It’s time to box up the Wii and show your kids some real
summertime fun. After all, Houston and its environs are packed with activities
to fill the summertime months, whatever your child’s interests. Start planning
now with The Summer Book 2010: A Guide to Houston Day Camps and Classes for
Kids and Teens (Gish Creative, $12.95). The
eighth edition of publisher/editor Sarah Gish’s essential family resource sorts
more than 200 opportunities by category, age group, duration and dates. Many of
our most beloved institutions are here, including the Houston Museum of Natural
Science, Moody Gardens, Houston Zoo, Houston Grand Opera, Theatre Under the
Stars, Glassell School of Art, The Health Museum and the Houston Arboretum
& Nature Center, as well as major sports teams such as the Aeros, Dynamos,
Rockets and Texans. Does your daughter dream of horses? Check out the Sam
Houston Equestrian Center’s Summer Horse Camp. Your little Steve Jobs might
favor a robotics or technology retreat. Budding Olympians can hone their skills
at swimming, ice skating, gymnastics, karate, tennis, fencing and more — no
remotes or Nunchuks allowed. Animal lovers will flock to the Houston SPCA
Critter Camp and Camp Zoofari at the Houston Zoo. Little Hermione Grangers can
focus on science (Camp Invention or Mad Science of Houston Summer Camps,
anyone?) math, creative writing, reading, foreign language immersion or even
college credit courses. Eclectic choices abound: scuba diving, pottery, musical
theater, skateboarding, rock ’n’ roll, magic, rock climbing, improv comedy,
alternative filmmaking, self defense, surfing, African dance, cooking, even
Irish step dancing. Purchase your copy of The Summer Book at more than 20 local stores, including Barnes &
Noble and Borders Books & Music. For more information and a full
list of retailers, visit thesummerbook.com.