Spring has sprung and believe it or not summer is right around the corner.  How will your child spend the summer? The fact is many children will spend their vacation on the sofa, in front of a television or computer screen.  We've compiled a list of what we believe are some of Cincinnati's most exciting summer camp programs,  to help parents get their youngsters off the couch and out of the house to explore new and thrilling things this summer.   Below is a list of summer programs featured on Sunday Morning Magazine with Rodney Lear.  Sunday Morning Magazine airs on WKRQ-FM (101.9), WUBE-FM (105.1), WYGY-FM (97.3) and WREW-FM (94.9) Sunday's at 7:00 a.m.   Remember, if you are interested in one or more of these camps, it's important to register now as these camps are extremely popular and fill up quickly. For more information on Sunday Morning Magazine you can like the show on Facebook or send an email to sunmornmag@bonneville.com. Drake Planetarium & Science Center(513) 396-5578Ages:  4-12Cost: $150 to $185This summer program provides camps that focus on science, math, technology and engineering.  Kids can explore space in Drake's on-site planetarium, utilize long distance learning with Drake's desert based NASA telescopes, participate in challenges in our battlebot arena, launch rockets 30 feet in the air, design an amusement park for the future or even build ancient buildings in Drake's architecture program plus so much more! MamLuft&Co. Dance and Contemporary Dance TheaterSummer Dance Camp for Kids(513) 494-MLCo (6526)Ages: 5-10Cost: $200 to $260. Scholarships are available based on financial need.Hamilton County/Cincinnati's two modern dance non-profits MamLuft&Co. Dance and Contemporary Dance Theater have teamed up to provide a summer day camp focusing on the creative, empowering, expressive, active, and healthy practices of modern dance. As far as we can tell, the MamLuft&Co Dance and Contemporary Dance Theater Dance Camp for Kids is the ONLY CAMP in Cincinnati that focuses on dance (modern dance, at that!) that provides child care and activities for the entire work day (8am to 6pm)!To learn more about MamLuft&Co. Dance check out their Facebook, and to learn more about Contemporary Dance Theater click here. YMCA(859) 586-6181Ages: 4 through 16 depending on camp and locationCamps vary throughout the city and area locations, please click here to find out more about what exciting summer day camps are offered at your neighborhood YMCA location or check out their Facebook page. Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park Summer Theatre Day Camp(513) 345-2242 for questions, (513) 421-3888 to register (box office)Ages: Kids entering 1^st grade to 12^th gradeCost : $100 for Creative Dramatics Camps (entering 1^st and 2^nd grade), $275 for 3^rd grade and up.Cincinnati Playhouse's Summer Theatre Day Camp puts young actors center stage! Students entering grades 1 and 2 are offered a two-hour one week creative dramatics program. Students entering grades 3 and up take two weeks of half-day camp consisting of three classes, including a class in acting and two other drama-related activities (such as improvisation, stage movement, stage combat and television acting). All classes are taught by working theatre professionals with extensive experience working with young people. Click here to learn more. Laffalot Summer Camps(513) 313-2076Ages:  6-12 years oldCost: Approximately $110 for the 5 days depending on locationLaffalot Summer Camp which was recognized in 2008 by Cincinnati Magazine as "The Best of the City" is a high energy, high activity day camp in "girls only" and "boys only" formats for ages 6 through 12!  The program introduces a variety of sports, games and activities in a fun-packed day.  Some of the activities include pillow polo, flag tag, floor hockey, parachute, scavenger hunts, volleyball, soccer, dodge ball, crazy ball, kickball and many more!  The number one priority is for everyone to participate and have fun! ArtWorks Summer Employment Program(513) 333-0388Ages:  14-21Cost: It is not a summer camp, but an employment program. Teens make art and GET PAID! Apprentices are paid $7.40/per hour. ArtWorks Summer Employment Program provides paid opportunities for young talent in the arts. Apprentices work with professional artists to collaborate and complete a large-scale public art project over the course of the six-week program. This year's positions are in the visual arts, specifically painting, but all types of talent are encouraged to apply. The interview process is highly competitive, but the experience is transformative! You can also check out their Facebook page for more info. My Nose Turns Red Theatre Company Circus Camps(859) 581-7100Ages: 4-7 & 7-16Cost: Range from $110 to $175. Two week intensive camp also available for $300.Let your child run away and join the circus with this captivating and challenging day camp.  Skills taught include stilt walking, rolling globe, clowning, and more.  There are half day camps for the young ones, full day camps for kids ages 7-16.  All camps conclude with a performance! For more information click here or check out their Facebook page. iSPACE, Inc. (513) 612-5769
Ages: K- 12 grade students.Cost: $100 - $225Fuel your child's curiosity. During this camp, children will learn about Lego engineering as well as living and working in space.  Campers will also learn how to build and launch rockets and program a robot.   Week-long camps are offered in both Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical GardenZoo Summer Camp(513) 559-7767 Ages: 4 year olds- 14 year oldsCost: Members, $205; Non Members, $220Summer Camp at the Cincinnati Zoo offers eleven wild topics for ages 4-14 year-olds. Half day and full day camp is available for all age groups Monday-Friday, June- August. Campers will explore the Zoo in a whole new way through up close animal encounters, games, hikes, crafts, and so much more. Visit their website and register today!