Elmwood: Swimming, fitness and fun

Elmwood Fitness Center, a service of Ochsner, will operate three special-interest camps this summer, each geared toward providing children with summer fun while keeping them physically fit. One way to beat the heat this summer is the double-sided, inflatable water slide that has two rock climbs and two slides.

Children can choose one of following camps to attend all summer long or enroll in any combination of camps on a week-by-week basis:

➤ Kidsports Camp, May 26-Aug. 15: Children ages 3 through 12 have access to two floors of gym space, including the 100-yard long Adventure Challenge Maze featuring rope climbs, slides and obstacles; the Adrenalin Rush, a 40-foot long inflatable obstacle course; a 40-foot “tumble track” trampoline; and daily use of Elmwood’s pools and inflatable water slide. Field trips for campers 5 and older include the Saints training facility, Airline Skate Park and the Adventure Quest Laser Tag. XRKade, Kidsports’ interactive gaming room, features Xbox 360, kick boxing, and a “Lightspace Floor” for various games.

“The games are powered by their body movement, so they’re having fun while getting a workout,” said Tracie Perry, Kidsports’ manager. “For instance, you can play dodge ball, and the floor will sense where the kids are standing and try to get them out; there are also games where they have to stomp to put the lights out.”

Arts and crafts projects and dress-up days are based on weekly themes. For more information, call 733-1200.

➤ Gymnastics, Tumbling and Cheer Camp, May 26-Aug. 8. For potty-trained children ages 3 and up, campers are divided by age and ability, and are instructed in beam, bars, floor exercise, vault, tumbling, trampoline and cheerleading. Campers are bused to the nearby Elmwood Fitness Center for swimming, and the camp day includes activities such as arts and crafts, dress up days, 4-in-1 inflatable, Xbox “Just Dance”and movie time. For more information, call 733-4496.

➤ Youth Fitness Camp, May 26-Aug. 8: Children 10 and older are introduced to workout regimens including Zumba Fitness, spinning, cardio kickboxing, Pilates and yoga in Elmwood’s youth fitness center, where all equipment is scaled to the needs of children and teens. Campers also have access to the XRKade and pools. Elmwood also offers a schedule of youth fitness programs. For more information, call 842-9524.

Elmwood offers an array of swim lessons and other water-safety programs.

The Elmwood camps run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with before care available from 7 a.m., and after care through 6 p.m. To register, call 733-1200 or visit www.elmwoodfitness.com to access the 2014 Summer Fun Guide.