The last day of school is coming right up, and it’s time to make plans for the kids at your Houston property. Of course, the coronavirus pandemic is complicating things. However, now is a good time to start checking out the possibilities. There are camps that will be held online. Some favorite landmarks are opening in a limited way. Other places are coming up with ways to have a fun social-distance style.
Asia Society is offering several weeks of summer camp for school-aged kids living in Houston. The sessions in June will be held online As far as July and August go, it will be determined one camp at a time whether it will be held in person or online. The first camp, Filmmaking with Writers in the Schools, will run from June 8th through the 12th. It’s recommended for kids ages 9 to 12.
For students ages 6 to 9, there will be Adventures Along the Silk Road from June 22nd to the 26th. It will be a multidisciplinary camp with food, music, dance, and art. Participants will learn about the many cultures along the Silk Road They’ll make art inspired by what they learn.
In July, kids 9 to 12 can learn Manga POP and draw Japanese-style comics. More advanced students, ages 11 to 14, can do Manga Digital, which is for more experienced artists. They will also learn about how to use the internet in the creation. This camp will run from July 6th through the 10th.
There will also be an Olympic Games camp for kids ages 8 to 11 from July 20th through the 24th. Students will learn about different Olympic competitions, participate in their own games, and discover how they are related to Asian countries.
Finally, from August 3rd through the 7th, there will be Dances of China for children 6 to 9. They will learn to do both traditional and contemporary styles. They will prepare the props and costumes and perform on the last day of camp.
Visit
Asia Society to learn more about each camp and register online.
Animal Lovers Living in Houston Are in for a Surprise
Summer is traditionally a great time to visit the Houston Zoo. The great news is that the zoo is going to be reopening on Wednesday, June 3rd. Houston property owners who are members can experience the zoo earlier, on June 1st or 2nd. Reservations will be required for both members and non-members. The system will open for reservations today, Wednesday, May 27th at noon. There’s time for you to become a member of the zoo and enjoy a year of free admission, as well as other advantages.
While the zoo is opening, there will be some changes, in addition to the necessity of getting a timed ticket. Indoor animal exhibits will be closed, as will high-touch areas like the carousel, water play park, and the giraffe feeding station. However, there will still be lots of animals to see on the pathway through the zoo. See the Asian elephants, the Malaysian tigers, the African lions, and more.
Zoo staff will all wear masks, and visitors are strongly encouraged to do so as well. Free hand sanitizer stations will be located at all restrooms, the entrance and exit, and eateries. Visitors are also encouraged to bring their own food and beverages. There will be visual markers to help guests maintain six feet between groups, and staff will be continuously cleaning surfaces. Find out more and reserve your ticket to the
zoo reopening.
Summer is also a great time to watch movies under the stars. In order to practice social distancing, many of our usual Houston property venues have canceled their usual summer movie series. But that doesn’t mean that there won’t be any summer movies this year. This year we’ll just be watching from our cars. The Drive-in at Sawyer Yards has published its movie schedule through June 7th. Some are sold out, so act quickly to see your favorite.
Get tickets to Moulin Rouge for June 1st. Dirty Dancing will be screened on June 3rd. Come on June 4th for Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Friday will show on June 5th.
You’ll purchase tickets online and show your phone with proof of purchase to staff when you arrive. All staff will be wearing masks and gloves that they’ll change frequently. They will direct cars to spaces that are six feet apart. Tune in to your FM radio to get the audio of the movie being projected on the enormous 100-foot screen. Guests are asked to remain in their cars for the whole movie unless they are using the restroom or picking up food.
Yes! There will be food. Get the popcorn, candy, and soda. Or put an order in with Buffalo Bayou Brewing Co for delicious brewpub food and craft beer. You have to order and pay online. You’ll be emailed when your order is ready. You’re also welcome to bring along your own food and drinks.
Visit The Drive-in at Sawyer Yards to learn more about how contactless drive-in movies work. Purchase tickets and sign up to receive the newsletter and find out as soon as more tickets are available.
This summer is going to be a challenge for us all, as we navigate the ongoing safety precautions to keep the coronavirus from spreading. However, people living in Houston are resilient and creative. We’re already coming up with ways to have a fun summer in our new circumstances. We hope these resources will help your family as you plan for ways to make summer 2020 a success.
