Spring break options abound

Spring break is just around the corner, and with it, the age-old question:

What to do?

While it sounds wonderful to just take off for a week in some sunny locale, or squeeze in some late-season skiing, it’s not the reality for many families with tight budgets.

In addition, many parents have to work during break. But never fear, this doesn’t mean your child has to be parked in front of the television or computer all day.

There are several local activities and camps available for kids at no cost or reasonable rates, as well as movies at the Camas library.

East County Community Education is offering Babysitter’s Boot Camp, and other spring break day camps.

Details are as follows:

Babysitter’s Boot Camp: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, April 4 to 6. The fee is $125 and it is held at the JD Zellerbach Administration Center, 841 N.E. 22nd Ave. Attendees are asked to bring a sack lunch. It is designed for youth ages 11 to 15.

Participants will learn a babysitter’s curriculum, infant and child CPR and have as simulated day of babysitting with a computerized infant.

Spring Break day camps: 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, April 4 to 8.

The fee is $160 a week or $45 per day for a full day, and $100 a week or $30 for a half day. It is held at the JD Zellerbach Administration Center, 841 N.E. 22nd Ave.

Students will participate in arts, crafts, organized games, library visits, science projects, cooking and more. Attendees are asked to bring a sack lunch. Snacks are provided.

The City of Camas Parks and Recreation Department offers two spring break camps, one for children 3 1/2 to 6 years old, and the other for those 6 to 12 years old.

Preschool campers will spend the week learning about the farm during spring time through playtime, stories, crafts, music, dancing and trips to a local park.

Youth campers will travel back in time and be given clues every day for a puzzle to solve by the end of the week.

Pre-registration is required for both camps.

Details on the camps are as follows:

Motion & Creation Youth Spring Break Camp: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, April 4 to Thursday, April 7 in Scout Hall, Northeast Everett and 17th Avenue.

The fee is $105 (in-city) and $120 (out-of-city). Pre-registration is required.

There will be a field trip Wednesday, April 6 to a yet-to-be determined location.

Attendees are asked to bring a sack lunch and water bottle with their name.

Adventure Tikes Spring Break Camp: 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday, April 4 to Thursday, April 7 at the Camas Community Center, 1718 S.E. Seventh Ave.

The fee is $75 (in city) and $90 (out-of-city). Pre-registration is required. Campers need to bring sack lunches and water bottles, and must be potty trained and also able to use the toilet independently.

For those who are looking for something to do for a few hours each day, the Camas Public Library is offering free movies all week long, from Monday, April 4 to Friday, April 8. Free popcorn will also be served.

The library is located at 625 N.E. Fourth Ave.

The movies are as follows: “Tangled,” (rated PG-13) at 2:30 p.m. Monday; “The Fantastic Mr. Fox,” (rated PG) at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday; “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World,” (rated PG-13) at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday; “Bambi,” (rated G) at 2:30 p.m. Thursday; and “Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader,” (rated PG) at 2:30 p.m. Friday.

The library is also hosting a springtime craft event for students in second- through eighth-grade at 4 p.m. Thursday.

All supplies are provided and it is free, but pre-registration is required by calling the library at 834-4692.