Quad-Cities education activities to try this summer

At the same time, it’s important for local students to enrich their mind in various subject matters over the summer. 

Before I proceed, I do want to note that our local libraries have an assortment of fun, family-friendly programming — outside the subject of reading — available during the summer, and I’d encourage all readers to consider those options.

However, if you and your children are looking to venture outside of your library this summer, here’s a handful of educational programs, camps and other activities around the Quad-Cities:

During July, students and families who appreciate the visual arts can visit the Figge Art Museum in downtown Davenport for free.

Those looking for more hands-on arts exploration may take an interest in the museum’s “Big Picture in the House” program. These free, one-hour sessions take place every Wednesday in July, from 10-11 a.m. and 2-3 p.m.

Each session includes learning, exploration and creation, with themes including Illuminated Manuscripts and Haitian Mythology. To register for your session of choice, visit: https://tinyurl.com/4uep8j2v.

Artist Walter Wick, known for his award-winning I SPY books, also will give a family-oriented “Artist Talk” at the Figge from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 18.

Wick will give a talk related to his exhibition, “Walter Wick: Hidden Wonders!,” and families will have a chance to meet the artist after the talk.

Families interested in sustainable crafting should consider visiting the “Imagination Studio” inside the Family Museum in Bettendorf.

Open to all ages — and included with Family Museum admission — participants can paint, use clay or work with the museum’s various hands-on art tools to create their own creative masterpiece.

The Imagination Station requires children to be accompanied by an adult, and those working at the “tool stations” must wear safety glasses. There’s a $5 charge for kiln-fired clay projects, but all other works are free. Projects made from recycled material or air-dried clay will be recycled at the end of the day if not taken home, and the museum recycles kiln-fired projects monthly.

Admission to the Family Museum is $10 for ages 1-59, $5 for ages 60 and up and or active, dependent or retired military personnel, their spouse and children residing in the household; $5 per person for Electronic Benefits Transfer cardholders with a valid photo ID and free for museum members and children under one.

The Putnam Museum and Science Center offers several half-day camps for students in kindergarten through second grade, for a fee of $150 per week (equating to $30 per day) or $125 for museum members.

Many of the Putman’s half-day camps this summer – notably its “Time Travelers” and “Hey, Barbie!” camps – embed other subjects, such as history or art. Some, like the “Space Out: Summer Blast!” camp, are more strictly science-themed, though.

To register for your student’s half-day camp of choice, visit www.putnam.org/summer-camps/.

If your student is more keen on the natural sciences, Nahant Marsh Education Center has a variety of educational camps open this summer. Camps are split up by age and cover different topics on each date. They can be signed up for by camp, giving some flexibility.

The camps include exploration activities for younger kids, art and survival camps for older kids and an option for a canoe trip along the Maquoketa River and an overnight stay at Nahant for grades 7 through 9. 

All Nahant Marsh camps are first come, first serve and have limited capacity. For more information and to register, visit https://nahantmarsh.org/camp/.

During Augustana College’s school year, the Fryxell Geology Museum also is open to the public. More information can be found on Augustana’s website.

Davenport Parks and Recreation and Davenport Community School District will host “YouthFest 2024” from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10, at the Fejervary Learning Center and Park at 1800 W 12th St. to promote youth involvement in constructive summer activities. The event will feature multiple program vendors, hands-on games, interactive displays and music.

The city of Davenport has a list of more “Free Family Fun” activities on its website under the “Programs and Events” tab.

Now, I’m sure I may have missed other no or decently-cost educational activities around the QC — for that, I apologize and encourage you to reach out and let us know about them. In the meantime, happy summer learning!

Tyler C. Grover of Davenport was one of 30 graduate teaching assistants to receive the University of Iowa’s Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award for the 2023-24 academic year.