For years children have attended the Ohio University Southern Academy of Excellence. Now, those children’s children are spending part of their summer break following in their parents’ footsteps.

“School is out and parents are looking for things for their children to do,” Shelly Betz, marketing and public information officer for Ohio University Southern, said.

The academy is offered from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday July 14-25 at the OUS Ironton and Proctorville campuses.

“Ohio University Southern is pleased to offer another exciting summer camp experience that is specially designed for area youth to expand their minds, inspire teamwork, share creative energy and have a fun time with other kids through interactive teaching,” Robert Pleasant, OUS director of enrollment and student services, said. “From master chefs to basketball, and traveling through times in history, our unique classes are sure to be a big hit among kids and parents alike. Over the years, the academy has made a positive impact upon thousands of young people who want to grow their learning and enrichment opportunities during the summer.”

Bill Walton, 39, graduated from Ironton High School in 1993 and attended the academy as a child. Now a prosecuting attorney in Franklin County, his sons, Luke, 9, and Ryan, 6, have attended the academy the past few years.

“My sister comes in every year from Washington, D.C., with her three kids and it’s good that my kids get to not only go and spend time with their cousins, but they get to spend time with my friends’ kids as well,” he said. “All the kids in my family spend time at the academy and are with their grandparents doing other things, like going out to Lake Vesuvius.”

Walton said when he attended the academy, Carol Allen was the organizer and he fondly remembers the snorkeling class at the Ironton City Pool and a videography class.

“It was with the huge on-the-shoulder VHS cameras,” he said.

If one wants to learn how to ride a horse one simply has to attend the Horse Lover’s Camp.

The Ohio Horse Park will host daily sessions for one week each. Participants will have the opportunity to understand horse behavior, grooming, tacking, untacking and riding.  A separate application is required for the Horse Lover’s Camp. For information contact Kelly Hall at 740-354-9347 or email ohpinfo@ohio.edu.

Jamie Taylor’s daughter, Jordyn, 8, has attended the Proctorville academy for two-straight years. Jamie said the classes offered is what draws her daughter to the academy.

“It’s the classes they offer that attracts Jordyn to the academy,” Jamie said. “She is a well-rounded and creative kid and the classes serve all her interests. Plus, she gets to see a lot of her friends over the summer at the academy.”

Carol Ward, who is in her third year as director of the Proctorville academy, said the it keeps growing in size and the children “absolutely love it.” She should know, not only from her role as director, but her son, Matt, 11, a soon-to-be sixth-grader at Fairland Middle School, has attended the past two years.

“I like the Crime Scene Investigation Class (CSI) especially,” Matt said. “The teacher makes the class very interesting. I also like the sports we play during recess between classes.”

Classes available for grades 1-3 at the Ironton academy are: Oooo, Goo and Stinky Too: Gross Science, MARVELous Mayhem, Give Me a “YAY”!, Master Chef Jr., Happily Ever After and If You Give a Kid a Paintbrush.

Classes in Ironton for grades 4-6 are Partners with Potter, Kaboom!, Project Funway, European Union, Everybody Dance Now and Computer Bryte Kids.

The Proctorville classes for grades 1-3 are: Kelli’s Kreative Kitchen, Bobcat Ballers 101, Time Capsule and Cheers To You!

Classes at Proctorville for fourth through sixth-graders are: Game Show Mania, Bobcat Ballers Advanced, Die Reise nach Deutschland! and Cheers To You!

A full description of these classes is available on the OUS website at http://www.southern.ohiou.edu/ae/.

Registrations are taken on a first-come basis. OUS reserves the right to modify this schedule of programs and to cancel courses with insufficient enrollments. Registration can be completed online or by mail. If registering by mail, print the registration form and send the completed documents to Ohio University Southern Academy of Excellence, 1804 Liberty Ave., Ironton, OH 45638

Scholarships are available and those details are available online.

All classes are offered in a safe and supervised environment and early registration is encouraged since space is limited.

Class registration is based on the receipt of registration with deposit. Full refunds may be given prior to the start of classes. Registration closes on Monday, July 1, or when classes are full.