The Good Old Summertime Valley Full Of Activities For Kids Of All Ages

CORRECTION: 5-31-97; V4 The Spokane Summer Music Camp offers flute and piano camps for children ages 6 to 15. Each camp session runs five days; the first session is June 16-20 and the second is July 14-18. Hours for the piano camps are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; flute camps run 3 to 5 p.m. A story in the May 24 Valley Voice contained inaccurate information about the camps.

Is the panic setting in yet?

As summer vacation approaches, schoolchildren throughout the Spokane Valley are likely envisioning the long, languid days that will replace the confines of the classroom.

Parents, especially those who face a full work week, may have different visions in mind, probably not of a tranquil nature.

Reshuffling tight work schedules to help fill children’s idle time is hardly a vacation for parents. More difficult is choosing the right activities for children who may not fit the traditional mold.

While Little League and summer swim teams are stimulating activities for some, they may not appeal to every child.

Fortunately, there are other options available in the Spokane Valley, with relatively reasonable costs and weekly schedules to fill a majority of the summer months. With a little digging, parents and children may find summer activities beyond MTV and the mischief boredom breeds.

Here are some of the possibilities:

Creative education

Exploratory camps offered through Central Valley School District are geared for students in grades K-6 and provide learning in a hands-on environment. Make no mistake, this isn’t the run-of-the-mill summer school. The camps offer something more expansive for youngsters.

“Want to be a Star?” explores all aspects of theater: Costumes, sets, makeup, lighting and performance skills. Participants will use their knowledge to join Spokane Civic Theater in its summer theater production.

Other interesting class topics include “It’s Our Earth,” in which students focus on sustaining the environment, and “Things that Float, Fly and Zoom,” an adventure into transportation science. The program also offers arts and crafts and mountain bike adventures.

Enrollment is not restricted to Central Valley students.

Registration forms and a full schedule of activities can be found in the 1997 Summer School Guide available at any school in the Central Valley district. Registration forms can be mailed or faxed. Call 921-7042 for more information.

When: Registration deadline is June 20. Classes begin June 23, 8 a.m. to noon.

Where: Exploratory camps will be held at University Elementary, 1613 S. University Road.

Cost: $50.

West Valley School District also offers summer classes beyond the three R’s. Students in grades 1-6 can introduce themselves to computers, including keyboarding, graphics and other fun applications during a one-hour computer class, five days a week.

Media Exploration, scheduled from 11 a.m. to noon, provides opportunities for working in various mediums: classic arts and crafts, visual arts, rhythms and body movements.

When: Registrations will be accepted at the West Valley administration office from Monday, June 16 through Friday, June 20, or at the school site on Monday, June 23.

Classes run June 23-July 18, Monday through Friday.

Where: Seth Woodward Elementary School, 7401 E. Mission.

Cost: $75 per class.

For young athletes

Spokane Valley Sports Camps, in cooperation with Skyhawks Sports Academy, runs the entire summer, beginning June 16 and includes soccer, baseball, basketball, and roller hockey for ages 6 to 14. Mini hawks, a combination of all four, is offered for children 4-7. For registration and information call the Skyhawks Sports Academy, 466-6906.

When: Baseball and basketball camps for ages 6-14 begin June 16, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for four days. Soccer and Mini-hawks start June 23. Roller Hockey kicks off July 7.

Where: The soccer, baseball and Mini-hawks camps will be held at Broadway, Greenacres, University, Chester, Ponderosa, Sunrise and Progress elementary schools, Mountain View Middle School and Central Valley High School.

Basketball camps will be held at Evergreen and North Pines junior high schools and University High School. University High School will host the roller hockey camps.

Cost: $65-$78

East Valley School District offers basketball camps and a soccer academy for boys and girls in grades K-12 as part of its summer school curriculum. Enrollment is not restricted to East Valley students and scholarships are available.

Girls basketball camps, grades 2-8, run June 16-20. For girls grades 9-12, a skill camp will run July 10-12. Boys basketball camps, grades 6-8 will start June 23. For grades 3-12 there is Knight Precision Shooting Camp, which runs two days, 10 a.m. to noon. For a full list pick up registration at any school in the EV District.

When: Pre-register at East Valley Middle School May 28 from 5-7 p.m.; Mountain View Middle School May 29, 5-7 p.m.; and East Valley High School June 4, 5-8 p.m. Otherwise, registration forms can be mailed after June 13. Call 924-9383.

Where: The boys basketball camp will be held at Trentwood Elementary June 23-26. All other camps will be held at East Valley High School.

Cost: $20-$45

For musicians and dancers

Spokane Summer Music Camp is directed by Carol Murray, who has logged 32 years as a private instructor. The camp offers instruction in flute and piano for ages 6-18. The camps run five days and each concludes with a performance for parents. Call 922-3501.

When: June 16-July 18, 9-2 p.m.

Where: 20007 E. Cloverdale Court. Cost: $40-$80.

The Dance Center provides a dance camp for ages 3-10-plus. The camp includes ballet, tap, jazz and gymnastics. Other subjects include dance history, nutrition, human anatomy, creative expression, mime and dance vocabulary. Call 922-1703.

When: Camps run June 16-26, Monday-Thursday

Where: 621 S. Pines Cost: $60 ($55 if registered by May 31)

The Dance Emporium offers a four-week summer session, which includes jazz, tap, ballet and hip-hop. For more information call 927-8656.

When: July 7-Aug. 1

Where: 13105 E. Sprague Cost: $45.

And don’t forget the Y

When it comes to combining all of the above-mentioned activities into a summer schedule, the local YMCA has it licked.

Those interested can register at the Valley office, 13014 E. Sprague (inside the Tidyman’s store at Sprague and McDonald) or use the mail-in registration form. YMCA members enjoy a decent discount and it is possible to purchase weekly or monthly vouchers. All payments must be received the Monday prior to each session. Call 927-1474.

When: Camps begin June 16 and run Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. The last day of camp is Aug. 29.

Where: Drop-off and pick-up will take place at Valley Mission Park (Mission and Bowdish).

Cost: Varies depending on program, length of commitment and YMCA membership status.

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