News Summary

HAMILTON — Eastview Pool was demolished and filled last month to make way for one of eight new elementary schools. And, due to financial issues, the city will not open other pools this summer.

What's a kid to do?

Ten-year-old Cameron Jordan said he can go to his aunt's swimming pool, but he will miss Eastview because "you could get snacks and see (your) girlfriends."

But there are other options, including camp programs at the Booker T. Washington Community Center, Safety Town, reading programs at the Lane Library and academic programs at Badin High School and Hamilton City Schools.

Hamilton parks programs

The Summer Drop-in Playground Program runs Monday, June 9, to Aug. 1, at Crawford Woods, Lindenwald Park (at Minor Avenue), Wayne Park, Northend, Symmes (at Fourth Street), and Virginia Avenue Park. This is a program for kids ages 5-13, where they can meet new friends, make crafts, and play games. The Playground Program runs from

8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. No lunch is served.

The city will also bring back its summer Movies in the Park:

• "Shrek — The Third,"

9:30 to 11:30 p.m. June 28, North End Athletic Complex.

• "Bee Movie," 8:45 p.m. July 26, Wilson Park.

• "High School Musical 2," 9 p.m. Aug. 23, Veteran's Park.

For more information about these programs visit hamilton-city.org.

Badin High School

Students of all ages are invited to take part in programs scheduled throughout the summer at Badin High School.

"We have a lot of opportunities at Badin," said Teresa Heinrich, Badin's dean of academics.

Learning Camps offer three science camps — "Grossology," "CSI Badin" and "Rockets" — as well as Movie Making, Top Twenty Technology and an Advanced Math course for junior high students.

There also are sports camps for boys and girls basketball, football, wrestling, boys and girls soccer, girls volleyball and cheerleading.

And returning is the popular "Laffalot" camp for students in grades 1-6 that will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 14-18.

Badin received a grant from the Hamilton Community Foundation to help fund the summer Learning Camps.

There is a small fee for each camp, but the camps are open to students from any area school district.

"That's just another example of the Hamilton Community Foundation making a difference,'' Heinrich said of the grant. "We certainly appreciate their support."

For information, visit www.badinhs.org, call the school at (513) 863-3993, or stop by the school's main office.

Booker T. Washington Community Center

Summer programs — including summer camps — are geared toward youth ages six to 17 and include:

• Athletic programs:

Basketball, track and field, step/dance.

• Field trips: Local outings are scheduled as well as trips to the Cincinnati Zoo and Newport Aquarium.

• Hip Hop Institute: Teens learn about hip hop history, the five elements of hip hop and other musical genres.

• Art programs: Local artists will teach different artistic styles like drawing, puppetry and collage, and there will be an opportunity to write and draw for the BTW comic book.

• Real Talk: This program is designed to help young people understand that they are unique individuals who have the capability to rise above their situations and surroundings. Students also will understand how to cope with the issues they are facing in positive ways.

• Pool schedule: Open swimming, swim lessons and activities for all ages are scheduled.

Lunch and dinner provided for enrolled students through the Children's Hunger Alliance and ODE Summer Feeding Program. For more information and to register, call (513) 785-2451.

Camps scheduled at Monroe elementary

A summer camp for students in grades 4-6 who do not qualify for intervention summer school is scheduled for Monroe Elementary School.

There will be three weekly sessions from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting Monday, June 9, with different themes which are through a national program, "Camp Invention."

Transportation, breakfast and lunch are provided.

Programs for students going into the fourth, fifth or sixth grade are scheduled for the all-day camps which include designing new safety features for cars and skateboards, designing carnival games using math principles and taking a three-year journey to Mars.

Other programs include:

• Saving Sludge City: The adults and businesses in Sludge City have polluted their town, and it's up to the Camp Invention team to rebuild a cleaner, more eco-friendly city for its residents.

• Art Park: An eccentric supporter of Art Park, a local art museum, has threatened to stop donating money to the museum unless it designs a new sculpture garden, and it is up to the Camp Invention team to design the sculpture and garden.

• Recess Remix: Combining physical activity with creative problem solving, the Recess Remix module invites children to participate in fun, energetic games that require teamwork, cooperation, coordination, and inventive thinking.

• Sea Worthy: The Camp Invention team is on the hunt for new types of sea life, and children are challenged to build boats and underwater vehicles that can find new creatures in the ocean.

• Fair Games: The Camp Invention team has agreed to help design and build new carnival games for Dr. Sam Dabble's famous traveling carnival.

The Community Foundation has given $18,000 for registration fees for students who qualify for free or reduced lunch. There are limited spots available — first come, first served. For information about fees or to make a reservation, call Kathy Wagonfield or Deloris Morgan at (513) 887-5150.

Lane Libraries

Summer reading challenge and programs for children ages 12 and younger and teens ages 13 to 18 include:

• Lights, Camera, Podcast! at the Lane Libraries: Children ages 8 to 12 may choose a favorite book and produce a podcast. Participants can share their book review on camera during the program and see their very own podcast on Lane's Web site for everyone to view. For times and registration, call (513) 894-1409.

• Entertain Your Brain at the Lane Libraries: For every 20 books read or 12 hours of reading, children ages 12 and younger complete a game card, return it to the Children's Department at any Lane Library and are will eligible to win the grand prize of a bike — courtesy of the Friends of the Lane Libraries. Game cards are available at any Lane Library location or on their Web site.

All Lane programs are free. For information, pick up a Fast Lane, children's or teen summer calendar at any Lane Library or visit www.lanepl.org.

Safety Town

The 36th season of Safety Town is scheduled to be held at Power House Park, East River Road and Williams Avenue.

Five sessions will be held from 10 a.m. to noon June 9-13, June 16-20, June 23-27, July 7-11 and July 14-18.

Safety Town is offered to children ages 4 to 7. Children attending are instructed in pedestrian, vehicle, school bus and fire safety and dealing with strangers. Sessions also include driving Kettcars in a simulated village and on Wednesday, children take a school bus trip to the Hamilton Fire Department.

There are 36 openings for each session. Sessions are assigned on a first-come basis.

Safety Town is sponsored by the Greater Hamilton Safety Council and funded by the Lindenwald Kiwanis.

Registration forms are available at area McDonald's. For information, call the safety council at (513) 896-5333.

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

The Freedom Camp program, which opens June 24 and runs through Aug. 8, offers three age-specific interactive tours for children ages 8-16.

Children participate in in-gallery workshops, storytelling with costumed re-enactors and explore exhibitions in a relaxed environment. Programs run from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 3 p.m.

The cost of camp is $4.50 per student with one free chaperone for every 10 paid students; additional adults are $9.50 each.

Advance registration can be arranged by calling (513) 333-7737. The Freedom Center is in downtown Cincinnati, on the banks of the Ohio River.

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