Arts camps are under way again this fall at the Paramount Arts Center in Ashland.

A number of classes are offered to children and teens on Mondays and Tuesdays at the theater, located on Winchester Avenue in Ashland. Options explore interests ranging from drawing, acting, dance, sign language and hands-on science experiments.

For instance, the Mad Scientist class, which takes place on Tuesdays, lets participants work on weekly projects rooted in the fundamentals of science.

The course is offered by Melanie Rockwell, who is also a new fourth grade teacher at Ironton Elementary this fall.

Many of the courses center around the arts, something drawing instructor Gary Newman said is in short supply in some schools. The extra time learning that children gain from the camps helps to round out their education.

In addition, the Paramount Kids production series gives aspiring actors a chance to star in musicals on the theater’s stage, encouraging those who want to pursue an acting path.

These classes are offered throughout the year, including the summer break from schools, and parents who want to maximize their children’s opportunities are urged to take advantage of them. Scholarships are available for low-income families.

We commend the staff of the Paramount for organizing and continuing this great program, which is a benefit to children and teens across the Tri-State.