By Emily Cook
As the school year comes to a close and the summer heat begins to sizzle, children of all ages eagerly await the adventure ahead, the new friends to be made and the independence of summer. In addition to the many neighborhood pools, outdoor festivals and expansive parks, Northern Virginia is home to a diverse assortment of summer camps. Although registration opens in late winter, you’re not too late. In fact, you’re now on the cusp of this season’s inaugural offerings.
1. Stir things up. Register your young chef for an eclectic mix of weeklong courses in June, July and August. Morning sessions are offered for children ages 8 to 11, and afternoon sessions are available to teens ages 12 to 18. New offerings this summer include camps that teach kids about French cooking techniques, how to incorporate summer produce, an introduction to Latin American flavors, the ins and outs of baking and the secrets to the quintessential flaky crust./ Cookology, 21100 Dulles Town Circle, Sterling
2. Expand your palette. Encourage your child to nourish his or her inner artiste in a variety of art courses available in June, July and August. Half- and full-day weeklong courses are available to children ages 5 to 7 and 8 to 11, while one- and eight-week workshops are available for teens. New offerings this summer include classes that teach teens the finesse behind quick fashion sketches and the rendering of different textiles, and the fundamentals of digital and film photography. / The Art League, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria
3. Play a new part. Applaud the spirit of your young entertainer by enrolling him or her in an array of theatre acts all summer long. Sessions are offered to children ages 4 to 15 and culminate in a show. Join Encore Stage & Studio for its summer debut of Page to Stage, a brand new camp during which children ages 10 to 12 will both pencil and perform their own stories. / Encore Stage & Studio, 3700 S. Four Mile Run Drive, Arlington
4. Be flexible. Embolden your young yogi to unwind in one of Beloved Yoga’s four new weeklong afternoon kid’s camps in July. Instructors will focus on breathing, art, relaxation and self-expression. / Beloved Yoga, 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston
5. Strike a new interest. Support the determination of your young competitor by engaging him or her in the instruction of baseball and softball technique. Team up with Diamond Sports Training for its summer launch of a girls’ softball camp. / Diamond Sports Training, 45685 Oakbrook Court, Suite 100, Sterling
