New East Atlanta Summer Day Camp

Jessica Hollomon
Summer break is here. For kids, that means no school, no homework and no walking in lines. Some parents may rejoice in the “no homework” part; however, for many the “no school” leads to no childcare and no time away from their hyper and loud (if lovely and talented) children.
There are a number of summer camps and activities in the Southeast Atlanta area for parents to choose from. Kids can be sent on a Zoo Safari  at Zoo Atlanta. The Ormewood School  has fun themed weeks for the young ones. The East Atlanta Kids Club is once again rocking out a summer camp for 7-14 year olds. In town Gymnastics is a great new gymnastics program offering Saturday classes and some week-long camps.
There is also a new option in East Atlanta: Camp Olio’s (first) Summertime Extravaganza. Olio was created to provide an affordable day camp option for parents while giving kids five whole days of summer fun. This year they are starting the Summertime Extravaganza with two different week-long sessions, offering 15 spots for six to nine-year-olds each week.  Week one is June 16-June 20, and week two is July 7-July 11. Hours are 8:30-5:30 daily and will be held at East Side Church at historic Martha Brown UMC. The church has green space available for Olio to use for outside activities and field games.
Olio wants kids to know what blues music sounds like, who Elvis Costello and Woody Guthrie are, where the spare tire can be found and how to play five kinds of tag. Armed with a record collection and memories of summers past, Alissa and Jessica promise a summer experience to remember.
East Atlanta is already welcoming to kids in many ways; some resources include the East Atlanta Parents Association, the Kids Club and Brownwood Park. There is a kids’ area at the East Atlanta Strut. The East Atlanta Beer Fest even supports the neighborhood school. The EAV Farmers Market has activities catering to children each week. Camp Olio hopes to become a summer tradition for these youngsters too.
With all of these options popping up in Southeast Atlanta, parents may find the annual hunt for summer activities a little easier.
 
About Olio Summertime Extravaganza: Olio was started by Alissa Wagner and Jessica Hollomon. Together they have headed up fundraisers for the classroom and held a weekly program at Brownwood Park recreation center called Happy Super Awesome Wednesday Funtime hour. One coaches AYSO soccer while the other has spent summers as a camp counselor. For further information visit http://campolio.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/oliosummertime