Borderland Camps Keep Kids Active

What has your child done this summer?

If your kids are spending more time in front of the TV than out having fun and learning, we have ways to beat the boredom all break long.

Kids at the El Paso Museum of Art will be learning how to make self-portraits using everything from paint to glitter. There are even classes with pottery and crafts as well.

If your child is a fan of animals and the outdoors, how about a camp that teaches them to ride horses?

“They get out in the sunshine. They are away from the TV, away from the video games. They actually learn something other than what school teaches them,” said camp riding instructor Kassie Hathorn.

If your kids would rather be digging for artifacts than riding a horse, the El Paso Museum of Archeology has a summer camp just for kids.

Real archeologists are ready to teach your child how to dig for genuine artifacts at a local excavation site and learn more about the history of the borderland.

“Here’s an opportunity for kids to really have their hands on the real artifacts and understand how archeologists start to piece together those past people,” said Marilyn Guida, curator of education at the El Paso Museum of Archeology.

Here’s a list of camps around the borderland with special activities just for kids:

The El Paso Museum of Art has plenty of summer activities as well. The cost is $60 for members and $75 for non-members. You can register online by clicking here. There is a oil pastels class from 9:30 a.m. until noon July 17-20 for ages 6-8. Make your own papier-mache tea pots 1-3:30 p.m. July 24-27 for ages 6-8.

The El Paso Museum of Archaeology will be hosting a summer camp where children will learn about the science of archaeology and the tools to read the history buried in the sand. The camp will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday through Friday for ages 10-12, July 24-27 at the museum. For more information on pricing and location, visit the museum’s website here.

The YWCA will be holding summer camps for ages 6-12 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays from now until August 24 at the Mary Ann Dodson Camp at 4400 Boy Scout Lane. For more information on prices and location, visit the YWCA’s website here.

Learn how to ride Western, English and bareback style horseback riding at the San Fransisco stables at 114 Casad Road in Anthony, N.M. The camp is available to children 6 or older and will be from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Monday-Thursday from now until August 9. Tuition is $160 for the camp and additional riding lessons are available. For more information, call (915) 373-0101.

The Dance Factory at 1035 Belvidere Street is planning a dance camp from July 23-27. The camp will including dancing, crafts, games and even tea parties. For more information, call (915) 257-6306.