By Christine Galeone
Fun activities for kids on tap

Over the past year, kids have been just as isolated as their parents. They’ve also missed out on traditional events and activities that most people previously took for granted. But, thankfully, with capacity restrictions being lifted, more of those events will be returning to the area.

This summer, in Grafton, kids will have the chance to participate in a time-honored tradition for many. They’ll be able to attend a summer recreation program or camp. Several local businesses and organizations have already begun registering kids for programs and camps that offer fun activities for children of various ages and interests.

Dance It Up is one business that has summer camp offerings for kids of all ages. For kids ages 3-6, it has Pink Princess & Fairytale Magic Camp. For those ages 4-7 and 8-10, there will be a new Dancing Dolls Camp (for kids and their dolls). Kids ages 7-11 can also participate in the studio’s Stars on Stage Broadway camp. Additionally, there’s a creative ballet-intensive summer dance workshop that includes a performance for ages 11 and up. Cost, registration information and availability can be found on the dance studio’s website, www.danceitup.com.

On the Grafton Common, another dance studio is also offering kids something to look forward to this summer. Beatz Dance Studio has half-day summer program sessions. The programs include Broadway Cuties, Magical Ballet Ball, AcroDance Pre School and Lil’ Boppin’ Beatz for ages 4-6, Ballet/Jazz, Dance Your Heart Out, Beatz Crew Hip Hop and Beatz Crew Tumbling and Trickz for ages 7-9 and Ballet/Lyrical, Musical Theater, Acro and Hip Hop Intensive for ages 10-12. There’s also Beatz Music Video for kids ages 9-15. Registration information can be found on the studio’s website, www.beatzdance.com.  

The studio’s Grafton Common neighbor, Apple Tree Arts, is registering kids for several summer programs as well. Thanks to grants from the Grafton and Millbury Cultural Councils (supported by the Mass Cultural Council), some of the programs are free. The free programs include The Cycle of Seasons, which has music, singing and movement activities for preschoolers, and Music Makers: Going to the Beach for ages 5-7. The nonprofit’s fee-based performing arts summer programs that are still available as of the time this was written include Around the World in Five Days – A Musical Journey for grades K-2 and grades 3-5, Down by the Bay – A Seaside Adventure for grades 1 and 2 and Disney’s “Camp Rock, the Musical” for grades 3-7. More information can be found on the school’s website, www.appletreearts.org.    

In North Grafton, Premier Sport Taekwondo will also offer summer camp sessions for kids.  The day-long summer camp sessions are for kids ages 6-12. Through martial arts fun and games, the program teaches kids respect, discipline, focus and confidence. More information about its summer camp can be found on its website, www.premierkick.com.  

Families with kids who enjoy golf can send their kids to a local golf summer camp. Through Grafton Recreation, Highfields Golf & Country Club in South Grafton is now registering students for its three-day Golf camp summer sessions. Registration information for the half-day sessions for ages 7-13 can be found on the Grafton Recreation website, www.grafton-ma.gov/recreation-commission in the department’s Summer 2021 brochure. 

Parents can find a wide variety of other summer camps and programs in that brochure as well.  Grafton Recreation offers programs such as soccer, archery, LEGO robotics, horse riding and care and outdoor adventure. There are also programs on babysitting and safety while being home alone.           

These are only some of the summer camps and programs available from Grafton businesses and organizations. Now, more than ever, they’re giving kids a chance to take part in a time-honored tradition while making new friends and having fun. 

Please note that this information was correct at the time the column was written. However, because the pandemic is rapidly changing things, it’s best to check the websites and social media pages of any business to see if new changes have been implemented.

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