The school year is coming to a close. With the summer months there are some opportunities in West Columbia to enjoy the break from school and have a lot of fun.

The Cayce-West Columbia Branch of the Lexington County Public Library has several educational and entertaining activities and Lexington School District Two offers  several summer athletic youth camps open and even one open to football moms. The Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center,  the Lexington County Recreation Commission, Riverbanks Zoo,  and the SC State Museum also offer summer in the West Columbia area or in close proximity. 

The Cayce-West Columbia Library is a wonderful source for information. The mission of the library is to “Provide access to quality resources that promote lifelong literacy for the Lexington County community.”

The library features: books in hardcopy; audio books; videos; newspapers; magazines; and computers with Internet access.

Library hours are: 8:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. Mon-thru-Thurs. Fri and Sat hours are from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., and the West Columbia branch is open from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday. See a lit of library programs below. Click here for a link to the Cayce-West Columbia Branch Programs and Events page 

The library is not the only chance for summer learning and instruction. West Columbia’s East Point Academy is offering summer camp opportunities. EPA camps include: Art Studio; Archery; Basketball; New Panda Mandarin Camp; 3D Printing and STEM Camp; Math; Ballet; and Dance. Click here for a link to East Point Academy’s Summer Camp page 

There is a summer camp at the Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center, too. It is from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. from June 10 through July 19. Click here for more information.

The Lexington County Recreation Commission conducts Summer Day Camps at West Columbia’s Tri-City Leisure Center. The camp is for kids from kindergarten age to sixth grade. At the camp, kids play dodgeball, basketball, along with participation in arts and crafts and other activities, including field trips. Link to Lexington County Recreation Commission Summer Camp info: 

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden Camp offers summer camps. Below are some of the titles of camps for ages kindergarten to sixth-grade.

Click here for the Zoo Camp website:

The South Carolina State Museum offers a fun and engaging week-long summer camps that camps focus on a different subject each day including natural history, astronomy, art, S.T.E.A.M and more. Camps are available all summer long in June, July and August.

SC State Museum camp titles include: Cosmic Kids; Invention Convention; Little Bots; I’m All Booked Up! and Can YOU Believe it?!
Click here for the SC State Museum camp website:

Lexington Two high schools are also offering several summer athletic camps open to area youth, and even one open to football moms. Some camps are still in the works and will be announced at a later date, but below is a sampling of offerings so far in June and July.

JUNE
Volleyball/softball: Four days of instruction – hitting, setting, and passing in volleyball; and base running, fielding, and hitting in softball. Airport High School volleyball Coach Jessica Metts and softball Coach Anna Parker, along with players, will provide instruction. For ages 6-12; session is 9am-12pm Monday-Thursday, June 10-13, at Airport High School. $100.  Campers will need tennis shoes, comfortable shorts or pants, and a glove; they may also bring a bat and knee pads. Register by emailing [email protected] or [email protected].

Lady Bearcat Volleyball Kiddie Camp: Learn skills of the game in hitting, passing, and more. For youth in 4th through 8th grades; session is 9am-12pm Tuesday through Thursday, June 11-13, in Bearcat Arena at Brookland-Cayce High School. $40, includes t-shirt. Registration: [email protected] or call (803) 807-6073.

Baseball Youth Camp: Get four days of instruction in hitting, fielding, base running, and pitching from the Airport High School team: Coach Casey Bradwell, as well as some of his assistants and players. For ages 6-12; session is 9am-12pm Monday-Thursday, June 10-13, at Airport High School. $100. Click this link to register: ttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ppwnMOjd_BE2FxFBq9k65Dvh9Utmyx0v-9_2Et4t4ik/edit?usp=sharing_eil_se_dm&ts=6616c13e 

Boys/Girls Basketball Camps: Come join us for the 3rd annual Airport High School Basketball Eagles Camp. Airport’s boys and girls basketball players will provide fundamental skills work. For ages 6-14; session is 9am-12pm Monday-Wednesday, June 24-26, in Airport High School’s arena. $65, includes a t-shirt. Get a registration form by emailing [email protected].

JULY
Airport Cheer Little Girls Clinic 2024: A perfect way to learn basic skills and cheers from cheerleaders and coaches. For ages rising kindergarten through 6th grade; session is 9am-12pm Thursday, July 18, at Airport High School. $80, includes a t-shirt (guaranteed for if registered by July 1).  Register for camp here: https://forms.gle/WTEZAdEz9NMEtpfJ6 . Make payment here: https://gofan.co/event/1339786?schoolId=SC29

Free Friday Night Lights Youth Football Camp: A free camp for all area youth to learn some fundamental skills in football, led by Airport High School Athletic Director and Football Coach Shane Fidler and some of his staff members. For ages 5-12; session is 5:30-8:30pm Friday, July 12, at Airport’s Eagle Stadium. Free. All campers will receive a free t-shirt (guaranteed to those signed up by June 28); register by clicking here: TINYURL.COM/AIRPORTYOUTH2024

Free Football Clinic for Moms: Connect with other football moms, meet the coaches, learn more about Airport’s football program, and even try your hand at some of the things our football players do every day! Conducted by Airport High football coaches and Athletic Director Shane Fidler. For varsity, JV, C Team and youth moms; session is 6-8pm Tuesday, July 16, at the school. Free. Sign up by clicking this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd7TSFWRCI21-hpqSa9U4ZNOUgGZyzLZyKirwctm-FtUGvakw/viewform.

Visit the links and find the summer camp opportunity that’s a fit for you and your family.