Patch Picks: Summer Camps

It may seem as if summer will never come; but it will (eventually,) and parents can already sign up their kids for the myriad summer camps offered by the City of Mentor.

Here are some favorites:

• Camp Wildwood combines nature, crafts, fun games and great friends. It uses the and its 34 acres as home base for 6- to 12-year-olds to explore the outside world. The camp lasts 10 weeks and each week has a different theme, varying from flowers to pirates, bugs to sports. Parents can register their child for as many or as few weeks as they want. It costs $70 per week for residents to participate; $87 for nonresidents.
• Kids can attend not one but two different drawing camps this summer at Wildwood. The city offers separate art camps for kids interested in drawing animals and  those who would rather sketch superheroes (though budding artists can certainly take both.) Young Rembrandts Animal Drawing Camp is from June 13 through 15; Superhero Drawing Camp is June 20 to 22. The cost to register is $42 for residents and $53 for nonresidents. All supplies are provided.
• will teach a series of cooking classes for children throughout the summer at Wildwood. Kids can learn how to make pizza, bake cookies, cook with chocolate and much more. Each class costs $14 for residents and $17 for nonresidents.
• Wildwood also hosts a theater camp that is available to any child in third grade or higher. The camp has three separate three-week sessions. Children will learn acting, role playing, audition techniques, makeup and basic set building. Campers put on a play during their final week of camp.
• The city hosts several sports camps. Cheerleaders, fencers, boaters, skateboarders, footballers, hoopers, gymnasts, volleyballers and more can get some practice this summer and learn from experts. The participation cost varies from camp to camp.

To learn more about the city's summer camps, call the Mentor Parks and Recreation Department at 974-5720 or visit the city's website.