LIHUE — The lights have paraded down Rice Street and Santa is regularly posting up at Kukui’ula Village in Koloa and soon, keiki will be out of school.
The state Department of Education’s winter break officially extends from Dec. 22 to Jan. 5.
While schools will be shuttered, there are plenty of activities to keep kids busy — both with the DOE and through community and county organizations.
For those looking for an academic boost, Kapaa High School will be offering winter intercession tutorial academic supports for students in grades 9-12 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday.
“Similar to our fall and spring breaks we offer academic supports for all students who may need additional time to improve their grades, catch-up on assignments, and projects,” said Lindsay Chambers, DOE spokeswoman.
After the catch-up hours are completed, Kapaa High School seniors will have the chance to do senior project presentations to community and faculty panels.
Kauai High’s students will be on vacation, but the school won’t be closed, said principal Anne Kane. Students will also have a chance to be part of the credit recovery program. Over the winter break, the program will be open at Kauai High, with teacher support on Dec. 22-29 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., and on Jan. 2-4 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
It is free.
Sports are also ongoing through the break.
“There is basketball, paddling, swimming, soccer and wrestling on-going,” Kane said.
The office staff and the principal will be at work as well as custodians.
Those who would like to branch out and refine their agriculture skills can do so with Malama Kauai’s free three-day ag camp for high school students, which runs from Dec. 28 through Dec. 30, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
The project-based learning event focuses on sustainable agriculture with educational workshops and hands-on experience with animals, Hawaiian plants and permaculture gardening.
It will be held at the Malama Kauai community farm Wai Koa Plantation in Kilauea. Contact Katie at katiec@malamakauai.org or at 828-0685 ext. 19 for more information.
Games like bowling and bingo, arts and crafts, and outdoor activities are on the docket for the County of Kauai’s Winter Fun Program, which runs from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5.
The cost for the Winter Fun Program is $50 and it’s open to keiki ages 5 through 11 years old. Parents and guardians should provide kids with lunch, drinks and snacks.
Registration: www.kauai.gov/Parks.
Contact the neighborhood centers for schedules at each location:
Kapaa Neighborhood Center 822-1931
Lihue Neighborhood Center 241-6858
Kalaheo Neighborhood Center 332-9770
Reef Guardians is offering an Ocean Explorers class for keiki ages 9-12, with a cost of $100 for three days of coral reef exploration, art and adventure. The camp runs Dec. 26-28 and will be held at Lydgate Park, Poipu Beach Park and the All Saints Gym and Fuji Beach. Call or text 651-0286 or email reefguardianshawaii@gmail.com to register.
Critter Camp, $150 for three days, will be running from Jan. 2 to Jan. 5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day at Kauai Humane Society. Early drop off and late pick up are available for an extra $10 per kid, per day.
The camp is a chance for keiki to interact with shelter animals, and guest animals like the exotic birds from Rainbow Wings, as well as educational speakers. Also mixed into the three days will be lessons in dog training, arts, crafts, games, and outdoor activities.
Register at the KHS front desk for the Critter Camp or download an application at kauaihumane.org. For more info, call 632-0610 ext. 103.
For those looking to dive into Kauai’s jungles and coastlines, Kauai Nature School is offering a winter break camp from Dec. 27-29 and from Jan. 2-4 for kids ages 4 through 16.
The cost for the camp is $150 for each of the three-day sessions, which run from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Keiki ages 4-6 can sign up for Little Animal Fun Days, ages 7-10 can sign up for Deep Nature Explorers and ages 11-16 can sign up for the Deep Nature Advanced camp.
Camp location will be at Ka’a Ka’a Niu coastal area, also known as Larsen’s Beach.
Registration for the Kauai Nature School winter break camps at kauainatureschool.org
