best 7 programs in Akron, OH

Nestled in 178 acres of lush woodland is a serene escape from the city, a place fondly known as Camp Swamp. This overnight Christian camp, located just two hours east of bustling Atlanta, has been serving as a peaceful retreat since 1992. We like to think of it as our own "little slice of heaven," offering a respite from the daily hustle and bustle, and inviting people to reconnect with nature and their spirituality. Our primary offering is a week-long summer camp, but we've expanded over the years to include more than just summer fun. As part of our mission to support families and churches, we now also host three family camps throughout the year, as well as four parent/child retreats. These events offer a chance for families to bond, parents to connect with their children, and individuals to grow in their faith. Moreover, our facilities are not exclusive to our organized events. Camp Swamp also offers rentals to schools, churches, universities, sports teams, and even business groups. Whether you're planning a camp, a retreat, or a team-building excursion, our serene setting and well-equipped facilities provide the ideal backdrop for an unforgettable experience.

We strive to create a safe space for children and adults to explore movement, make social connections, and build valuable life skills through the art of dance. We teach all ages and abilities and strive to meet each dancer at their level to help them achieve their goals and cultivate a love of dance and music. Our staff is comprised of instructors who work to teach each dancer using an individualized, holistic approach and make our studio an inclusive and constructive learning environment. Our priority is always the physical, mental, and emotional safety of our students, in an attempt to cultivate a life-long love of learning, creating, and, of course, dancing.

The Dianna Durkin Dance Studio (DDDS), located in the City of Green, has been teaching dance since 1960. All classes are taught by highly qualified dance professionals who use a non-competitive approach to dance, while making classes fun and interesting for dancers of all ages.

Since 1980 we have provided a fun and professional dance education for children and adults in the Akron and surrounding areas. We are proud of our program and firmly believe our training prepares our students for a career in the dance industry. Many of our alumni have taken their dancing talents to a professional level, as well as teaching and choreographing all over the country. Martell School of Dance offers a variety of classes to reach many levels of interest including: Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Lyrical, Fusion, Clogging, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, Beginner Ballroom, Acro, Move With Me, Tap Dance for Non-Traditional Populations, Adult Classes, and various exercise classes. We accept students age 2 through adult. Our students have a variety of opportunities to learn and perform. We take our advanced students to Dance Conventions, such as DanceMakers and JUMP, as well as host Master Classes from top teachers in the industry like Michelle Barber (Broadway Dance Center), Kadee Jacobson (NYC), John Thompson (Stiletto Entertainment), Adam Cates ( Tony Award Winning Choreographer), Alice Gibbs (Disney), Juliet Mahon (Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader), and many others. We focus heavily on our ability to offer our students the ability to perform at local parks, churches, schools, dance festivals, etc. in our community throughout the year. All students perform at our annual recital every spring.

Welcome to the MacConmara Academy of Irish Dance. It is my goal to teach Irish dance to the best of your child’s ability. Most importantly to make it a wonderful and memorable experience while cultivating a love of Irish culture and dance. Irish dancing has been a part of my family my entire life. I want you to enjoy coming to classes, going to competitions, and giving performances just as I did growing up. The skills taught in Irish dance go beyond dance skills and have been proven to be invaluable many years later to so many people. Lasting friendships are formed among students, parents, and teachers as well as memorable experiences; from the first feis to placement in regional, national, or maybe a world championship.

At Akron Soccer, we know that today’s busy families are always looking for ways to keep their children active and engaged. That’s why we’re redefining youth sports with age appropriate instruction that’s both fun for kids and convenient for parents. Our experienced coaches specialize in teaching the fundamentals of soccer in a way that’s engaging and appropriate for each age group. With classes that accommodate a variety of skill levels, Akron Soccer provides a safe and enjoyable environment for children of all ages to learn and grow. In addition, our flexible scheduling options ensure that we can accommodate the needs of today’s busy parents. With convenient after-school, evening, and weekend classes, Akron Soccer is making it easier than ever to get involved in youth sports.