If you're a working parent, chances are, you're trying to figure out what to do with the kids Thursday and Friday during the teacher walkout.
Here are some ideas:
Playformance, 119 E. Toole Ave., will have full-day camp on Thursday, April 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $70. Early and after care are available from 7-9 a.m. and 3-5 p.m. for an additional $10 per hour.
All profits from this camp will go toward a teacher's summer scholarship fund, which offers discounted camp for the children of teachers and school support staff. Additionally, teachers and school staff will be offered a 10 percent discount with the code WELOVETEACHERS for camps from here on out, said Kevin Nichols of Playformance.
Click here to sign up.
Small Marvels is decked out with bright colors and aesthetically pleasing decor to inspire children and give them a creative atmosphere.
Small Marvels, 1403 E. Broadway, is an arts-integrated preschool offering to take kids ages 12 and under from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 26. The cost is $35 and includes lunch and a snack. For an additional $10 you can take them in as early as 7:30 a.m. If you need after care, it's $12.50 and you can leave them until 5:30 p.m. Click here for info.
Ott Family YMCA, Mulcahy City YMCA and Lohse/Jacobs YMCA will have a full-day program available Thursday, April 26. The day will be full of activities and water fun. Morning and afternoon snacks are provided. The fee is $27 plus a $25 annual program membership.
Kids will participate in a variety of games and activities at the Ott Family YMCA's winter break camp.
Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona is opening its Angel Charity Place for Girls at 4330 E. Broadway, for Girl Scout families with children in kindergarten through 12th grade from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, April 26. There is no charge. Click here to register.
Heart and Soul Kids Activity Center, 8363 N. Oracle Road, is holding a full-day camp from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for $25. Call 818-7974 to sign up.
Itty Bitty Open at Tucson Jewish Community Center. 9 a.m.-noon. Sept. 10.
Tucson Jewish Community Center, 3800 E. River Road, is offering full-day programming on teacher walkout days. Activities include sports, art, swimming, cooking and more. Open for members and non-members in grades K-5. The camp runs from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and costs $50 — or $40 for members. Fee is based on a 24-hour reservation. Add $5 without reservation. Click here to register.
Our Play Place, 3951 W. Costco Drive, will host camp from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, April 26 for $45. It includes two snacks, crafts, special activities and play time. Click here to sign up.
Exo Roast Co., 403 N. Sixth Ave., says it will have extra toys and kids books in the shop Thursday for parents who need a space to work remotely with their kids.
Victory Worship Center, 2561 Ruthrauff Road and 2350 W. Tangerine Road is hosting free day camps for children in grades K-6 from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting Thursday and continuing until the walk out is over. The Ruthrauff location will be open to the first 1,000 children and the Oro Valley location will be open to the first 150 children. Registration includes lunch. Click here to register.
Pima County Public Library is another option. While there are no specific programs related to the walkout, there is a list of kids' programming. Children ages 8 and up can be at the library without a parent as long as they understand the Code of Conduct and have the contact information for an adult or teen who can provide assistance as needed. Click here for a list of programs.
Showbiz Academy of Dance Senior Co., 6906 N. Camino Martin, is hosting a camp full of fun and entertainment from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on walkout days. The cost is $45 per child per day or $80 for two children per day. Snacks provided. Bring lunch. Call 744-7700 to reserve a spot.
Lead Athletics, 4750 S. Irving, will have Basketball Camp from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday and Friday. The cost is $30 per day or $50 for both days. Pizza is included. Call Coach Fred at 401-8456 to register.
Jump: Family Entertainment Center, 5120 Julian Dr. Suite 108, will watch your kids ages 5 to 12 from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday for $25 per day per child. Includes snacks and pizza for lunch. Click here to register.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson will open its clubhouses from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to provide a safe place for kids ages 7 to 17 to go from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday. The cost is $10 per day for current members. New members will pay a $10 membership and $10 a day for their kids to stay. You must make an in person reservation by 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 25. Click here for locations.
Tucson Petting Zoo & Funny Foot Farm, 2405 W. Wetmore Road, will have camp from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday and Friday for kids in K-5. They'll learn about caring for animals, milk a goat, collect eggs, learn about wool and meet a hedgehog. The cost is $30 per day. Click here to register.
RedforEd Solidarity Camp was set up by the Southside Presbyterian Church for 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday and Friday at different locations. Thursday locations are Southside Presbyterian Church, 317 W. 23rd Street, and John Valenzuela Youth Center, 1550 S. Sixth Ave. Friday locations are Southside Presbyterian Church, John Valenzuela Youth Center, YWCA, 525 N. Bonita Ave. and House of Neighborly Services, 243 W. 33rd Street. There is no charge for this camp. Call 230-3301 or 792-9251 to sign your child up.
Volunteer opp
Southside Presbyterian Church needs volunteers for its School Strike School it has coordinated. It will run from 8:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Thursday at the Southside Presbyterian Church, 317 W. 23rd Street, and John Valenzuela Youth Center, 1550 S. Sixth Ave. It also needs volunteers for four sites on Friday: Southside Presbyterian Church, John Valenzuela Youth Center, YWCA, 525 N. Bonita Ave. and House of Neighborly Services, 243 W. 33rd Street. Supplies are also needed: arts and craft supplies, games, jump ropes, hula hoops, balls and other fun activities. Click here to volunteer.
Food services
Many kids rely on public school breakfast and lunches for meals every day. So here's what some of the districts are doing while schools are closed:
TUSD will offer breakfast and lunch to all children 18-and-under free of charge at all school sites. Adults can purchase breakfast for $2 and lunch for $3 each.
Sunnyside school districts will still offer breakfast and lunch to students at all school sites. Meals are free for those 18-and-under.
Kitchens at Amphitheater Public Schools will also remain open in the morning to provide breakfast and lunch for students. More info will be available here.
In Sahuarita, a food drive is being held in order to provide breakfast and lunches to kids who need them. Suggested items include single-serve boxes of cereal, bread, peanut butter and sun butter, jelly, hot dogs, hot dog buns, juice pouches, granola bars, sliced sandwich meat, apples, oranges, bananas, individual packs of applesauce or fruit, sandwich bags, brown paper lunch sacks, other nonperishable food items and grocery store gift cards.
Items can be dropped off at Green Valley Baptist Church, 111 N. La Canada Drive daily from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. and today (Tuesday, April 24) from 4-8 p.m.
We will update this list as we get more information.
