Weber State brings arts, science to Ogden parks this summer

OGDEN, Utah — Weber State University’s free summer Arts in the Parks and Science in the Parks programs for children begin in June throughout Ogden. 

Arts in the Parks begins June 5 and Science in the Parks begins June 12, with activities scheduled from noon to 1 p.m. each day. The schedules correspond to Ogden School District’s free summer lunch program for children ages 18 or younger, and adults can also purchase a meal for $4. 

For over 10 years, the programs have provided children with hands-on activities that encourage them to learn more about arts and science. 

“This program is a great opportunity for these kids to be exposed to the arts,” said Alexis Kiedaisch, marketing and outreach manager for WSU’s Department of Visual Art & Design. “It’s also a great way for us to plant a seed in their lives and help connect them to Weber State down the road.” 

Daily activities for Arts in the Parks include the following: A boy makes a huge bubble at the Science in the Parks event.

  • Mondays: visual arts with collages and sculptures

  • Tuesdays: literary arts with storytelling by Rachel Hedman, treasure maps and book-making

  • Wednesdays: dance and drums with Deja Mitchell, tambourines and dance streamers

  • Thursdays: theater with Alan Griffin, masks, hats and puppets

  • Fridays: music with banjos, rainsticks and maracas

Daily themes for Science in the Parks include the following:

  • Mondays: see it

  • Tuesdays: hear it

  • Wednesdays: build it

  • Thursdays: move it

  • Fridays: feel it

“Each program provides a low-pressure environment that allows kids of all ages to explore new things, old things and maybe even make a brand new invention,” said Amanda Gentry, director of Science in the Parks. “Each day is different, and there are always new experiments that help excite and inspire kids to keep exploring.”

The activities that staff and volunteers organize each year provide a fun, unique experience to help relieve the summertime lull, Gentry said.

Dates and locations for Arts in the Parks:

  • June 5–9 at Lorin Farr Park (769 Canyon Road, Ogden)

  • June 12–16 at Monroe Park (850 30th St., Ogden)

  • June 20–23 at West Ogden Park (751 W. 24th St., Ogden)

Dates and locations for Science in the Parks:

  • June 12–16 at Lorin Farr Park (769 Canyon Road, Ogden)

  • June 20–23 at Monroe Park (850 30th St., Ogden)

  • June 26–30 at West Ogden Park (751 W. 24th St., Ogden)

There will be no activities for Arts or Science in the Parks on June 19 in observance of the Juneteenth holiday.

Continuous support from Weber County RAMP, Weber State University and the Ogden City School District Child Nutrition Summer Lunch Program provides these opportunities to the community for free. 

Those interested can visit the Arts in the Parks and Science in the Parks websites for more information.

Author:

Erika Gonzalez Lara, Marketing & Communications 
801-626-7948, erikagonzalezlara@weber.edu

Contact:

Bryan Magaña, public relations director
801-626-7948, bryanmagana@weber.edu