Wesley United Methodist Preschool, 711 Spring St., S.E., is accepting registrations for 2006-07. Children born before Oct. 1, 2002 are eligible to enroll in the afternoon program, which meets from 12:30-3:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. The morning program for ages 3-5 also has openings for the fall. Call the preschool office at 703-938-3970.
The Fairfax County Public Library invites children in Fairfax County to participate in the Summer Reading Program. Held in cooperation with Fairfax County Public Schools, the program runs through Sept. 2 and encourages children to read during the summer. More than 25 businesses and organizations have donated more than $1 million worth of prizes for children who finish the program. There will also be special drawings at the end of summer. Preschoolers through sixth-graders read 15 books (children can have books read to them), and those in grades seven-12 read eight books. Participants who finish reading the required number of books by Sept. 2 win prizes. Participants can read any books they choose. Those who want a list of reading suggestions can look in This Month, the library’s calendar of events (available at local branches) or on the library’s Web site at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library.
An array of performers, from jugglers and puppeteers to magicians and musicians, will entertain and educate children at library branches all summer. Also, teens can participate in special activities including video/DVD production workshops for the library’s Cool Clips contest.
These events and activities are free, but registration is required for most. Call to sign up beginning two weeks before an event. Ask for signed interpretation or assistive listening devices when you call (TTY users can call 703-324-8365).
Sensational Senses Camp. Campers ages 4-6 will tickle their senses as they meet the box turtle (who can smell food from a mile away), hike Meadowlark's trails with their own bug boxes and play animal adaptation games. Campers will experience nature through engaging multi-sensory activities. Offered for the week of July 17-21 at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna. Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-noon costs $260. Extended hours of 9 a.m.-3 p.m. cost $405. Call Discovery Creek Children’s Museum at 202-337-5111 or visit discoverycreek.org.
Teen Excursion Camps. Offered by Vienna Parks and Recreation through Aug. 11 from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. for rising sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders. Camps include white-water tubing, ropes courses, mountain biking, trips to Kings Dominion and other activities. Cost for Vienna residents is $250 per camp. Call 703-255-6360.
Summer Playground Program. Weekly sessions through Aug. 11, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. for children age 6-11 at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St., S.E. Supervised activities include arts and crafts, games, field trips and special events. Cost is $80 per child for Vienna residents. Extended care available from 7:30 a.m. before camp and until 5:30 p.m. afterwards for an additional fee. Call 703-255-6360.
ShowStoppers Camp. Held on Monday mornings until a musical production at the end of August at Vienna Tiny Tots Village, 204 Courthouse Road, S.W. for children aged 3-elementary school. Call Irene Light at 703-281-1538, e-mail teacher@lightmotifs.com, or call Tiny Tots at 703-281-4546.
Wilderness Wizards Camp. Children ages 7–9 learn how to track and observe animals, improve navigation skills through map-making and compass work, and create the ultimate "leave-no-trace" campsite. Campers will take on wilderness challenges, develop a sense of environmental awareness and learn about the importance of conservation. At the end of the week campers will set up a campsite for an overnight of cooking out and stargazing and a fireside talent show. Offered for the weeks of July 24-28 and Aug. 7-11 at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna, Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Cost is $405. Call Discovery Creek Children’s Museum at 202-337-5111 or visit discoverycreek.org.
Choose Your Own Camp Adventure. Campers 7–9 years old will learn special survival skills to help them make the most out of the wild. They will explore the outdoors through hiking, canoeing and climbing. Each day campers will choose their own destination to gain more knowledge, see new sights and work with friends to write the story of the day's adventure. Offered for the weeks of July 31-Aug. 4 and Aug. 14-18 at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna, Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Cost is $405. Call Discovery Creek Children’s Museum at 202-337-5111 or visit discoverycreek.org.
Club Phoenix Teen Center. Vienna Community Center features a big screen TV, jukebox and CD player, Dreamcast, pool and pingpong tables and more for Vienna-area middle-school students. Hours of operation are Monday-Thursday, 2:30-6:30 p.m. For more information, call 703-255-5721.
Reserve a place in history at Cunningham Park Elementary. Buy an Engraved Brick that will be placed in the courtyard to raise funds to improve the school grounds. Obtain order forms at the school office, or contact Paula Williams at 703- 689-8928.