Cruising In Cameron Parish: Experience Beaches, Birds and Great Burgers
May 2024
No Couch Potato Kids! How to keep your children active in the summer
May 2024
Being out of school for a couple months can make children restless if they don’t have enough extracurricular activities scheduled. And learned doesn’t have to stop just because school isn’t in session. Make your child’s summer one to remember with one or a few of these camps.
GENERAL
Calcasieu Parish Public Library
2024 Summer Reading Program
The theme for the 2024 Summer Reading Program is “Adventure Begins at Your Library.” Early registration begins on May 20th and the official start begins on May 24th. The program runs for 7 weeks and will officially end on Friday, July 12th. Sign up at www.calcasieulibrary.beanstack.org/reader365
Bright Star Theatre Presents “Jack’s Adventure in Space!”
- Monday, July 8, 10:00 a.m. Vinton Branch
- Monday, July 8, 3:00 p.m. Iowa Branch
Crescent Circus – Experience the Magic!
- Thursday, June 27, 10:00 a.m. Central Library
- Thursday, June 27, 3:00 p.m. Moss Bluff Branch
- Friday, June 28, 10:00 a.m. DeQuincy Branch
The Dinosaur Experience – Ranger Martin visits with his Dinosaur Friends!
- Monday, June 3, 10:00 a.m. DeQuincy Branch
- Monday, June 3, 3:00 p.m. Sulphur Regional Branch
- Tuesday, June 4, 10:00 a.m. Central Library
- Tuesday, June 4, 3:00 p.m. Moss Bluff Branch
Hattricks Magic
- Monday, July 15, 10:00 a.m. Iowa Library
- Monday, July 15, 3:00 p.m. Carnegie Memorial Library
- Tuesday, July 16, 10:00 a.m. Westlake Library
- Tuesday, July 16, 3:00 p.m. Starks Library
Jimez Alexander – The Mezzy Mezz Show
- Wednesday, June 12, 10:00 a.m. Sulphur Regional Library
- Wednesday, June 12, 3:00 p.m. Epps Memorial Library
- Thursday, June 13, 10:00 a.m. Westlake Library
- Thursday, June 13, 3:00 p.m. Carnegie Memorial Library
LA Division of Archaeology
- Thursday, July 18, 10:00 a.m. Carnegie Memorial Library
- Thursday, July 18, 3:00 p.m. Central Library
Lady Chops
- Wednesday, July 17, 3:00 p.m. Hayes Branch
- Thursday, July 18, 10:00 a.m. Central Library
- Thursday, July 18, 3:00 p.m. Sulphur Regional Branch
- Friday, July 19, 10:00 a.m. Vinton Branch
- Friday, July 19, 3:00 p.m. Moss Bluff Branch
Mitch the Magician
- Thursday, July 11, 10:00 a.m. DeQuincy Library
- Thursday, July 11, 3:00 p.m. Moss Bluff Library
Schoolhouse Safari
- Thursday, June 20, 3:00 p.m. Central Library
- Friday, June 21, 10:00 a.m. Vinton Branch
- Friday, June 21, 3:00 p.m. Westlake Branch
Author: Gayle Webre “When I Was An Alligator” with special guests, LA Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
- Tuesday, July 16, 10:00 a.m. Central Library
- Tuesday, July 16, 3:00 p.m. Moss Bluff Library
Adventures in Cooking! – with Brittany Khamille
Adults are invited to an adventure in cooking with TikTok personality and Louisiana cookbook author, Brittany Khamille. She will be demonstrating how to prepare mini crawfish quiches. Registration is required. To sign up, call the Moss Bluff Library at (337) 721-7128.
- Saturday, June 15, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Moss Bluff Library
SOWELA Culinary Arts
8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Cost: All camps are $290 per camper and include breakfast and lunch. For more information or to register, visit www.sowela.edu/camps or call 337-421-6560.
Camp Schedule:
- Culinary Camp (Lake Charles Campus) June 17 – June 21
- Culinary Camp (Lake Charles Campus) June 24 – June 28
- Culinary Camp (Jennings Campus) July 15 – July 19
- Culinary Camp (Jennings Campus) July 29 – August 2
Beaumont Children’s Museum
All camps are open to campers entering 1st grade through 5th grade, with the exceptions of Imagineering (Full Day), Robotics 1.5, and Robotics 2.0 (Full Day). There will be a morning camp, afternoon camp and an all day camp.
- Week 1 – Robotics 1.0 (June 10 – 14)
- Week 2 – Imagineering: Super Mario Brothers (June 17 – 21)
- Week 3 – Camp Half-Blood: Percy Jackson (June 24 – 28)
- Week 4 – Robotics 1.5 (July 1 – 3)
- Week 5 – Art Exploration (July 8 – 12)
- Week 6 – BASF Kids’ Lab (July 15 – 19)
- Week 7 – Robotics 2.0 (July 22 – 26)
- Week 8 – Critter Camp (July 29 – August 2)
Cost depends on camp chosen. Visit https://www.beaumontchildrensmuseum.org/camps for more information and to register. All camp registrations close the Wednesday before the camp starts.
Calcasieu Parish School Board Tech Camp
July 15 – 19, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Grades 2-10
Cost: $475, includes iPad, iPad cover, t-shirt and daily snacks.
Location: CPSB Technology Training Center, 1724 Kirkman St.
For more information, contact Joyce Hemker at (337) 217-4120 or joyce.hemker@cpsb.org.
ARTS AND CRAFTS
Lil Art House Camps
Ages 7 – 12
$150 per student
- Week 1 – Walk on the Wild Side, June 3 – 7
- Week 2 – Beautiful World, June 10 – 14
- Week 3 – Walk on the Wild Side, June 17 – 21
- Week 4 – Beautiful World, June 24 – June 28
- Week 5 – Walk on the Wild Side, July 8 – 12
- Week 6 – Beautiful World, July 22 – 26
Register by calling (337) 990-5257 or visiting www.lilarthouse.com.
Niche Summer Camps
Art Lab Camp
- June 17 – 19
- July 22 – 24
In My Crafting Era Camp
- May 27 – 29
- July 15 – 17
Squish Squad Camp
- June 10 – 12
- July 8 – 10
The Magic of Creating Camp
- June 3 – 5
- June 24 – 26
For more information, visit nichecreativestudio.com.
Julieart School Art Camp
Up, Up, And Away
June 3 – 7
9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
$110
Art week based on things that fly
Altered Books
June 10 – 14
9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
$110
Children will alter books with collages, paint and doodles.
Earth, Wind, and Fire
June 17 – 21
9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
$110
Children will create artworks based on nature.
Shipwrecked
June 24 – 28
9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Create art based on the ocean and beach.
$110
Visit www.julieartschool.com/classes for more information.
Calcasieu Parish Plastic Model Contest and Expo
May 18, 9:00 a.m. – 4 p.m.
West-Calcasieu Arena and Events Center
40 Arena Rd., Sulphur, La.
Ipmsswamp.co
The Southwest Area Modelers of Plastic (SWAMP) will host a full day show to display plastic models, kits and accessories. There will be raffles, an award ceremony and a vendor area. Snacks and drinks will be available on site.
Christian Youth Theatre Group
Sea and Sky
June 17 – 21, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Ages 4-5 and 6-7
$210.00
Broadway Bound
July 8 – 12, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Ages 8-9 and 10-12
$210
Teen Showstoppers
July 8 – 12, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
$210
Visit https://www.cytlakecharles.org/camps/ to register.
Children’s Theatre Company
Extreme Theatre
June 10 – 14
Ages 8-18
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
$150
Children will learn about costumes, stage makeup, acting, singing, dancing and set design.
Wild Things
July 8 – 10
Ages 5-8
10:00 – 11:15 a.m.
Young children get introduced to theatre through games, movement and music.
$65
Kidz In Showbiz
July 22 – 26
Ages 5-8, 10:00 – 11:15 a.m.
Ages 9 -18, 10:00 a.m. – noon
$85
Participants sing, dance and act to scenes from Broadway shows. Visit http://www.childrenstheatre.cc/workshops for more information.
SWLA Music School
Lake Charles Young Band Nation is offering three sessions this summer for a cost of $350 each. Minimal experience required. Kids can play in a live band and perform a rock and roll show for friends and family.
- Session 1 Band: June 10 – June 14
- Session 2: Songwriting July 8 – July 12
- (Workshops with songwriters, write, record, and perform original music)
- Session 3 Band: July 29 – August 2
- Sessions are 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Monday through Friday with a gig on Friday afternoon. Call 337-513-7905 to reserve your student’s spot.
SPORTS
Lake Charles Yacht Club
Free Sailing lessons
June 10 – 14
5:30 – 8:00 p.m.
1305 N. Lakeshore Drive
Students should bring a life jacket, clothing and shoes that can get wet, and plenty of water. To register, call Ship To Shore at (337) 474-0730.
Splash Pads
The splash pads at Prien Lake Park and River Bluff Park are now open. Prien Lake Park, located at 3700 West Prien Lake Road in Lake Charles, and River Bluff Park, located at 543 Theriot Road in Moss Bluff. Both parks are open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Camp Smiling F.A.C.E.S.
June 3 – 6, 8:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Genesis Therapeutic Riding Center, 886 Landry Road, Sulphur
Ages: 4-12
$65
Children with physical and mental challenges, such as autism, spina bifida, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and other are invited to attend the West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital’s fishing, arts and crafts and equestrian skill camp.
You can download registration forms at https://www.wcch.com/in-the-community/camp-smiling-faces.
Lake Charles Racquetball Club Tennis Camp
Ages 4-11
8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Cost: Members $420 for two sessions; Nonmembers $490 for two sessions; $190 per additional session for member; $215 per additional session for nonmembers
This camp will focus on tennis but also focus on arts and crafts, cooking, lawn games and kickball. Two sessions minimum. Each child should bring sunscreen, a towel, a swimsuit, a hat, and a tennis racquet.
- Session 1: June 3 – 7
- Session 2: June 10 – 15
- Session 3: June 17 – 21
- Session 4: June 24 – 28
- Session 5: July 8 – 12
- Session 6: July 15 – 19
- Session 7: July 22 – 26
- Session 8: July 29 – Aug. 2
For more information, visit www.lcraquetclub.com.
Cowgirl Kicker Kutie Camp
July 22 – 26
Ages 5-11
8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
McNeese Rec Complex
$250, includes camp t-shirt and opportunity to perform with Cowgirl Kickers at first McNeese home football came in 2024.
Children are required to bring a lunch, drink and bottle of water daily. Visit https://www.mcneesecowgirlkickers.com/kickerkutiecamp to register.
Lake Area Adventures
Adventure Kids Camp
July 15 – 19
8:00 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Ages 6 and up
$350 for one child; $300 per additional child
Children will learn cooking, lifeguard training, kayaking and science. They will have access to pool time, obstacle courses and a gamers’ lounge. Visit www.lakeareaadventures.com/camps/ for more information.
Graywood Golf & Racquet Club
Tennis and Pickleball Camps
Ages 6 – 13
June 17 – 20
June 24 – 27
July 8 – 11
July 15 – 18
Contact Kevin Gillette at 337-562-1206, Ext. 4 for registration.
Golf Summer Camps
Ages 8 – 13
June 10 – 13
June 17 – 20
July 8 – 11
July 15 – 18
Contact Herb Piert at 337-562-1206, Ext. 1 for registration.
