In search of summer fun

From cooking to overnight adventures, camps offer a little something for everyone

Summer. It’s a time for kids to kick back, relax and enjoy themselves. There are several camps in Clark County that offer options to do that, 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 Community Education

833-5544

www.camascommunityed.orgThe 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. Beginning June 24, the office will switch to summer hours.

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,” “Crazy Olympics,” “Camp Out,” “JDZ Market,” “We are Family,” “We’ve Got Talent” and “Outside the Box.”

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 24 to 27, 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 22 to 25, 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 24 to 28, July 22 to 26 and Aug. 12 to 16 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, on the same dates, for $109.

Camas Public Library

834-4692

625 N.E. Fourth Ave.

www.ci.camas.wa.us/libraryInformation about the summer reading program for kids and teens will be available beginning in June. The program runs from June 15 to Aug. 10. There will be prizes and raffles for minutes read.

Camas Parks and Recreation

834-5307

www.ci.camas.wa.us/parksAll 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.

Youth Camps

These summer camps, for those four 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 8 to Aug. 22 (Ages 6 to 12). The fee is $95 for Camas residents and $110 for non-residents. Those 4 to 6 years old will attend camp from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for There will be no camp for this age group during the week of July 22-25. The fee is $75 for Camas residents, and $90 for non-residents.

Session themes include “Campout,” “Xtreme Sports Challenge,” “Outta This World,” “Construct It!” “Grossology Science Academy,” “Splash and Dash,” and “Best of the Best.”

UK Elite Soccer Camp

For ages 5 to 14, this camp teaches professional training. Players are divided into groups that match age-specific curriculum. There will also be daily “World Cup” style tournaments. The cost is $140.

Camp runs Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to noon at Fallen Leaf Park.

Camas Municipal Pool

817-1556

www.ci.camas.wa.us/parks/swimThe Camas pool offers a variety of different classes from beginning swimming to American Red Cross lifeguarding. The pool is open from June 15 to Aug. 10. 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.

Information about upcoming camps, swimming lessons and other events will soon be posted on the Camas Parks and Recreation website.

Camas Camp-n-Ranch

907-2331

www.camascampnranch.com

camascampnranch@comcast.netThis working 4-H farm features several week-long themed day camps beginning July 15. These include a 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.

Camas/Washougal Soccer Academy

www.cwsoccer.comThere 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

977-8032

kathy@campwindyhill.com

www.CampWindyHill.comThere are a variety of camps offered for children ages 5 to 12, such as “Toy Inventors’s Workshop,” “Awesome Animal Art,” “Fairy Wonderland,” and “Fun in the Sun: Ooey Gooey!” 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 8 and meet Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Extended care is available.

The cost is $100 per camp before June 1 and $115 after that date. Camp size ranges from five to 10 participants.

East-West Martial Arts

693-6845 or 693-5425

www.vancouvermartialarts.comThe 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.comA 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

817-9966

www.camas.wednet.edu/district/teaching_learning/jwrCamps run from 9 a.m. to noon weekdays, and 1 to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, at, 2033 N.E. Ione St., Camas, beginning June 24. The cost is $60 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. Children must be at least 6 and entering the first-grade to attend. Membership is required to attend all camps, and is $5 per child, per year.

Journey Theater Arts Group

750-8550

www.journeytheater.orgThere 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 24 to Aug. 16. Camps are offered in Portland, Beaverton, Vancouver and Battle Ground. There is also a five-night overnight option, for $390 in Welches, Ore., for 14- to 18-year-olds.

Day camp choices this year are “Broadway Bound” and “Superheroes.” There is also a middle school “Once Upon Another Time,” camp. Prices range from $165 to $200, with a discount if paid by June 3.

For specific camp times and locations, visit the website.

Kazoodles

360-823-0123

www.kazoodlestoys.comThere will be weekly storytimes, playshops and crafts at the store, 13503 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd., B-3. Check the website for more details.

LaCamas Swim and Sport

834-8506

www.lacamassport.comThere 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.

Metropolitan Performing Arts Academy

(503) 724-9462

www.metropaaa.orgStudents 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.

Shape NW Summer Camp

503-867-4328

www.shapenw.comCamps run from Monday, June 24 to Friday, Aug. 30 at the Camas Community Center, and through Friday, Aug. 23 at the Ridgefield Community Center.

Options include soccer, golf, football, Angry Birds Science, yoga theater, basketball, martial arts and much more. Fees are $35 per day, $99 per week or $600 for unlimited summer fun. Extended child care is available.

Valhalla Lacrosse

www.Valhallalacrosse360.comCamps are designed for those looking to hone their skills during the offseason, have fun competitions and play games. Sessions begin June 24 for those in third through eighth grade, and July 2 for those in high school. There is also a beginner clinic offered. For more information, including prices, browse the website.

Camp location is at McLouglin Field, 6400 MacArthur Blvd.

Vancouver Lake Crew

600-6408

www.vancouverlakecrew.comWeekly 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 24 and run from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The cost is $125 per session.

Washougal Community Education & Recreation

954-3838

www.washougal.k12.wa.us/wcerThere 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 4 p.m. Beginning June 24, hours will switch to a summer schedule. For details, call

Summer Camps

For children ages 4 to 10, these weekly themed camps include “Dino Stomp,” “Giggly Gooey, Wiggley Ooey,” “Crazy About Sports,” “Legotastic,” and “Splash.” Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 8 through Aug. 9. Snacks and lunch are provided. The fee is $160.

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 24 to June 27, 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.

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 15 to 18, 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.

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. 15, with a variety of events and activities at the library. Call the library for details, or visit www.fvrl.org.

Zion Lutheran Church vacation bible school

834-4201, ext. 203

youthminister@zionyouthcamas.orgVBS will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Thursday at Zion Lutheran Church, 824 N.E. Fourth Ave., Camas. It is designed for kindergarteners through fifth-graders. The cost is $30 if registered by July 1, with a family maximum of $60.

There is also a preschool option, for 4- and 5-year-olds. Potty-trained 3-year-olds with classroom experience, or 2- and 3-year-olds with a guardian present, are also welcome to attend. Preschool VBS runs from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and is $15 if registered by July 1.