If you’ve got a boy, (or girl, for that matter) I don’t know what could possibly say “SUMMER” any more than spending a week at Outdoor Education Laboratory (OEL). My son was able to attend session 4 this summer, June 22-26, 2009;  which just so happened to be that week of June when it was HOT.  Ridiculously hot.  I felt absolutely horrible as I sent him out the door that first day… ’til I remembered spending many hot weeks at YMCA Camp Gravois in Versailles, MO as a kid!  Anyone else go there?!?

This camp was the perfect way for a young kid to “try out” the camping experience without having to sleep over.  OEL has been around since 1976 and is really a nature and outdoor discovery program.  (I think it’s even referred to as “bug camp” by a few of my son’s friends.)  It was actually developed by KC-area teachers, and due to its location, serves mainly kids from southern Kansas City as well as from the Shawnee Mission, Blue Valley and Olathe school districts.  K-6th graders are welcome.  There are actually two campsites, and you sign up for one or the other.  The day camp lasts 5 days and goes from approximately 9am until 3:30pm.  Activities include fishing, canoeing, insect cages and flower identification to name a few.

My son came home each day absolutely FILTHY.  And I don’t mean a few grass stains and dirt-under-the-nails filthy…I mean soaking wet with creek “debris” inside his shoes, socks and underpants.  He was red-cheeked and smelled like, well, someone that had spent 6 hours in the relentless heat.  When pressed as to why he didn’t choose to swim–and cool off–he said, “because I wanted to hold the snake/lizard/ferret/hedgehog/(insert random animal here).”  And parents–don’t think you get to escape the experience–on the last day, we trekked out to camp to have a cookout lunch with our campers.  Imagine how excited I was to cook over an open flame when the heat index was 110!  An exercise in patience, to be sure.

OEL camp was a great experience for my son.  It wasn’t cheap–$145 for the week–but I think he’d tell you it was well worth it.  Also–word to the wise–like many summer camps in KC, this one books up quickly!  Registration typically opens in March for the summer sessions and they are usually full within a few days (or hours).  Even though it’s already July, you might still find spots at other KC camps for the rest of the summer.  Check our 2009 Summer Camp Directory for lots of ideas!

It’s that time of year…when thoughts turn to SUMMER! And more specifically, “How am I going to keep my children busy for those 100 days?!?”  Did you know that you can send your kid to Space Camp?  (Kansas Starbase, KCK).  What about cartooning, sculptural mask-making and pinhole photography?  Got that, too!  (Kansas City Art Institute, KCMO).    Kate and I have been working the past few months to collect, sift through and organize the various camp offerings found in the KC Metro.  And let me tell you, there are TONS of them!  Last year’s Camp Directory was wildly successful, and we will build on that and follow a similar layout.

We will group camps in to 6 general categories:  General Day Camps, Visual Arts Camps, Performing Arts Camps, Science and Nature Camps, Sports Camps and Special Needs Camps.

You will want to check in this Monday, March 9, as the new 2009 Directory will be published.  Pass us on to your families, friends and neighbors–we have made finding and registering for camps less stressful!  Don’t put off doing your homework…camps are filling now and summer really is right around the corner.  (Step outside if you need a gentle reminder!!!)

***IF YOU REPRESENT A LOCAL CAMP AND ARE READING THIS…HOW WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR CAMP TO APPEAR AT THE TOP OF THE LIST? DON’T DELAY…CONTACT ME AT:  Kiran@KCKidsFun.com or simply leave a comment!  IT’S NOT TOO LATE!

You may have noticed an area designated “Our Community Partners” down the left-hand side of the site. The first two organizations we have chosen to support are Children’s TLC Therapeutic Learning Center and Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Greater Kansas City Chapter (AAFA).

A little background on both: The mission of CTLC is to provide therapeutic and educational services for children with disabilities in an environment which fosters their independence and celebrates their successes. CTLC was established in Kansas City in 1947 and is located at 31st and Main Street. No child is denied services due to inability to pay.

And, readers, CTLC needs YOUR help! Volunteer now for the 2009 Groundhog Run on Jan. 25. It’s all hands on deck for this annual event: your help is needed for things like handing out T-shirts, runner check-in, assisting at the finish line, and even distributing water to the over 3000 participants. Groundhog Run is held at Hunt Midwest Subtropolis, 8300 NE Underground Drive (across from Ameristar Casino), and includes a 5K, which starts at 9am, and a 10K, which begins at 10am. All ages are welcome. To volunteer, contact Coeli Baker at cbaker@childrenstlc.org or call 816-756-0780. Click here for race details.

AAFA-KC is an organization very close to my heart–my son has severe asthma and has been on medication all of his 7 years! AAFA conducts many programs and offers services to Kansas City area children, adults and families. These include Family Asthma and Allergy Education Day, Adult Discussion Groups and Medical Equipment Assistance. In addition, AAFA’s Casino Night helps raise funds to ensure Kansas City’s kids with asthma and allergies are able to attend Superkids Asthma Day Camp each year. We profiled Asthma Camp as part of our Summer Camp Series–one of our most popular features to date!

The 14th Annual Family Asthma and Allergy Education Day will take place on March 7, 2009 at Shawnee Mission South High School (5800 W. 107th Street, OP, KS). This is a fantastic, interactive opportunity for families and individuals to learn from area health care professionals. AAFA needs YOUR help! Volunteers are needed to assist with this important day. For information, call 816-333-6608. In addition, volunteers are needed and welcome year-round to assist with programming as well as fundraising. Simply send an email to Melissa at info@aafakc.org for more information.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Greater Kansas City Chapter will be holding its annual fundraiser tomorrow evening!  Friday night’s event, A Night In Monte Carlo, is a casino night and directly benefits AAFA, which is one of KC Kids Fun’s community partners.  The festivities, which are open to the public, will be held at the beautiful Sheraton Overland Park from 6:30 until 11:00pm.  For information and ticket prices, please call the AAFA office at 816.333.6608.

AAFA raises money to help with its many programs and services which are offered to Kansas City area children, adults and families. These include Family Asthma and Allergy Education Day, Adult Discussion Groups and Medical Equipment Assistance.

In addition, AAFA’s Casino Night helps raise funds to ensure Kansas City’s kids with asthma and allergies are able to attend Superkids Asthma Day Camp each year.  We profiled Asthma Camp as part of our Summer Camp Series–one of our most popular features to date!

Hats off to AAFA and our best wishes for a wildly successful fundraising event!