Keeping Your Sanity

Summertime classes can keep kids active and occupied while you get a little mom-time at home.

Henry James, the man who penned “summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language” obviously wasn’t a parent in charge of children during the three hottest months of the year. However, the advertising executive who chose “The Most Wonderful Time of The Year” for a back-to-school jingle for Staples probably was!

It is a wonderful experience having your little (and not so little) ones home day after day. But after the first few weeks (or days), it becomes a challenge for even the most creative parent to keep them occupied, safe and having fun. In addition to the local sports programs, all-day camps and swimming lessons, there are myriad activities in 417-land designed to provide fun and even a little education. Here are a few options that can save your sanity, and give your children exciting new opportunities. But remember that most classes and programs require advance registration and many classes have limited enrollment.

Riding Lessons

For horse-lovers, the Sac River Stables, LLC, offers equestrian day camps and riding lessons. The Day Camps are designed for children 6 or more years old. Classes include safety while working around and riding horses, horse care and management, veterinary procedures, feeds and feeding, tack and other equipment, grooming, saddling, bridling, horsemanship and equitation—all taught in an indoor riding arena or air conditioned classroom.
Students who take riding lessons will be provided a horse, tack, and helmet, if necessary. They will learn safety, proper tying, grooming, saddling, bridling, horsemanship and equitation in English and/or Western riding styles. Pricing is different for those providing their own horses and tack.
All lessons are given by a Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) Certified Instructor at a CHA Accredited indoor riding facility, using well-trained horses. Class size is limited. Family discounts are available.


Equestrian Day Camp is June 9-13, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.; June 16-20, 8 a.m.–noon; June 23-27, 8 a.m.–noon. Cost is $100 to $150. Call for available times for Riding Lessons, which are $25 to $35. Both take place at Sac River Stables, 5798 North Farm Road 125, Springfield, 417-742-4200, info@sacriverstables.com, sacriverstables.com

Write Stuff

For aspiring writers, the Springfield Art’s Council has a Teen Writing Workshop. This group is for teens ages 13 to 18, and no prior writing experience is needed to participate. They explore and encourage all genres of writing and provide a supportive, safe place to experiment with self-expression on the page. Time is given each session to write and share work so that constructive feedback can be exchanged with the group. Teens need to be Arts Council members ($5 fee for youth) to participate. A pre-teen workshop is in the works and will hopefully be started by summer.

Teen Writing Workshop, free, every Wednesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Creamery Arts Building, 411 N. Sherman Ave., Springfield, 417-862-2787, springfieldarts.com

Mini Monet Mondays

Budding artists ages 3 to 6 can begin their art experience through Mini Monet Mondays. This class will help parents integrate art into the daily learning and development of their children. Classes offer different ways of sampling and exploring art with hands-on activities, storytelling, music and more.

Mini Monet Mondays, $5 per class and $20 per session, May 19 to June 30, Creamery Arts Building, 411 N. Sherman Ave., Springfield, 417-862-2787, springfieldarts.com

Arts at Sequiota

Springfield Public Schools is offering Artworks, a multi-disciplinary approach to the arts that allows students to study with professional artists and art teachers in visual media and performing arts for an intensive 10 days. Classes will be held at Sequiota Elementary School and more than 40 different classes will be offered. Most classes are for 3rd- to 8th-grade students.

Artworks, $30 to $60, June 16–27 and July 7–18, morning sessions 8:30 to 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. to noon, afternoon sessions 1 to 2:30 p.m. and 3 to
4:30 p.m., springfieldpublicschoolsmo.org

Summer Jazz

For musical expression, high schoolers can join the Jordan Valley Jazz Band. This is Springfield’s first Community Youth Jazz Band for students in 9th–12th grade. It’s a great opportunity for local teens who want to learn about or continue the experience of playing jazz music. Auditions are by appointment. Participants must be members of the Arts Council ($5 fee for youth).

Jordan Valley Jazz Band, free, rehearsals are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m., Creamery Arts Building, 411 N. Sherman Ave., Springfield, 417-862-2787, springfieldarts.com

Creative Actors Workshop

The Creative Actors Workshop, taught by Scott Arthur-Allen, is for children, teens and adults who are serious about acting. Arthur-Allen has been in the business more than 35 years as a successful actor, acting coach, casting director and talent manager. He is the immediate past president of the Talent Managers Association and adheres to the professional Los Angeles and New York style of workshops. His technique can be applied to every acting medium, and he has coached many stars, including Heather Locklear, Tea Leoni and Sela Ward. Classes are ongoing, 4-week sessions consisting of scene study and cold readings. An interview and audit of a class is required for admission.

Creative Actors Workshop, call for prices, Wednesday and Thursday from 6 to 10:30 p.m., Lambeth Building, 1944 E. Sunshine, Suite D, Springfield, 417-725-8267, creativeactorsworkshop.com

Branson Theatre

The Children’s Theatre Workshop in Branson also offers acting classes for children. This annual, weeklong drama camp is recognized by the National Thespians Association as one of the best in the nation. There are two separate sessions: one is designed for youth in the 1st- through 5th-grade and a separate session for students from 6th- to 8th-grade.

Children’s Theatre Workshop, call for prices and location, youth session is July 14–18 or July 21–25 from 1–3 p.m., junior-high session is July 14–18 or July 21–25 from 9–11:30 a.m., Branson Arts Council, 417-336-4255

Christian Theatre

For those interested in the “behind the scenes” aspect of movies and theater, the Southwest Acting Academy is offering a class in set design, costume and painting for 9- to 16-year-olds. The Christian workshop will show students how to do basic set design and make up design and how to create their own 3D set. They will also be able to use gridding and measurements to transfer a small picture onto a stage or canvas. Space is limited.

Stage Design and Painting, $130, June 9-13 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Hope Community Church, 2121 S. Blackman Rd., Springfield, 417-882-1498 or southwestacting.com