It’s time for summer fun

With the area's first taste of warm weather recently, summer is on the minds of many, particularly children. And what to do during the long months without school is a question now being considered by parents everywhere. There are several camps in Clark County that offer anywhere from a few hours to several days of activities. Camps include everything from how to improve sports skills to how to improve cooking skills. The following list has information on several camps and activities in the local area and beyond for the future soccer star, scientist, inventer, chef or adventure camper. Camas Community Education 833-5544, www.camascommunityed.org The following is a sampling of available camps. To register, visit the J.D. Zellerbach Administration Center, 841 N.E. 22nd Ave., Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration is also accepted online. Summer Camp at JDZ This camp is for children in kindergarten through sixth-grade and is held at the J.D. Zellerbach Administration Center. The cost is $200 per week or $45 per day. There is also a half-day option available. Camp selections include "Bugs Galore," "Construction Junction," "Ooey Gooey," "Dinosaurs," "Under the Sea," "We've Got Talent," "Pioneer Days," "Willy Wonka Wacky," and more. There will also be walking field trips, visits from the Reptile Man and the Oregon Coast Aquarium. Soccer Rules with Dan Macaya This camp teaches new skills and more to players in kindergarten through eighth-grade. It runs Monday through Thursday, July 14 to 17, from 9 a.m. to noon at the field behind Liberty Middle School, 1612 N.E. Garfield St. The cost is $60. Participants are asked to bring water. Tennis Camp This camp is for children in third through eighth grade and includes learning the fundamentals of forehand, backhand, serving, scoring and positioning. Advanced students will focus on refining strokes and have more intense lessons. Camp will be held at the CHS tennis courts, 26900 S.E. 15th St., Monday through Thursday, July 21-24, and Aug. 5-8, from 9 to 10:25 a.m. for third- through fifth graders, and from 10:30 a.m. to noon for sixth- through eighth-graders. The cost is $60. Lego Camps These camps are for ages 7 to 12, and will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, July 7-11 and Aug. 11-15 at the J.D. Zellerbach Administration Center. The cost is $159. There is also a "Lego Junior" session for children ages 4 to 6. Camp Invention This new camp teaches the fundamentals of Science, Math, Engineering and Technology (STEM) concepts through hands-on learning. The class will run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, June 23-27, at JDZ. Visit www.campinvention.org for more information. The cost is $248. Camas Public Library 834-4692, 625 N.E. Fourth Ave., www.ci.camas.wa.us/library Information about the summer reading program for kids and teens will be available beginning in June. The program runs from June 7 to Aug. 10. Registration begins June 1. There will be prizes and raffles for minutes read. Camas Parks and Recreation 834-5307, www.ci.camas.wa.us/parks The following listing includes a selection of available camps. Call the number above, browse the website for a full listing or visit Lacamas Lake Lodge at 227 N.E. Lake Road, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Youth Camps These summer camps, for those 4 to 12 years old, give kids a chance to focus on fun, healthy movement through games, sports and swimming, arts and crafts and creative play. All sessions run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, June 24 to Aug. 30 (Ages 7 to 12). Those 4 to 6 years old will attend camp from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Weekly fees are $115 (in city) and $130 (outside city) for those ages 7 to 12; and $75 (in city) and $90 (outside city) for those ages 4 to 6. Session themes include "Create, Craft, Recycle," "Lacamas/Round," "Lake Discovery," "Sports Spectacular," "Splish Splash Water Week," and more. Camps will take place at the Camas Community Center (1718 S.E. Seventh Ave.), Scout Hall at Crown Park (Northeast 15th Avenue and Dallas Street) and Fallen Leaf Lake (2911 N.E. Everett St.) UK Elite Soccer Camp For ages 3 to 14, this camp offers technical and tactical teaching in a fun environment. Players are divided into groups that match age-specific curriculum. Coaches are professional instructors from the UK who trained to develop youth soccer players. The cost is $140 for those ages 6 to 14, and $110 for those 3 to 5. Each player receives a jersey. Camp runs Monday through Friday, July 14-18, and Aug. 25-29, from 9 a.m. to noon at Fallen Leaf Park. Camas Municipal Pool 817-1556, www.ci.camas.wa.us/parks/swim The Camas pool offers a variety of classes from beginning swimming to American Red Cross lifeguarding. This year, Lacamas Swim & Sport will operate the pool for the first time and add several activities. The city of Camas still maintains ownership of the pool. Originally built in 1954, the facility is located in Crown Park, 120 N.E. 17th Ave., and features three pools - a large pool with depths from 3.5 to 10 feet, a junior pool that goes from 2.5 to 3.5 feet, and a baby pool that goes from a 2 inch depth to 18 inches. The pool also offers boys' and girls' changing rooms, showers and restrooms. Information about upcoming camps, swimming lessons and other events will soon be posted on www.lacamassport.com. The tentative schedule will be from Memorial Day to Labor Day, seven days a week. Camas Camp-n-Ranch 907-2331, www.camascampnranch.com This working 4-H farm features several week-long themed day camps beginning July 14 for those 5 and older. These include a classic camp, a conservation camp, historical "wild west" camp and horse camp (10 and older). Call or browse the website for more information on being a counselor or to sign up for a camp. Camp MeLacoma 837-3699, campmeLacomaassociation@gmail.com Camp MeLacoma is a non-profit kids camp located on 120 tree-filled acres in Washougal. Amenities include hiking trails, a canoe pond, craft house, cabins, a heated pool, covered pavillion and two lodges. Call or e-mail for more information regarding a grand re-opening, tour and summer camp information. Camp Windy Hill 977-8032, kathy@campwindyhill.com, www.CampWindyHill.com There are a variety of camps offered for children ages 5 to 11, such as "Puppet Workshop," "Budding Artists," "Fairy Wonderland," "Fun in the Sun," and "World Arts and Crafts." Kathy Marty, an artist and elementary school teacher, is the instructor. The camps are located at her home on five acres overlooking the Columbia River Gorge. Camps begin July 7 and meet Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Extended care is available. The cost is $110 per camp before June 1 and $125 after that date. Camp size ranges from five to 10 participants. Columbia Springs 882-0936, www.columbiasprings.org "Going Green" summer nature camp will be held July 14-18 and July 21-25, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This camp is for children entering second through fifth-grade. Campers will explore woods, wetlands and trails at a 100-acre natural area located at the Vancouver Trout Hatchery. "Wolf Camp," for those ages 6 to 12, will be held Aug. 18-22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is a skill-building outdoor camp. East-West Martial Arts 693-6845 or 693-5425, www.vancouvermartialarts.com The martial arts classes, held in east and west Vancouver locations, are for children of all ages. The classes teach self-respect, discipline and courtesy, in addition to traditional moves. Call or visit the website for more details. Harmony Road Music School 360-256-4670, www.harmonyroadvancouver.com A beginning piano camp will be held July 7 through Aug. 1, for children ages 3 to 11. Call the school or browse online for schedules or more information. Jack, Will and Rob Boys and Girls Club 817-9966, www.bgcportland.org Camps run from 9 a.m. to noon weekdays, and 1 to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, at, 2033 N.E. Ione St., Camas, beginning with a "summer preview" June 18-20. The cost is $65 per week for morning camps, and $50 per week for afternoon camps. Sunrise camps, from 7:30 to 9 a.m., cost $20 per week. There is also free drop-in from 1 to 5:30 p.m. with a $5 per person membership. Children must be at least 6 and entering the first-grade to attend. Journey Theater Arts Group 750-8550, www.journeytheater.org There are a variety of summer camps for kids in first- through 12th grade, to help budding thespians hone their acting skills. Day camps run Monday through Friday, July 14 to Aug. 15. Prices range from $170 to $225, with a discount for early registration. For specific camp times and locations, visit the website. Kazoodles 360-823-0123, www.kazoodlestoys.com There will be weekly storytimes, playshops and crafts at the store, 13503 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd., B-3. Check the website for more details. Metropolitan Performing Arts Academy (503) 724-9462, www.metropaaa.org Students are invited to explore all areas of the arts including acting, singing, ballet, art, music theory, technical theater, costume design and more. For specific times, dates and locations, visit the website or call the academy. Vancouver Lake Crew 600-6408, www.vancouverlakecrew.com Weekly boating camp sessions will be offered all summer long. Campers will learn how to row canoes, kayaks and more. Swimming proficiency is required. The camp is for kids ages 7 to 11. Sessions begin Monday, June 23 and run from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The cost is $125 per session. Washougal Community Education & Recreation 954-3040, www.washougal.k12.wa.us/wcer There are camps to suit a wide variety of ages, stages and interests. The following listing includes a selection of available camps. Registration is at the community education building, located at the Washougal School District administration building, 4855 Evergreen Way. Summer Camps For children ages 4 to 10, these weekly themed camps include "LEGOmania," "Space Invaders," "Wild World of Sports," and "Minecraft." Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 7 through Aug. 1. Snacks and lunch are provided. The fee is $160 per week or $40 per day. Basketball camp Learn a wide variety of skills and basketball basics from the Washougal High School basketball coach and players. This camp runs Monday through Thursday, July 7 to July 10, from 9 to 11 a.m., for students in second through fifth grade. It is held at Washougal High School, 1201 39th St. The cost is $40. Dance camp Girls and boys ages 4 to 8 can participate in dancing and tumbling Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, July 15-17 at Gause Elementary School, 1100 34th St. The fee is $45. There is also a full-day option available. Washougal Community Library 835-5393, 1661 "C" St. The annual summer reading program, for kids ages birth to 19, will kick off June 1 and run through Aug. 31, with a variety of events and activities at the library. Call the library for details, or visit www.fvrl.org. Zion Lutheran Church vacation bible school 834-4201, Ext. 203, youthminister@zionyouthcamas.org VBS will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Thursday, July 7 to 10 at Zion Lutheran Church, 824 N.E. Fourth Ave., Camas. It is designed for those who have completed kindergarten through fifth-grade. The cost is $30 if registered by June 29, with a family maximum of $60. Contact Bree Truax, youth and family minister, for more information.

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