Make a Whingdingdilly or chart new waters with Sculptor, Cast Away at Arts Students League of Denver’s Summer KidArt Camps, for grades 1-11, 200 Grant St. A multitude of weeklong classes, June-Aug., provide creative possibilities for a wide range of artistic interests; courses fill quickly, sign up soon! Classes for children and young people are also held during the school year. Download a complete brochure at www.asld.org or call 303-778-6990. Tall tales, pioneer craft workshops and summer camps thrive in the 12-acre rural oasis of Four Mile Historic Park, 715 S. Forest St. The free Hay Bales & Tall Tales family storytime takes place first Saturdays (May 3, June 7) at 11a.m. Domestic crafts, blacksmithing and wood-stove cooking are featured 2nd, 3rd and 4th Sundays. Half-day, week-long Pioneer and Homesteading summer camps are offered June and July, and two full-day, week-long How the West Was Fun are set for June and August. For details, visit www.four milehistoricpark.org or call 720-865-0800. Learn more about the 7,107 islands of the Philippines at a free, international tea party for kids, Tues., May 6, 10a.m., at the Colorado International School, 4100 E. Iliff Ave. Plus, view Farhad Vakilitabar’s Children of Iran photographic exhibition. Call for reservations and info: 303-282-6666. Pick up a free Youth Summer Activities Guide and tap into education, employment & recreation opportunities, courtesy Denver City Councilman At-Large Doug Linkhart. Consider sports like tennis, gymnastics and river rafting, jobs in community-based service programs, and classes in GED, language and art appreciation. Available at schools, libraries, rec centers, and www.douglinkhart.org. Solve a pottery puzzle, excavate artifacts, and grind corn like the ancient Puebloans in Unearthing the Past, the Colorado History Museum’s next family-friendly Second Saturday program, May 10, 1p.m., at 1300 Broadway. Other Sat. events: Colorado Crops: Spring Planting, May 3; Home, Sweet Western Home, 17; Sodbusters, 24; Soldiers on Skis, 31. Saturday activities feature a guided exhibit tour, 1p.m.; program at 2p.m. Cost: free with admission, ($7 adults, children 12 and under are free on Saturdays); Second Saturday, $3/adult. Hit the Road Summer Camp offers day-long walking and road adventures at sites around Denver, and includes pre- and post-journey activities at the museum – tours, workshops, snacks and drinks. Register for July 14-18 or Aug. 4-8 sessions now at 303-866-4688. General info: 303-866-3682 or visit www.coloradohistory.org. Family Free Day at Museo de las Americas, 861 Santa Fe Dr., is Sat., May 10, noon-4p.m. Free admission to current exhibits, and arts and crafts workshops, each second Saturday of the month. Info: 303-571-4401 or visit www.museo.org. Greater Tuna is a satiric comedy about Texas’ third smallest town, where Petey Fisk has a duck problem and old Pearl Burras is making up some mysterious dog biscuits to protect her “checkins.” The youthful Wolf Company Players at Mizel Center for Arts & Culture, 350 S. Dahlia St., present Greater Tuna on Thur., May 15, 7p.m.; Sat., 17, 8p.m. & Sun., 18, 2 & 7p.m. Tickets $10/adults; $8/students & seniors; visit www.mizelcenter.org or call the Box Office, 303-316-6360. Parents and young music buffs, ages 2-10, can sing, dance and finger-play in the next Children’s Sing-A-Long, Sat., May 17, 10:30-11:15a.m., at Swallow Hill Music Association, 71 E. Yale Ave. The casual, monthly gathering provides shakers, rhythm instruments and instructors. The Julie Davis Music School also offers instruction in guitar, recorder, music theatre and more. Info/registration: 303-777-1003 or www.swallowhill.com. School Days Off is a day-long daycare alternative for kids 6-12 filled with rock climbing, floor hockey, volleyball and more, at an affordable price, through University of Denver Ritchie Center Recreation. Dates coincide with upcoming Denver & Cherry Creek remaining school breaks: May 27-30. Call Jami Petersek, 303-871-3908, with questions, and Tom Bauer, 303-871-7728, to register. Info: visit www.recreation.du.edu. Imagine That! Summer Theatre Camp is coming to Grant Ave. Community Center, 216 S. Grant St. Three sessions: May 27-31, June 2-6 and Aug. 11-15. Visit www.imaginethatdenver.com for detailed schedule, or call Stacey, 303-596-6812. Dig into the world of plants this summer with weekend activities and storytimes at the Denver Botanic Gardens, 1005 York St. Plants We Eat From Around The World introduces edible plants from other cultures with cooking demos, savory samples, and tips on growing exciting foods at home. Held 10a.m.-2p.m., Sat. & Sun., May 31 & June 1. Storytellers weave dramas of plants, animals and nature in Story Time in the Gardens, every Saturday at 10a.m. on the Children’s Secret Path, starting May 31. Free with DBG admission. Details on kids summer camps and classes: www.botanicgardens.org, or call 720-865-3500. The Children’s Art School helps kids explore the world and encourages their imagination, at 700 S. Franklin St. in St. John’s Lutheran School. Spring and summer week-long and Saturday classes are offered in drawing, painting, sculpture and paper crafts. On Sat., May 31, 1-3p.m., celebrate El Sol, the sun, in Mexican art and stories with guest artist Arlette Lucero of the Chicano Hispanic Arts Council. $20/family. Call 720-319-3813 for details, and complete schedule of courses. School’s ending and a summer of reading fun is just beginning at a nearby branch of the Denver Public Library, offering storytimes and activities for kids of all ages. Note: all locations closed Mon., May 26, for Memorial Day. Byers, 675 Santa Fe Dr. Last week of After School is Cool! programs, including crafts, theatre, stories and fun, on Mon, Wed. & Fri., May 5, 7 & 9, 4-5p.m. Info: 303-571-1665. Eugene Field, 810 S. University Blvd. Super Saturdays for all ages, 10:30a.m.: May 3, Musical Balloons With Suzaloonz; 10, Musical Favorites With Mary Sue and Cari; 24, Patticake the Clown; 31, Dr. Noize! Info: 303-777-2301. Central Library, 10 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy. Weekday children’s activities – ending Fri., May 9, and resuming Mon., June 2 – 10:30a.m.: Tuesdays, Bookbabies I (0-6 mo.); Wednesdays, Tales for Twos & Craft (24-35 mo.); Thursdays, Preschool Storytime & Craft (3-5 yrs.); Fridays, Bookbabies II (early walkers). Saturdays at 2p.m. (all ages): May 3, Enchanted Library puppet show; 10, Reading is Best with Mary Sue and Cari; 17, World Drum Celebration; 24, Butterfly Pavilion’s Summer Bug Safari; 31, Top Hogs. Info: www.denverlibrary.org or call 720-865-1306. Decker, 1501 S. Logan St., Preschool Storytime (3-5 yrs.), Wednesdays, 12:30p.m. Bookbabies (0-24 mo.), Mondays, 12:30p.m. & Thursdays, 10:30a.m. Saturday programs (all ages), 10:30a.m.: May 3, Animals Around the World with Safari Sally; 10, Musical Balloons with Suzaloonz; 17, Rosy Rosebud the Clown; 24, Macaroni and Cheese Music Show wih Michael Stanwood. Info: 303-733-7584. Schlessman, 100 Poplar St.: Bookbabies (3-24 mo.), Thursdays, 10:30a.m.; All-Ages Storytime (pre-K-5th grade), Tuesdays 10:30a.m. Summer Reading Kick-Off for all ages is set for Thur., May 29, 3-5p.m. with free balloon animals for registering. Green Travel teaches about the environment and “Leave No Trace” camping, Tues., June 3, 10:30a.m. Info: 720-865-0000. Virginia Village, 1500 S. Dahlia St., hosts Tot Tales (2-3 yrs.), Mondays, 10:30 & 11:15a.m.; Bookbabies (6-24 mo.), Tuesdays, 10:30 & 11:30a.m.; Storytime (all ages), Fridays, 10:30a.m. Super Saturdays, 11a.m.: May 3, Golden Orb Puppet Show with Daniel Barber; 10, Jack and the Beanstalk; 17, Stories to Tickle Your Funnybone; 24, Bug Songs with Tom Cornwell; 31, Kactus Pete Puppet Show. Info: 303-757-6662. Remember the good old days when summer lasted forever? Treat your kids to some lazy, crazy days with Summerville weeklong camps, May-August, at Washington Street Community Center, 809 S. Washington St. Activities include: field trips, swimming, boat races and crawdad fishing, lemonade stands and car washes, arts, crafts, drama, and just plain fun! Sign up kids 6-11 by the week or for a three-day minimum per week ($170/week; $47/daily). WSCC also offers a full-time, play-based learning Qualistar preschool, emphasizing school readiness and the arts and the Discoveryland Enrichment Program, 9a.m.-1p.m.. Also: Kids Club before- and after-school and DPS Days Off programs. WSCC has served the community since 1967. Info: www.wscc-denver.org or 303-733-4643. Registration is being taken now for Fall 2008 at Emmanuel Methodist Preschool, 2700 S. Downing St.; and summer camp begins Wed., June 4. Emmanuel is celebrating its 35th year of service to the community. Classes include play, music, literacy, art, dramatics, science, cooking, outdoor play, special events, summer camp and global learning. Tours are offered Mon.-Fri., 9:30a.m.; call to schedule. Denver residents with 4-year-olds can apply for tuition credits through the Denver Preschool Program. For information, call director Jeanann Johnson at 303-758-1697. Calling all kid capitalists: Enter the Celebration for Young Entrepreneurs business competition and awards event, honoring Coloradans, 6-21, who have taken risks to start and run their own businesses. Winners and finalists in four age categories receive cash prizes and mentoring opportunities, and recognition at a fall dinner and ceremony. Application deadline is June 20; download forms at www.yacenter.org or call 303-321-2265. Try out dance, music and creative expression at the three-week Kids-N-Motion Summer Camp, June 9-27, offered by Motion Underground Dance Studio, 2162 S. Colorado Blvd, Unit C. Campers (7-13) create, develop and star in their own hip-hop, ballet, jazz or break-dancing show. Or, see and learn the true art of hip-hop in the Colorado Hip Hop Festival, June 12-15. For details and registration for either event, call 303-786-7660 or visit www.motionunderground.com. Georgia Amar offers instruction in painting and laminated stained glass for boys & girls ages 7-14 this June at Habitat Gallery and Studio, 828 Santa Fe Dr. Sign up for one or both one-week sessions (June 9-13 & 16-20), held Mon.-Fri., 9a.m.-3p.m. Materials and lunch included in $295 fee. Sessions limited to 12 students. For registration, call 303-534-9740 or email habitatgallery@earthlink.net. Register now for Arts Camp at St. Barnabas, a weeklong day camp for kids, June 16-20, 10a.m.-3p.m. at 1280 Vine St. The non-denominational camp is led by professional artists who will help kids examine, experiment and explore fresh ways to express peace through games, song, storytelling, movement and visual art, and will conclude with a presentation on Sun., June 22. Open to children entering 2nd-7th grades; no prior art or camp experience needed. Cost: $100 (scholarships available). Info: Jane Schmitz, 303-388-6469 or jschmitz@stbdenver.org. Rock a week in a band this summer at Rock Music Boot Camp, offered by the Paul Green School of Rock Music, 216 S. Grant St. (Grant Ave. Community Center). Sign up now for June 23-27 and July 14-18 camps, held 10a.m.-3p.m. daily, at www.schoolofrock.com/denver or call 720-221-6991. Tuition: $325. Children do extraordinary things year-round at Iliff Preschool, Kindergarten and School-Age Summer camp. Visit students and teachers, Mon.-Fri., 9-10a.m., in the DC7 airplane classroom at 4140 E Iliff Ave. This year’s Kindergarten graduation will be 11a.m. on Fri., May 23. Founded in 1963, this alternative to traditional kindergarten caps class size at 15! Info: 303-757-3551. Download registration forms for the 2008-09 Kindergarten Class and the 2008 School-Age Summer Camp at www.iliff preschool.com. The Grant Avenue Kids performing dance group is now holding open auditions for boys and girls, ages 8-12, at the Grant Ave. Community Center, 216 S. Grant. St. To schedule an appointment, call 303-722-2624. Kids ages 3-12 can learn about God through music, crafts and story at Vacation Bible School, July 7-11, 6-9p.m., at Saint Mary’s Anglican Catholic Church, 2290 S. Clayton St. Call 303-758-7211 for details.. Denver Parks & Recreation is offering six outdoor and 11 indoor summer day camps emphasizing sports & fitness, arts & crafts, and aquatics. The affordable, licensed programs fill up quickly, so visit www.denvergov.org/recreation for a catalog and registration details. There are fitness programs and camps for every kid through the Robert E. Loup Jewish Community Center, 350 S. Dahlia St. Challenge Fitness provides opportunities for children with special needs (mild to moderate disabilities). Advance registration required; info, contact Parmet at 303-316-6309, or sparmet@jccdenver.org. Also available, June-Aug.: Camp Shai, traditional and special day camps for children entering grades K-9; Youth Athletics, with soccer, basketball, floor hockey, Nerf baseball, track & field; Tennis Camp for kids entering grades 2-9; Group Swim Lessons – parent-tot through advanced; and Camp Shalom Early Childhood Center Camp for ages 2-5. Mizel Arts & Culture Center Camps include half- and full-day workshops for pre-K–12th grade, in drama and visual arts. Wolf Theatre Academy sessions are June 2-Aug. 17, and MACC Art Academy sessions, June 2-Aug. 15. Visit www.jccdenver.org for full summer camp schedule. Kindermusik means musical fun and fellowship for kids 6 weeks to 3 years, at Wellshire Presbyterian Church, 2999 S. Colorado Blvd. Held Tues. & Wed., 9:45a.m. Caregiver must accompany children. Call Katy Fink-Johnson for details, 303-758-2233. Improving moms’ lives through support, education and advocacy is the mission of Mothers & More, a secular, not-for-profit national organization. The Central Denver Chapter (#218) offers monthly activities like meetings, Margarita Club, play groups, family picnics, and provides email networks, newsletters and Care Committee Support. Visitors welcome at monthly moms-only events; email mothersandmoredenver@ yahoo.com for details. No mom was ever meant to mother alone. That’s the philosophy of MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers). The Corona MOPS is a local chapter that meets at Corona Presbyterian Church at 8th Ave. & Downing St. Join in for brunch, meeting other moms and speakers on diverse topics. Children’s program provided. Corona MOPS meets first, third and fifth Fridays of each month, 9-11:30a.m. Motherhood is a journey of its own, and supporting each other is fundamental. For info, call 303-832-2297. Are you a Mod Mom? Do you have kids under 5? Are you expecting a new little one? Mod Moms – Moms of Denver – offers monthly get-togethers, playgroups, Mod Moms Unplugged, Bunko, book clubs and more, to build lasting friendships, have fun and support both mothers and children. Info: www.modmoms.org. The MOMS Club of Cherry Creek/ Washington Park invites stay-at-home moms to meet with other at-home mothers and their children. The Club offers events every week, including play groups, outings, Bunko, Mom’s Night Out, walking groups and family nights. Cherry Creek chapter info: www.momsclubofcherrycreek.com or email momsclub_cc@yahoo.com. Washington Park chapter: email wpmc_membership@yahoo.com or visit www.momsclubofwashpark.com. For All Single Moms – Families First offers a free Circle of Parents support group just for you! Discover proven methods for cutting down on the frustration of being a single parent in today’s hectic world. Unlock the knowledge you already hold and share your wisdom, create a support network and rebuild your self-esteem. Group meets first, third and fifth Thursdays, 6:30-8p.m., at Evanston United Methodist Church, 2122 S. Lafayette St. Free children’s group provided. Come build upon your strengths in a safe and nurturing environment. Info: call the Family Support Line, 303-695-7996, or Families First, 303-745-0327.