Summer Things to Do for Kids

To motivate children’s summer reading be sure to check out Storytime at Lorelei Books every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. Vicksburg’s independent books store is located at 1103 Washington Street in historic downtown Vicksburg. Also, all day on Saturday June 9th Lorelei will present Summer Bridge student brain quest activities from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Participants are invited to come and go or stay all day! For more information just visit www.loreleibooks.com or call 601-634-8624.

The Vicksburg Warren County Public Library does story time for children every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. during the summer. In addition, the library offers musical presentations, movies, crafts – even a karaoke party and a sock hop. The library is located at the corner of Washington and Veto Streets. For details and dates visit www.warren.lib.ms.us and go to Services: Just for kids or call 601-636-6411.

Camp Invention, a nationally recognized nonprofit summer enrichment camp program for kids in grades K-6 will be offered at Dana Road Elementary School, South Park Elementary School, Bowmar Magnet School, Beechwood Elementary School and Warren Central Intermediate School from 8:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. June 4 – 8. Camp Invention promotes science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning and is geared toward building resourcefulness and problem-solving skills and encourages entrepreneurship in a fun and engaging environment. For more information visit www.campinvention.org.

Whether your kids like soccer, science, or anything in between, there is something for everyone at WinShape Camps for Communities. Camp activities combine spots, recreation, arts, Bible study and worship into one incredible week. WinShape Summer Camp will be at Crossway Church June 4 – 8 from 7:45 a.m. until 5:15 p.m. Camp is for grades 1 – 9. For more information visit www.winshape.org or call 601-636-2596.

Every summer the Vicksburg National Military hosts Junior Ranger Camps for ages 8 – 12 and Ranger-in-Training Camp for ages 13 – 16. Both camps are free, but you must register in advance. Applications can be found at www.nps.gov/vick/learn/kidsyouth/junior-ranger-camps.htm . The Junior Ranger Summer Camp will be June 25 – 29 from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. The Ranger-in-Training Camp will be June 4 – 8 from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Crawford Street United Methodist Church has scheduled Magnificent Mini-Camps throughout the summer. Camps will include art, language, play and music. Camps are for kids 3 and 4 – 7 years of age. Camp dates are June 5 – 7 “Campout” for ages 3 – 7; June 19 – 21 “Step into Storybooks” for ages 3 -7; July 10 – 12 “Mad Scientist” for ages 3 – 7; July 17 – 19 “Star Wars….Jedi Camp” for ages 3 – 7; July 24 – 26 “Bug-a-Paloosa” for ages 4 – 7 and July 31 – August 2 “Little Mexico” for ages 3 – 7. For registration call 601-636-5312.

B&B Theaters give another reason to be a kid in the summertime at their Summer Kids Film Series. B&B Theaters in the Vicksburg Mall offer screenings of fun and family-oriented movies for children. The movies are presented at 10:00 a.m. each Tuesday – Thursday during the months of June and July. Tickets are just $3.00 per person. For a complete schedule of movies visit www.b&btheaters.com or call 601-501-4774.

Tara Wildlife located at Eagle Lake just north of Vicksburg will be offering five camps this summer that are packed with summer fun activities and educational programs with an emphasis on outdoor skills, hunter safety and wildlife studies. Activities include fishing, canoeing, wildlife tours, game calling, campfire and cookout and much, much more. The camp dates are: Camp I June 3 – 9; Camp II June 24 – June 30; Camp III July 8 – 14; Advanced Camp July 22 – 26 and Archery Camp July 29 – August 2. For registration and pricing visit www.tarawildlife.com/camps/summer-youth-camps or call 601-279-4261.

Another sure bet for a great kid’s camping adventure is the Warner-Tully Memorial YMCA Camp. Warner-Tully is located 22 miles south of Vicksburg on 108 acres of timberland. The camp features newly renovated and air-conditioned cabins and lodge. Activities include archery, fishing, mud slide, canoeing, hiking, ropes course, swimming and a whole lot more. Warner-Tully offers five one-week camps for ages 7 – 13 and a 3-night mini camp for ages 6 – 10. (Session 1 June 10 – 16; Session 2 June 17 – 23; 3-Night Mini Camp June 28 – July 1; Session 3 July 1 -7; Session 4 July 8 – 14 and Session 5 July 15 – 21.) For more information visit www.warrnertullycamp.com or call 601-638-1071.

The Southern Cultural Heritage Center will be presenting several special summer activities. The Southern Exposure All-Day Summer Camps begin June 18 – 22. The camps will begin at 7:30 a.m. and conclude at 5:15 p.m. Perfect for working parents! This camp will feature exercising the mind, body and soul. Camp is designed for ages 6 – 13. Herman and Karen Biedenharn will oversee all camp activities. The cost of the camp includes all supplies and a snack. Additional camp dates are June 25 – 29; July 1 – 7; July 16 – 20 and July 23 – 27. Each week features a different theme. For more information email info@southernculture.org or call 601-631-2997.

The Southern Cultural Heritage Center will present its Multicultural Arts Camp the week of June 18 – 22. The camp will feature creative art projects and music. The camp is from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. and is designed for ages 6 – 12. For more information email info@southernculture.org or call 601-631-2997.

Rounding out the Southern Cultural Center’s kids summer activities are four cooking classes. June 25 – 29 is “Kids in the Kitchen Disney Delights Camp” from 8:30 until 11:30 a.m. for ages 4 -8. Also, June 25 – 29 is “Kids in the Kitchen Farm to Table” from 12:30 until 3:30 p.m. for ages 8 – 12. The classes resume July 9 – 13 with “Kids in Kitchen Creative Cooking Camp” for ages 4 -8 offered each day from 8:30 until 11:30 a.m. and “Kids in the Kitchen Science Lab Chefs Camp,” also for ages 9 – 13, will be offered from 12:30 until 3:30 p.m. For more information email info@southernculture.org or call 601-631-2997. Camp attendees are welcome to participate in Southern Exposure Camp for those who need stay all day.

Vicksburg offers some great options for keeping the kids entertained this summer. In addition to these special events be sure to check out all-things Vicksburg on our Event Calendar.