Cool kids, hot weather, fun camps

With the area’s first taste of warm weather recently, summer is on the minds of many, particularly children. What to do during the long months without school is a question now being considered by parents.

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 learning the art of puppetry. 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 “Crazy Olympics,” “Pirates,” “America,” “Lazy Days” and more. There will be walking field trips, and visits from the Reptile Man.

Soccer Rules with Dan Macaya

This camp teaches new skills and more to players in kindergarten through eighth grade. It runs Monday through Thursday, June 27 to 30, 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 more intense lessons. Camp will be held at the CHS tennis courts, 26900 S.E. 15th St., Monday through Thursday, July 18-21, and Aug. 1-4, 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 4 to 11, and will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, July 5-7 for $130; and Aug. 8-12 for $159, at the J.D. Zellerbach Administration Center. There is also a “Lego Junior” session for children ages 4 to 6.

Camp Invention

This camp offers hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering and math. The class will run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, June 27 to July 1, at Liberty Middle School. The cost is $248.

Camas Parks and Recreation 834-5307 www.cityofcamas.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

The camps, for ages 4 to 12, give kids a chance to focus on fun, healthy movement through games, sports and swimming, arts and crafts and creative play. Sessions run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, July 11 to Sept. 1 (Ages 7 to 12). Those 4 to 6 years old will attend camp from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Weekly fees are $120 (in city) and $140 (outside city) for those ages 7 to 12; and $80 (in city) and $100 (outside city) for those ages 4 to 6.

Camps will take place at Scout Hall at Crown Park (Northeast 15th Avenue and Dallas Street). Campers will swim at the Camas pool daily.

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 are trained to develop youth soccer players. The cost is $150 for those ages 6 to 14, and $110 for those 3 to 5. Each player receives a jersey. Camp runs Monday through Friday, July 11-15, and Aug. 24-26, from 9 a.m. to noon at Fallen Leaf Park, 2911 N.E. Everett St. Those 3 to 5 will attend from 9 to 10:15 a.m. or 10:30 to 11:45 a.m.

Camas/Washougal Soccer Academy www.cwsoccer.com

There are a variety of camps offered for youth ages 5 to 18. In the past, these have included speed/agility, shooting and defending, recreational soccer, Macaya Soccer Camp and the Portland Timbers camp. Camps take place at various locations in Camas. See the website for more information.

Camas Municipal Pool 817-1556 120 N.E. 17th Ave. www.cityofcamas.us/parks/swim

The Camas pool offers a variety of classes from beginning swimming to American Red Cross lifeguarding. 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. The tentative schedule will be from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Camas Camp-n-Ranch 907-2331 27312 N.E. Hathaway Road www.camascampnranch.com

This working 4-H farm features several week-long themed day camps for those 5 and older. These include a classic camp, a conservation camp, historical “wild west” camp and horse camp (10 and older).

Counselors are also needed. Applicants must be at least 14 and prior experience is appreciated, but not required.

Call or browse the website for more information on being a counselor or to sign up for a camp.

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 “Fairy Wonderland,” “Fun in the Sun: Circus!” and “Outer Space Adventures.”

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 5 and meet Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Extended care is available. The cost is $120 per camp before June 1 and $130 after that date.

Camas/Washougal Aviation Association 566-0156 632 NE 267th Ave. www.cwaagrovefield.org

A five day summer camp will introduce students to the basics of flight, principles of aviation, a local air museum and radio control Buddy Box flying. Camp runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 12 to 16.

Call or email 731deltarose@gmail.com

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 pavilion and two lodges.

Call or e-mail for more information regarding summer camp information.

Evergreen Tennis Center 557-7230 www.evergreentennis.net 5225 N.W. 38th Ave, Camas

Weekly camps this summer will include: Quickstart Kids (beginner, ages 5 to 7); Easystart Youth (beginner, ages 8 to 10); Student (intermediate, ages 9 and up); Teen (beginner, ages 13 to 18); Competitor (intermediate/pro approval) and High Performance (advanced/JV/varsity/pro approval).

For more information, call the center.

Jack, Will and Rob Boys and Girls Club 817-9966 2033 N.E. Ione St., Camas www.bgcportland.org

Camps run from 9 a.m. to noon weekdays, and 1 to 3:30 p.m. Sunrise camps are offered from 7:30 to 9 a.m. There is a free drop-in from noon to 6 p.m. with a $25 per person membership.

Children must be at least 6 and entering the first-grade to attend.

Call the club for more details or browse the website.

Journey Theater Arts Group 750-8550 www.journeytheater.org

There are a variety of summer camps for kids entering second through eighth grade, to help budding thespians hone their acting skills. Camps are offered in Portland, Beaverton and Vancouver. For specific camp times, prices and locations, visit the website.

LaCamas Swim & Sport 834-8506 2950 N.W. 38th Ave. Camas www.lacamassport.com

The club offers several camps including junior lifeguarding, pickleball, high school summer swim league and triathlon. Club membership is not required to participate.

VEGA 834-INFO 240 N.E. Third Ave., Camas 840 N.W. 10th Ave., Camas www.vegagym.com

VEGA is offering several three-hour summer camps. Participants can drop in for one class or the whole week. Camps include Lego, Skills, Finding Dory, Fairy Princess, Star Wars Gym and Fencing, and All-Star camps. For more information, visit the website.

Washougal Community Education & Recreation 954-3040 4855 Evergreen Way www.washougal.k12.wa.us/wcer

There are camps to suit a wide variety of ages, stages and interests. Visit the website for more detailed information. Registration is at the community education building.

Camps are for children ages 4 to 10 and include snacks and lunch. Camps will be offered from June 27 to Aug. 12.

Themes include “Minecraft,” “Gloopity Glob Science,” “Lego Mania,” “Crazy Invention” and “Star Wars.”