Summer fun for everyone

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 how to hone 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 “Super Heroes,” “Pirates,” “America,” “Dinosaurs” and more. There will be walking field trips, and visits from the Reptile Man and the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

Dan Macaya soccer camps

Soccer Rules: This camp teaches new skills and more to players in kindergarten through eighth grade. It runs Monday through Thursday, June 22 to 25, 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.

Macaya Soccer Camp: Monday through Thursday, Aug. 17 to 20 at Prune Hill Elementary, 1601 N.W. Tidland St. For more information, contact macayasoccercamp@hotmail.com.

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 20-23, and Aug. 4-7, 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 6-10 and Aug. 10-14 at the J.D. Zellerbach Administration Center. The cost is $159. There is also a “Lego Junior” session for children ages 4 to 6.

Robotics Camp

This camp teaches the fundamentals of robotics and software usage through hands-on learning. The class will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, June 22-26, at JDZ. The cost is $200.

Camas Public Library

834-4692

625 N.E. Fourth Ave.

www.cityofcamas.us/library

Information about the summer reading program for kids and teens will be available beginning in June. The program runs from June 6 to Aug. 15. Registration begins June 1. There will be prizes and raffles for minutes read.

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

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 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, June 29 to Sept. 3 (Ages 7 to 12).Those 4 to 6 years old will attend camp from 10 a.m. to 2 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.

Session themes include “Summer Olympics,” “Messy Art Madness,” “Splish Splash Water,” “Camping/Hiking,” “Oceanic Adventures,” and more. Camps will take place at Scout Hall at Crown Park (Northeast 15th Avenue and Dallas Street)

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 13-17, and Aug. 24-298, 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 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 beginning July 6 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.

Camas United Methodist Church

834-2976

706 N.E. 14th Ave.

www.camasumc.org

A summer musical drama camp will be held Monday through Friday, Aug. 10 to 14. Check the church website for more details.

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 14 to 18 and Aug. 11 to 15.

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.

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.

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: I Love Dirt!” and “Circus Arts.”

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 6 and meet Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Extended care is available. The cost is $115 per camp before June 1 and $130 after that date. Camp size ranges from five to 10 participants.

Evergreen Tennis

557-7230

www.evergreentennis.net

5225 N.W. 38th Ave, Camas

Camps this summer will include Quickstart Kids (beginner and intermediate, ages 5-8); Quickstart Youth (beginner and intermediate, ages 9-11); Student (beginner and intermediate, ages 9-13); High School (beginner and intermediate, ages 14-18) and High Performance (JV/varsity/pro approval).

For more information, call Evergreen Tennis.

4-H Summer Camps

www.ext100.wsu.edu/clark/4hyouthfamiles

The camps, for kids ages 8 to 12, are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 23 to July 30. The cost is $45 per week.

Each week has a different theme. Attendees will have the chance to enter into the Clark County Fair.

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 Sunrise camps are offered from 7:30 to 9 a.m. There is a free drop-in from 1 to 5:30 p.m. with a $5 per person a 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. Call the club for more details.

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. 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 a junior lifeguarding, pickleball, high school summer swim league and triathlon camp. 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, Preschool, Fairy Princess 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 22 to Aug. 7. Browse the website for more information.

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

834-4201, Ext. 203

824 N.E. Fourth Ave., Camas

youthminister@zionyouthcamas.org

Vacation Bible School will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Thursday, July 6 to 9 at Zion Lutheran Church. It is designed for those who have completed kindergarten through fifth-grade.

The cost is $30 if registered by June 21, with a family maximum of $60.

Preschool VBS will also be offered from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

The cost is $15 if registered by June 21, then increases to $25.

Contact Bree Truax, youth and family minister, for more information.