School will be out the week of March 13 through March 17, but there are two activities to help keep youngsters busy – Camp Runamuckus and the Permian Playhouse spring break camps.
Christine Williams, director of community recreation at Odessa College, said Camp Runamuckus is for children age 6 to 12. It will feature field trips and activities at the OC Sports Center.
“We’re going to do field trips like go to the mall, go ice skating, go bowling, try to go do Laser Tag. Then while we’re here, we’re going to do all the sports – so basketball, volleyball, floor hockey, go outside, play tennis (and) play Army-Navy on the basketball court. Kids love it.”
Williams said Army-Navy is like Simon Says where the leader says Army and children have to do a specific activity. If they make the wrong move, they’re out, she said.
“Our plan is to keep the kids active and moving and having fun the whole week. … It’s spring break. We need to have fun,” Williams said.
Camp Runamuckus has full- and half-day options. Full day runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and costs $215. Half-day is from 8 a.m. to noon or 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and costs $140, Williams said. Parents can register online, by phone or in person by stopping by the Sports Center office, but space is limited.
All rental fees for ice skates and bowling shoes are included in the fee. If students stay all day, they can bring their lunch. Snacks and water will be provided in the morning and afternoon.
Last year was the first year for spring break camp, Williams said.
“It went really, really well. The kids loved it. The parents said that they would come home just talking about everything they did,” Williams said. She added that the youngsters wanted to participate in the summer camps as a result.
“We want to make sure parents have options out there and something to keep their kids busy and having fun and they get to meet kids from other schools, so they love that,” Williams said. “They’re always nervous that first day, but after that they’re perfectly fine.”
Williams said the college is anticipating another successful camp this year.
“We’re excited. Having kids here is fun. They make everything fun. … They get excited for the activities that we’re doing, so it’s hard not to get excited with them,” Williams said.
Parents may call 432-335-6348 with any questions.
At Permian Playhouse, Camp Director Brian Serrano said the camp will be for students currently in first through sixth grade. The theme is Under the Big Top and the cost for the week is $150 and $125 for siblings.
Classes in acting, music, dance, movement and improvisation will be available, along with arts and crafts. The camp runs from March 13 through March 17 and hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A showcase is planned for 6 p.m. March 17 at the Permian Playhouse.
Traditionally, Serrano said the camp has anywhere from 40 to 55 students, but they will take up to 60. The camp has been offered for more than 10 years, he added.
For the circus theme, all the music and acting will be circus related. The Kaleidoscope Company, the teenage acting troupe, hosts the camp.
“What we’ve learned and seen and studies show is students that are involved in theater arts have better social skills and better public speaking skills,” Serrano said. He added that 60 percent of the children who attend the camp are in the theater school and already interested in hitting the boards and another 40 percent want to try it out.
