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 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. Best of all, some of these are low-cost or even free.

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 20 to Aug. 12. 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 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.

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, June 27 to Aug. 18.

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

Session themes include Adventureland, Hawaiian Hullabaloo, Jungle Safari, The Olympians and Buggin’ Out.

Adventure Tikes Pre-School Camps

The 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 27 to Aug. 18.

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

Session themes include Treasure Hunters, Artful Antics, the Mighty Jungle, Dino Dig, Wild West and Superheroes. 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 learn to swim class offers different levels of instruction to children ages 3 and up. The cost is $45 per session and these are offered in 10-day segments starting in late June. Sessions are held between 8 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, depending on the child’s ability level. Browse the website for a complete class schedule.

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 11. These include 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 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, June 27 to Aug. 27. There is also a high school overnight camp at two different locations and times.

Day camp choices this year are Disney on Broadway, That’s Entertainment and Musical Highlights from “Grease.” Day camps range from $160 to $180, with a discount if paid by June 1.

Overnight camp is $350. All first-time day and overnight campers receive a $25 discount.

For specific camp times and locations, visit the website.

Camas/Washougal Aviation Association

Grove Air Field

632 N.E. 267th Ave.

Camas

www.cwaagrovefield.org

Aviation summer camps, sponsored by the Camas-Washougal Aviation Association, will be offered for middle and high school students. Contact Lincoln Westdal at 833-9792 or email lwestdal@starband.net for more information.

Camas/Washougal Soccer Club (CWSCA/WSA) Camps

Gary Osterhage, gosterhage@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. Specific times and locations have not been announced yet, but continue to check the website or e-mail Gary Osterhage.

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 11 and meet Monday to Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The cost is $90 per camp before June 1 and $95 after that date. Some camp options include Puppet Workshop, Outer Space Adventures and Fun in the Sun.

East County Community Education Washougal camps:

www.washougal.k12.wa.us/wcer

There are camps to suit a wide variety of ages, stages and interests. The following listing includes a selection of available camps. Browse the website for a full listing. Register in person 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 24, the office will switch to summer hours. For details, call 954-3838

All camps are held at Hathaway Elementary School, 630 24th St., in one of the portables, unless otherwise noted.

Preschool Day Camps

These camps, for preschool students ages 3-5, run Monday through Thursday, from 9:30 a.m. to noon, and cost $55 per week. All camps are held at portable A, Camp choices are Art-rageous and Peddle Power, and run July 18 to July 28.

Washougal Summer Camp

These camps for preschoolers to sixth-graders run Monday through Friday, June 22 to Aug. 19, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in portable B. The cost is $175 per week or $40 per day. There is also a half-day option available. Some camp themes include What’s Cooking, Wilderness Explorers, Last Blast, Celebrate the U.S.A., South of the Border and Art-rageous.

Babysitter’s Training

Led by American Red Cross staff, this camp for students ages 11 to 15 includes a babysitting curriculum, basic care, first aid, emergencies, illness, bedtime issues, meals and age-appropriate communication. Students will take home the reference book, “Babysitter’s Handbook,” and a participation card.

The class will be held Thursday, June 30 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in portable C. The cost is $55.

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 27 to June 30, from 9 to 11 a.m., for students in second- through fifth-grade and 1 to 3 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. It will include serving, passing, setting and hitting. It will be held Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to noon, July 18 to 21 at Washougal High School, 1201 39th St. The cost is $50.

East County Community Education Camas camps:

To register for any of these camps, visit the J.D. Zellerbach Administration Center, 841 N.E. 22nd Ave. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Beginning June 24, 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, Ooey Goey and Mystery Week, among others.

Soccer Rules with Dan Macaya

This camp teaches new skills and more to players in kindergarten through eighth-grade. It runs Monday through Thursday, July 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 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 18-21, 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 $139.

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.

Kazoodles

823-0123

www.kazoodlestoys.com

The children’s toy store features weekly summer activities. Visit the website for more details.

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, from June 27 to Aug. 12. The cost is $35 per week. There is also free-drop in from noon to 5:30 p.m. with membership. However, membership is not required to attend camp. Choices include scrapbooking, aqua science, camping, adventure, leadership skills and hiking, among others.

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. Call Denise at 834-8506 for details.

Medallion Art School

304 N.E. Crestwood Court, Vancouver

260-1690

www.medallionart.com

Students ages 6 and older 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 11-15, and July 18-22. The cost is $175 per week. All supplies are provided.

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.

Royal Ridges Christian Camp and Retreat Center

(360) 686-3737

www.royalridges.org

Royal Ridges will host a variety of day camps, horse camps and overnight adventure camps for a variety of ages. The camp is located near Battle Ground.

St. Andrew Christian Preschool

892-7210

www.salcvan.org

The preschool offers weekly three-day summer camps from May 31 to June 15. Call or browse the website for details.

University of Portland Pilots Basketball

(503) 943-7719

www.portlandpilots.com

All sessions are held at the Chiles Center at the University of Portland, 5000 N. Willamette Blvd. These include a day camp and advanced skills camp, and include tips from Pilots head coach Eric Reveno and his staff.

Camps run from June 27 to July 1 and Aug. 1 to 5. These are for third- to ninth-graders and run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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.

Sessions begin Monday, June 27. Call for specific times and dates.

Washougal Community Library

1661 “C” St.

835-5393

The annual summer reading program will kick off June 1 and run through Aug. 15, with a variety of events and activities at the library. Call the library for details.

Zion Lutheran Church

824 N.E. Fourth Ave., Camas 834-4201, Ext. 203

youthminister@zionyouthcamas.org.

Vacation Bible School

The church is offering an option for children in preschool and grade school. These will both run Monday to Thursday, June 27 to 30 at the church.

Preschool VBS is from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and includes games, music, Bible stories and crafts. It is for potty-trained 4- and 5-year-olds, or 3-year-olds with classroom experience. Two-year-olds may come if accompanied by a relative or guardian. The cost is $15 and includes a T-shirt for those who pre-register.

Vacation Bible School day camp is for those in kindergarten through fifth-grade. It will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.. and includes playing games, exploring the Bible, making crafts and singing. The cost is $30 and includes a T-shirt for those who pre-register.