Summer Afternoon Camp 2008
12:00 - 6:00 pm. June 9-August 1 Children will participate in age-appropriate and innovative outdoor and indoor games, and creative crafts that will be brought home to you by your smiling campers. Trained, caring counselors will supervise the children each day, helping them build character and confidence while also enhancing social skills through participation in exciting, educational, and interactive activities. This program is for boys and girls who are rising 1st through 8th graders in the fall of 2008. Registration begins April 14, 3:00-10:00 pm, at the following locations: Crane Creek Community Center, 691-1899; Crossroads Park, 754-6720, ext, 206; Denny Terrace Community Center Gym, 754-5290; Eastover Park, 353-7137; Killian Park, 754-7980; Meadowlake Park, 754-4463; St. Andrews Park, 772-6598. A minimum number of paid participants are required at each location the Friday before the week of camp in order for the camp to be held. We will continue to take registration throughout the summer on a space available basis. No camp on July 4. $15/registration fee; $35/weekly fee

2008-2009 After School Programs
Education, Recreation, and Inspiration for Today’s Students! Registration begins July 21! Register at the Recreation Centers and Schools where offered! For students in K5 through 8th grades. A year-round program beginning the first day of school until 6:00 p.m. Also available during many student holidays! Richland County Recreation After School programs are a great value! In addition to safe and happy children, after school can make a tremendous difference for students who may otherwise go home alone and also for those parents who would worry about them. Students get schoolwork assistance, fun physical fitness activities, sports, games, crafts, student driven clubs, and our celebrated ‘M.A.D.’ (Making A Difference) program which actively involves the students and staff in character, leadership, and citizenship programs. Recreation Centers: Blythewood Park, Crane Creek Community Center, Denny Terrace Community Center, Forest Lake Park, Friarsgate Park, North Springs Park, and Polo Road Park. School Sites: Burnside Elementary, Gadsden Elementary, Hopkins Elementary, Horrell Hill Elementary, Hyatt Park Elementary, Logan Elementary, South Kilbourne Elementary, Southeast Middle School, and Webber Elementary. At school sites, only students attending that school may participate. For more information contact the Richland County Recreation Commission’s Special Programs Office at 803-754-6720, ext. 206, or specialprograms@rcrc.state.sc.us.

7th Annual Kids Celebrate America!
Thursday, July 10, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. State House Grounds, Columbia SC Families, Day Cares, and Summer Camps are welcome! Groups should call in advance at 803-754-6720, ext. 206 A month of patriotic celebrations is highlighted by ‘Kids Celebrate America!’ which is held annually at the State House! Look at what is happening for our 2008 celebration!! Thousands of participants! Balloon Twisting and Face Painting, tours of the State House grounds, sing in the Patriotic Choir on the State House steps! Plan a picnic lunch on the beautiful State House grounds, and you do not want to miss nationally known children’s performer, Rick Hubbard, King of Kazoo! Make plans NOW to join us. Groups can use the Sumter Street side of the State House to unload – parking instructions will be provided!! Also, in addition to bringing a picnic lunch, we suggest caps, sunscreen, and water bottles. Most of the grounds are shaded, but some activity is in open areas. For more information about this FREE event contact the Recreation Commission’s Special Programs Office, 754-6720, ext. 206.

Celebrations Around the World! Day Camp Adventures 2008!
7:30 am - 6:00 pm. Celebrate Around the World! Day Camp Adventures 2008!! Monday-Friday, June 9-August 15, for boys and girls ages 6-13 who are entering the 1st –8th grades in the fall of 2008! No camp July 4th. Come celebrate the different festivals, traditions, and adventures of people all across this magnificent world! Each week will be bursting at the seams with enjoyable games, first-rate activities, and creative crafts all while understanding a bit more about the world we live in and how everyday should be celebrated!!!. So it’s “Celebration Seekers " time to jump on the bandwagon and join in the festivities!!!! Registration starts April 14. Bring a copy of child's reportcard or school ID to verify age. Registration fee, $15.00 Weekly Cost, $75.00 Registrants pay a $10 DEPOSIT FOR EACH WEEK of camp selected, and this is deducted from the weekly fee. All fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Camps are open to children of all abilities. If your child has special needs, please contact Linda Carter at 754-6720 ext. 203, so that any necessary arrangements can be made to ensure your child has an awesome and memorable camp experience. Camp Locations: Blythewood, Caughman Road, Forest Lake, Friarsgate, North Springs, and Polo Road Parks.

Showtime Carousel
Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. June 11, 18, 25, and July 9, 16, 23 Denny Terrace Community Center Auditorium ,6429 Bishop Avenue, Columbia, SC 29203 Groups of 10 or more must pre-register by calling 803-754-6720, ext. 206. Because of the popularity of our Showtime Carousel, we’ve now expanded to two performance times!! Mark your calendars and call today if you would like to attend this annual summer performing arts series featuring a variety of quality children’s entertainment! Though geared for ages 4 - 12, everyone is sure to get totally engaged in these exciting performances . . . you could end up on stage! Great for families, daycares, and summer groups! Remember . . . groups must pre-register! The totally free performances scheduled for 2008 is as follows: Flow Circus . . . June 11 A ‘Vaudeville Style’ children’s show that incorporates incredible juggling, magic, physical comedy, and improvisation. This highly interactive show inspires contagious fun that keeps boys and girls entertained long after the show is over!! Porkchop Productions of “The Ugly Duckling” . . . June 18 Audiences will be asked to join this professional theatre company on stage to perform the familiar children’s tale, “The Ugly Duckling” . . . but with a slightly modern twist. It’s “one-of-a-kind” theatre that you will not want to miss! Hobey Ford’s “Animalia” . . . June 25 Hobey’s intricate shadow puppetry work and creation of the original rod puppets, the “Foamies”, have earned him a place on stages across the world. He has received puppetry’s highest honor, the UNIMA Citation of Excellence. He returns to the ShowTime stage to engage, delight, and hypnotize children with wonderfully enchanting animations. Rick Hubbard, King of Kazoo . . . July 9 Throughout the United States, Rick has filled the stage with music, comedy, and fun for the entire family. Every song is an opportunity for children participation and every moment becomes a “kazoobie” experience, which means “exceptional, fun, and involving everyone.” Towards the end, boys and girls receive a free kazoo and a chance to perform in the grand finale, the “kazoobie band.” Fode Moussa Camara West African Drum and Dance . . . July 16 This year’s West African Drum and Dance Ensemble brings exciting energy to the ShowTime stage! Accomplished percussionist and dancers will rhythmically engage children and parents while also providing educational insight regarding African music. Wear your dancing shoes because it will be hard to ‘sit’ through this exciting performance! Columbia Marionette Theatre’s “Hansel & Gretel” . . . July 23 The always loved Marionettes will infuse merriment into this classic tale by the Brothers Grimm. The story follows Hansel & Gretel from their father's house through the forest to the infamous candy house. Wonderfully charming and entertaining for children and parents . . . a must see performance by the Columbia Marionette Theatre.

Free Playground Adventure Program
9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Monday-Friday, June 9-August 1, no camp July 4th. Rising first through eighth graders, ages 6 - 13 years old. The Recreation Commission offers a FREE half-day program at nine terrific sites throughout Richland County. Each weekly session is filled with fun activities including sports, games, crafts, educational activities, music, drama, and entertaining guest! Participants must arrive between 8:45 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. to participate. A free lunch will be served daily and is sponsored by the USDA Summer Feeding Program. Locations: Bluff Road Park, Crane Creek Community Center, Crossroads Park, Denny Terrace Community Center, Eastover Park, Hopkins Park, Killian Park, Meadowlake Park and St. Andrews Park. Registration starts April 14. For those needing additional hours of summer activities, some Playground Adventure sites offer an early arrival program, available from 7:30 a.m.–8:45 a.m., and a ‘Summer Afternoons’ Program, available from 12:00 noon–6:00 p.m. A weekly fee will be charged for ‘Early Arrival’ and for ‘Summer Afternoons’ participants. Sites offering this service include: Crane Creek, Denny Terrace, Eastover, Killian, Meadowlake, and St. Andrews. Bluff Road Park and Hopkins Park will offer ‘Early Arrival’ in the mornings and a special JUMPS Program in the afternoon. For more information about these programs please call the Special Programs Office or the Recreation Center you wish to attend.