Smarts and crafts

With the hot, hazy days of summer approaching, parents might be wondering how to keep kids’ brains active during their time off from school.

But moms and dads who don’t want to watch their children spend hours, or even days, zoned out in front of the TV or a video game have a choice. Many, in fact. South Philly recreation centers and other venues are offering unique summer programs that kids could find stimulating and, more importantly, fun.

For starters, Fleisher Art Memorial, 719 Catharine St. (215-922-3456), offers programs for children that include sculpting, painting and photography. The programs at Fleisher are age-appropriate and vary based on teacher proposals.

"It’s really compressed and intensive," said James Mundie, registrar for Fleisher. "You get five days in each program to focus on something special. A lot of personal interaction with the instructor."

For instance, a four-day workshop for ages 5-7 running the week of July 5 is titled "Dream Pillows." Fleisher’s Web site describes the class as allowing students to "design a pillow of their dreams using a variety of techniques from fabric painting to textured decorations."

Fleisher also offers summer workshops for teens and adults. The programs run July 5-29.

Another artistic summer camp is being held at Hawthorne Cultural Center, 1200 Carpenter St. (215-685-1848), offering such activities as hip-hop dancing, African drumming and the chance to take a dive at Ridgway Swimming Pool at 13th and Carpenter streets.

On July 22, the children participating in Hawthorne’s summer camp will be treated to a daylong trip to Dorney Park.

Anthony DiFlorio, who oversees the program for ages 5-12, hopes the children will "be able to learn a few things, get some air, have a stress-free summer and meet new friends and catch up with the old ones."

Hawthorne’s camp will be held July 5-Aug. 12.

LIKE HAWTHORNE, TOLENTINE Community Center, 1025 Mifflin St. (215-389-0717), offers its young charges plenty of field trips.

In all, Tolentine will take campers on 17 outings to local museums, including the Franklin Institute and the Academy of Natural Sciences. The camp also makes popular swimming voyages to Neshaminy State Park in Lower Bucks County.

What’s more, the 5- to 14-year-olds are treated to bowling and a free buffet at Jillian’s in Franklin Mills Mall and a whirlwind adventure at Clementon Amusement Park.

Diane Zotti, acting director of Tolentine, hopes the children who attend the camp from June 20-Aug. 12 will experience cultural and social interaction through the activities.

Youths who are more athlete than artist also can find plenty to do this summer.

Murphy Recreation Center, Third and Shunk streets (215-685-1874), offers a new workshop dubbed "Philly’s Fundamentals" to help children exercise their thinking skills during the summer heat.

The workshop involves "fun and learning using baseball concepts," explained Murphy recreation leader Mike Hopkins. For example, "children learn geography using the locations of the different major-league teams," he said.

While emphasizing learning, the center also includes weekly trips to allow kids a chance to enjoy the summer weather. Fort Mifflin, the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, Clementon Park and the Palace Roller Skating Center are all on the agenda during the program, which runs July 5-Aug. 12.

"It’s a way to enjoy the summer, meet new friends and interact with children from other schools," said Hopkins.

Starr Garden Playground, Sixth and Lombard streets (215-686-1782), is holding weekly trips to various attractions, including the Philadelphia Zoo, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts and Adventure Aquarium in New Jersey. There even will be a five-day camping event the second week of July at Camp Overbrook on the grounds of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Maureen Maier, a recreational leader at Starr Garden Playground, expects about 35 participants in the program, which runs July 5-Aug. 12.

She said the camp wants to provide the youths a "safe, fun summer."

With the wide array of activities available, youths will be able to get plenty of exercise, especially at the Rizzo Rink summer camp for ages 6-10. A typical day begins with a snack at 9 a.m. followed by a brief exercise period. Afterward, children are divided into groups to engage in sports such as field hockey, lacrosse, basketball and swimming at the Herron Swimming Pool, Second and Reed streets. There is also a trip every Thursday. This summer’s participants will visit the National Constitution Center and the Franklin Institute.

Michael Mecchella, a recreational leader at Rizzo Rink, anticipates 40 to 45 children will enroll in the program. "The program was originally 90 percent male, but now it’s 50-50," he said.

Mecchella hopes he will be able to teach the children discipline and how to interact with their peers. He guarantees parents that kids will "be tired by the time they get home."

"That’s a good thing and a goal, and parents love that," he said.