Camps

Art Camp
Art Camp is an enjoyable summer program for La Porte area kids to experience a hands-on visual arts program. Participants will participate in a variety of artistic activities in the picturesque setting of Cummings Lodge, which is located within Soldiers Memorial Park on the shores of Stone Lake.

2023 Art Camp is scheduled for two sessions: June 12-22 and July 10-20. The camp meets Monday through Thursday with class times for ages 4-14. The cost of the camp is $50 per camper. Register at the Park Office (250 Pine Lake Avenue) between 8 a.m.-4 p.m., by phone with a credit card at 219-326-9600, or ONLINE.

During Art Camp, students will be experimenting daily by painting in the style of a famous artist, working on a group project, or taking a short hike to find the perfect landscape view to sketch. Instructors teach creativity, experimentation, and artistic exploration, each day will bring a new topic to inspire the artist within. Students will learn techniques such as drawing, painting, paper mache, printmaking, and much more! 

The afternoon classes will have more challenging opportunities designed for slightly older students. Fine art mediums are used to explore styles, techniques, and incorporate formal elements of making creative art.

Times for Art Camp Classes:

Ages 4 & 5 - 9-10 a.m.

Ages 6 & 7 - 10:15-11:15 a.m.

Ages 8 & 9 - 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Ages 10 & 11 - 1-2 p.m.

Ages 12-14 - 1-2 p.m.

Nature Camp
Young naturalists will explore the ecological wonders of La Porte with the experts from Dunes Learning Center.  Activities focus on teamwork, observation, critical thinking and creativity.  Campers will have fun exploring outdoors!  Searching for salamanders and frogs, hiking in the forest, playing games with friends, go birdwatching and creating nature themed crafts. An optional family hike on Friday, July 28, at the Richardson Preserve is included with registration. 

The camp will be held Monday-Thursday July 24-27 at Cummings Lodge in Soldiers Memorial Park. The fee for the program is $50 per camper.  Pre-K (ages 4-6) will meet from 8:30-11 a.m.  Elementary (ages 7-10) will meet from 12:30-3 p.m.  The deadline to enter is July 14 with class sizes limited.  Pre-registration is required.

This Nature Camp is made possible by the Flora Richardson Foundation, Friends of Indiana Dunes, South Shore Arts and Indiana Arts Commission.  


 

Playground Program
The La Porte Park and Recreation Department offer this FREE drop-in program that will have a ton of fun activities for local children throughout summer break located in five neighborhood parks. The program will run five days a week when school is in recess for the summer following the schedule below. Themes for the upcoming summer program include Welcome Week, Olympics, Fitness Fun, Adventure Week, Space Week, Mad Science, Wilderness Week, Superhero Week, Game Show Week, and Back to School Week.  Program funded in part through a grant from the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte.

Parent Playground Information
Playground Waiver Form

Playground Information Flyer

 
Koomler Park
Mondays & Wednesdays 9-11:30 a.m.
Tuesdays & Thursdays 1-3:30 p.m.
Allesee Park
Mondays & Wednesdays 1-3:30 p.m.
Tuesdays & Fridays 9-11:30 a.m.
Scott Park
Mondays & Thursdays 9-11:30 a.m.
Tuesdays & Fridays 1-3:30 p.m.
Ben Rees Park
Mondays & Thursdays 1-3:30 p.m.
Wednesdays & Fridays 9-11:30 a.m.
Rumely Park
Tuesdays & Thursdays 9-11:30 a.m.
Wednesdays & Fridays 1-3:30 p.m.