ON BREAK
Here are some options to keep the kids busy during winter break.
>> Hawaii Nature Center: Winter 2015 Sensational Nature Adventure Program (SNAP): Two weekly programs, Dec. 21 to 24 (register by Monday) and Dec. 28 to 31 (register by Dec. 14) in Makiki and other field sites; the center is located at 2131 Makiki Heights Drive. Hours are 7:45 a.m. to 3 p.m., with optional extended care until 5 p.m. (additional $80 per week or $25 per day). Students experience nature activities, forest hikes, stream investigations, nature crafts, insect safaris, beach explorations, off-site field trips and more. For ages 6 to 11. Cost: $280 per week. Late registration fee is $25. Call 955-0100, ext. 126, or email snap@hawaiinaturecenter.org.
>> Honolulu Zoo: Themed weekly sessions, Dec. 21 to 24 (“Zoo Ohana”) and Dec. 28 to 31 (“Farewell Old Year!”), 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with optional after-care until 5:30 p.m. (additional $60 per week, $50 for members) except on Dec. 24 and 31 with after-care available only until 4 p.m. Cost: $300 per week. Call 461-3022 or visit honoluluzoo.org.
• Camp Menehune (for potty-trained keiki ages 4 and 5): Children learn about the animal kingdom through craft activities, songs, stories, animal tours, zookeeper talks and games.
• Camp ‘Imi Loa (for ages 6 to 8): Features fun, age-appropriate lessons that utilize tactile biofacts, crafts, songs, stories, behind-the-scenes tours, zookeeper talks and games.
• Camp Wildlife Koas (for ages 9 to 11): Students learn about different animals, their living environments and more through hands-on lessons with biofacts, behind-the-scenes tours, interactive technologies, crafts and games.
>> Kama‘aina Kids: Dec. 21 to 31 (except Dec. 25), 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.; programs begin 8 a.m. Register by Friday ; late fee is $15 and must register by Dec. 16. Call 262-4538 or visit kamaainakids.com.
• Winter Intersession for grades K to 6 at the following sites: Mililani Tech Park, Voyager Public Charter School at 2428 Wilder Ave., and Ben Parker, Enchanted Lake, Hahaione, Keoneula, Salt Lake, Waikele and Waimalu elementary schools. Activities include arts and crafts, cooperative games, science activities, singing, dancing, excursions and more. Cost: $280 for eight-day session or $36 per day. Online registrants receive a discount. Optional lunch for $6 per day and must be preordered.
• Camp Bishop Museum for grades K to 6, Dec. 21 to 31 (except Dec. 25) with drop-off and pick-up at the museum. Specialty camp offers off-site adventures and on-site activities, daily access to the Science Adventure Center, Hawaiian Hall and the museum’s latest exhibits. A new feature of winter camp is the addition of Play-Well TEKnologies (offered only from Dec. 21 to 23 and is limited to 48 campers), which stimulates student creativity with more than 20,000 pieces of LEGO and encourages students to build projects such as skyscrapers, catapults and motorized cars under the guidance of an instructor during a 90-minute class. Cost: $55 per day. Lunch: $6 per day.
• Camp Sea Life Park for grades K to 6, Dec. 28 to 31 with drop-off and pick-up at the park. Young campers will be immersed in the world of Sea Life Park and its trainers while interacting with the sea animals. Cost: $180. Optional lunch: $24.
• SPIRIT Adventures Day Camp for grades 5 to 8, with weekly camps Dec. 21 to 24 and Dec. 28 to 31. Independent campers participate in surfing, sailing, kayaking, team-building initiatives, dancing and cooking. Drop-off and pick-up locations include Ben Parker, Hahaione and Waimalu elementary schools, Mililani Tech Park and Voyager PCS; must be signed in at designated site by the program’s 7 a.m. start time. Cost: $160 per week. Bring home lunch.
• Keiki-Phit Program for grades K to 6, Dec. 21 to 24 at Manoa District Park, lower pavilion, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ($145); half-day session from 8 a.m. to noon ($115). Activities include aerobic exercise and games, buddy games, personal-best challenges, basketball and S.P.A.R.K. (Sports Play and Active Recreation Training for Kids), which teaches athletic training fundamentals to enhance performance, prevent injury and build self-confidence. Led by Byron Mello, Moanalua High School basketball head coach and founder of Performance Basketball Clinics. Bring home lunch.
• Keiki Fi$cal Fitness Program: For grades 3 to 6, Dec. 21 to 24 at Manoa District Park, lower pavilion, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ($155); half-day session from 8 a.m. to noon ($125). Youths learn basic economic and financial literacy concepts through interactive activities and team challenges as developed by Hawaii Council on Economic Education. Trained instructors conduct lessons on managing money, earning potential, goods and services, government and taxation, savings, wants versus needs, credit and analyzing decision-making. Bring home lunch.
>> Moiliili Community Center: Winter Adventure Program, with four options: Dec. 18 to Jan. 5 ($308 for 11 days), Dec. 18 to 24 ($150 for five days), Dec. 28 to Jan. 5 ($180 for six days) or Jan. 4 and 5 ($70 for two days), 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., 2535 S. King St.; closed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. Features holiday activities, arts and crafts, indoor and outdoor games, cooking, field trips and more. For grades K to 6. Accepting late registration for additional $15 late fee. Membership fee: $25, $30 beginning Jan. 1. Lunch available for advance purchase. Call 955-1555 or visit moiliilicc.org.
>> Pearl City Foundation: Winter Fun Days 2015 Intersession Enrichment Program, Dec. 18 to Jan. 5, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and until 2 p.m. Dec. 24 and 31 (closed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1), Momilani Community Center, 715 Hoomoana St. For grades K to 6. Features sports and fitness activities, games, arts and crafts, swimming, cooking and field trips to Dave & Busters (Dec. 24) and Ice Palace (Dec. 31). For grades K through 6. Cost: $375 for full session (includes field trip admissions and bus fees); other options include weekly ($140 to $150 per week), daily ($35 to $45 per day) and half-day (6 a.m. to 2 p.m., $285). Optional lunch: $5 per day (except Dec. 24 and 31). Register by Dec. 11. Call 456-2073 or email pearlcityfoundation@gmail.com.
>> University of Hawaii Athletics: Visit 808ne.ws/1jxwwam.
• Rainbow Warrior Baseball Winter Camps: Check-in begins an hour prior to start time on the first day of camp at Les Murakami Baseball Stadium on campus. Wear proper clothing (shorts is acceptable) and shoes; and bring a baseball hat, glove (for pitching camp), catcher’s gear (for catching camp), baseball bat (for hitting camp) and lunch if staying for all-day camp. Costs range from $100 to $200. Call 956-6247.
—Two-day camp, Dec. 12 and 13, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for players ages 7 to 18 to improve skills while learning about all aspects of the game. Cost: $200.
— Also, Dec. 21 and 22: Choose from pitching or catching camp, 9 a.m. to noon both days; or hitting camp, 1 to 4 p.m. Cost: $100.
• Rainbow Wahine Soccer Winter Youth Camp: Dec. 21 to 23, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., UH soccer practice field. Boys and girls ages 6 to 14 learn to improve basic soccer skills and techniques through age-appropriate activities and competitive games, assisted by current UH Wahine soccer players. Cost: $125 (includes a camp shirt). Call 956-6330.
• Rainbow Wahine Winter Beach Volleyball Camp: Three-day program, 2 to 5 p.m. Jan. 1, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 2 and 3, T.C. Ching Championship Beach Courts on campus. Camp will focus on skill development, advanced techniques, conditioning, game strategy and tournament play. For girls ages 11 to 18 of all levels and abilities. Led by UH beach volleyball coaches Jeff Hall, Evan Silberstein and Danny Alvarez with current UH beach players. Cost: $200. Call 634-0359 or email evansilb@hawaii.edu.
>> YMCA: “When School’s Out, The Y Is In!”: Winter Intersession Programs will run at the following branches: Kaimuki, Kalihi, Leeward, Mililani, Nuuanu and Windward, Dec. 18 to Jan. 5, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (times vary by branch) with programs ending at 2 p.m. on Dec. 24 and 31; closed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. Activities (vary by branch) may include cooking and crafts, outdoor activities, sports, games, swimming, field trips and more. For grades K through 12. Full session is $250 at Kalihi and starts from $370 at the other branches. Weekly rates start at $148, and daily rates are $30 at Kalihi and start at $40 for other branches. Discounts apply for Y Family Fitness members. Call 531-YMCA (9622) or visit ymcahonolulu.org.