George Mason University Human Resources and Payroll and Potomac Arts Academy have teamed up to offer three brand-new camp options for employees looking for spring break activities for their children. The camps will be in session March 21-25.
The camps are a pilot program created in response to the results of a survey by Family Matters, a group of George Mason employees who explore faculty and staff needs in the area of family support.
“Responses indicated support was needed in the area of childcare, especially during [the public schools’] Spring Break,” said Tina Morris, child development program consultant for Mason’s Human Resources and Payroll.
Magical Camp is being offered at the Fairfax Campus for children ages 5-9. The camp costs $325 and will feature Drew Owen, a local wizard known as “Professor Fizzwiffle” to young magicians in training.
“We like magic because it helps children to focus and achieve results,” Morris said. “It’s both fun and educational because children must use sequencing, planning and fine motor skills to execute a trick,” she added.
The Computer Gaming Camp is also on the Fairfax Campus. Designed for children 9 to 13, it offers the basics of computer gaming design and costs $535 for the week.
Lessons in improvisation, mask making, voice and movement are offered to children in kindergarten through sixth grade at Acting for Young People: Spring Break on Stage at Potomac Arts Academy in Fairfax, about a mile from campus.
Online registration for all camps ends at 5 p.m. Friday, March 18. Mason families receive a discount by using the coupon code “GMUDISC” at registration.
Employees can also bring their children ages 8-12 to campus on March 28 for “Take Your Kid to Mason Day.” That Monday is a scheduled teacher work day in Prince William County and Fairfax County school divisions. For details and to register, visit hr.gmu.edu/worklife.