Children’s Exploration Oasis was filled with Barbie girls yesterday at the start of their Barbie-themed summer camp. 

 

Girls aged 3-7 dressed up, played with, and loved on their own Barbies plus the ones provided by the camp with the same fervor I once had for the Mattel doll. 

 

I reject the notion that Barbies set unattainable standards. I never refused to eat a potato because it was missing red lips and a nose. Barbies are beautiful and fun to play with. They encourage you to use your imagination. 

 

“They can say whatever you want them to,” seven-year-old Gracelynn Crayon told me. “No one can tell you what they can and can’t say.”

 

Have I mentioned how much I love seven year olds?

 

Gracelynn also enjoyed doing their hair. Like me, she has more dolls at home than she could count. Unlike me, she knew to leave the scissors alone. I foolishly used to cut my dolls’ hair then cry when it didn’t grow back. 

 

Barbie turned 65 this year after getting the big screen treatment in 2023. Despite her many detractors, Barbie still gets mad love. 

 

Alaina Desadier, 7, and I dressed our dolls as they had a play date at the designer 3-story megamansion at Barbie Camp. Alaina has five Barbies at home; they each have a name. She is an expert, for sure. I mixed up Barbie’s sisters Skipper and Stacie but she quickly set me straight!

 

While Alaina, Gracelynn, and I took our dolls to the rooftop pool, Alaina’s 3-year old sister rode a Barbie trike into the center’s play kitchen, emerging with a tin of cupcakes. She offered me a delicious shellacked chocolate one that I ate with zero guilt. 

 

 

Harper Smith, 4, was in full princess attire as she showed me the Barbie tattoos adorning her hands. She twirled and danced with the others to Taylor Swift, Spice Girls, and Barbie music. 

 

The camp continues this week from 9 AM- Noon with a culminating Barbie Tea Party on Friday. You can still secure a spot or even drop in for one day of the camp at a special rate. 

 

There are also three more camps this summer at Children’s Exploration Oasis. They are open to boys and girls aged 3-7. In addition to themed activities, including arts and crafts, the entire space is open play designed to engage young minds and foster imagination.

 

 Besides the play kitchen, there’s a hair salon, fire station, rocket ship, cafe, gymnastics area, farmer’s market, veterinary office, campfire, drive-through restaurant, and grocery store. The opportunities for play are endless and included with each camp. 

 

Summer Camps and dates:

Frozen July 8-12

Farm July 15-19

Bluey July 22-26

 

For more information about summer camps, parties, or regular open play hours, visit childrensexplorationoasis.com or call 318-623-1689. 

 

Children’s Exploration Oasis is located at 1016 3rd St. Alexandria.