As school districts announce whether they will remain closed or not on Monday, parents are left to find childcare.Β
Here are some ideas:
RedforEd Kids Camp will take place at Pantano Christian Church, 1755 S. Houghton Road, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday. Future days may be available depending on the teacher walkout. Parents will be notified of future days. Kids will play games, watch movies, have snacks, lunch and other engaging activities. This camp is free of charge. Click here to register.
Kidco: The City of Tucson Parks and Recreation department will offer an all-day Kidco program Monday for currently registered participants to help families during the teacher walkout.
Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. for $5 per child, per day to be paid on site.
Meals will not be provided. You'll need to send two snacks and a lunch.Β
Click here for a list of locations.
Playformance,Β 119 E. Toole Ave., will have full-day camp for the duration of the walkout from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $70. Early and after care are available from 8-9 a.m. and 3-5 p.m. for an additional $10 per hour.Β
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.
ClickΒ hereΒ to sign up.
Small Marvels,Β 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. ClickΒ hereΒ for info.
Ott Family YMCA, Mulcahy City YMCA and Lohse/Jacobs YMCAΒ will have a full-day programs. The day will be full of activities and water fun. Morning and afternoon snacks are provided. The fee is $25 plus a $25 annual program membership.Β
Kids will participate in a variety of games and activities at the Ott Family YMCA's winter break camp.
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 β or $40 for members. Fee is based on a 24-hour reservation. Add $5 without reservation. Click here to register.
Victory Worship Center, 2561 Ruthrauff Road and 2350 W. Tangerine RoadΒ is hosting free day camps for children in grades K-6 from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting 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.Β
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 for kids ages 4 and up, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on walkout days. The cost is $30 per child per day or $50 for two children per day. Snacks provided. Bring lunch. Call 744-7700 to reserve a spot.Β
Lead Athletics, 4750 S. Irving, will have Basketball Camp from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday. The cost is $30 per day. Pizza is included. Call Coach Fred at 401-8456 to register.Β
Jump: Family Entertainment Center, 5120 Julian Dr. Suite 108, will watch your kids ages 5-12 from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. for $25 per day per child. Includes snacks and pizza for lunch. Click here to register.
Tucson Petting Zoo & Funny Foot Farm, 2405 W. Wetmore Road, will have camp from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day of the walkout as long as there are at least five sign ups 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.
Eric Padia, 3, feeds goats at Tucson Petting Zoo. It's his first time at the farm and he "likes it."
United Methodist Churches are offering free childcare for school-age children and youth. You don't need to be religious or a church member to receive childcare. There are 16 United Methodist Churches in the Tucson area. Click here for a list and call the church of your choice.Β
BC Dance, 6330 N. Campbell Ave., is holding a day camp fundraiser for the duration of the #RedforEd walkout. Funds will go toward the dancers involved with the BC Dance Booster preparing for a summer educational experience in New York City. Camps are for children ages 4 and up and run from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. You must provide a packed lunch. Prices are $30 per day, $5 per hour or $5 for two children. Click here to reserve space.Β
Maracana Tucson, 555 E. 18th Street, will take children ages 5 to 13 years of age from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday to play soccer, basketball dodge ball, kickball and other playground games and activities. The cost is $25 per child. Click here to register.
Food services
Julian Meyers-Richter, 6, left, leans over to watch as Ben Beil, 7, corrects his spelling of the word "green" during their lunch hour at Miles Exploratory Learning Center located at 1400 E. Broadway Blvd on Friday February 10, 2017.
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.Β
Sunnyside school districts will still offer breakfast and lunch to students at all school sites. Meals are free for those 18-and-under.Β
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.
Breakfast and lunch will be served at select schools in the Marana Unified School District. Lunch will also be served through the district's Marana Cares Mobile service. This is free to children age 18 and younger. Click here for details.
We will update this list as we get more information.
