By Maggie Beamguard
Insider Editor
Kids have waited all year for this. No more pencils, no more books, just good clean fun and endless summer days. In Seven Lakes, there are plenty of opportunities for kids to stay entertained and for their guardians to keep their sanity.
While it is late in the game to sign up for camps, there are often waiting lists and with summer schedules that stay in flux, the chance for an opening is high.
Here are some options to make the most of a Seven Lakes summer with kids.
Dance Your Heart Out
L Mace Studios (225 Grant St.) offers a variety of dance camps through the summer months. Camps for July and August include Moana, Wicked, Hip Hop, Cheerleading and Princess themed camps for a variety of ages. Details and dates can be found on their website at lmacestudios.com. Shimmy over to check out the summer fun.
Riding on a Pony
Giddy up to 7 Lakes Stables for Horse Camp from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Aug. 12-15. Camp includes horseriding, crafts, t-shirt and snacks. The cost is $200 for residents of Seven Lakes North and South and $250 for nonresidents. Register and pay at the staples, cash or check only. Contact 7lakesstables@gmail.com for more. information.
There will be an open barn day from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on July 19 with popsicles and pony rides. Meet the horses and the staff and learn about all the programs the stables has to offer.
A Real Kick
Youth can learn skills and drills at Goshin Dojo’s (4355 N.C. 211, Seven Lakes) summer karate camps. Camps in July run from 9 a.m to noon, July 14-17 and July 28-31. No prior experience is required. Call (910) 673-5370 to inquire about registration. Nama-stay cool this season.
Play Ball… Pickle Ball
Grab a paddle and work on your swing. The Racquet Club at Seven Lakes will hold pickleball camps from 12-2 p.m. on July 7-11, July 14-18 and July 21-25 at the Pickle Place (116 Edgewater Drive, Seven Lakes North) for ages eight and up. Camps will have a minimum of eight players to a maximum of 16 players. The cost is $200 per player. Call (910) 400-5224 to register.
This I Know
A bedrock of many a summer vacation is Bible School. Several local churches will host variations on this classic summer opportunity. Bible stories come alive through fun songs, popsicle crafts, glitter glue and adults dressed like disciples.
Seven Lakes Baptist Church
Kids curious about the Bible are welcomed to attend Wonder Junction VBS at Seven Lakes Baptist Church (1015 Seven Lakes Drive) from 6-8:30 p.m. on July 13-17. Children ages pre-k (age four by July 1 and potty trained) through recently graduated 5th graders are eligible to attend. Registration is online at slbcnc.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2842534.
At Wonder Junction, children will be invited to marvel at Jesus and live for his glory.
West End United Methodist Church
The theme is “Stellar: Shine Jesus’ Light!” West End United Methodist Church (4015 N.C. 73, West End) welcomes youth ages two to 18 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, July 19. This one-day VBS is sure to brighten up life. Get more information at www.westendumc.net.
West End Presbyterian Church
West End Presbyterian Church (275 Knox Lane, West End) will host an intergenerational VBS from 5:30-7 p.m. on July 16. The event includes dinner, exploring a Bible story, recreation for all ages and arts and crafts. The night’s theme is Peace. Check out their website at www.westendpres.church.
I Scream, You Scream
We all scream for ice cream. Trek west on N.C. 211 and dig into a pint of ice cream at Ben’s at Kalawi Farm (1515 N.C. 211, Eagle Springs). Stop by the fruit and veggie stand for some healthy and still delicious choices. Kalawi Farms celebrated the big 4-0 in June, so wish them a happy birthday.
Stay close to town and grab a cool treat at Andrew’s Farm Produce (115 Grant St., Seven Lakes). Pick up some fresh tomatoes while you are there or head next door to DeLucia’s Bakery (4245 Seven Lakes Plaza) for more goodies.
Just for The Tiny Tots
The Preschool in the Pines, located at The Chapel in the Pines (581 Seven Lakes Drive) is offering summer camps for the second year. There are three camps left this summer: “Awesome Art Week,” July 7-11; “All About Bugs” Week, July 21-25; “Garden Fun,” Week August 4-8.
Children ages 2-5 that haven’t started Kindergarten yet are eligible to attend. Children do not have to be enrolled in The Preschool in the Pines.
Camps, $150 per child, are from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Monday – Friday. Each camp is $150 per child. The “Garden Fun” Week of August 4-8 is full, but you may be able to get on a waitlist.
Because of the popularity of these camps, the preschool plans on offering them every summer. Camp registration, available through the website at thepreschoolinthepines.com usually starts in February.
Reading Rainbow
The fourth annual West End United Methodist Church (4015 N.C. 73, West End) Fun in the Son Reading program continues through the month of July. Students keep the edge on their reading skills while having a good time.
Students in rising grades kindergarten through 6th grade are welcome to attend. Session two of the camp runs Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on July 7-10 and July 14-17 at WEUMC (4015 NC-73, West End).
The camp includes two gardening days and two cooking days each week, in addition to literacy instruction tailored to each student’s individual needs, snacks, crafts, and reading and writing stations.
Two certified teachers are on staff to teach K-2 and 3-6 students. A grant from Page Memorial supports gardening and cooking activities, enabling our students to learn more about important farm-to-table practices. Reach out to WEUMC at (910) 673-1371 for details.
Rock On
The family friendly Seven Lakes Summer Concert Series is open to Seven Lakes residents and their guests. Kids of all ages enjoy the music and the lakeside fun. All concerts are from 5 to 8 p.m. at Johnson Point. The rest of this year’s lineup:
July 5 – Reflection II
July 19 – Amanda Acoustics
Aug. 9 – Mark McKinney (pool party)
Aug. 30 – Southern Haze Band
Sept. 13 – Tony Barnes
Take a Dip
Of course, it’s a dip in the lake that offers the essential Seven Lakes Summer experience. At Lake Sequoia and Lake Auman, residents and their guests can refresh themselves with a swim or a float.
The community pools are also popular for residents. The pool for Seven Lakes North and South is open for swim Monday 2-9 p.m. and Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 10 p.m.
On the west side the pool is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Supervision of children around water is essential.
