When it comes to planning your family’s summer, balance is key. There is much to be said for the lazy, hazy days that find you laying outside with a good book and a glass of lemonade, but having too many of those days—especially when kids are involved—is a no-go.
Luckily, adding structure to your summer also adds fun and excitement! The following pages are full of family-friendly events, outstanding organizations, and adventurous activities that will make your summer memorable—and the furthest thing from monotonous.
The Bower Center for the Arts
Looking for an ARTVENTURE this summer? The Bower Center for the Arts is offering a perfect summer outlet for children to expand their imaginations and artistic talents with a full lineup of fun-filled Art Camps in June and July. Weekly themes will allow youth to express their creativity in all mediums!
Visit bowercenter.org for details.
FEKS Martial Arts Center
Shalom (Hi), My name is Bruce Rubinberg and I am the proud owner and head instructor of FEKS Martial Arts Center. FEKS has been a local staple in the Lynchburg and Forest communities for more than 44 years and has trained thousands of people in our beautiful communities. We are offering a FUN and COOL summer activity as a way of saying THANK YOU for all the love and support you have shown us. Enjoy “8 weeks of summer fun” for $99. Every week is a
different theme, packed with self-defense techniques, exercise, and fun drills. 20 spots available. Reserve yours today!
For more information, call 434-219-4207.
Imagination Station
We are keeping little minds growing and creating through art. Masterpieces will be made on different canvases, ceramics, glass, tiles, or wood, while learning to use a variety of mediums. These consist of but are not limited to acrylic, watercolors, oil pastels, gesso, charcoal and much more. Pack a NUT-FREE lunch with a drink and get ready to create.
Visit imaginationstationstudios.com for more information.
James River Association
The James River Association’s historic batteau trips are back for the 2022 season! Book a batteau trip or one of our guided paddle trips featuring stories about the wildlife, natural resources, and history of the James. Protect the river you love and find your adventure at www.jamesriveradventures.org!
James River Day School
Summer is here and full of possibilities! Sign your child up for a summer camp at James River Day School to watch the FUN begin! There are adventures for children coming into kindergarten through students going into 8th grade. Kids can get outdoors, be locavores, become math whizzes, explore artistic mediums, dive into books, play basketball, get ready for the fall sports season, and even engineer their own projects. Kids come from all over to have tons of summer fun at James River, so make your choice and sign up SOON! Check out all the possibilities at jrds.school/summer-fun/.
Lazy Days Winery
Kick off the start of summer at the 12th Annual Virginia Summer Solstice Wine Festival on June 25 from 11-6pm at Lazy Days Winery. Celebrate great wines from local Virginia wineries, live music on two stages, great festival foods, craft vendors, belly dancers, a petting zoo and more! Wine tasting
tickets include a free souvenir glass. Tasting tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the gate. Admission is free for kids 12 and under. For more information and tickets: summersolsticefestival.com
LCA Theatre Camp
The LCA Theatre Camp will meet for two full weeks from July 5 through July 16. This comprehensive theatre camp is open to students who will be entering the second through the ninth grades. Campers will attend sessions in the areas of makeup, costuming, choreography, musical theatre, improvisation, characterization, acting and theatre. Each child will have the opportunity to take part in a Camp Cabaret or One Act production, where they will memorize lines and demonstrate their skills on the final day of the theatre camp. At the end of camp, various awards will be presented to campers who have distinguished themselves in various areas.
For more information or to register go to payit.nelnet.net/form/UcmOBqFr.
For additional information, email Ray Jones at LcaTheaterDepatment@gmail.com.
Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre
Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre specializes in yearround mountain activities open to Liberty University students, faculty, staff, and the general public. Blast down one of our Neveplast tubing runs or ski in all four seasons on our Snowflex® slopes. Our popular Combo Pass includes 2 hours of skiing, snowboarding, tubing, sledding, trampolining, and rentals!
Learn more at Liberty.edu/Snowflex.
Little Town Players
Little Town Players is proud to present the Tony-award winning musical The Secret Garden this Spring. Based on the story by Frances Hodgson Burnett, orphan Mary Lennox discovers her late aunt’s hidden and abandoned garden. As she revives its beauty, the sadness that has covered the garden and her bereft uncle is lifted. Directed by Mark Foreman and starring newcomer Maleigha Jeffcoat.
For more information, visit littletownplayers.com.
Lynchburg Parks & Recreation
Lynchburg Parks and Recreation manages 17 parks, more than 40 miles of trails, and 9 recreation centers throughout Lynchburg. Our department contributes to a healthy, active, and educated community and provides stewardship and management of parklands, trails, and facilities while also creating opportunities for all to participate in a variety of recreational activities. We invite you to Find Your Fun with us!
For more information, call 434-455-5858 or visit lynchburgparksandrec.com.
Natural Bridge Zoo
Natural Bridge Zoo is the wildest place in the state of Virginia, full of fun and excitement for any age! We allow you to get close and personal with
a wide variety of rare and endangered animals. Stare into the eyes of a huge white tiger, feed a giraffe, hug a llama, and have a parakeet land on your
hand in parakeet landing. Experience an elephant ride by looking at the world from a different view point while feeling the gait of the elephants walk (offered scheduled days/times). See a wide variety of beautiful birds, colorful goats, monkeys, deer, mountain lions and many more. Spend a wonderful day at the Natural Bridge Zoo creating lasting memories with the whole family.
For more information, call 540-291-2420 or visit naturalbridgezoo.com.
Patrick Henry’s Red Hill
Patrick Henry’s Red Hill is the final home and burial place of Founding Father, American Revolution hero, and five-time Governor of Virginia, Patrick Henry. Visitors can tour Patrick Henry’s reconstructed home, kitchen, and blacksmith shop, as well as his original law office and family gravesite along with other structures. This summer, come walk numerous trails around the property, pack a picnic lunch to eat outside, and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of over 1,000 of Patrick Henry’s original acres.
Red Hill is open year-round but offers special events throughout the warmer months including an Independence Day Celebration, Lantern Tours, Star-Gazing Nights, and Living History Days. Plan your visit to Patrick Henry’s Red Hill, a place he called “the garden spot of the world,” this summer!
Visit redhill.org for more information.
Putt-Putt Fun Center Lynchburg
Every summer has its own story. We hope you’ll choose to make lasting family memories at Putt-Putt Fun Center™ where cool activities abound for all ages to enjoy!
Feel the Breeze
Jump into the driver’s seat and zoom around our track for a rush of pure adrenaline. We have karts for single riders, as well as karts that can accommodate a parent and child.
Get Wet
A cool splash on a water ride is a great way to beat the summer heat. Battle it out with friends during a whirling, twirling and wet ride on
our bumper boats equipped with water cannons.
Indoor Fun
Escape the heat and challenge friends to a game of laser tag. Guaranteeing nonstop excitement, our laser tag arena is the only two-story arena in Lynchburg. With neon lights and dark colors, our arena is the place to escape sunburn and see who really the ultimate champion is.
Be Cool
Our arcade is the place where “cool” kids hang and parents come to “cool” off. Test your gaming skills with all sorts of arcade games from classic air hockey to our Typhoon Roller Coaster simulator. After you’ve won all the points you can, turn them in at the redemption counter for awesome prizes.
Loop the 18
Our two 18-hole Putt-Putt® Golf courses are the perfect way for the family to stay active, on their feet, and soak in the Vitamin D. You may even get lucky and ace your shot on our skill-based par 2 courses!
Visit PuttPutt.com/Lynchburg-VA to start the fun!
YMCA
The YMCA is committed to strengthening individuals and communities. At the Y, we’re here to help you find your “why” – your greater sense of purpose – by connecting you with opportunities to improve your health, support young people, make new friends and contribute to a stronger, more cohesive community for all. Through the support of our community, the Y works to empower every child, adult, and family to be healthy, confident, and connected, regardless of age, income, or background. Through outreach swim lessons, cancer survivor programs, community health initiatives, education and enrichment programs, and strategic partnerships, the Y creates solutions to some of our community’s greatest needs.
To learn more about the YMCA, visit ymcacva.org.
