Schoolhouse doors across Denton will close today, but parents don’t need to brace for long days of time that’s too free.

Not in Denton and the surrounding areas.

For the budding athletes, a mess of summer sports camps might improve a ball player’s arm or keep it from getting rusty. Blooming nature lovers can do day treks and camping trips. Young performers can get some stage time and young visual artists can learn some new techniques.

—Lucinda Breeding

Discovery Art Camps

The Greater Denton Arts Council Discovery Art Camps are for children and teens ages 5 to 14. Camps run June 23-27 at the Center for the Visual Arts, 400 E. Hickory St. Participants should wear comfortable clothes they can get dirty or wrinkled. Register at www.dentonarts.com  or call 940-382-2787.

The Year of the Rat

For ages 5 to 9. From 9:30 to 11 a.m. June 23-27. Cost is $55 for council
members or $60 for nonmembers, plus a $5 supply fee.

Instructor Jane Ruestman, a longtime art teacher and director of the Children’s Art Tent at the Denton Arts & Jazz Fes­ti­val, will take students on a journey through Chinese culture though art. Chil­dren will learn about Chinese traditions and arts just as they and their parents park a beanbag in front of the television to see the summer Olympics in Beijing.

Sizzlin’ Summer Sculpture

For ages 10 to 14. From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 23-27. Cost is $55 for council members or $60 for non­members, plus a $5 supply fee.

Teacher Mary Lou Bousselot will introduce students to some of the tools of sculpture. Children will get a laidback art history lesson as they study sculptors, and they’ll get hands-on experience through projects in wood, clay, plaster, paint, nails and fiber. Sculptures will get children to think visually and build an understanding of space and dimension.

Beginning Guitar

Ages 5 to 9 meet from 11:30 a.m.
to 1 p.m. June 23-27. Ages 10 to 14 meet from 9:30 to 11 a.m. June 23-27.
Cost is $55 for council members, $60 for nonmembers.

Childbloom Guitar Program, the vaunted Denton guitar school, will host group lessons for tots and older students. The course introduces children to acoustic guitar. Polly Maynard, director of the program, will teach students four to five songs. Students will also learn to strum chords to accompany songs.

Hip-Hop, Swing and Stomp-Dancing Till You Drop

For ages 10 to 14. From 9:30 to 11 a.m. June 23-27. Cost is $55 for council members, $60 for nonmembers.

Students will learn dance techniques, basic movements and rhythmic beats of popular dances like salsa, hip-hop, swing, krumping, rhythm tap and drumming circle dance. Students will use dance to connect art, crafts, fashion and music to make their own dances. Long­time Denton dance teachers Susan Marquis Friday and Janice LaPointe-Crump lead the children through the class.

Exploring Our World Through Dance

For ages 5 to 9. From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 23-27. Cost is $55 for council members, $60 for nonmembers.

Children won’t travel the world of dance in this class. Instead, they’ll learn the basics of dance by studying themes in nature and in music. Basic building blocks for ballet, modern and jazz will be taught. Students will learn to create simple dances, costumes, scenery and props. Clothing should be loose and comfortable, and children should be ready to dance barefoot.

Denton Theatre School

Denton Theatre School, the youth outreach of Denton Com­munity Theatre, is hard at work on Totally RED, which will be performed next week at the Texas Nonprofit Theatres Inc. annual youth conference in Denton.

But the school is planning courses for young children and middle to high school students. To register, call Campus Theatre box office at 940-382-7014.

Creativity Camp

For ages 4 to 8. From 9 a.m. to noon June 9-13, July 7-11 and Aug. 4-8. At Ryan
High School, 5101 E. McKinney St.
Cost is $125, with $25 non-refundable registration fee.

All the creativity camps, taught by Ryan High School teacher Karen Gossett, will have a different theme. Camps will be held in Ryan’s black box theater.

Musical Theatre Production Camp

For ages 9 to 18. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, July 7-27.
Cost is $350, with a $25
nonrefundable registration fee.

Students will rehearse and perform Willie Wonka Jr. There will be selected technical rehearsals 9 a.m. to noon on a few Fridays. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. July 25-26 and 2 p.m. July 26.

Theater school director is Mildred Peveto and staging director is Michael Thompson.

Lucinda Breeding

Camp Kiowa— Kiowa U offers programs for boys and girls ages 6-17 from July to August. Activities include digital photography, Lego robotics, cooking, art and sculpture, rock climbing, drama, tennis, golf, swimming, yoga, dance, and basketball. Overnight camp on TWU campus. Tuition is $1,259-$4,819, fees not included. E-mail campinfo@campkiowa.com , visit www.campkiowa.com  or call 940-239-5126.

Power Chord Academy is a music camp for teen musicians ages 12-18 with two sessions in July. Students play in a band, record a CD, make a music video, play concerts and meet professional artists on UNT campus. Cost is $1,795 for overnight students and $1,445 for day students. Visit www.powerchordacademy.com .

Jay Novacek Football Camp offers programs for children and teens ages 7-18. Instruction is given by current and former NFL players and coaches. July 6-10 on UNT campus. Visit www.footballcamps.com for pricing information or call Amanda Barksdale at 940-565-3484.

Basketball Day Camp will be held on the TWU campus June 9-12. Visit www.twuathletics.com or call the TWU Athletics office at 940-898-2378.

Volleyball Instructional Camp will be held on the TWU campus June 23-26. Program designed for girls 12 and older. Cost is $310 for residents and $235 for commuters. Visit www.twuathletics.com  or call the TWU Athletics office at 940-898-2378.

Softball Day Camps will be held on the TWU campus June 9-12. Visit www.twuathletics.com  or call the TWU Athletics office at 940-898-2378.

Gymnastics Instructional Camp will be held on the TWU campus June 15-19. All skill levels are welcome (beginner to USAG Level 10). Girls 8 and older are welcome. Cost is $420 for residents and $340 for commuters. Visit www.twuathletics.com  or call the TWU Athletics office at 940-898-2378.

Camp Copass offers several different programs for children of all ages. Church groups of all sizes are welcome (campers cannot register as individuals). One counselor is required for every 10 children. E-mail programdirector@campcopass.com  or call 940-565-0050.

RA Race Day is for first- though 12th-grade boys and will include derby car races, hot dog lunch and fellowship.

Girl’s/GA Camp is for first- though sixth-grade girls. Activities will include late-night activities, crafts, recreation and swimming.

Mini Camp is for first- and second-graders and will include swimming, crafts, singing, playing mini-golf and face painting.

Trek Week is geared toward third- though sixth-graders and will include a performance by Christian comedians Bean and Bailey.

Boy’s/RA Camp is for first- though 12th-grade boys. Activities will include canoeing, archery, learning to use rifles and slingshots, camping skills, worship and mission studies.

Explorer’s Camp 2008, presented by UNT’s Elm Fork Education Center, offers 16 science themed weeklong day camp programs during June and July. Camps are from 8 a.m. to noon Monday though Friday with a full-day option available. Camps for second- though fifth-graders cost $100 per weeklong camp; field camps for sixth- though eight-graders cost $130 per camp, with an additional $20 fee for adventure sport. If you are attending a full-day camp, add $65. Call 940-369-7956, visit www.efec.unt.edu  or e-mail apresley@unt.edu .

First United Methodist Church of Denton offers summer day camps through the Children’s Day Out Program. Camps will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays during the following weeks: June 17-19, July 1-3, July 15-17, July 22-24, July 29-31 and Aug. 5-7. Campers should bring their lunch and a drink each day; snacks will be provided. Campers will be placed in age-appropriate groups based on their age as of Sept. 1. The cost of each camp is $75. Visit www.fumc-denton.com or call Kay Jennings in the Children’s Day Out office at 940-382-0074. Children will be placed in age-appropriate groups in camps with various themes:

June 17-19 — Ages 18 months to 3 years, Jungle Safari; pre-K to fifth grade, Puppet Palooza

July 1-3 — Ages 18 months to 3 years, Beach Days; pre-K to fifth grade, Crazy Science Fun

July 15-17 — Ages 18 months to 3 years, Planes, Trains, & Automobiles; pre-K through fifth grade, Rain Forest Adventure

July 22-24 — Ages 18 months to 3 years, Storybook Adventure; pre-K to fifth grade, Spies Like Us

July 29-31 — Ages 18 months to 3 years, Circus Fu; pre-K to fifth grade, Messy Masterpieces

Aug. 5-7 — Ages 18 months to 3 years, Animal Lovers; pre-K to fifth grade, Wacky Water Week

Black Mustang Ranch in Pilot Point offers summer horse riding camps for children 7 and older during the month of June. Cost is $300 per child, per week (Monday through Friday). Call 817-915-8455, e-mail monica@blackmustangranch.com  or visit www.blackmustangranch.com .

Stony Glen Stables in Aubrey offers summer camp programs for children and teens ages 5-15, riders from beginner to advanced. Cost is $160-$310, depending on the camp. Call 214-724-6017, e-mail stonyglen@tx.rr.com  or visit www.stonyglenstables.com .

Denton Parks and Recreation camps emphasize the development of physical skills, emotional growth, and self-confidence. Programs are appropriate for children and teens ages 4-15. Prices vary. Camp fees include all activities and cover cost of swimming, field trips, special guests and supplies. Campers should bring a lunch, two snacks and drinks each day, plus swimsuits and sunscreen on pool days. Free sack lunch can be provided (sandwich, fruit and milk), but no lunch is provided on field trip days. Lunch provided until Aug. 15.

Before- and after-camp care is offered from 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. at each camp location, which extends the camp day to 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost is $20 per session and $16 for four-day weeks.

First camp session must be paid in full at registration. In addition, a $10 nonrefundable deposit for each camp will reserve a space for any additional camp sessions. No vouchers or credit will be given and sessions cannot be prorated for days not attended.

The non-resident fee is $5 more per child for every session registered (you are a non-resident if you live anywhere but Denton). For camps paid in full, a one-week notice must be given in order to receive a credit toward another camp session, minus the deposit.

For more information on Parks and Recreation summer camp programs, e-mail louis.bujnoch@cityofdenton.com  or call 940-349-7275.

Camp Exploration at the Denton Civic Center is a full day of supervised activities for ages 5 to 11. Participants go swimming on Mondays, Wed­nes­days and Friday. Field trips are on Thurs­days. The summer is divided into 11 weeklong sessions that include a field trip, arts and crafts, and more. Each session is $80 for care from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Super Kids at McMath Middle School is for campers ages 7 to 11. Participants go swimming at the Civic Center Pool on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Field trips are on Tuesdays. The summer is divided up into 11 weeklong sessions that include a field trip, arts and crafts, and more. Each session is $80 for care from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sessions 10 and 11 will be held at the Civic Center.

Little Campers at McMath Middle School is for campers ages 4 to 7. Campers go swimming at the Civic Center Pool on Mondays and Fridays. Field trips are on Wednesdays. The summer is divided up into 11 weeklong sessions that include a field trip, arts and crafts, and more. Each session is $80 for care from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sessions 10 and 11 will be held at the Civic Center.

Teen Camp is designed for youths ages 11 to 15. Campers will travel around the Dallas-Fort Worth area and take part in a variety of activities. Campers meet at the Denton Civic Center, and camp is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Weeklong sessions are $90 per week. There are 11 sessions.

Youth Ultimate Campout will be July 14-18. The first day of camp will be spent at McMath Middle School in preparation for leaving on Tuesday for four days of camping, fishing, canoeing, hiking, outdoor games, campfires, swimming, water slides, and more at Turner Falls in Oklahoma for a three-night, four-day stay in a large cabin. Limited to 40 campers, ages 6-11. Cost is $135 per camper for Denton residents, or $140 for non-residents.