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.
Shenandoah University’s Harry F. Byrd Jr. School of Business entrepreneurship program summer boot camp for high-school students. The entrepreneurship boot camp, July 8-14, is designed to help young entrepreneurs assess their technical and business skills and evaluate whether they might be ready and able to start their own ventures. Contact Miles Davis at mdavi3@su.edu or 540-545-7314.
Galilee United Methodist Church, 45425 Winding Road, Sterling, is offering Avalanche Ranch vacation Bible school, July 9-13, from 9 a.m.-noon, for ages 3 years old through fifth-graders, must be 3 years old by Sept. 30, 2006. Includes music, crafts and games. Cost: $35 for the first child and $30 for each sibling. 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 June 29.
The Extreme Journey Through Hallowed Ground summer camp will take place July 9-20, for rising seventh- and eighth-graders. Includes hands-on lessons in American heritage and leadership, and a variety of outdoor activities. Co-sponsored by the nonprofit The Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership. Cost: $500. To register, contact the Loudoun County Office of Middle School Education at 571-252-1090.
The Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy will hold a summer nature camp, July 9-12 and 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.
Loudoun County 4-H is offering the following day camps.
* 4-H: More Than You Ever Imagined, July 9-13, Algonkian Park, Sterling, for 9- to 13-year-olds.
* 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 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.
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.
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.
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.