Get Creative This June at Big Orange House Designs Creates!
Big Orange House Designs Creates in Niceville is the place to be this summer for all things imaginative and hands-on! Whether your child wants to craft, paint, or play, or you’re an adult looking to explore new artistic skills, their June lineup is packed with fun for every age. Led by beloved local instructors like Donna, JoJo, Mery, Laurel, and Kathleen Broaderick, each session is a chance to make something special and spark creativity in a welcoming, community-focused environment. Here’s what’s coming up:
Camp Create (Grades 1 & Up)
Held from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., $50 per day
- June 3: Paint a camper & make a felted camp banner with Donna
- June 5: Foam printing press with JoJo & summertime cookie tray with Mery
- June 10: Skewer sculptures & Weaving 101 with JoJo
- June 11: Olympic Games—parachute play, water relays, balloon toss & make a medal with JoJo
- June 12: Balloon cars & Father’s Day boxes with JoJo
- June 17: Butterfly/dragonfly wall art & lightning bug bottles with Donna
- June 19: Driftwood & seashell beaded mobile with JoJo & beachy cupcakes with Mery
- June 24: Paint-your-own beach bag with JoJo & pottery fish with Laurel
- June 26: Fish mobile & mixed media canvas with JoJo
Camp Create Preschool (Ages 3–5)
Held 9 – 10:30 a.m., $35 per session
- June 4: “Go Camping” – Brown Bear theme with Donna
- June 18: “Critters” – Hungry Caterpillar theme with Donna
Glass Art Open Studio (All Ages Welcome!)
Drop in anytime from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., $25+
- June 20, 21, & 28
To register or learn more, visit Big Orange House Designs Creates on Facebook or at bigorangehousedesigns.com. Space is limited, so don’t wait to grab your spot!
Valparaiso’s Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida Announces July Summer Camp Details
By Barbara Palmgren
This year, two unique weekly summer camps will be offered at the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida located at 115 Westview Ave. in Valparaiso. Camp hours are from 10 a.m. -1 p.m. with campers arriving at 9:45 a.m. Snacks are provided but campers should bring a lunch as well.
For both weeks, campers age 5-12 will engage with instructors in hands-on activities, games and crafts that bring history to life.
The first week, July 7-11, 2025 will include activities using candles, rag dolls, natural dyes, weaving and enjoying old fashion games. This step back into the past is truly hands-on with children finding out about how life was like for a child in the 1920’s. Lessons, crafts, and activities each day.
The second week, July 14-18, 2025 in addition to a day where history focuses on Native Americans, other days highlight native plants, archeology, “creek critters and boggy buddies”, and reptiles and amphibians. An ice cream social is scheduled the last day of camp with campers designing their own masterpieces with various toppings. Don’t worry, no critters will be joining in the fun!
Helping camp directors are experts from the Valparaiso Garden Club, Panhandle Archeology, Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance and Jackson Guard.
Contact the museum to register; space is limited to 25 students per week. The cost is $85 and $80 for museum members. Contact the museum Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (850) 678-2615.
2025 Safety-Focused Youth Summer Camps
Emerald Coast Indoor Shooting & Sport in Valparaiso is offering two hands-on, safety-focused youth summer camps this July for ages 12 and up. Led by NRA-certified instructors, the camps teach firearm safety, marksmanship and responsible handling in a structured, supervised environment.
- NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting: July 14–18, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Register at https://theshootersrange.com/product/nra-basics-pistol-shooting/
- NRA Basics of Rifle Shooting: July 21–25, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Register at https://theshootersrange.com/product/nra-basics-rifle-shooting/
- Cost: $159 per camp (includes firearms, ammo, protective gear, course materials, and NRA certification)
Emerald Coast Indoor Shooting & Sport is a state-of-the-art facility offering electronic target systems, expert instruction, and a strong emphasis on safety for all skill levels. Learn more at theshootersrange.com. 685 Valparaiso Pkwy, Valparaiso
Northwest Florida Ballet Academy Registration Now Open!
Register now for the School 2025/26 season. Classes begin Aug. 4 and run through May for K-12 students, with adult classes offered year-round. Pre-School Ballet is also provided weekly for 45 minutes, Aug.-Dec and Jan.-May. All classes are taught by experienced dancers and teachers who make dance exciting and engaging. A student concert is held each May at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center. Ask about 2025 summer Pre-School Ballet classes, a camp for students K-2, and adult classes. To learn more or register online, visit NFBallet.org/Classes.
