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Life

May 10, 2011
Attendees practice shooting the ball during a Soccer Stars of Tomorrow camp last summer.

Delving into summer fun

Summer. It's a time for kids to kick back, relax and enjoy themselves. There are several camps in Clark County and across the state that help to meet this important need to have fun. Camp features range from learning how to improve sports skills to taking on the adventures of overnight camping. Best of all, there are camps and activities for all ages, stages and price ranges. The list in the print edition of the Post-Record has information on several camps and activities in the local area and beyond for the future basketball player, soccer star, scientist or adventure camper. Best of all, some of these are low-cost or even free.

May 3, 2011
The Inexplicibly Omniscient Inspector (James Maguire) and Respected General (Anthony Gonzalez) discuss motives during a rehearsal of "Murder in the Knife Room," at Washougal High School.

A modern day, ‘Who done it?’

A Washed-Up Actress. The Plastic Politician. Boy-Band Reject. With names like these, the upcoming play at Washougal High School is sure to bring some laughs. And that's why it was chosen, drama director Kelly Gregersen. "This is a spoof on the classic murder mystery," he said. "We've never done this before and it's always nice to end the year on a lighter note. It's pretty goofy and silly."

April 19, 2011
The Opera House got an enthusiastic welcome from the crowd that gathered at Coffee Revolution in Camas on April 9. It was the first time the band had performed at the local venue. Band members include Quincy Blanchette (pictured above at right), as well as base player and lead singer, Nate Morse, guitar and backup vocals, Emma Jennings, keyboard and Allison Trenary, drums. Morse said he enjoyed the Camas show. "It was pretty great as a venue," he said. "We were glad we were able to play there." The band, whose members hail from Vancouver and Woodland, plays primarily original music.

A positive alternative

Anyone who wants to see a live rock show and lives in the Camas-Washougal area knows the routine: Drive all the way into Portland, attempt to find free parking somewhere, and walk several blocks into sometimes sketchy venues. However, employees at Coffee Revolution, a non-profit business that donates a majority of its proceeds to the community, have come up with another solution.

April 12, 2011
Annika Stupfel decorates a balloon during a spring break art camp at the Jack, Will and Rob Boys and Girls Club in Camas. Below, at left, kids enjoyed craft making at the Camas Library. The library also showed a free movie every day last week.

Keeping it local and fun

Despite the decidedly un-spring-like weather last week, kids still found a way to enjoy their break by attending one of the local camps and activities held in the Camas-Washougal area. Choices ranged from free movies and crafts at the Camas Library to babysitter's boot camp, adventure camps for preschoolers, and creative camps for elementary school kids. East County Community Education offered a rarity for working parents: Full- or half-day camps. The full-day option ran from 7:30 to 5 p.m. and the half-day was for up to five hours, as well as a drop-in option.

April 5, 2011
Washougal High School junior Ethan Crone carefully puts the "baby" into an infant carseat during a child development class. Being a self-described "motorhead," the class is a new experience for him but he's enjoyed it for the most part.

Parenting: It’s one tough job

When Washougal High School students finish Rachel Fouts-Carrico's child development class, one thing is clear. Becoming a parent is not a responsibility to be taken lightly. The class, which Fouts-Carrico has taught for four years, gives students an overview of topics including childhood developmental stages, working in early childhood education, childbirth, costs of raising a child, teen parenting, and even offers the opportunity to take home a mechanical baby for the weekend.

April 5, 2011
Seventeen-year-old Kiersta Moore had her daughter, Makaylie, last year as a junior in high school. She said it has been a long, tough road, but rewarding as well.

Life as a teen mom

When now 17-year-old Kiersta Moore found out she was pregnant, the first emotion she felt was fear. "I had no idea how I was going to be able to take care of a baby," she said. In the way of most teens, Kiersta told her mom via a text message. "I was driving and she sent me one from the back seat," her mom, Dawn Holen said. "I pulled over and told her she had three options: Abort, adopt or keep, and I'd support her either way. She said she wanted to keep the baby and I said, 'Here we go.'"

March 29, 2011
Washougal residents Bridgette McCarthy (left) and Jessica Hatton (right) will appear in, "My Son Pinocchio," at Washburn Performing Arts Center this weekend. They participate in Metropolitan Performing Arts Academy, which is sponsoring the production. The academy offers classes in musical theater, acting, singing and dance, among other activities.

A passion for the arts

Eighteen months ago, a group of parents and educators, saddened by the lack of arts education in local schools, decided to take matters into their own hands. From this has come the Metropolitan Performing Arts Academy, a non-profit organization for Vancouver and the surrounding areas. It offers students from elementary through high school opportunities to participate in acting, singing, dance, musical theater, music and art. The academy students, who hail from Vancouver, Camas, Washougal and other outlying areas, have participated in eight different productions since last April. "My Son Pinocchio," which will show at Washburn Auditorium in Washougal, will be the ninth show.

March 22, 2011
Preschool camps allow the youngest spring breakers to use their imaginations with creative play, stories, crafts and music. There are several different opportunities for children in Camas and Washougal to enjoy their time off from school, safely and supervised.

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.