Have a ball at the Camas pool

Since 1954, the opening of the Camas Municipal Pool signals the start of summer.

More than 250 swimmers took the plunge during the first day of operation June 26.

With weather warming up gradually, and Camas and Washougal schools finally closed for the summer, the population at the pool should continue to rise.

A free Summer Splash-tacular water safety carnival takes place Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the facility, located at the northwest end of Crown Park, at Northeast 17th Avenue and Division Street.

Participants who fill out a “Splash to Safety” card will be entered to win swimming lessons, pool passes, lifejackets and water toys. Stations rotate every 15 minutes, with in-water and on-deck activities for the whole family. Parent participation is required for children 6 and under.

The Camas pool will be open through Saturday, Aug. 26. The entry fee is $4 per person. There are also 10- and 25-day passes available for $32 and $80.

Open swim sessions take place Monday through Saturday from 2 to 3:30 p.m., 4 to 5:30 p.m., and 6 to 7:30 p.m. Swimming lessons are in the mornings. Lap swims are available from noon to 12:55 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Groups of 40 or fewer can rent the pool for $250 per hour on Sundays, Saturday evenings from 6 to 9:30 p.m., and Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance. Email Seth Albert at salbert@cityofcamas.us. Renting the pool for longer than one hour costs $50 per each additional 30 minutes.

Register for the following events at the pool, or online at https://register.cityofcamas.us.

Parents and children 6 and under can swim together by joining an “aqua play group” that meets Friday and Saturday from noon to 12:55 p.m. Children experience underwater exploration and gain aquatic skills appropriate for their age, while parents learn basic swimming safety for their child. The cost is $30 for the whole summer, or $4 per class.

There are three upcoming “Learn to Swim” sessions July 10 to 20, July 24 to Aug. 3 and Aug. 7 to 17. The Camas pool staff offers six levels of Red Cross swimming courses, for $65, designed to help people of all ages and varying abilities develop water safety survival skills. Swimmers work through age-appropriate levels as they master basic through advanced skills. Private lessons are available for $30 per half hour.

Fitness programs for children ages 6 to 12 take place Friday and Saturday, from 1 to 1:55 p.m., through August. These courses feature games, exercise and fun. It costs $40 for the whole session, or $6 per class.

Splash nights for kids ages 6 to 12, occur Friday, July 21, and Friday, Aug. 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. Parents can drop their kids off at the pool for two hours of swimming, games, contests and prizes. The entry fee costs $10.

Lifeguard training is available for boys and girls, ages 12 to 15. This $75 class covers conditioning, water safety, CPR, First Aid, rescue skills and customer service. Courses are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 10 to 20, July 24 to Aug. 3, or Aug. 7 to 17.

Swim instructor camps, available for 12- to 16-year-olds, take place during the same dates and times as lifeguard training. Each session costs $50.

For more information, call the Camas pool at 360-817-1556 or visit www.cityofcamas/us/parks.