Keep kids learning, having fun all fall break

Though it seems the school year has barely started, the public school fall break is just two and a half weeks away. Here are some options to keep the kids learning and having fun. Some programs offer discounts for members.

>> Bricks4Kidz Fall Intersession Camp: “Pocket Brick Monsters” and “Sports Jam Camp,” Oct. 10 to 14, Hokulani Elementary School. “Pocket Brick Monsters,” which runs 8 a.m. to noon, offers “mini engineers” (in grades K through 4) an exciting Pokemon adventure as they capture wild Pokemon creatures and learn to train them in battle en route to becoming Pokemon Masters. After a 30-minute break for lunch (must bring home lunch), keiki can participate in a Sports Jam Camp from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. and learn the fundamental skills of soccer, football, baseball and basketball while building self-confidence. Cost: $350. Call 255-5522 or visit 808ne.ws/2ceBlpd.

>> Elemental Minds’ VEX IQ Camp: Three-day program, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 10 to 12, Radford High School. Students in grades 4 through 8 become STEM robotics engineers as they learn about base design, gearing, robotic manipulators and programming while working in teams using VEX IQ kits to design, build and improve a robot. Culminates with a competition. Cost: $180 ($160 for returning students). Visit elementalminds.org.

>> The Green House: “Fall 2016 EcoCamp,” 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Oct. 10 to 14, 224 Pakohana St., Pauoa. Keiki ages 5 to 10 will be treated to garden exploration, eco-art and making a “garden snack,” with storytime, adventures in the park and more. Bring lunch. Cost: $200 (or $40 per day) for public school students and $285 (or $57 per day) for private school students. Call 524-8427 or visit thegreenhousehawaii.com/ecocamps.html.

>> Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center: “Let’s Change the World with Dr. Seuss” Fall Break Discovery Camp, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 10 to 14 (with optional after-camp care until 4:30 p.m. for an additional $10 fee), 111 Ohe St.; drop off at 8:30 a.m. Explore the world through the amusing stories of Dr. Seuss and his eccentric characters. Includes daily visits into the center, outdoor play and snacks. For ages 5 to 8. Bring home lunch. Register by Sept. 30; call for availability. Cost: $250. Call 524-5437 or visit discoverycenterhawaii.org.

>> Hawaii Nature Center: Fall 2016 “Sensational Nature Adventure Program (SNAP),” 2131 Makiki Heights Drive and other field sites. Runs Oct. 10 to 14, 7:45 a.m. to 3 p.m., with extended care (additional $120 for the week or $30 per day) until 5 p.m. Nature activities include forest hikes, stream investigations, nature crafts, insect safaris, beach explorations, off-site field trips and more. For ages 6 to 11. Cost: $375. Register by Monday; late fee is $25. Call 955-0100, ext. 126; email snap@hawaiinaturecenter.org; or visit 808ne.ws/2c8v4IS.

>> Honolulu Museum of Art: Fall Break Art Camp, Oct. 10 to 14, 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., 900 S. Beretania St. Classes are broken down into two groups (grades 1 through 3, and grades 4 through 6). Includes sessions on drawing, painting, clay and sculpture, and printmaking, with sketching sessions and tours of the museum’s art galleries. Bring lunch and snacks. Cost (includes supplies and apron): $325. Call 532-8741 or visit 808ne.ws/2cAUBLf.

>> “I Got Skills” Fall Break Soccer Camps: Two locations, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 10 to 14; drop off from 8:30 a.m., pick up by 3:30 p.m. The camp at Central Oahu Regional Park (at 94 Kamehameha Highway in Waipahu) is for boys and girls ages 6 to 16, while the camp at Waialae Iki Park (at 4850 Kalanianaole Highway) is for boys and girls ages 6 to 14. Both focus on footwork and techniques to improve soccer skills and develop confidence. Beginners learn fundamentals and ball mastery, while Elite players work on advanced skills training. Must wear proper soccer attire, including cleats and shin guards, and bring a ball, water bottle and lunch. Cost (includes T-shirt): $225. Visit igotskills.com.

>> Kalani Robotics Academy: Five-day program, 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 10 to 14, Kalani High School library. Students in grades 1 through 6 are offered courses in designing, building and testing robots to gain technological experience and skills while fostering creativity and teamwork. Classes include Lego Wedo for grades 1 through 3 (introductory course uses programmable Lego pieces to create moving sculptures); Lego NXT for grades 4 through 6 (students use Lego blocks to create a moving and programmable robot while learning how to use ultrasonic light, sound and touch-sensor blocks to create a robot that navigates and performs tasks); Kano for grades 1 through 5 (coding-specific course uses Kano Kits to teach simple computer-code programs); and VEX IQ for grades 4 through 6 (robotics platform uses components that snap together to create a programmable robot that moves via remote control). Cost: $200. Visit imagineworks.org/robotics-academy.

>> Kamaaina Kids: Fall Intersession camps, Oct. 10 to 14 , 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.; programs begin 8 a.m., except for “Keiki Phit.” Bring home lunch. Register by Sept. 30. Call 262-4538 or visit kamaainakids.com.

• Day Camps: At Mililani Tech Park, Voyager Public Charter School (2428 Wilder Ave.) and Ben Parker, Enchanted Lake, Hahaione, Kaleiopuu, Keoneula, Liholiho, Salt Lake and Waimalu elementary schools. Features arts and crafts, cooperative games, Super Science, singing, dancing and more. For grades K through 6. Cost: $175 for the week or $36 per day; $15 late fee; discounted online rates.

• Keiki Phit: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Manoa Valley District Park, lower pavilion; half-day option, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Features aerobic exercises and games, cooperative games, personal-best challenges, basketball, S.P.A.R.K. (Sports Play and Active Recreation Training for Kids) activities and more, while students learn proper techniques to enhance performance, prevent injury and build confidence. Portions of this program will be led by Coach Byron Mello, Moanalua High School head coach and founder of Performance Basketball Clinics, and Dean Kashiwabara, a physical therapist who specializes in orthopedics and sports-medicine injuries. For grades K through 6. Cost: $180, $150 for half-day option; $15 late fee.

• Camp Bishop Museum: Includes off-site excursions, daily access into the Science Adventure Center, Hawaii Hall and the museum’s exhibits. For grades K through 6. Drop-off and pickup at the museum. Cost: $55 per day; $25 late fee.

• Camp Sea Life Park: Keiki interact with the park’s sea creatures while learning what it’s like to be an animal trainer. For grades K to 6. Drop-off and pickup at the park. Cost: $225; $25 late fee.

• SPIRIT Adventures: For grades 5 through 8 with pickup and drop-off at the following locations: Mililani Tech Park, Voyager Public Charter School, and Ben Parker, Hahaione and Waimalu elementary schools; must be signed in by 7 a.m. Independent and adventurous campers participate in surfing, sailing and kayaking, and learn team-building initiatives, dancing and cooking. Cost: $200; $25 late fee.

>> Lyon Arboretum: “Kids’ Fall Day Camp!”8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Oct. 10 to 14, 3860 Manoa Road. Features adventures and learning through a STREAM theme (Science, Technology, Relationships, Engineering, Art and Math) which focuses on saving and protecting Hawaii’s endangered species and learning about organic gardening and Hawaiian cultural protocol. Keiki will build simple bamboo shelters and Hawaiian canoes, hike mountain trails, make and dye kapa cloth, and explore a waterfall and stream. For ages 6 to 12 (kids nearly 6 may be admitted). Cost: $200 for the week, $50 per day. Call 988-0456 or visit manoa.hawaii.edu/lyonarboretum.

>> Moiliili Community Center: “Fall Intersession Program,” Oct. 10 to 14, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., 2535 South King St. Activities include games, arts and crafts, excursions and more. Morning and afternoon snacks are provided; lunch available for purchase in advance or bring home lunch. Cost is $150, late fee $25; membership required, $30. Registration deadline is Friday. Call 955-1555 or visit moiliilicc.org.

>> The Oahu Club Sports Camp: Oct. 10 to 14, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., 6800 Hawaii Kai Drive. Students participate in physical activities including swimming, water polo, tennis, basketball and volleyball. For ages 6 to 10. Nonmembers welcome. Cost: $270; add $25 for lunch. Call 395-3300 or visit theoahuclub.com/sports-camp.

>> Pacific Aviation Museum: Two-day astrophotography workshop, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 11 and 12, Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor. The event is a part of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory’s “Youth Capture the Colorful Cosmos III” program and offers students the opportunity to use telescopes owned by the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics to research, explore and photograph the universe. Student projects will be displayed on the museum’s website. Cost: $50. Call 445-9041 or visit 808ne.ws/2cOBGN1.

>> Pearl City Foundation: “Fall Fun Days 2016,” 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 10 to 14, Momilani Community Center, 715 Hoomoana St.; half-day (6 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and daily options also available. Students in grades K through 6 engage in sports and fitness activities, games, arts and crafts, cooking, swimming (at Leahi Swim School) and a field trip to Living Art Marine Center. Bring home lunch or purchase lunch ($5 per day). Cost: $175 for full-day; $120 for half-day; and daily options available: $35, $45 for Oct. 14 with field trip. Call 456-2073 or visit pearlcityfoundation.org.

>> Skate Care Hawaii’s Fall Camp: Oct. 10 to 14, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Hickam Air Force Base, Hickam Skate Hangar, 900 Hangar Ave. Five-day clinic offers three hours of group instruction and two hours of free skate time per day in Hawaii’s only indoor skate facility. Participants learn proper techniques in a positive environment. For ages 5 to 15. Must bring own skateboard, helmet, knee and elbow pads, lunch and water. Cost: $295 for intermediate and advanced students with previous camp experience; add $25 late fee (registration deadline has passed). The beginner’s class is full; visit the website to join the waitlist. Call 864-7887 or visit skatecare.com.

>> Test-Prep Hawaii: Call 261-6666 or visit test-prephi.com.

• SAT-preparation classes for students in grades 9 through 12 to gain test-taking confidence through hands-on practice and by learning strategic time-management tips. One-week sessions will be held Oct. 10 to 14: 10 a.m. to noon at Moanalua High School, and 1 to 3 p.m. at Kalani High School. Cost (includes six books): $200.

• SAT/ACT-prep Combo Special: Two-day program includes the SAT class (see above) and the ACT class from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 15 and 16 at Moanalua High. Must note at which school the SAT class will be taken to receive the “Combo Special” pricing. Cost: $280.

>> YMCA: Fall Intersession Program, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Oct. 10 to 14 at the following branches: Kaimuki (737-5544), Kalihi (848-2494), Leeward (671-6495), Mililani (625-1040), Nuuanu (536-3556) and Windward (261-0808). Activities include sports, outdoor play, arts and crafts, science, cooking, storytime, swimming, games, field trips and more. For grades K through 6. Times, activities and grade levels may vary by branch. Cost: $185; financial aid available. Call 531-3558 or visit ymcahonolulu.org.