The final bell has rung and children are home for the summer. But thanks to the Brookhaven Recreation Department and the instructors and organizers of its various programs, there is plenty for children to do before they start the next semester.

Blaine Myers initially wanted to go into the medical field, but it was her high school science teacher who changed her mind.

“I decided I wanted to be like her,” Myers said.

Myers went on to become a junior high science teacher at Bogue Chitto Attendance Center, and for the past three years she’s been spending her summers heading up the science camp.

“It’s strictly hands-on,” Myers said. “This is absolutely no written work. We usually make some kind of slime. Kids always love doing that.”

Ashley Jackson gives acting and singing lessons to all ages, including a woman in her 60s.

“I’m from here, and when I tried to find a voice teacher when I was younger there wasn’t really anybody,” Jackson said. “It’s definitely something that’s needed here.”

Her plan this year is to put on a show at the Recreation Department June 30 at 6:30 p.m.

“There are stages in singing where you learn to sing, then you get comfortable on a stage and you start perform,” Jackson said. “They’re working on their performing. There’s going to be dancers and there’s going to be props.”

Laura McDaniel was 22 when she opened her first dance studio in Louisiana. She’s been back in Brookhaven since 2003 and has continued to do what she loves.

“The summer classes work on ballet and jazz techniques,” McDaniel said. “We do hip hop. There’s also an acro class, a combination of gymnastics and dance.”

McDaniel said her favorite genre of dance music is Christian contemporary and gives credit to Jesus for her accomplishments.

“My studio is a full Christian studio,” McDaniel said. “I really owe it all to him.”

Summer programs:

• Soccer camp — One-week session, June 20-24, ages 3-14

• Summer dance — Six-week workshop, June 6-July 11 on Mondays, for ages 3-18

• Youth tennis lessons — One-week session, June 6, 13, 20 sessions, for ages 8 and up.

• Boys bootcamp — One-week session, June 13-17, for boys only ages 5-10

• Voice lessons — private or group lessons for ages 3 and up

• Science camp — One-week session, June 13-17, for grades K5-6th

• Dance intensive camp — Four-day session, July 18-21, for ages 7 and up

• Youth ballet workshop — Four-day session, July 18-21, for ages 7-9 from 9 a.m. until  10:30 a.m. and for ages 3-6 from 10:30 a.m. until noon

• Piano lessons — 30-minute private lessons for ages 5 and up.

• Youth and adult clogging — Once a week on Mondays at 6 p.m. for ages 4 and up

• Summer cheer tumble — Six-week workshop on Tuesdays, June 6-July 13, for ages 4 and up

• Summer gymnastics — One-week session, June 13-17, for ages 3 and up

• Acting lessons — Group lessons for ages 3 and up

• Guitar lessons — May 31-July 7, 30 minute private lessons for ages 5 and up

• Summer youth art — Two-day camps for girls and boys, July 18-22 for girls and July 25-29 for girls, for grades 1-6, supply fee includes t-shirts

• Spray parks — May 1-Sept. 30, open at City Park, Bicentennial Park and Bethel Park from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.