Mayor reminds Louisville parents of Spring Break options
Louisville Metro Parks, Library and Zoo offering programs, along with JCPS
Mayor Greg Fischer reminded parents today that there are many free or low-cost options for keeping students active and engaged during Spring Break, which starts Friday (March 31) for Jefferson County Public Schools and runs through next week (April 3-7) for JCPS and most private and Catholic schools.
“From Spring Break camps, to family picnics in our parks, to library and recreation center activities like an African Drum and Dance Workshop, there’s no reason for kids to be idle next week,” the Mayor said. “There are lots of options for the kind of experiences that stimulate their brains, get their bodies moving and keep them occupied and engaged.”
JCPS "Literacy &" camps
Families with third- through fifth-graders in Jefferson County Public Schools still have an opportunity to sign their children up for JCPS’ “Literacy &” camps at five locations. The free camps combine reading with character-building activities such as chess, karate, hip-hop, photography and robotics.
Registration is underway, and space is available for up to 30 students at each of the five elementary school locations: Crums Lane, Engelhard, Rangeland, Maupin and Wheatley. The camps will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 3-7. To register a child, families may call (502) 485-3631.
Metro Parks and Recreation
From Monday to Friday, April 3-7, many Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation community centers are offering Spring Break camps, which generally run 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. There are fees, ranging from $20 to $80 a week, which cover field trips, as well as organized games and activities. Find more details at www.bestparksever.com.
In addition, the Parkhill Community Center, 1703 South 13th St., is hosting an African Drum and Dance Workshop from 10 a.m. to noon each day next week. A $30 fee covers the workshop and performance. Call 637-3044 for more information. And the South Louisville Community Center, 2911 Taylor Boulevard, is hosting a free Robby Valentine Spring Break Sports Camp Tuesday and Wednesday, April 4-5, from 1-3 p.m. for ages 8-16. Call 574-3206 for information.
Other Spring Break activities sponsored by the community centers include:
- Family Night Out Parkhill Community Center, 1703 South Thirteenth Street; 637-3044 Friday, April 7, 6-8 p.m. Free kickball, games and movies.
- International Movie Night, Beechmont Community Center, 205 West Wellington Avenue; 361-5484. Friday, April 7, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Fee: $5, includes popcorn, cotton candy and snow cones.
- Fun at the Park, Newburg Park; 456-8122. Wednesday, April 5, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Free activities and cookout; ages 6-18.
- Skating and Gattiland Field Trip, Newburg Community Center , 4810 Exeter Avenue; 456-8122 For ages 10-18. Runs 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.; $10 fee.
- Cornhole Tournament and Brunch Newburg Community Center , 4810 Exeter Avenue; 456-8122. Free for all ages; 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Louisville Free Public Library
The library kicks off Spring Break week with its “Super Silly Saturday” on April 1 at the Southwest Regional Library.
Join special guests Elephant and Piggie for an afternoon of fun activities, learning stations, and all kinds of silliness! The event also features special performances by musical guest Jim Gill and StageOne Family Theatre, and each child attending will receive a free book. This program is funded by the Jefferson County Community Early Childhood Council and Junior League of Louisville, and is suggested for preschool-age children and their families.
Here are some other library events for Spring Break week, planned in addition to regular story times at each of the library’s branches:
Saturday, April 01, 2017
10:15 a.m. STEM Saturday Iroquois
10:30 a.m. Lego Build Challenge Jeffersontown
11 a.m. Preschool Party: Earth Day! Newburg
3:30 p.m. Super-Silly Saturday! Southwest
Monday, April 03, 2017
2 p.m. Milo and Otis Main Library
2 p.m. Everyone Loves Cupcakes Storytime Southwest
2 p.m. Money as You Grow Book Club Western
2 p.m. Teddy Bear’s Picnic Jeffersontown
2:30 p.m. Tween Art Workshop St. Matthews
3 p.m. Robotics Throwdown Crescent Hill
6 p.m. Family Movie Night Shawnee
6:30 p.m. Girls' STEAM Club Portland
Tuesday, April 04, 217
10 a.m. Game Day Middletown
2 p.m. Family Movie Time Main Library
2 p.m. Movie: The Princess & the Frog Southwest
2 p.m. Afternoon Movie: The LEGO Movie Jeffersontown
3 p.m. Digital Literacy Event Fern Creek
3 p.m. Western Writing Workshop Western
3:30 p.m. Guess Who: Book Edition Shawnee
Wednesday, April 05, 217
12:30 p.m. Lunch & Learn Fern Creek
1 p.m. Nature Camp/ Jeff Memorial Forest Shively
2 p.m. Doc McStuffins Dramatic Play Southwest
2 p.m. Lego Squad Main Library
2:30 p.m. Spy Lab Crescent Hill
3:30 PM Robotics Throwdown Shawnee
6 p.m. Perler Beads: Pokemon-Style Southwest
Thursday, April 06, 217
10:15 a.m. Brightside Kids Crescent Hill
10:30 a.m. Puzzle & Lego Day! Middletown
11 a.m. Minecraft Middletown
2 p.m. Fun in the Spring Day Sun Main Library
2 p.m. Money as You Grow Book Club Western
6 p.m. Family Fort Night Southwest
6 p.m. Thursday Night Theater: Freaky Friday Main Library
Friday, April 07, 217
10:30 a.m. Friday Dance Party: Silly Dance! St. Matthews
11 a.m. Brown Bag Storytime Main Library
11 a.m. Come Play Yoga Crescent Hill
1 p.m. Brightside Kids Newburg
2 p.m. Stories with Snakes Main Library
2:30 p.m. Dogs vs. Cats Family Storytime Crescent Hill
Saturday, April 08, 217
10 a.m. Bunnies, Bunnies, Bunnies Family Storytime Southwest
10 a.m. English Conversation Club Bon Air
10 a.m. Preschool Party Main Library
11 a.m. Tell a Story with the Magic Tree House Shawnee
1 p.m. Lego Lab & Movie Portland
2 p.m. Brightside Kids Main Library
2 p.m. Dia! Celebrate Diversity Okolona
The Louisville Zoo
The Louisville Zoo’s spring break camps are full, but families should keep in mind that the Zoo is a living classroom and a perfect place to keep young minds active, while parents get in a little exercise. The best way to visit for families is a membership, and the Zoo has many different packages, including a dual membership with the Kentucky Science Center. Learn more at https://louisvillezoo.org/member-benefits/