OGDEN — So, which do you feel like doing this summer? Fun science activities, or fun art activities?

Thanks to Weber State University, you don’t have to choose.

The university is preparing to offer another summer of free art and science activities with its popular hands-on programs in local parks.

WSU’s Arts in the Parks summer program gets under way next week, with the Science in the Parks program starting up the week after that.

Science in the Parks is now in its 13th year; Arts in the Parks is celebrating its first decade. The two programs visit six local parks each summer to offer fun, interactive art and science activities for children and their families.

Each program visits a park for a week at a time, with different activities planned each day of that week. All activities coincide with Ogden School District’s free summer lunch program.

ARTS IN THE PARKS

Arts in the Parks allows families to explore music, dance, theater, visual arts and more. Each day’s activities are centered around a specific theme: “Imagine It” (puppets and theater) on Mondays, “Move It” (dance with WSU’s Ballet Folklorico) on Tuesdays, “Feel It” (African drumming with Deja Mitchell) on Wednesdays, “Tell It” (storytelling with Rachel Heldman) on Thursdays, and “Make It” (with the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art) on Fridays.

“Arts in the Parks is a wonderful experience for all involved, from WSU students and faculty to community volunteers, artists and the children we serve,” program co-director and WSU history professor Kathryn MacKay is quoted in a news release. “It is a fine example of the rich collaborations that are possible between the university and the community.”

All Arts in the Parks programs begin at noon and are an hour in length. This year’s schedule is:

• June 3-7 at Lorin Farr Park, 769 Canyon Road

• June 10-14 at Monroe Park, 850 30th St.

• June 17-21 at Lester Park, 663 24th St.

• June 24-28 at Mt. Ogden Park, 3144 Taylor Ave.

• July 1-3 at Fourth Street Park, 275 4th St.

• July 8-12 at West Ogden Park, 751 W. 24th St.

SCIENCE IN THE PARKS

The Science in the Parks program introduces children and their families to the world of science all around them. The year’s daily themes for 2019 include “See It,” “Hear It,” “Build It,” “Move It” and “Feel It.”

In a news release, Science in the Parks director and physics professor Adam Johnston is quoted saying, “Science is for everyone at all levels. Science doesn’t come in a kit. It’s already out there, and the Science in the Parks program tries to show families that their own park or kitchen or sidewalk has opportunities for science.”

Science in the Parks programs run from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day. The schedule will be:

• June 10-14 at Lorin Farr Park

• June 17-21 at Monroe Park

• June 24-28 at Lester Park

• July 1-3 at Mt. Ogden Park

• July 8-12 at Fourth Street Park

• July 15-19 at West Ogden Park

Both programs are free and open to the public. Among the supporters of the programs are Weber County RAMP funding and the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art.

For more information on the art and science programs, visit weber.edu/artsinthepark or scienceintheparks.org.

Standard-Examiner staff