a fun and creative way!
Each week has a unique theme to allow repeat campers to have a fun and rewarding experience with each visit. Regardless of the week’s theme, every camp session allows campers to explore a variety of art media including Clay, Ceramics, Glass fusing, Drawing, Wheelthrowing, Tie-dye, Painting, and more!
Camp Options
Our standard half-day camp sessions are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. for ages 6-14. $200 plus tax. All Campers are required to bring their own lunch and drink.
All Day Camps
All Fired Up is partnering with Young Rembrandts to bring you an all day camp option! Elect to have your child stay for the afternoon and they will learn two-dimensional drawing and cartoon techniques. “All Day” camps will take place from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. during selected weeks (Sessions 1, 4 & 7) for ages 6-14. $350 + tax.
Teen Edition Camps
All Fired Up offers camp sessions specifically designed with teens in mind! Ages 12-16 are welcome to join us as we explore in-depth projects with more challenging techniques. Teen Edition camps will take place from 1-4 p.m. during selected weeks (Sessions 5 & 8). $200 + tax.
Summer Themes
Animal Planet June 22-26 (All Day Camp available)
Party in the USA June 29-July 3
Around the World July 6-10
Cruisin’ to Fun July 13-17(All Day Camp available)
Groovin ‘60s July 20-24 (Teen Edition available)
Going Green July 27-31
Up Up and Away August 3-7 (All Day Camp available)
The Sweet Spot August 10-14 (Teen Edition available)
Treasure Island August 17-21
Pet Pals August 24-28
Registration and Payment
There is a non-refundable deposit of $75 for each camper payable at registration. Standard half-day sessions are $200 plus tax. All day camps are $350 plus tax. Teen Edition camps are $200 plus tax.
Early Bird Registration: 10% off the camp fee discounted for sign up by March 31.
Sibling Discount: 10% off the camp fee discounted for additional children from the same family (e.g. 1st child @ $200 plus tax, 2nd child @ $180 plus tax for 1 standard half-day session).
Discounts cannot be combined.
Cancellation Policy: There is a non-refundable deposit of $75 for each camper payable at registration. Transfers require two weeks notice and are based on available space. If the unfortunate situation occurs that we must cancel any session that you have signed up for due to lack of enrollment, a full refund will be issued.
Register online today!!
Fun Facts About Art Camp
Art Show
We’ll host an art show on the Monday following each camp session at 6 p.m. We will display your child’s artwork and serve refreshments. Celebrate at our gallery gala and collect your projects to take home!
Art Camp Shirts
Campers will tie-dye a special Art Camp shirt! Wear the shirt after camp to receive a discount on pottery for the rest of the year!
Quality Instruction
The coordinator of our Art Camp is a licensed art teacher with the Commonwealth of Virginia. Our program is not only fun, but educational!
This article is sponsored by All Fired Up
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The School of Performing Arts in the Richmond community – SPARC – has provided incredible performing arts experience to students in the Richmond area for over 30 years. SPARC has full-day and half-day camps for students ages 4 to 18. With camps from June to August, every student can find a camp to help them shine!
Ch
eryl Lage of RichmondMom.com wrote in her article, “Fanning the SPARC”, “As a part-time (9-3:30 daily) working-in-an-office mama, the timing seemed ideal . . .confidence levels rose. Comfort acting, singing and dancing translates well to increased ease in presenting oral reports, speaking at assemblies, conveying the morning announcements. Thank you, SPARC. We’ll be back…probably this summer!”
Voted Style Weekly’s Family Favorites Winner for 2014!
Camps for Pre-K through Rising 3rd Graders
SPARCLERS Jr. Ages 4+ (Pre-K – Rising K) and SPARCLERS (Rising 1st – 3rd Graders)
NEW in 2015: SPARCLERS Camps are now one week sessions. Three exciting themes have been created so campers can participate in multiple sessions and have a unique experience each time.
Journey with us through the world of performing arts in just one week! SPARC’s youngest campers will learn the building blocks of performance – acting, singing, and dancing – as they work together to create a final show for family and friends.
Frozen Follies
June 15 – June 19 | Epiphany Lutheran Church
July 6 – July 10 | Bon Air United Methodist Church
July 20 – July 24 | Randolph Elementary School (*New Goochland Location*)
Imagination Explorers
June 22 – June 26 | Epiphany Lutheran Church
July 13 – July 17 | Bon Air United Methodist Church
Dragons and Damsels
June 29 – July 3 | Epiphany Lutheran Church
July 20 – July 24 | Bon Air United Methodist Church
August Adventure Jr. – Annie Kids (Pre-K – Rising 1st)
Half Day from 9:00am to 1:00pm for Ages 4+
In partnership, SPARC and Cadence Theatre Company present Disney’s Annie Kids, an abbreviated version of the beloved Broadway show. Students will learn about the rehearsal and performance process while improving their musical theatre skills with new friends. Camp will end with a final performance for friends and family. Half day students will attend from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., with optional after-care available from 1:00-3:00 p.m.
August 3 – 14 | Choose one of three locations: St. Mary’s, St. Cat’s, or Tuckahoe Pres.
August Adventure Jr. – Annie Kids (Rising 2nd – 4th Graders)
Full Day from 9:00am to 3:00pm
In partnership, SPARC and Cadence Theatre Company present Disney’s Annie Kids, an abbreviated version of the beloved Broadway show. Students will learn about the rehearsal and performance process while improving their musical theatre skills with new friends. Camp will end with a final performance for friends and family.
August 3 – 14 | Choose one of three locations: St. Mary’s, St. Cat’s, or Tuckahoe Pres.
Camps for Rising 4th through Rising 8th Graders
BRAVO JR.! (Rising 4th-5th Graders)
This engaging summer camp offers a daily rotation of creative performing arts training taught by some of Richmond’s leading professional artists! The camp ends with the debut of an original show created by the campers and lead staff. Extended care hours are available.
June 15 – July 10 | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | Tuckahoe Presbyterian
BRAVO! (Rising 6th-8th Graders)
Each day is filled with engaging performance arts activities such as; acting workshops, musical theatre training, audition skill building, creative movement and artistic collaborations. Students work with professional guest artists to learn about visual arts, stage combat, stage make-up and much more! The camp ends with the debut of an original show created by the campers and lead staff. Extended care hours are available.
June 15 – July 10 | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | Collegiate School
SummerStarz Touring Ensemble (By Audition Only) (Rising 4th-8th Graders)
Each summer, SPARC’s SummerStarz performing ensemble brings a free, family-friendly performance to over 1,000 people in the community. In 2015, SummerStarz will perform the brand new, award winning musical The Grunch. Summerstarz rehearses for five weeks and then tours the Metro Richmond area for several performances, from July 20-24, 2015.
June 15 – July 24 | Choose one of three locations: St. Mary’s, St. Cat’s, or Tuckahoe Pres.
SPARC Performing Arts Camp (Rising 5th – 8th Graders)
This one-week camp focuses on acting, singing, and dance. Students will learn age-appropriate games, exercises and performance material that will be showcased for friends and family on the last day of camp.
July 27 – July 31 | Randolph Elementary School (*New Goochland Location*)
August Adventure Jr. – Annie Kids (Rising 2nd – 4th Graders)
Full Day from 9:00am to 3:00pm
In partnership, SPARC and Cadence Theatre Company present Disney’s Annie Kids, an abbreviated version of the beloved Broadway show. Students will learn about the rehearsal and performance process while improving their musical theatre skills with new friends. Camp will end with a final performance for friends and family.
August 3 – August 14 | Choose one of three locations: St. Mary’s, St. Cat’s, or Tuckahoe Pres.
August Adventure – High School Musical 2 Jr.(Rising 5th – 8th Graders)
9:00am to 3:00pm
This smash hit musical comes to life on our stage in Disney’s High School Musical 2 Jr.! SPARC, in partnership with Cadence Theatre Company, will work with campers on all aspects of performance; acting, singing, dancing, props design, set design, costume design and more as they work together to stage the popular show. Camp will end with a final performance for friends and family.
August 3 – August 14 | Choose one of three locations: St. Mary’s, St. Cat’s, or Tuckahoe Pres.
Camps for Rising 9th through 12th Graders
ADVANCED BRAVO! (Rising 9th – 12th Graders)
Designed for the upper level teen who wants to dive into the world of acting, comedy and script writing. Elements of comedy improv, acting and scene work will be the focus, but students will enjoy additional workshops on music, dance, visual arts, combat, and many other exciting theatrical techniques. The camp ends with the debut of an original show created by the campers and lead staff. Extended care hours are available.
June 15 – July 10 | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | Collegiate School
Summer Acting Studio (Rising 9th – 12th Graders)
Learning to audition well is not easy! Students will focus on monologue selections, character development and audition management practices under the guidance of experienced professionals. Students will also receive the rare opportunity to have professional directors critique their audition pieces at the end of the session!
August 3- August 7 | 9:00 am – 3:00 pm | Richmond Triangle Players
SummerStock (Audition ONLY) (Rising 9th – High School Graduate 18 and under)
SPARC’s Summer stock ensemble allows students to perform in either a straight play or a musical. In 2015, student will perform in either You Can’t Take It With You or Hairspray.
June 15 – July 26 | 1:00 – 5:00 pm | SPARC Center
SummerStock Tech for Teens (Rising 8th – 12th Graders)
Students will get hands on instruction from theater professionals in all basic areas of technical theater: set design and construction, costumes, lighting, sound, and stage management. At the conclusion of the program, students will be assigned to work as part of the technical crew for one of our Summer Stock productions.
June 15 – July 17 | 9:00 – 1:00 pm | SPARC Center
SUMMER REGISTRATION: Begins on February 2nd. Register online at www.sparconline.org.
For registration questions contact Adriana Green at (804) 353-3393 ex 221 or agreen@sparconline.org.
This article was sponsored by SPARC.
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We’ll be singing songs about pet rocks, not biting our buddy and of course the presidential physical fitness test with the Diggity Dudes.
As always, come say hello to us at the Richmondmom.com table! We’ll have treats and crafts for the kids and we always love chatting with you.
Don’t forget this event is FREE!
MOMMY & ME (And Daddy Too!)
2nd Wednesday of Each Month
10:00am–11:30am Willow Lawn Plaza
See you there!
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All Fired Up – Each week long camp has a different artsy theme: Art Time Travelers, Unique & Useful, Great Outdoors, Sweet Soda Shoppe, Deep Sea Divers and Terrific Techniques are still to come before the summer is through!
Bricks 4 Kidz – Still has some openings for Bricks 4 GIRLZ, Mining and Crafting (for Minecraft fans) and a couple more, just a few slots available so move quick!
Romp n’ Roll- Knights, Princesses, & Dragons, Up, Up, and Away, Beach Party, Pop the Bubbles and Zoo Crew are among the camp themes for the remainder of the summer. Tuition per week includes all camp materials, a nut-free snack, and unlimited Open Gym the week your child is enrolled. Sibling discount available.
Education and Innovation Center for Children (EICC)- Figurative Language, critical writing and creative writing are all skills kids can hone in on this summer. Extended care is also available.
Engineering For Kids of Central VA – Kids can learn the Engineering of Food, Pirates, Travel, Robotics and more with these half day camps, sign up for 2 and get a $10 discount!
G-Force Karts has high octane camps for kids with a need for speed (and paintball too). Lunch and snacks included along with drinks all day and it’s practically guaranteed to leave your kids happy and exhausted.
James River Camp – Kids ages 9-12 can Learn a little bit of Virginia history, paddle a kayak and identify how the plants and animals of the river were hunted, gathered and used throughout history.
School of Rock - From beginner rockers to intermediate musicians, School of Rock can school you with LedZepplin, Green Day and more.
St. Christopher’s School Summer Enrichment- Review for the year ahead with classes for rising 1st – 3rd graders, Go to creative movement classes, ecological adventures and more! These classes are made to enrich your child’s learning in a fun and creative way.
Virginia Rep’s Dramatic Adventures – This half-day camp for preschoolers brings stories to life through process-based creative drama as kids use their bodies, voices, and imaginations to embark on a multi-sensory journey through a favorite book. Charlotte’s Web is still available.
SPARC August Adventure Jr. Just a couple of spaces left in the August Adventures Jr. camp geared toward ages 4-9. Campers will enjoy rotations of singing, dancing, arts and crafts, and acting as they collaborate to stage the beloved musical Jungle Book! Students must bring their lunch each day.
ComedySportz Summer Campsspend the summer laughing, making new friends and learning how to work as a team. Improv classes are more than just tickling your funny bone. Each class program is one week long and offers a graduation performance by the students.
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1. Check out the cause and supply list below. If it looks like something you’d like to do, let them know here and the lovely folks at HandsOn will send you instructions on how to do that month’s DIY project.
2. Volunteer at home with your kids, during nap time, or get a group together and volunteer as a team (learn how to create and manage a team right here).
3. Drop it off and feel good about making Richmond a little brighter while doing something really fun.
This month’s DIY: Decorate Bags and Boxes for Hilliard House
Mission:
Create at least 5 bags and 2 boxes. There is no maximum. Expect the total project to be done in about 3 hours depending on the number of items made and the number of people you have volunteering with you.
Supply List*:
• 5 paper grocery bags
• 2 empty copy paper, banker, or like-sized boxes (16.5 x 8.5 x 12.5 inches)
• Scissors
• Wallpaper, contact paper, wrapping paper, construction paper, scrapbook paper, decorative tape, markers, stamps, glitter, stickers, paint, etc.
• Adhesives- Glue, mod podge
*DIY Volunteers are responsible for purchasing any of the materials needed for DIY volunteer opportunities.
About the Hilliard House:
Hilliard House assists homeless women and their children to build their capacity to live productively within the community. Hilliard House not only provides immediate, on-site shelter and services, but also works to places families into permanent housing in the community as quickly as possible, thus shortening stays in shelter or, in many cases, eliminating shelter stays altogether. Research shows that this “rapid rehousing” approach is a more effective way to address homelessness and based on the principle that when people are in stable housing, other parts of their lives also stabilize. Most clients are provided basic supplies and goods to help them transition into their new lives. DIY volunteers will be decorating bags and boxes to transport these items and provide some much needed cheer and encouragement.
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Wax Valentine Hearts made with broken crayons:
Who doesn’t have a ton of broken crayons laying around our house? This project needs a bit of supervision, especially at the beginning but it turns into fun melted hearts that can be strung or glued onto cards.
To make the wax valentine hearts:
- Take your peeled crayons and shave them down with an old cheese grater. (A grown-up job.)
- Put a towel down, place a sheet of wax paper on the towel, place the crayon shavings on the sheet of wax paper and place another sheet on top, top it off with another towel.
Iron briefly till all the crayons have melted
together.- After the paper is cool cut or have your children cut hearts out.
- String them on some yarn to make a garland or glue them on card stock to make cards.
Whale Milk Jug Craft
Don’t want to just throw away your old milk jugs? Save them so your children can make milk jug whales. After the whales are assembled they can be used in the bathtub or pool.
What you’ll need:
- old milk jugs with labels removed
- scissors
- glue gun
- googly eyes
- white or blue foam pieces
- a whale book if you are using it as a lesson or for some extra reading time.
What you need to do:
- If you are doing the craft with small children you will need to cut the “mouth” out for them. Cut the bottom out as shown to the right.
- Have your child color the tail blue if your foam pieces are a different color.
- Take the hot glue gun and glue the tail at the pouring opening and the googly eyes at the other end near the mouth opening.
- There you have it. Milk jug whales for tons of bathtub fun!
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Want more kid-friendly crafts?
Make these easy cork sailboats
Find some Valentine ideas kids will love