S.T.E.A.M. is an Omaha T.H.E.M.E. this summer

Camp options abound for area youngsters, many with a science, technology, engineering, arts and math focus

Animal Lovers

HENRY DOORLY ZOO & AQUARIUM

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium will offer summer camps for tots through high school, ranging from half-day camps to five-day camps. Weeklong kindergarten and “kinder safari” camps — both half-day — are for 5- and 6-year-olds who have completed kindergarten and for fully toilet trained 3- to 5-year-olds, while kids 6 to 11 have options for one-day, two-day and five-day camps covering a wide variety of zoo and aquarium subject areas. youth ages 12 to 18 can pick among camps encompassing various interests — check the website for dates and details.

When: May 30-Aug. 4

Where: 3701 S. 10th St.

Who: Ages 3-18

Cost: Half-day kinder camps cost $140 per child per camp ($165 nonmembers). Other camps range from $75 ($80 nonmembers) to $255 ($265 nonmembers).

Information: omahazoo.com/day-camps

American Legacy Complex

Is your kid all about the horse? Of course! Of course! Well, Wilbur, this is their (feed) bag. (Ahem.) Campers in the 4- to 6-year-old and 7-13 age groups will learn about horse safety, horse health, horse grooming, horse breeds, horse tack, equipment … and horse riding. Mostly horse riding. There are no unrelated activities, not even a spirited game of H-O-R-S-E.

When: Beginners (ages 4-6) morning camps, June 12-16, July 10-14. Beginners (ages 7-13) full-day camps begin June 19, June 26, and July 19. Intermediate/advanced camp

(ages 7-13) starts July 24.

Where: 7193 County Road 40 (west off of 72nd Street, about 8 miles north of Dodge Street).

Who: Ages 4-13

Cost: Morning camps $300 per camper. Allday camps $400. Cash or check only.

Information: americanlegacycomplex. com/summer-camp

Nebraska Humane Society

Cute animal videos on the Internet are fine and all, but your child cannot cuddle a smartphone, tablet or laptop. At Camp Kindness, there will be enough puppies and kitties and other (manageably-sized) critters to make your kid forget all about the device. The four weeklong sessions in

Summer

June (half-day) and seven two-day sessions in July (full-day) will give every child the chance to get close to a shelter animal. (Note to parents: If a dog immediately leaps into your child’s lap and gives him or her a big smooch on the lips, the kid has been officially adopted! Trust us on this.) Kids 6 to 9 are “junior campers”; those 10 to 13 are “senior campers.” Junior half-day sessions run from 9 a.m. to noon. Senior half-day sessions are from 1 to 4 p.m.

When: Weeklong sessions begin June 5. (The last begins June 26.) The first two-day July session begins July 6; the last begins July 26.

Where: Nebraska Humane Society, 8929 Fort St.

Who: Ages 6-13

Cost: Weeklong, half-day camps are $180. All-day camps (two days) are $165. Registration is first-come, first-served; Camp Kindness tends to fill up fast.

Information: nehumanesociety.org/community-services/summer-camps

ART & MUSIC OMAHA CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC

The Omaha Conservatory of Music summer program, SoundWaves, is a “weeklong immersive summer music camp” that covers the breadth of music — voice, strings, guitar, brass, woodwinds, piano and percussion. The program, billed as “the region’s premier pre-college training program,” offers masterclasses, a rock lab, as well as orchestra and musical-theater options. And composition and music business. Lodging and meal plans are available. Prospects must submit an audition video from the past six months, but students of all skill levels are welcome. New this year: “violin intensive” (July 20-21) and piano chambermusic camps.

When: July 22-29

Where: 7023 Cass St.

Who: Ages 9-18

Cost: $850 after June 2, early registration discounts available. Lodging at Creighton University and meals $825; non-lodging, lunchtime meal plan $125. Additional masterclass lessons $250. Scholarships available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Information: omahacm.org/programs/ soundwaves

Please see CAMPS, Page 4