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/