Summer Camps Loaded With Fun

Mon., May 26, 1997

Lynn Gibson Correspondent

Never mind a sunburn, a few mosquitoes or initial tears of homesickness, summer camp is a childhood memory-maker.

Once parents have determined their child is camp-ready (see below), the resident camp experience is loaded with growth opportunities.

Camp encourages resourcefulness and independence, builds friendship-making skills and offers positive role models to impressionable youth.

The Inland Northwest offers a variety of summer camps. While not a comprehensive guide, here are a few options to initiate your search:

Camp Four Echoes on the wooded shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene is run by the Girls Scouts Inland Empire Council. The overnight camp serves girls 6 to 17 with a variety of sessions open to Girl Scout members and non-members.

Choose from three-night sessions ($74), six nights ($150) or 12-night stays ($282), running June through August. Campers participate in drama, arts, astronomy, sports and more. To register, call Marcy Mastel, 747-8091.

The YMCA’s Camp Reed provides a scenic summer experience on Fan Lake for children, 6 to 16.

Camp activities include swimming, boating, sports and crafts nestled among towering pines. Tuition ranges from $100 to $300 for the mini- or full session-camps, June 29 through Aug. 16. Camp scholarships are available. For information, call Brad Rupp at 838-3577.

Camp Fire Boys and Girls offers Camp Sweyolaken, a resident camp on Lake Coeur d’Alene. Boys and girls in grades 1 through 12 arrive by boat for a week of archery, hiking, sailing, fishing, crafts, drama and other activities.

Sessions are for three, six and 10 nights through August (ranging from $135 to $370), open to members and non-members of Camp Fire. To register, call 747-6191.

Day camps provide an alternative to the overnight experience. Here are a few:

Spokane Area Children’s Chorus is hosting a Summer Music Camp, Aug. 18-21, for ages 7 to 17. The cost is $50-$80. For information, call 624-7992.

Northwest Basketball Camp offers basketball, soccer and volleyball camps for boys and girls through age 18. Tuition is $285 for a six-day session. For information, call 466-4690.

Seafirst Bank joins Spokane Indians Baseball to offer Seafirst Jammin’ Baseball Camps. The two-day clinics in August are free to 100 children per session. Apply after July 1 at any Seafirst bank branch. For more information, call 535-2922.

The YMCA provides supervised fun for boys and girls in grades 1 through 12. Tuition ranges from $80 to $100 per week. Activities include field trips, sports, drama, arts and more. For information, call the YMCA in the Valley at 927-1474; and 838-3577 for the Downtown and Northside Y’s.

Is your child ready for resident camp?

If the child been to slumber parties, stayed at grandma’s house or has gone camping, he or she is likely to enjoy a resident camp, says Marcy Mastel of Girls Scouts.

“A child knows if they’re ready to spend the night that far away from home,” Mastel says. “If they are talking enthusiastically about attending camp, consider a trial run, perhaps an overnight or a three-night session.”

Mastel suggests an early family visit to the camp to meet the staff and counselors, making the camp adjustment easier for everyone.

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MEMO: The Family Track is a weekly column of notes and information for families. Send items to Lynn Gibson, Features Department, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210-1615, or fax (509) 459-5098.

The Family Track is a weekly column of notes and information for families. Send items to Lynn Gibson, Features Department, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210-1615, or fax (509) 459-5098.

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