Free. To sign up, email your name, children’s names and ages, daytime phone and preferred date (July 14 or Aug. 11) to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ; a confirmation email will be sent if accepted (space is limited). Info: 303-744-1026, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Paws and Claws summer camp shows kids how an animal shelter works and what animal-welfare workers do. The Humane Society of the South Platte Valley’s Mon.-Fri. day camps are offered July 16-20 and July 23-27. $100/week includes t-shirt, goody bag, pizza party, fun activities, hands-on dog walking & washing. Info: Carrie Fieger, 303-990-1960, hsspv.org.

Make art with popular teacher and artist Rebecca Romero on Family Art Saturday, July 21, 2-4p.m., at Chicano Humanities & Arts Council, 774 Santa Fe Dr. All ages welcome – kids, parents, guardians. $2 suggested donation.Kids Summer Art Workshops (ages 5-13) celebrate Mexican traditions with art making, refreshments and storytelling, Thursdays, 11a.m.-12:15p.m., through August: July 12, Patriotic; 19, April Fools in March; 26, The Handkerchief; Aug. 2, Dia de la Candelaria: Day of the Candles. $5. Family discounts: $4 second child, $3 third. Buy three classes in advance for $12.
     Registration/info: chacweb.org or 303-571-0440.

Free Ultimate Frisbee lessons for youngsters will be held at the southeast corner of Observatory Park, 2100 S. Fillmore St., Tuesdays, 6-7:30p.m., July 3-31, for age groups of 9-12 and 13-17. No experience required. Bring water, sunblock, and one white and one dark t-shirt. Discs supplied. Info: coach Philip Templin, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ; facebook.com/denveryouthsummerultimate.

Kirk of Bonnie Brae’s Kirk Kamp is Sky: Everything is Possible with God!, July 23-27, at the 1201 S. Steele St. church (United Church of Christ). Kids preschool (age 3) through 5th grade explore Bible stories, 9a.m.-noon, for $25, and can participate in optional enrichment activities until 3:30p.m. for $75 total. Registration/info: 303-777-0343, kirkofbonniebrae.org.

Sign up for Vacation Bible School at Wellshire Presbyterian Church, 2999 S. Colorado Blvd.: Marketplace 29 A.D. Vacation Bible School, July 23-27, grades 1-6; and Sonrise National Park VBS, July 31-Aug. 2, ages 3 through entering kindergarten. Info: 303-758-2233, wpcdenver.org.

Families will find activities and entertainment for all ages in Denver Public Library’s Summer of Reading program: Read With Me, newborn to preschool-aged children; Dream Big, children entering grades K-5; and Night Vision for those entering grades 6-12. Register at any branch library through July 21; pick up prizes (books, backpacks, tickets to Elitch’s, and more, while supplies last) by Sat., Aug. 4.
     Central Library, 10 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy., presents: Weekly storytimes in the Children’s Pavilion, 10:30a.m., with craft activities in the Baron Project Room immediately afterward. No preregistration required: Mon. & Wed., Tales for Twos (24-35 mo.); Tues., Book Babies I (0-6 mo.); Thur., Preschool Storytime & Craft (3-5 yrs.); Fri., Book Babies II (early walkers). Information: kids.denverlibrary.org or 720-865-1306.
     Byers, 675 Santa Fe Dr., Tues. & Thur., 2-3p.m.: Vortex Wings & Super Flying Things with Captain Vic, July 5; Cupcakes! cooking demo, 10. Especially for teens: Airbrushed T-Shirts, 12; Glitter Tattoos with Hummingbird Henna, 17; Jeweled Memory Keeper, 19; Clay Hand-Building, 24. All ages: 24; Silly Stories from Around the World, 26; Bubble Mania! with Captain Vic, 31; Create Aztec Mosaics, Aug. 2. Info: 720-865-0160.
     Decker, 1501 S. Logan St.: Teen arts and crafts: Mon., 2p.m.: Friendship Bracelet, July 9; Tie-Dyed T-Shirts, 16; Glow-in-the-Dark Fused Beads, 23.
     Kids activities: Thur., 10:30a.m.: Monogram Art, July 5; Stone Soup with Merry Andrew Afoot, 12; Bug Safari, 19; Reptiles with Canyon Critters, 26; Dream Catcher craft, Aug. 2. Wednesday storytimes:Storytime with Craft (preschoolers), 10:15a.m.; and Book Babies (babies and caregivers/parents), 11:15a.m. Info: 720-865-0220.
     Eugene Field, 810 S. University Blvd., Mondays, 10:30a.m.: Dream Big with the Three Best Friends, July 9; Adventure in Reading with Puppets & Things on Strings, 16; Hunk-Ta-BunkTa FUNsies (music and dance), 23; Through the Eyes of Animals with Safari Sally, 30.
     Hot Fudge Sundae Book Club (grades 1 & 2) – discuss books and eat a sundae, Tues., 1:30-2:30p.m. (call to reserve space): James Howe’s Pinky and Rex Go to Camp on July 10, and Ron Roy’s The Absent Author, 17. Banana Splits Book Club (grades 3-5) meets Thur., July 12 & 19, 1:30-2:30p.m., for banana splits and book discussion (call to reserve space): Andrew Clements’ Frindle on July 12, and Judy Blume’s Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, 19.
     Information: 720-865-0240.
     Schlessman, 100 Poplar St., offers teen programs (grades 6 and up) Mon., 3p.m., including Jeweled Memory Keeper craft, July 2; Manga Drawing Class, 16; Yoga Class, 23; Books ‘N Bites reading group, 30.
     Tuesday, 10:30a.m.,children’s offerings include Dream Catcher craft (preschool-12), July 3 (also at 11:15a.m.); Magic and Puppets, 10; Dragonfly Magnets craft, 17 (also at 11:15a.m.); Through the Eyes of Animals, 24; Glow Bug Bottle craft, 31 (also at 11:15a.m.). Book groups (reservations required) held Tues., 2p.m.: Word Up (5th & 6th graders), July 10 & 31; and Banana Splits (3rd & 4th graders), 17.
     Infant and toddler programs: Thur., 3p.m.: Baby Activity, July 5; Book Babies (storytime for children 6-24 months), 12 & 26; Baby Play (6-18 months and caregivers, registration required), 19; Infant Massage, (3-12 months and caregivers, registration required), Aug. 2.
     Cowgirl Pet series author Peg Sundberg makes a special appearance Sat., July 21, 10a.m.
     Info/registration: 720-865-0000.
     Virginia Village, 1500 S. Dahlia St., Sat., 10a.m., performances: I Dreamed I Was a Genie Show, June 30; Mr. Bones and Friends, July 7; Adventure in Reading with Puppets & Things on Strings, 14; Dream Big with the Three Best Friends, 28; Stone Soup with Merry Andrew Afoot, Aug. 4.
     Arts and crafts, Wed., 2p.m.: Jeweled Memory Keeper, 13 (Fri.); Dream Pillow, 25; Stain Glass Jar, Aug. 1.
     Also: Book Babies, Tues., 10:30a.m., (except July 3); Storytime, Fri., 10:30a.m. (except July 6); Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta FUNsies! (music and dance), Tues., 10:30a.m., July 17; Flowerpalooza! (cooking demo, teens), Fri., 2p.m., July 27.
     Info: 720-865-0940.

Discover art which explores the world and lets the imagination soar at the Children’s Art School – celebrating its 10th year! – and located at 700 S. Franklin St. in St. John’s School.
     Learn all the steps to create an oil painting of summer light and sunshine in Palette Paint Brushes, Mon.-Fri., July 30-Aug. 3, 10a.m.-noon. $105; for ages 8+.
     Create a sunrise with a watercolor wash, and learn color and brushstroke tricks in Wonderful Watercolors, Mon.-Fri., July 16-20, 10a.m.-noon. $90; for ages 7+.
     Festivals & Fiestas – kids explore how cultures use dolls to bring good fortune, tell legends and celebrate brave deeds – and create their own dolls, too, Mon.-Fri., July 9-13, 10a.m.-noon. $75; ages 5+.
     Invite creatures that fly, flutter and buzz into your garden in Butterflies Nature, Mon.-Thur., July 23-26, 10a.m.-noon, Fee: $75; ages 6+.
     Classes require preregistration; all art materials are included. For a Joy of Summer week-long morning workshops brochure, with day camp activities available through a partnership with St. John’s – and for all class preregistration – call 720-319-3813.

Undecided about your child’s kindergarten plans? Enrollment is open for Iliff Preschool’s 2012-2013 private kindergarten program. From its unique classroom environment inside a DC-7 airplane to its small class size – capped at 15 – the school provides key experiences that open the doors to the love of learning. Stop in to register at 4140 E. Iliff Ave., or visit iliffpreschool.com and print forms. Info: 303-757-3551.

Looking for a preschool with small classes, and caring and nurturing teachers for your child? Registration for fall 2012 classes is underway at Emmanuel United Methodist Preschool, 2700 S. Downing St. Kids 2-1/2 (potty trained) to 5 attend 9a.m.-1p.m.; a new afternoon class for 4-year-olds is offered on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; enrichment classes on Mondays. Classes include hands-on experiences through music, literacy, art, dramatics, science, cooking, outdoor play and global learning. Qualistar-rated EMP is a Denver Preschool Program provider, and has delivered quality preschool education to the community for 39 years. Info: 303-758-1697, empdenver.com.

For all single parents – Families First offers a free on-going Circle of Parents support group just for you! Discover proven methods for cutting down on the frustration of being a single parent in today’s hectic world. Unlock the knowledge you already hold and share your wisdom, create a support network and rebuild your self-esteem.
     Group meets first, third and fifth Thursdays, 6:30-8p.m., at Evanston United Methodist Church, 2122 S. Lafayette St. Free children’s group provided. Come build upon your strengths in a safe and nurturing environment.
     Do you need immediate help? Visit familiesfirstcolorado.org for quick links to parenting classes, Circle of Parents groups, the Family Support Line for English and Spanish callers, and a residential treatment center focused on the prevention and treatment of child abuse. Info: Family Support Line, 303-695-7996, or Families First, 303-745-0327.