TJ’s review of the free classes: 2 out of 5 stars
TJ’s review of the free Multimedia Producers Camp: 5 out of 5 stars
My review of camps: 5 out of 5 stars (free is the best!)
Our Overall Impression
The Orange County Library camps opened up on two days before the summer, but competition for spaces left me with no choice but to be added to a wait list. After logging on to the computer the day camps were open online, I was waitlisted at two library branches. They have the same camp options as last year, so it left us with only one camp we missed last summer — the Lego Robotics Camp.
The only Lego Robotics Camp available was at the Melrose Center, which is an amazing place at the downtown library. It is a multimedia center with a sound studio and video production labs. Parents apparently do not want to pay for parking and tolls to get downtown, so the downtown camps and classes are open longer. We are also doing two classes on how to make 4d animated movies at the Melrose Center.
My oldest son is the only one old enough to do the camps and classes. He thinks the classes were OK, but he loved the Multimedia Producers Camp last summer. He also did the Space Camp, but he thought it was just a little bit more fun than the classes. We also did a YouTube class that really inspired us to start TJ’s YouTube channel.
Branch activities/classes
Each branch has activities this summer, but you have to sign up for some of them online. Each child must have a library card to sign up, and the classes generally start when a child turns 6 years old. The classes get full fast, and the library will charge you $5 if you miss a class without canceling 24 hours in advance.
My home branch of Alafaya has shows every Tuesday during the summer at 10:30 a.m., and then Storytime Crafts at 11:30 a.m. Just select your neighborhood branch for a calendar of activities scheduled for all ages every day during the summer at: https://www.ocls.info/classes-events/library
Insider tips
Normally the camps are about an hour or two long, so you will be stuck waiting in the Melrose Center. Last summer they played movies and we did crafts while we waited. They also have computers to use with many programs. We used a large whiteboard with a drawing program. The Melrose Center is a great place, but you have to remain in the building to wait because the kids are too young to leave. You have to pay for parking downtown, which can get expensive. The downtown library has storytimes and often had free programs on the main level near the DVDs.
TJ has created a video about how to check out materials at the Orlando Public Library at: https://youtu.be/tKAWf8flUBw
Fun Times in O-town 
Thanks for the info. The YouTube channel is great.
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