Just when we thought one more thing couldn’t be canceled by the coronavirus.
Spring break — supposedly a time of relaxation and rejuvenation after the brutal winter cold — has now transitioned into social distancing and quarantining at home.
But kids can still have fun at online camps. We’ll be updating this list of spring break camps.
Chicago Children’s Theatre will offer two virtual camps, Cabin Fever and Camp Red Kite. At Cabin Fever, kids ages 5-7 (morning session, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) and 8-12 (afternoon session 1:00 to 4:30 p.m.) will use the frameworks of legends and fairy tales to learn the basics of acting, songwriting, singing, dance choreography, collaborative story development, and scene and prop construction to create an original story. Camp Red Kite is an arts camp tailored specifically to the interests and needs of young people on the autism spectrum. For one week, campers will engage in drama, art, music and movement classes. The program is led by a team of specialized artists and educators dedicated to creating a safe, welcoming and comfortable environment for children affected by autism. The only equipment needed is a device downloaded with Zoom, a video communication platform. Cabin Fever, April 6-10, $300. Camp Red Kite, $200 or $50 a day (limited financial aid is available). For more information, visit www.chicagochildrenstheatre.org
Music House School of Performing Arts says it’s offering two to four arts-related workshops — for all ages and experience levels — per day. Workshops include music, dance and movement, yoga, theater and visual arts. Materials needed for the workshops are access to Zoom, and paper, markers and other materials found around home. All workshops will take place April 6-10 and are pay-what-you-can, with a $5-$10 suggested donation. Workshops are free to students enrolled in classes at Music House and students who are part of the organization’s CPS outreach programming. For more information, visit www.musichouseinc.com
Power Up Tech Academy is offering four-day coding camps for all experience levels for kids ages 8 and up. Each camp will have a maximum of four students to one instructor. The materials needed to participate are access to Zoom, a computer with a keyboard and mouse, or a laptop, a Web browser, speakers and a microphone or a headset. New camps and classes are released every Friday for the following week. The camps are $119 per student; limited discount codes for 20% or 40% off are also available. For more information, visit www.powerupta.com
Hi-Five Sports Zone, based in Northbrook, is offering free online classes every day. Hi-Five Sports Zone says online classes will continue until the kids are back in school. All classes will be live and are available to kids ages 3-10 on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Be sure to check the Facebook page for the daily schedule of activities. For more information, visit www.hifivesportsclubs.com
BitSpace is currently offering one weeklong camp, Inter-Act Live, and one two-hour daily workshop, Daily Maker Workshop for kids age 10-15. In Inter-Act Live, kids will learn how to use 3D design software, video game design and graphic illustration. In the Daily Maker Workshop, at 2-4:30 p.m., kids will get step-by-step instructions for making their own projects, led by BitSpace’s expert guides. BitSpace will soon offer livestream demos from 10-11 a.m. each weekday, exploring a variety of design software and video game design programs, all on YouTube. Inter-Act Live, $150 introductory price and $200 regular. Daily Maker Workshop, $24 introductory price and $40 regular. For more information, visit www.bitspacechicago.com
ComedySportz will be taking the curriculum for its summer camp and modifying it for a virtual camp. Camp Kah-Mah-Dee is a comedy and improv for kids ages 8-18. Campers will learn the building blocks of improv, improv games included in ComedySportz matches and principles of joke writing and stand-up comedy. ComedySportz says it will have more updated camp information and dates on its website in the next few days. For more information, visit www.cszchicago.com
