Is there are better place than an ice rink to find an “Arctic Chill” during August?
Particularly if that cool time involves baseball and soccer or capture the flag and dodgeball played on ice during the Arctic Coliseum’s summer camp series, which continues through Aug. 31.
In its second year, “Artic Chill” summer camp is for children 4-12 years and no skating experience is necessary because there are Learn to Skate instructors at the ready to teach children how.
“Camp’s a place to meet friends and learn to skate, and we try to keep a lot of the activities active,” said Kayleah Crosby, event coordinator for Arctic Coliseum.
The camp focuses on “fun, friends and memories,” she said, and costs $199 for the week or $50 daily. But, there are discounts for campers who have participated in past, current, or are signed up for fall programs.
There’s also after-camp daycare if needed at $5 per hour.
Crosby said that although each day has structured activities that range from chalk art to climbing an inflatable Velcro wall; there’s also flexibility in the activities depending on the group of campers.
In the first week, there were about an equal number of boys and girls and 12 campers signed up for the program.
Snacks are provided, but campers need to bring their own lunch or pay for a boxed lunch from the coliseum’s restaurant Arctic Breakaway.
Crosby said there are always two counselors with the children and more if needed to assist with skating skills.
Activities include making personal pizza and slime, (which is always popular, she said) tie-dying T-shirts, other indoor and outdoor activities, and of course, two hours on the ice each day.
“We try to be creative and vary the activities,” she said.
Upcoming camps run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily, Aug. 13-17, Aug. 20-24 and Aug. 27-31, and campers must preregister before camp begins either by calling 433-4444 or by visiting the rink’s website, www.arcticcoliseum.net.
The facility also offers unique skating birthday parties, year-round, for all ages and abilities of skaters. A skating instructor host is also included. Packages begin at $160 and include two hours of skating, and skate rental, a private party room for 3 hours, pizza, pitchers of soda and mini-melt ice cream cups for the first 10 guests. The birthday child is free, but you should bring your own cake.
There are also Learn to Skate and Learn to Play (hockey) programs for 3-15 year olds, as well as a Synchronized Skating Team. Plus, there are open skates and DJ skates at the rink.
Mark your calendar for the coliseum’s annual holiday show that will take place on Saturday, Dec. 22 at 1 p.m. to be followed by a skate with Santa, Crosby said.
