April Vacation Mini-Camps

The Rye Arts Center is offering a four-day workshop for children ages 4 to 10, April 2 - 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The program will combine the talents of the their faculty and outside artists as you join in their exploration of world cultures. The art of paper cuttings is an example of one of the forms to be used during this workshop. This distinctive art form can be used for ceremonies, customs and decorations. European, Asian and Hispanic traditions will be some of the influences included. For further details and registration, call 967-0700 or visit www.ryeartscenter.org.

The Rye Historical Society is offering up a tasty mini-camp, “Three Centuries of Food,” for children ages 7 to 11 at the Square House Museum April 3 - 5 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Campers will explore the changes in cooking and dining over the past 300 years and learn to make foods such as corn bread, Apple Brown Betty and brownies. Children can come for one, two or all three days and should bring a bagged lunch. Snacks will be provided. The cost is $25 per day, $60 for all three days. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 967-7588.

The Rye Free Reading Room invites children to have fun at the library during the school vacation. Board games of all kinds will be available to play Monday through Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m.

On Monday, kids can bring a book, take home a book at a swap from 3 to 4 p.m. Trade as many books in good condition as you like. On Thursday, Flicks for Kids picture book films will entertain children age 3 _ and up at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. 

“Zathura” (PG) will be shown to children age 5 and older on Friday at 3 p.m. On Saturday, children in kindergarten through second grade are invited to munch on brunch and listen to chapters from favorite books at “A Book and a Bagel” from 11 a.m. to noon. For more information, visit www.RyeLibrary.org or call 231-3162.

Have some fun outdoors and welcome spring with the Rye Nature Center. Join in on some nature, art and science activities during Spring Ecology Camp for kids in pre-K through 4th grade, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 2 - 6. Every day campers will see animals, go on hikes, have a picnic lunch outside (weather permitting), hear stories and study the natural world. Registration and pre-payment required. The cost for members is $200 a week/ $50 a day; $250 a week/ $60 a day non-members. For more information, call 967-5150 or visit www.ryenaturecenter.org.

The Rye YMCA offers several options for children and teens this April break.

School Vacation Camp, for children in grades K to 6, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., will incorporate a variety of activities, including sports, games, swimming, arts & crafts, nature, science, special events and field trips. This camp will also be offered Monday, April 9. Extended hours from 8 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. are available for an additional fee.

Soccer Camp, ages 5 to 11, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. offers instruction and games and is followed by a one-hour free swim. Instructors will cover all the fundamentals of soccer.

Gymnastics Camp, ages 6 and up, 1 to 4 p.m., will include gymnastics skills, drills, tumbling and open workouts, followed by one-hour free swim.

In Drama Kids Camp, ages 5 to 11, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., campers will create their own puppet and learn the fundamentals of bringing that puppet to life.

During Stronger and Faster Teen Camp, ages 13 to 16, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., teens will participate in cardiovascular workouts, strength training in the fitness center, spinning, special group classes and indoor swim training. Teens will be divided into teams for fun and fitness challenges.

Registration has begun for all camps and continues on a space- available basis until a week prior to the start date. Camps are open to both Rye Y members and non-members. Register in-person or on-line. A copy of the Rye Y Spring Program Guide is available at the member services desk.