Now that school year is ending, students find themselves with many extra hours to watch television or play outside.

But when sitting on the couch becomes monotonous and the summer heat and humidity becomes almost unbearable, the Ceramic Art Program and other school summer programs are here to offer relief.

The Ceramic Art Program will offer Art Camp 2010 for students ages eight through 16 from June 7 through June 11 for camp one and July 12 through July 16 for camp two.

“What we try to do is give them a little bit of a lot,” said Selma Ceramic Art Program Director Candi Duncan. “You’ll come home with at least seven completed project, but you’re probably getting exposed to a dozen.”

The camp offers courses in glazed ceramic mugs and stained ceramic holiday items, pottery, macramé’, weaving, watercolor painting and drawing, oil painting, gyotaku (image of a fish) and batik (wax-resist dyeing technique on textile), marbleizing, calligraphy, scrap booking, wire art, gift bag construction, card making, photo tinting and sewing.

Students will work with local artists on projects such as weaving with Nancy Lea, scrap art with Charlie Lucas, drawing with Cindy Stoudenmire, photography with Vicky Summerville and ceramics with Duncan.

“This is a real steal of a deal for what you’re children are getting exposed to,” Duncan said.

The cost per student is $100. Because this amount may be too expensive for interested students, Duncan also collects a list of students interested in scholarships for the program.

Although the application states that the camp provides these scholarships, the program does not have grants this year, and thus no set amount of scholarships available.

Duncan will keep a waiting list for students interested in scholarships and contact applicants as donations and sponsorships allow.

Sixth grade student Caroline Colvin has been to the camp for at least four summers.

“We get to do a lot of new things you don’t get to do at school,” Caroline said.

She enjoys all aspects of the camp and is excited about this summer.

“I don’t have a favorite part because it’s all really fun,” Caroline said.

Only about 10 spots are available in camp one and more than 20 spots are available for camp too. The full $100 must be turned in with the application. Make checks payable to the City of Selma, Art Camp.

Spaces are first come, first serve, but enrollment will be taken the first day of the program if spaces are still available.

Both sessions run Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. until noon. Students will be provided lunch Monday through Thursday and a large snack Friday.

To sponsor a child or for more information, contact the Ceramic Art Program at 874-2143.

Local elementary and middle schools will also offer programs.

Meadowview Elementary School will hold a summer enrichment program from June 1 through June 16 from 7:30 a.m. until 3 p.m., with additional hours from 3:15 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. The cost is $160 per student. Additional fees will be added for the extended hours.

Meadowview Christian School will hold a Summer Day Camp for ages three through 10 for the entire months of June and July from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. daily. Call 872-8448 for more information.

Edgewood plans to hold a summer reading/math enrichment camp that will include art, bowling, and skating from June 7 through July 4 from 8 a.m. until noon. The cost is free to Edgewood students. All other students must pay a $165 fee per child. Lunch will be provided. This event is awaiting school board approval.

Selma C.H.A.T. Academy will hold a summer enrichment camp from June 7 through July 22 from 8 a.m. until noon.

Sophia P. Kingston Elementary School plans to hold an enrichment program from June 7 through July 9 from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. The cost is free to students. This event is awaiting school board approval.

Clark Elementary School will hold a summer enrichment program for Clark/Payne Elementary students from June 7 through July 9, Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Knox Elementary School will hold its Innovative Summer camp July 6 through July 16 from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. The cost is free to Knox students.