Your kids are home during winter break, and you have no clue how to keep them busy. No worries. The Insider is here to save the day (or week), once again.
We've got the scoop on what local businesses and organizations are offering to take your kids off your hands during their time off.
Perhaps next year we will create an Insider vacation-camp, where your kids can do the Insiders' jobs for a week, and in turn, the Insiders can take a week's vacation. Miami, here we come!
McLane Audubon Center
84 Silk Farm Road, 224-9909 newhampshireaudubon.org
Come celebrate the end of the year by joining us for Evergreen Vacation Camp. The program is for pre-kindergarten through sixth grade and runs from Dec. 29 to Dec. 31 on Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Wednesday, 9 a.m.-noon.
All campers should bring a lunch and snacks. We will be outside for extended periods of time so campers should be prepared with plenty of warm, water-repellent clothing.
The cost for pre-kindergarten campers is $18 for members, $24 for nonmembers. For kindergarten through sixth-grade campers, the cost is $40 for members, $50 for nonmembers.
To register call 224-9909, or e-mail registration@nhaudubon. org.
Activities for pre-kindergarten through third-grade campers include:
“Snowshoes and Hares” on Monday: Bundle up and strap on snowshoes as we experience the lives of snowshoe hares. Snow or not we will put on foot extenders and trek out to Porcupine Rock. Will your camouflage be as good as the white hare?
“Denning Up Tuesday”: Where did all the critters go? Winter cold sends many forest animals under the snow and into dens. Join us as we make tracks for the forest to uncover the secret world of winter wildlife. We will create animals casts and an animal track book, too.
“Fire Circle Wednesday”: As it gets colder, animals grow fur and find shelter; humans put on clothing and sometimes build fires. Try your hand at shelter-building and fire-making to stay warm and have fun. Will end day with tasty treats and stories around the fire.
Activities for fourth-grade through sixth-grade campers include:
“Be the Creature Monday”:Come learn about how animals hibernate in the winter. We will explore many areas looking for signs of active life. Discover the animals' basic needs and learn about some of its adaptations for survival. Then you will create a creature and be the creature!
“Snowshoe Excursion Tuesday”: Come learn about the different animal tracks we may find in the snow. We will then head out on snowshoes to learn about the animals in the area. Lunch will be outside and warm drinks will be enjoyed as we look for the many signs of life.
“Winter Warming Wednesday”: A morning of activities and fun as we learn about the animals underground. The day will culminate by a campfire with tasty treats and stories.
Concord Family YMCA
15 N. State St., 228-9622concordymca.org
Teens, come enjoy a fun-filled vacation camp at the YMCA! Open to all school-age children in grades 6,7 and 8. Each day we'll head out on an adventure! Dress warm and bring plenty of snacks.
The cost is $125 for the full camp or $25 daily for YMCA members. For program members: $130 for the full week or $40 daily. Can't afford it? No problem. Please call the YMCA and we will arrange a payment you can afford. Due to funding from the United Way, no teen will be home alone during vacation.
Take part in the following activities:
Tuesday, Dec. 23: Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich, Vt.
Friday, Dec. 26: Movie day and lunch at Smitty's.
Monday, Dec. 29: Ice day.
Tuesday, Dec. 30: Explore the seacoast.
Friday, Jan. 2: Camper's pick.
The YMCA also has a vacation camp for school-age children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Each day will have a theme with such highlights as crafts, rock wall climbing, swimming and field trips. Your child will need to bring a lunch, bathing suit and towel, sneakers for gym activities and appropriate outdoor clothing. Camp hours are 7:30 a.m.- 6 p.m. The cost for members is $168 for the full camp or $35 daily. For program members, full camp is $188 or $55 daily.
The themes are:
Tuesday, Dec. 23: Circus fantastic.
Friday, Dec. 26: Hollywood Day. No need to bring a lunch. There is a $14 fee for this day, as it is separate from camp.
Monday, Dec. 29: International Day.
Tuesday, Dec. 30: PJ day! (Please, no slippers.)
Jan. 2, Monday: New Year celebration.
Christa McAuliffe Planetarium
2 Institute Drive, 271-7827
starhop.com
The Christa McAuliffe Planetarium announces extended hours during the next two weeks for the holidays. Hours will be 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 22 through 24, 26, 29-31 and Jan. 2. Call ahead to confirm showtimes and check starhop.com for show descriptions.
Our show schedule for Dec. 22 through Jan. 2 is the same daily, unless otherwise noted:
11 a.m: Our place in space.
Noon: Season of lights.
1 p.m.: Oasis in space.
2 p.m.: Tonight's sky.
3 p.m.: Dawn of the space age.
4 p.m.: Ice worlds.
On Friday, Dec. 26, join us for “Super Steller Friday: Happy Holidays, Apollo 8!” at 7 p.m.
The schedule for Sunday, Dec. 28 is:
Noon: Our place in space.
1 p.m.: Ice worlds.
2 p.m.: Tonight's sky.
3 p.m.: Season of lights.
4 p.m.: Black holes.
Please note: The planetarium is closed Christmas and New Year's day.
Concord Public Library
230-3690, 45 Green St.onconcord.com/library
The Concord Public Library will present a variety of games and crafts in the children's room during school vacation at 2:30 p.m. each day:
Monday, Dec. 29: Bingo.
Tuesday, Dec. 30: New Year's paper crafts.
Wednesday, Dec. 31: Games.
Friday, Jan. 2: More games.
Concord Recreation Department
225-8690
onconcord.com/recreation
Holiday vacation camp: Grades 1-5, spend your holiday with us on Dec. 29, 30 and 31, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Our holiday camp will be filled with sports, crafts, theme days and fun! We will have camper tournaments and contests, new games and old favorites in addition to cool arts and crafts projects. The camp will be held at Green Street Community Center, 39 Green St., unless otherwise noted.
Campers should bring their own lunch and snacks each day, along with comfortable sneakers.
The cost is $70 for residents, $90 for nonresidents.
Basketball camp: Camp is open to boys and girls in grades 3-8 and will be held Dec. 29 to 31, 9 a.m.-noon. This three-day camp is held at the Green Street Community Gym, 39 Green St., and will offer participants the opportunity to improve their basketball skills by getting in lots of practice time. Players will have the opportunity to scrimmage and play games as well as work on defensive skills. Come ready to play, but please change into your sneakers inside the facility to keep the gym floor clear of snow and ice.
The cost is $115 for residents, $135 for nonresidents.
Horseback camp: This camp is for boys and girls ages 8-12 years old and runs Dec. 29 to 31, 8 a.m.-noon. Instruction is provided at the Gelinas Farm in Pembroke. Van transportation is provided each day from White Park. If you will not be taking the bus, please call the recreation office before camp starts.
Be sure to wear warm clothes and dress in layers as the indoor ring is not heated. Riding helmets are provided. Waivers must be signed by a parent/guardian before the start of camp and are available online and at the White Park office, 1 White St.
Children should bring a snack and drinks with them daily. This camp is limited to 8 participants per session.
The cost is $140 for residents, $160 for nonresidents.
Robin Hood Archery Clinic: This fun three-day clinic for grades 4-9 will teach basic target shooting rules and skills. Clinic is limited to 12 participants. All equipment is provided but if you have your own bow, please bring it with you.
The clinic runs Dec. 29 to 31, 3-5 p.m. at the East Concord Community Center, 18 Eastman St. The cost is $55 for residents, $75 for nonresidents.
