With summer fast approaching, there are many summer camps and activities in the area available for kids. Whether it be sports, arts, academic, or just general activities, programs are a great way for kids to stay busy and learn while out of school.

Some of the programs and camps are:

* Ankle Biter Soccer Camp will be held at the Perkinston Campus of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College May 26–29 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. This camp is for ages 6-10 (limited to 50 players) Pre-register or sign up at 6 p.m. on first day of camp (Confirmation via e-mail if requested.) Cost is $100 per camper. Students will be evaluated and placed in groups according to age and ability. Creative coaching will help improve your individual skills, while team awareness and tactical understanding will also be emphasized. Players will be supervised by camp staff, which will include Gulf Coast soccer coaches and players. Parents are encouraged to stay and watch their children during the camp’s open sessions. Please bring cleats, shin guards, and soccer attire. Gulf Coast will provide soccer balls, camp T-shirts, water and snacks. For more info, call Bary Thrash, (601) 928-6223 or Travis Dickey at (601) 928-6339.

* The Oseola McCarty Youth Development Center located at 607 Mc Swain Street in Hattiesburg will host their annual Summer Camp on June 1- June 12 from 7:30a.m. until 1:00 p.m. The free camp features field trips and exciting daily activities for children in grades K-12. Registration is mandantory and will be held May 25-29 from 1:00 pm until 5:30 pm at the center. For more information please call (601)520-0657 or (601)408-9654.

* Registration for the Summer Reading Program at the Oak Grove Library begins May 11. SRP is for kids going into 1 – 6 grades in the fall. There will be four action packed programs as well as a bonus Harry Potter themed band concert this summer. For more info, call (601) 296-1704.

* Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College will hold baseball camp at the Perkinston campus May 23-24. Ages 8-12 will be held from 9 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and ages 13 to high school seniors will be from 1:00-5:00 p.m. Registration is at the Ken “Curly” Farris Field. Cost is $50 per session (Each session limited to 50 players each. Lunches not provided.) Sessions will include instruction on fielding, batting, hitting, throwing and base running. Please bring baseball practice gear, gloves, cleats, helmet, catchers equipment. Gulf Coast will provide all other necessary items. For more info, call Cooper Farris at (601) 928-6348 or Gary Rath (601) 528-8415.

* The University of Southern Mississippi’s popular Summer Program for Academically Talented Youth is scheduled for July 5-24 at the university’s Hattiesburg campus, and parents are invited to register their children while space is available. The three-week residential program serves eligible students currently enrolled in grades seven through 10. Students will be housed in Southern Miss residential halls and will be supervised by residential counselors when they are not in class. To be eligible, applicants must have earned qualifying SAT or ACT scores in the seventh grade. Required qualifying SAT and ACT scores differ depending on the academic course chosen. The cost of the program is $1,700. Limited scholarships are available based on financial need. For more information, call (601) 266-5236 or (601) 266-5246; or send an e-mail to gifted.studies@usm.edu. More information can be found at www.usm.edu/gifted.

* Midsummer Musical Theatre Experience is now accepting applications! This program is specifically designed for developing acting, singing and dancing skills. No experience needed. The campers will perform Attack of the Killer Grasshoppers. Camp dates are July 20-August 1st from 8:30am-4:30pm each day. The camp will be helped in the department of Theatre and Dance on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi. To receive an application or for further information, please contact Robin Carr at (601)266-6442 or robin.carr@usm.edu.

* Jones County Junior College will hold a cheerleader camp June 1-3 at the school’s P.E. Building and Bobcat Gym. The camp is for girls in grades 3-5 (Pee Wee), grades 6-7 (Youth) and grades 8-9 (junior high). Cost is $60 per cheerleader, which includes instruction and t-shirt. Registration will be held at 9 a.m. on Monday, June 1, in the P.E. Building. Camp will last from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. each day. For more information, contact Angela Clayton at (601) 477-4092 or email angela.clayton@jcjc.edu.

* Jones County Junior College will host three girls’ team and individual basketball camps this summer.There will be a high school team camp on June 22 at a cost of $185 per team. Registration begins that morning at 8 a.m. There will be a junior high (grades 7-9) individual/team camp on June 23-24. Cost is $65 per day camper and $95 for overnight campers. Registration begins at 8 a.m. on June 23. There will be an individual camp for girls in grades 1-6 on June 25 at a cost of $35 per player. Registration for the June 25 camp takes place from 8-8:30 a.m. and the camp concludes at 3 p.m. For more information, contact JCJC women’s basketball coach Sandra Sumrall at 601-477-4090 or email sandra.sumrall@jcjc.edu.

* The Hattiesburg Zoo will hold summer camp for ages 5-10 years old in both June and July. The June camp is be titled “Animal Hero” and the July camp is titled “Wildlife Explorer.” These are two full day camps, and pre-registration is required. Cost is $50 for zoo society members and $60 for non-members. For more info, call Krissy at (601) 545-4576 ext. 206 or email khamilton@hattiesburgms.com.

* Jones County Junior College will host a Football Overnight Camp June 4-6 at Bobcat Fieldhouse/Stadium. The camp will be for players in grades 9-12 and will be for both skill position players and linemen. Cost is $150 per player. Registration will take place from 1-2 p.m. on Thursday, June 4. The camp will conclude at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 6. For more information, contact JCJC assistant coach Ron Brewer or assistant coach Brad Griffon at 601-477-4155 or reach them by email at ron.brewer@jcjc.edu or brad.griffin@jcjc.edu.

* Jones County Junior College will hold a softball camp June 1-3 at Lady Bobcat Field. The camp is for girls ages 7-12 and will take place from 8:30-11:30 a.m. each day. Cost is $90 per player. For more information, contact JCJC head coach Grant Crowder at (601) 477-4087 or email grant.crowder@jcjc.edu.