Jumping into summer

Summer. It’s a time for kids to kick back, relax and enjoy themselves. There are several camps in Clark County that offer options ranging from a few hours to several days.

Camps include everything from how to improve sports skills to how to improve outdoor skills. Best of all, there are choices for all ages, stages and price ranges.

The following list has information on several camps and activities in the local area and beyond for the future basketball player, soccer star, scientist or adventure camper.

• Camas Public Library

625 N.E. Fourth Ave., 834-4692

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 16 to Aug. 11. There will be prizes and raffles for minutes read.

• Camas Parks and Recreation

834-5307

www.ci.camas.wa.us/parks

All camps are held at the Scout Hall at Crown Park, at Northeast 15th Avenue and Dallas Street, unless otherwise noted. The following listing includes a selection of available camps. Call the number above or browse the website for a full listing.

Act Up! Summer Drama Camps

Camp activities include a talent show, painting sets and a dress rehearsal with a performance on Friday. The camp is designed for the beginning actor. The performances will be “Beauty and the Beast” and “Dancing Princesses.” The cost is $140 for Camas residents and $150 for non residents. Camps will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday though Friday, June 25 to 29 and Aug. 20 to 24. The camps are designed for children ages 6 to 12.

Youth Camps

These summer camps, for students entering first grade up 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 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, July 16 to Aug. 16.

The fee is $95 for Camas residents and $110 for non-residents.

Session themes include “Splash Bash,” “Camas Big Top,” “Olympic Games,” “Life of a Spy Revealed” and “The Mysterious Adventure.”Adventure Tikes CampsThe area’s youngest campers, ages 4 to 6, will stay busy through playtime, stories, crafts, music, dancing, games and sports. All sessions run from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday, June 25 to Aug. 16.

The fee is $70 for residents and $85 for non-residents.

Session themes include “Adventureland,” “Backyard Scientists,” “Puppet Production” and “Busy Builders.” All classes are held at the Camas Community Center, 1718 S.E. Seventh Ave.

• Camas Swimming Pool

120 N.E. 17th Ave., 817-1556

www.ci.camas.wa.us/parks/swim

The Camas pool offers a variety of different classes from beginning swimming to American Red Cross Lifeguarding. For a full listing, browse the website.

Learn to swim

The learn to swim class offers different levels of instruction to children ages 3 and older. The cost is $57 per session and the sessions are offered in 10-day segments starting in late June. Sessions are held in the morning and early afternoons Monday through Thursday, depending on the child’s ability level. Browse the website for a complete class schedule.

American Red Cross lifeguard training.

This camp is designed for those 15 and older looking for a summer job or future career. Those who complete the course will be given a 2-year Lifeguard and CPR/First Aid certification.

The fee is $250 and the class runs from Tuesday to Saturday, June 26 to 30 or Monday through Friday, Aug. 13 to 17.

• Camas Camp-n-Ranch

907-2331

www.camascampnranch.com

camascampnranch@comcast.net

This working 4-H farm features several week-long themed day camps beginning July 2. These include an art camp, classic camp, a conservation camp, historical “wild west“ camp and horse camp. Counselors are also needed. Applicants must be at least 14 and prior experience is appreciated, but not required.

Call or e-mail for more information on being a counselor or to sign up for a camp.

• Christian Youth Theatre

750-8550

www.cytvanport.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, June 25 to Aug. 17. Camps are offered in Camas, Vancouver and Battle Ground.

Day camp choices this year are “Under the Sea” and “Hats Off to Broadway.“ There is also a middle school “Glee” camp. Prices range from $150 to $170, with a discount if paid by June 1.

For specific camp times and locations, visit the website.

• Camas/Washougal Soccer Academy

Josh Muri, cwscdrs@comcast.net

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.

• Camp Windy Hill

Kathy Marty, kathy@campwindyhill.com

www.CampWindyHill.com

977-8032

There are a variety of camps offered for children ages 5 to 12. Kathy Marty, an artist and elementary school teacher, is the instructor. The camps are located at her home along five acres overlooking the Columbia River Gorge. Camps begin July 9 and meet Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The cost is $100 per camp before June 1 and $110 after that date. Some camp options include “Puppet Workshop,” “Outer Space Adventures,” “Budding Artists,” “Toy Inventor’s Workshop” and “Fun in the Sun.”

• Washougal Community Education & Recreation

www.washougal.k12.wa.us/wcer

954-3838

There are camps to suit a wide variety of ages, stages and interests. The following listing includes a selection of available camps as of press time. Flyers will be sent home with students in Washougal schools later in the month regarding other summer camp offerings.

Registration is at the community education building, located next to Hathaway Elementary School in Portable “D”, 25th and “G” streets, Washougal, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Beginning June 25, the office will switch to summer hours.

Basketball fundamentals

Learn a wide variety of skills and basketball basics from the Washougal High School girls varsity basketball coach. This camp runs Monday through Thursday, June 25 to June 28, from 9 to 11 a.m., for students in second- through fifth-grade and noon to 2 p.m., for students in sixth- through eighth-grade. It is held at Washougal High School, 1201 39th St. Participants are asked to bring water. The cost is $40.

Panther Volleyball Camp

This camp is for players of all skill levels in sixth- through ninth-grade, taught by the WHS volleyball coach. It will include serving, passing, setting and hitting. It will be held Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, from 9 a.m. to noon, July 9 to 11, at Washougal High School, 1201 39th St. The cost is $50.

Soccer Fundamentals

Girls and boys ages 6 to 12 will learn a wide variety of skills and soccer basics from the WHS soccer coach. The camp includes ball control skills, striking skills and ball winning skills. The camp runs Monday through Thursday, July 16 to 19, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. for ages 6 to 8, and noon to 2 p.m. for ages 9 to 12. The cost is $40.

• Camas Community Education

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 3 p.m. Beginning June 25, the office will switch to summer hours. For details, call 833-5544.

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 “All Ball!,” “Dinosaurs,” “Happy B-Day,” “Ooey Gooey,” “Mystery Week,” “3 Ring Circus,” “Imaginarium,” “High Seas Adventure,” “The Play” and “Got Talent.”

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 25 to 28, 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. Students are asked to bring a water bottle, racket and sunscreen.

Camp will be held at the CHS tennis courts, 26900 S.E. 15th St., Monday through Thursday, July 23-26, 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 $50.

Lego Camp

This camp is for ages 7 to 12 and includes making cars and robots that move with motors. It will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, June 27 to July 1 at the J.D. Zellerbach Administration Center. The cost is $159. There is also a “Lego Junior” session for children ages 4 to 6. It will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Monday to Friday, June 25 to 29, July 23 to 27 and Aug. 13 to 17.

• 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 summer music preparation camp will be held for children ages 3 to 11. Call the school for schedules or more information.

• Jack, Will and Rob Boys and Girls Club

2033 N.E. Ione St., Camas, 817-9966

www.camas.wednet.edu/district/teaching_learning/jwr

Camps run from 9 a.m. to noon weekdays, and 1 to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, beginning June 25. The cost is $50 per week for morning camps, and $35 per week for afternoon camps. There is also free-drop in from noon to 5:30 p.m. with membership. However, membership is not required to attend.

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

• LaCamas Swim and Sport

834-8506

www.lacamassport.com

There are camps for children of all ages, held at LaCamas Swim and Sport facilities, at 2950 N.W. 38th Ave., in Camas. Club membership is not required to participate. Activities include summer swim lessons, swim teams, daily public swims and summer swim camps.

• Medallion Art School

304 N.E. Crestwood Court, Vancouver, 260-1690

www.medallionart.com

Students can explore styles and techniques of famous artists and art from different cultures, as well as experiment with various media, and develop technical skills.

Two sessions will be held: Monday through Friday, July 9-13, and July 16-20. The cost is $170 per week. All supplies are provided. There is a discount if students sign up for both classes.

• 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.

• Pearson Air Museum

360-694-7026

Aviation camps are offered for ages 9 to 17. There will be a regular session from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for $350 and an extended session from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for $450. Sessions are offered Monday to Friday, June 19 to 23, June 26 to 30, Aug. 14 to 18, and Aug. 21 to 25.

• 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 25 and run from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and/or 12:30 to 3 p.m. The cost is $125 per session.

• Washougal Community Library

1661 “C” St., 835-5393

The annual summer reading program will kick off June 1 and run through August, with a variety of events and activities at the library. These include “Creature Feature,” “Alphabeticians,” “Henrik Bothe,” and “Dragon Puppet Theater,” as well as storytimes and other programs. Call the library for details.