Summer Fun for Kids 7-17

Area codes are 850 unless noted.

Destin Community Center

The following events will be held during the summer at the Destin Community Center. Call 654-5184 for information and to register.

•Kids’ Camp: Summer day camp from 9 a.m. to noon Mondays through Fridays for children ages 5 through 12 years. Camp runs every week through July 30, with no camp July 5-9. Towel and swimsuit required on Fridays. Cost is $35/week for Destin residents and $45/non-residents.

•Kids’ Camp Lunch Program: For ages 5 to 14 from 12 to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday to fill gaps between camps. Bring cold lunch. Drinks provided. $10/resident and $15/non-resident.

•Game Room & Open Gym: Hang out at the Community Center for all ages Monday through Friday. Under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Opens at 1 p.m.

•Cooking and Serving: Course for ages 8 through 15 from 1 to 3 p.m. July 20-22. Cost is $35/resident and $45/non-resident.

•Babysitting Safety Course: Course offered by the Destin Fire Department for ages 11 through 15 from 12:30 to 5 p.m. July 19. Each student will be certified in CPR and First Aid. Cost $25/residents and $30/non-residents, which includes textbook.

•Kids’ Night Out: For ages 5 through 12 with games, pizza, movie and fun from 6 to 9:30 p.m. July 23 and Aug. 20. Cost is $15/resident and $25/non-resident. Register in advance.

•Basic Auto Mechanics: Learn the basic about your car for ages 15 and up from 6 to 8 p.m. July 26. Fee: $10/resident and $20/non-resident.

•Basketball camp with FWBHS Vikings: Camp offered by varsity basketball team for ages 6 through 14 from 1 to 3 p.m. July 26-29. Cost is $40/resident and $50/non-resident.

•Big Truck Day: Free annual event from 9 to 11 a.m. July 30.

•Middle School Dance: Hosted by the DMS cheerleaders from 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 13 for middle schoolers. Fee: $5/person.

Summer Reading Program

Applebee’s Neighborhood Restaurant has supplied the Destin Library with Summer Reading Program coupons that can be redeemed at local Applebee’s restaurants for a free Kid’s Meal. Children ages 13 and younger need to read 10 books and complete a special 2010 Summer Reading Log in order to receive the coupon.

Taco Bell will provide coupon bookmarks, available at the circulation desk. Children must record book titles on bookmark and obtain signature of library staff member before redeeming coupon. Call 837-8572.

Children’s Scavenger Hunts

The Destin History and Fishing Museum, 108 Stahlman Ave., has scavenger hunts for children of all ages to play “Eye Spy”. Call 837-6611.

Abrakadoodle

Abrakadoodle is partnering with Destin Commons to provide imaginative art classes, camps and special events in a retail space between Panera Bread and Talbot’s, which is being transformed into an art studio for creative summer fun for children. Call 424-5058.

Events include:

•July 23: Tutu Making Workshop from 3 to 4:30 p.m. for kids 5-8 years old at a cost of $30 per student.

•Aug. 10: Graphic Design for Kids with Sherri Owens from 10 a.m. to noon for children ages 6-12 for $25.

The following are from 2 to 3 p.m. for children ages 5-12 and the cost is $20.

•July 21: Parent’s Day Celebration

•July 28: Friendship Day Painting

•Aug. 4:  Op Art Self Portraits

Destin Life Center

Camps for current kindergarteners through current fifth grade will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, through July 30. Cost is $65/week. Lunch and snack may be purchased through the Soul Café. The Destin Life Center is at Destin United Methodist Church, 200 Beach Drive. Call 837-2021.

Art classes

Geana’s Art Gallery will offer sketch/drawing classes for ages 11 years old and up from through Aug. 1 at 36150 Emerald Coast Parkway, Ste. 106 in Destin. Cost is $40/class and includes art supplies. Enroll at 650-0779.

Holy Mackerel Kidz Summer Camp

Holy Mackerel Kidz Summer Camp provides a fun wholesome Christ-centered summer experience for children ages K-5 at Immanuel Anglican Church in Destin. The only children’s summer camp offered in Destin, Holy Mackerel includes games, activities, field trips, and opportunities for learning and great times with new friends. Each weeklong session runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Camp fees are very reasonable, and scholarships are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Last session July 19-23. Call 837-6324.

“Make a Splash” Summer Reading Program

Registration is underway for the “Make a Splash @ Your Library” Summer Reading Program at the Fort Walton Beach Library. The program will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon every Thursday until July 29. “Make a Splash” will include units on pirates, islands, water, and “The Wonders of Water.”

The library’s Summer Reading Program is designed to keep school children ages 7-12, learning and reading throughout the summer. Stop by or call 833-9590 for details. The Fort Walton Beach Library is at 185 Miracle Strip Parkway.

DC Kids Zone

The DC Kids Zone at Destin Commons, across from Sushi Siam, will be open through Labor Day. Children can enjoy bounce houses, bungee jumps, bumper boats and aqua sphere, interactive games and concessions.

History Rocks!

The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida in Valparaiso announces its new History Rocks! spring/summer program series for children in grades 1 through 5 which will utilize authentic historic museum collections and hands-on activities sure to entertain and educate – from genealogy and archaeology to pioneer life and World War II history. Space is limited. Cost is $15/members and $20/non-members. Pre-registration with payment is required. For reservations, call 678-2615.

•Gadget Gurus: If you like to tinker with machines that clink and clank, levers that pull, bells that ring, cogs that grind, switches that turn on and off, wires that vibrate and dials that spin, be inspired by inventors in history who have accomplished great things from 9 a.m. to noon July 21.

•Cracker Shack: Learn about different homes from Florida’s past, including log cabins, cracker shacks and shotgun houses, with this entertaining, hands-on lesson in Panhandle architectural history from 1 to 3 p.m. July 22. Then build your own pioneer house the way Florida settlers did in the 1800s.

•Time Travelers: Decide what year and what place you would love to visit as a time traveler from 9 a.m. to noon July 23.