Summer camps to choose from

One of the challenges of spring is finding and selecting a summer camp for your children.

Fortunately, there are local camps for everyone in this area — from science lovers to fledgling thespians.

Plenty of camps are in the Winston-Salem Journal's online database at www.journalnow.com/summer-camps. We've selected a few to feature:

Field hockey camp

Who's it for? Girls ages 10 through high school

What they'll be doing: There will be two camps at Kentner Stadium and adjacent fields at Wake Forest University. The director is Jennifer Averill, the head field-hockey coach at WFU.

The Elite Camp, for players 12 and older, will cater to those who aspire to play competitively, perhaps in college. Campers will be encouraged to play multiple positions during the camp.

The Team and Individual Camp, for players 10 and older, will cater to players at all levels. Team and individual campers will learn skills and enhance their knowledge of the game by participating in drills.

When they'll be going: Both camps run each day from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Elite Camp is July 7-10, and the Team and Individual Camp is July 11-14.

What you'll be paying: The cost of each camp is $485, which includes room and board for resident campers. There's a 15 percent discount for day campers. A team discount of $10 per player is available for teams enrolling 15 or more players.

To learn more: See www.wakeforestfieldhockeycamp.com or contact Jill Miller at (336) 655-0395 or wshockey@gmail.com.

Lego and robotics camp

Who's it for? Ages 4 to 14

What they'll be doing: There are weekly sessions at Salem College and Academy for builders ages 4 and 5, ages 6 to 8 and ages 9 to 14. Builders ages 4 and 5 enjoy Lego lessons and games.

Builders ages 6 to 8 learn about architectural concepts and engineering principles. They're also introduced to Digital Design CAD software as a tool for design.

Builders ages 9 to 14 have their choice of the more difficult sets and sculptures. They will be challenged with the Lego Mindstorms robotic program.

When they'll be going: Builders ages 4 and 5 meet 9 a.m. to noon June 13-17. Builders ages 6 to 8 meet 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 1 to 5 p.m. June 13-17, June 20-24, June 27-July 1, July 25-29 and Aug. 1-5. Builders ages 9 to 14 meet 2 to 6 p.m. June 20-24, June 27-July 1, July 25-29 and Aug. 1-5.

What you'll be paying: $200 for each session with the exception of the one for builders ages 4 and 5. That's $180.

To learn more: Visit www.inventivebuilder.com or contact Anne Gaither at info@inventivebuilder.com or (704) 880-6105.

Salem sports camp

Who's it for? Ages 4 to 11

What they'll be doing: Coeducational learning and fun for all skill levels, with age-appropriate activities for younger (ages 4 to 6) and older (ages 7 to 11) campers. Activities will include swimming, soccer, basketball, tennis, archery, golf and lacrosse. They're designed to teach fundamentals of individual and team sports in a secure, noncompetitive environment.

When they'll be going: One-week sessions will be at Salem Academy from June 20 to July 15. Camp has half-day sessions only, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

What you'll be paying: $145 a session, with 25 percent off for each additional sibling.

To learn more: www.salemacademy.com or contact Lorie Howard at (336) 721-2732 or sportscamp@salem.edu.

Dance day camp

Who's it for? Children turning 4 by Sept. 1 through middle school students

What they'll be doing: Camps at Miss Joyce's Dance Studio in King will be for ages 4 and 5, for rising first- through fourth-graders, and for ages 9 through middle school. Each full-day camp will feature three hours of instruction in such styles as ballet, tap and jazz, and/or in such disciplines as baton twirling and acrobatics. Each half-day camp will have 90 minutes of instruction in dance and acrobatics. Activities will supplement the instruction: singing camp songs, arts and crafts, field trips, story time, nature study and games.

When they'll be going: Five one-week sessions start June 20 and end July 22. Mini camps for ages 4 and 5 are June 20-24 and July 4-8, with sessions lasting from 8 a.m. to noon or from 1 to 5 p.m. Sessions in the other camps are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. only. Camps for rising first- through fourth-graders are June 27-July 1 and July 11-15. A camp for students ages 9 through middle school is July 18-22.

What you'll be paying: $60 a week for half-day or $120 a week for full day. Each session is limited to 10 campers. No special dancewear is required.

To learn more: Contact Miss Joyce's Dance Studio at (336) 983-9458, visit www.missjoycesdance.com or e-mail Joyce Triche at missj@missjoycesdance.com.

SciWorks camp

Who's it for? Rising kindergartners to rising sixth-graders

What they'll be doing: SciWorks will hold different summer camps each week, from Buccaneer Buddies to NOAA's Ark. Buddies, for rising second- and third-graders, is about pirates, ships and more. Ark, for rising fourth- through sixth-graders, is about oceanography and marine animals.

There are also camps for wannabe architects, and ones that revolve around animals, astronomy and more. Game On! teaches fourth- to sixth-graders the science behind their favorite sports and games.

When they'll be going: Eight one-week sessions start June 20 and end Aug. 12 in half-day (9 a.m. to noon) or daylong sessions (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

What you'll be paying: Members: $100 a week for half-day, $190 a week for full day. Nonmembers: $125 a week for half-day, $220 a week for full day.

To learn more: Call (336) 714-7105, go to www.sciworks.org or contact the scheduling department at info@sciworks.org.

Musical theater

Who's it for? Students in kindergarten through 12th grade

What they'll be doing: Performing and staging the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools' 51st summer musical. This year, it's "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." Organizers are looking for singing and dancing actors, theater techies and an Elvis impersonator, as well as males to play Jacob's 11 sons. The performance, which is free to attend, runs July 19-21 at Reynolds Auditorium at Reynolds High School, where rehearsals take place.

When they'll be going: Fourth- through 12th-graders attend five weeks starting June 20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Kindergartners through third-graders participate for two weeks starting July 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Generally, students in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County schools who show an interest in acting, singing and/or dancing are recommended by their teachers to attend; however, the program has also included students from outside the public schools who have a special interest in these arts.

What you'll be paying: Student actors in fourth through 12th grade pay $500 to help cover the cost of production; kindergartners to third-graders pay $250. Organizers are looking for tech-crew members, too. They don't have to pay a fee. The techs will construct sets. And during the show, they will fly set pieces, make set changes, and run lights and sound.

Participants can audition for major roles or be cast in the ensemble. Interested students must be nominated by a faculty member at their school or must contact organizers.

To learn more: Contact Lynn Foltz, producer, at (336) 727-2629 or Diana Marshall-Shoaf, artistic director, at (336) 748-4000, ext. 34259, or e-mail dmshoaf@wsfcs.k12.nc.us.

KKeuffel@wsjournal.com

(336) 727-7337