Send announcements, which are open to the public at no or minimal cost, to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102 or e-mail to loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, call Jennifer Lesinski at 703-917-6454. For additional listings, visit www.connectionnewspapers.com.
The Douglass Community Center, 407 E. Market St., Leesburg is offering Abrakadoodle Camp-Twoosy Doodlers for ages 20 months-3 years. Acquire new skills using paints, textures, papers, glue and modeling compounds in developmentally appropriate lessons. Cost: $36, plus $9. Call 703-771-5913 or e-mail dcc@loudoun.gov.
Tuesday-Thursday, July 17-19, 12:30-1:15 p.m.; and Tuesday-Thursday, Aug. 7-9, 12:30 -1:15 p.m.
The Douglass Community Center, 407 E. Market St., Leesburg is offering Abrakadoodle Camp-Doodlers for ages 6-13 years. Acquire new skills using paints, water colors, pastels and other materials. Cost: $36, plus $9 supply fee. Call 703-771-5913 or e-mail dcc@loudoun.gov.
Tuesday-Thursday, July 17-19, 1:30-2:15 p.m.; and Tuesday-Thursday, Aug. 7-9, 1:30 -21:15 p.m.
The Audubon Naturalist Society’s Rust Nature Sanctuary in Leesburg will offer summer nature camps for children ages 4-11 years old, July 16-Aug. 17. The camps focus on nature and are designed to foster environmental awareness and expand natural and cultural knowledge; featuring hands-on activities, hikes, games, crafts and explorations. Call 703-669-0000 or visit www.audubonnaturalist.org.
The Loudoun Museum's Loudoun heritage camp for girls at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, July 16-20, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For ages 8-12. Snacks and materials provided; bring a sack lunch. Cost: $300. Reservations required, 703-777-7427 or e-mail education@loudounmuseum.org.
The Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy will hold a summer nature camp, July 16-19, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. daily at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, Woods Road, for children entering grades third-sixth. Cost is $100 for one session; $180 for both sessions; registration on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact Phil Daley at 540 338-6528 or send an e-mail to pedaley@verizon.net. Visit www.loudounwildlife.org/Nature_Camp.htm.
Potomac Falls Church will be holding vacation Bible school, Avalanche Ranch, July 23-27, from 9 a.m.-noon, at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church. For ages 4 trough rising fifth-graders. Cost: $25 for one child, $40 for to siblings, but no more than $50 per family. To register, call 703-404-0900 or visit www.potomacfallschurch.org.
Kidzart summer camp at the Douglass Community Center, 407 E. Market St., Leesburg, for ages 3.5-5. Projects include sketchbook design, clay, scratch art sand art, puzzle art, 3-D projects, drawings and more. Cost: $180, plus $25 supply fee payable to instructor at first class. Classes Monday-Friday, 1-4 p.m. July 23-27 and July 30-Aug. 3. Call 703-771-5913.
Kidzart elementary camp at the Douglass Community Center, 407 E. Market St., Leesburg, for ages 6-11. Projects include sketchbook design, clay, scratch art, sand art, puzzle art, 3-D projects, drawings and much more! Cost: $180, plus $25 supply fee payable to instructor at first class. Classes Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon. July 23-27 and July 30-Aug. 3. Call 703-771-5913.
Wizards and Wonders-A Hero's Adventure with Harry Potter takes place at St. James Episcopal Church, 24 Cornwall St., N.W., Leesburg, from Sunday, July 29-Thursday, Aug. 2, 6-8:30 p.m. with dinners included. There is no cost. Spring off the favorite story of Harry Potter to see how God calls us, marks us, equips us and helps us face even the most dangerous challenges.
Galilee United Methodist Church, 45245 Winding Road, Sterling, is offering a performing arts day camp for rising third- through eighth-graders, July 30-Aug. 3, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. There will be a final performance at 7 p.m., Friday evening, Aug. 3. Directed by The Leavening Agency, a Christian organization specializing in creative children’s programming. There are no auditions, every participant is encouraged to choose what he or she wants to do. Cost: $150 per child. Registration forms and additional information available at www.Galileeumc.org; at the church office; or contact Kim, 703-430-2203 or by e-mail at KByrum@Galileeumc.net. Registration deadline is July 29.
The Loudoun County 4-H junior camp takes place Aug. 5-9, at the Northern Virginia 4-H Educational Center in Front Royal.
Operated by the Loudoun County Extension 4-H Program, summer youth camp is open to all youth ages 9-13 years. Campers experience a five-day, four-night camp full of activities and learning including swimming, canoeing, hiking, arts and crafts, archery, volleyball, cooking. The cost is $185 per child. Contact the Extension Office at 703-777-0373 or by e-mail at kred@vt.edu.
Nature Camp: Wings in the Sky. Children ages 6-10 can discover flying animals — birds, insects, bats — while enjoying a summer camp experience at Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling. Includes hikes, games, live animals, and crafts. Call 571-258-3700. Camp runs Aug. 6-10, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Cost is $200 for the week of camp.
Loudoun County 4-H is offering 4-H Arts and Theater: Aug. 13-17, Franklin Park, Purcellville, for 9- to 13-year-olds.
To enroll in any of the camps, call the Virginia Cooperative Extension Office at 703-777-0373 for a packet. Each camp costs $150 and covers materials and a daily snack. A brochure with more details about the camps is available online at www.loudoun.gov/extension.
The Loudoun Museum's Loudoun heritage camp for boys at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, Aug. 20-24, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For ages 8-12. Snacks and materials provided; bring a sack lunch. Cost: $300. Reservations required, 703-777-7427 or e-mail education@loudounmuseum.org.
The Sterling Annex Community Center, 22084 Shaw Road, is accepting registration for the fall session of My First Preschool. Children must be 2 years old by Sept. 4. Classes are Mondays and Wednesdays, 9-10:30 a.m. or 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; and Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9-10:30 a.m. or 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Registration required, call 703-430-6673.