Spring Break

Mayor Fischer, Community Leaders Encourage Youths To Have A Fun, Safe Spring Break April 2-6

Published March 29, 2018 | By Dispatch_Release

Mayor Greg Fischer was joined by officials from LMPD, Louisville Free Public Library, the Kentucky Science Center, Louisville Parks and Recreation and Jefferson County Public Schools to encourage local children to take advantage of the dozens of free and low-cost activities offered by those organizations during the upcoming spring break April 2-6.

“We want kids to enjoy the time off with their family and friends, and to come back ready to finish the school year strong,” Fischer said. “If parents and kids are looking to keep their minds and bodies stimulated the week of April 2, we have some great local programming that’s being offered through parks and recreation, the library and JCPS at low or no-cost.”

Those include camps run through parks and recreation community centers, including a free basketball clinic by former University of Louisville basketball player Robbie Valentine on April 4-5 at the South Louisville Community Center; activities that include free movie viewings, STEAM instruction, workshops, classes and more at local Louisville Free Public Library branches; and literacy classes for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders through JCPS.

“We want kids to have fun, stay safe and out of trouble during the break from school,” Fischer said. “There are several opportunities daily for them to remain active and engaged through guided programming. Hopefully the weather’s nice and they’ll be able to spend some time enjoying the outdoors as well.”

Metro Government has created a guide to the assorted spring break activities.

Posted in Education, Environment, Louisville, Press Release | Tagged JCPS, Mayor Fischer, Press Release, Spring Break | Leave a comment

Mayor Reminds Louisville Parents Of Spring Break Options

Published March 29, 2017 | By Dispatch_Release

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/