ORGANIZED ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN on the North Coast are plentiful. This is a survey of the excellent summer programs available. For a guide to year-round children's activities, pick up the Humboldt Kid's Digest at your local library, the Eureka Chamber of Commerce, or at various county agencies. It is also available online at www.kidsdigest.com.

There are summer programs at varying costs to meet the needs of a wide variety of ages and interests. Most of the programs below offer scholarships or reduced fees to eligible families, making summer excitement open to almost all Humboldt County children. There is also a free lunch program in Humboldt County. See this week's In the News section for more information.

Most activities require preregistration. Summer camps and classes can immeasurably enhance children's fun, enrichment and self-esteem. But remember that when it comes to role models and wholesome fun, parents can still be the best counselors.

And include some supervised free time in their summer -- kids need a chance to unwind, too.

GENERAL & MULTIPLE ACTIVITY PROGRAMS VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS

NATURE & SCIENCE SPORTS, ATHLETICS & ADVENTURE

general & multiple
activity programs

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB
Description: Club House a drop-in program with arts and crafts, recreation, cooking, movies and field trips.
Ages: 6-12
When: Summer hours Mon.-Fri., 12-6 p.m.
Where: 3117 Prospect Ave., Eureka
Cost: $5 fee to join
Contact: 442-9142

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB TEEN CENTER
Description: Drop-in and organized activities. Facility has game room, computer room, weight room, stage, kitchen. Wide variety of clubs, classes, service projects and special events, including outdoor activities, filmmaking, surfing and even breakdancing.
Ages: 7th-12th grade
When: Summer hours beginning June 14. Open at 12:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri., closing time varies.
Where: 3015 J St., Eureka
Cost: $10 membership fee; alternative fee program available.
Contact: 444-0184

CAMP FIRE BOYS & GIRLS
Description: Camp Fire Pal Camp three one-week day camp sessions and one week-long resident camp offering a wide variety of camp activities.
Ages: K-6th grade for day camp; 5th-12th grade for resident camp; 7th-12th grade for junior counselor leadership program.
When: Day camps June 26-30, July 10-14, Aug. 7-11 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Resident camp July 25-28.
Where: Freshwater
Cost: $75 for day camp, $225 for resident camp, $20 per session for junior counselors.
Contact: Camp Fire Office, 443-8019

CITY OF ARCATA
RECREATION DIVISION
Description: Wide variety of classes and camps including day camp and art camp; athletic camps and lessons covering badmitton, gymnastics, basketball, tennis and volleyball; classes on drawing, watercolors, light opera, magic, investing and puppetry; a new summer program for toddlers; and as always, the all-ages All Seasons Orchestra welcomes children to perform with them.
Ages: Toddlers to teens depending on program
When: Varies according to program
Where: Varies. Most at Community Center, Redwood Park or Judo Hut.
Cost: Varies according to program
Contact: 822-7091

CITY OF BLUE LAKE
Description: Summer Recreation Program summer day camp with activities including arts and crafts, sports, games, dance, theater, cooking, roller skating and field trips.
Ages: 5-13
When: June 19-July 28, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: Prasch Hall, Perigot Park, Blue Lake
Cost: $99 for full six weeks, $20 weekly or $5 daily for residents; $125, $30 or $7 respectively for nonresidents.
Contact: Jan Henry, 668-5932

CITY OF EUREKA RECREATION DIVISION
Description: Week-long summer day camp sessions with wide variety of activities including games, arts and crafts, sports, drama, science and field trips. Week-long volleyball camp also offered. Specialized classes including watercolors, puppetry, dance and dog obedience are available. And don't forget roller skating weekends at the Muni!
Ages: 6-19, depending on program; day camp ages 6-12, volleyball camp for children entering 6th through 8th grades.
When: Varies according to program; day camp week-long sessions June 26-Aug. 18, volleyball camp Aug. 21-25.
Where: Varies according to program; Carson, Sequoia and Highland parks, Ryan Youth Center, Adorni Center, Municipal Auditorium.
Cost: Varies according to program; day camp $30-$50 weekly depending on location, free playground program; volleyball camp $30.
Contact: 441-4241

CITY OF FORTUNA PARKS & RECREATION
Description: Summer Fun Day Camp Two five-week sessions with variety of activities including skating, biking, crafts, water play and games. Four two-week swim lesson sessions will be held at College of the Redwoods pool. Various other classes offered this summer include martial arts and dog obedience, and there are public skating sessions at the Firemen's Pavilion Rink each weekend.
Ages: Summer Day Camp 6-13; swim lessons 6-18.
When: Day Camp sessions June 19-Aug. 21 or July 24-Aug. 25; Call parks office for class and swim session times.
Where: Rohner Park and CR.
Cost: Varies according to program
Contact: 725-7620

HUMBOLDT COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM
Description: Summer Reading Club with theme "Lost in Space" begins mid-June. Check with branches for details on program kick-off events or storytimes.
Ages: Open
When: Ongoing through summer
Where: County library branches
Cost: Free
Contact: Eureka, Main Branch, 269-1927

MANILA COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT
Description: Peninsula Dunes Summer Recreation Programs Activities include swimming, beach days, sports, theater, gardening, ocean classes, girls' and boys' groups, camping trips, LEAP trips. There is also a separate surf camp. Call for details.
Ages: 5-18
When: From June 19 through July 28. Surf camp runs between June 17 and Aug. 18.
Where: Three sites: Manila Park/Manila Community Center, Samoa Park/Women's Club and Fairhaven.
Cost: $80-$100, depending on site.
Contact: 445-3309

MATEEL COMMUNITY CENTER
Description: Activities ranging from sailing and surfing to theater and dancing are available through the community center's Mateel Youth Program Summer 2000.
Ages: 12-19
When: From June 27 through Aug. 24.
Where: Many programs are held at the center; other (like surfing) are outdoors.
Cost: Up to $100 for some events; Call for details.
Contact: 923-3368

MCKINLEYVILLE PARKS & RECREATION
Description: Nine week-long Kidscamp sessions featuring themes and a wide variety of activities; also tennis lessons, hoop camp, nature camp, drop-in roller hockey, youth basketball, roller skating, adventures for teens. New this year is the Girls' Challenge Weekend, a camping trip for middle school girls.
Ages: 6-19, depending on program
When: Varies according to program
Where: Most at McKinleyville Activity Center
Cost: Varies according to program
Contact: 839-9003


visual &
performing arts

BRUSHES AND BYTES
Description:&nbspTwo-week courses on combining art and computers and a four- week course on ceramic story tiles.
Ages: 6 to 17.
When: June 26- July .
Where: At Brushes and Bytes, 1075 K St., Arcata
Cost: $75
Contact: 822-2477

CHILDREN'S ART ACADEMY AT HUMBOLDT STATE UNIVERSITY
Description: "Art in the Open" Two-week-long summer courses focusing on creating art for display at HSU or in venues around Arcata.
Ages: 5-17.
When: Mon.-Thurs., July 17-27 or July 31-Aug. 10.
Where: HSU art department
Cost: $120 for two-week session
Contact: 826-3819

DELL'ARTE ACADEMY
Description: Dell'Arte's new summer youth program takes the form of a two-week seminar at Sunset School for the Arts in Arcata. Topics covered include circus skills, improvisational dance and some serious acting lessons.
Ages: 7 to 13, depending on program.
When: July 24 through Aug. 4.
Where: Sunset School for the Arts in Arcata
Cost: Full day sessions $300. Morning or afternoons session only $180; call about discount for siblings.
Contact: 668-5663

FERNDALE REPERTORY THEATRE
Description: The theater is offering a four-week summer workshop for young actors that centers around physical comedy. A specific form of street theater known as Commedia Dell'Arte will be used to explore the mechanics of making people laugh.
Ages: 8 to 14.
When: June 20 through July 15.
Where: Ferndale Community Center
Cost: $95, scholarships available.
Contact: 786-5483

FIRE ARTS CENTER
Description: Week-long classes on glass painting and pottery.
Ages: 6 to 18, depending on program.
Where: Fire Arts Center, 520 S. G St. Arcata.
Cost: From $40 to $75 per class.
Contact: 826-1445

HUMBOLDT LIGHT OPERA COMPANY KIDCO
Description: HLO KidCo Summer Program a three-week workshop exploring singing, acting and movement using music from musical theater. The focus is on teamwork and fun, and the program culminates in a public performance. Scholarships available.
Ages: 5 to 18.
When: June 10-July 27, with days of week depending on age of participant.
Where: Arcata Community Center or Bethel Church in Eureka.
Cost: $99 for four-week session
Contact: 822-7091 for Arcata sign-up or Lisa Mendosa at 822-8706 for Eureka registration and more information.

THE INK PEOPLE
Description: The Ink Peoples' Summer Youth Art Camp introduces children to a variety of mediums and teachers, as a different artist will teach every week. Individual weeks or an entire summer's worth of instruction can be purchased. There is also a week-long course on photography for teens and a day-long class on landscape painting.
Ages: 6 to 18, depending on program.
When: Camp runs from June 26 through Aug. 4; photography class being held July 24 through 28; landscape painting class June 24.
Where: Most classes held at Ink People center for the Arts, 411 12th, Eureka, but there are some exceptions. Call for details.
Cost: $65 per week if purchased individually; Discounts if several weeks of instruction are purchased.
Contact: 826-1233 or 442-8413.

VAGABOND PLAYERS
Description: The players run an open theater group that combines improv and short plays. A maskmaking workshop is also being offered.
Ages: Open
When: Theater group is ongoing and open, call for details; maskmaking June 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Manila Community Center Theater
Cost: Free
Contact: 442-1533.

nature & science

CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS NORTH COAST DISTRICT
Description: Daily Junior Ranger Programs on natural and cultural history topics. Children pick a log book during their first program, and then if they attend multiple programs they can earn awards. Call park for times and locations, and information on special events.
Ages: 7-12 for Junior Rangers.
When: Varies according to park.
Where: North Coast District includes Jedediah Smith Redwoods, Del Norte Coast Redwoods, Prairie Creek Redwoods, Patrick's Point Redwoods, Grizzly Creek Redwoods, Humboldt Redwoods, and Richardson Grove State Parks.
Cost: Free.
Contact: North Coast Redwoods District Office, Fort Humboldt, 445-6547, ext. 19, for general information or phone numbers for individual parks.

HUMBOLDT STATE UNIVERSITY NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
Description: Nature Adventures Program week-long museum classes on reptiles, stars, the weirder side of marine life, animal defense mechanisms, arthropods, geology, and babies in nature; week-long field classes on ecology from the bay to the dunes and exploring the Arcata Marsh. Saturday field trips to explore invasive species, lichen and butterflies.
Ages: 4-11, depending on program; Saturday programs include adults.
When: Week-long classes from June 19 to Aug. 25
Where: At the museum, 1315 G St., Arcata; field programs at the Arcata Marsh or Manila Dunes
Cost: $60-$70 per week; Saturday programs range from free to $22.
Contact: 826-4479

HUMBOLDT STATE UNIVERSITY TELONICHER MARINE LABORATORY
Description: Marine Science Summer Program a series of six two-hour workshops on Intertidal Exploration, Ocean Conservation, Fish & Sharks, Arthropods and Mollusks, Algae & Plankton and Marine Mammals. Part of each session in the lab and part at local beaches and intertidal areas.
Ages: Separate workshops on each topic for children aged 6-9 and 10-12.
When: July 6, 7, 11, 14, 17, 19 and 21
Where: HSU Marine Lab in Trinidad
Cost: $2 donation per workshop
Contact: Sonya Schuh, marine naturalist, 826-6999.

REDWOOD DISCOVERY MUSEUM
Description: This year's offering is dubbed the "Summer of Discovery" and includes five fun week-long classes taught by credentialed school teachers. Classes include Predators and Prey, Blast Off Into Space and Magnificent Marble Machines.
Ages: For children entering kindergarten through 6th grade, depending on program.
When: July 10-14 or 17-21, depending on program.
Where: Equinox School.
Cost: $60
Contact: 443-9694

sports, athletics
& adventure

ARCATA COMMUNITY POOL
Description: Swim lessons five two-week morning sessions and three month-long evening sessions for all ability levels from parent/child to advanced. Also recreation and lap swimming (call for times). Special programs offered include scuba certification and junior lifeguard classes.
Ages: 6 months and up.
When: Two-week morning sessions begin June 19 and end Aug. 25; month-long evening sessions begin June 5 and end Sept. 13. Call for information on special programs.
Where: Arcata Community Pool, 1150 6th St.
Cost: $29-$42 per session; special programs' rates vary.
Contact: 822-6801

CENTER ACTIVITIES AT HUMBOLDT STATE UNIVERSITY
Description: Summer Youth Aquatics Camp Four week-long camp options including Aquatics Camp for surfing, sailing, windsurfing, canoeing and kayaking; Whitewater Rafting and Aquatics; River Camp; and Leadership Camp.
Ages: 5th to 12th grade
When: Six week-long sessions beginning June 28 and ending Aug. 13; CIT program is nine days.
Where: Varies according to camp Big Lagoon, Trinity and Eel rivers.
Cost: From $219 for Aquatics Camp to $349 for Leadership Camp.
Contact: 826-3357

HEALTHSPORT
Description: Summer Fun Zone V 10 week-long sessions including All Sport Camp; Tumbling; All Choices Camp with a wide variety of activities and weekly cultural themes; Little Ones Camp for younger children; Aqua Camp for "amphibious" youngsters; and an Outdoor Adventure Camp for rugged young outdoorpeople. There will also be open gym sessions at the Jacoby Creek School.
Ages: 3-14, depending on program.
When: June 19- Aug. 25.
Where: HealthSPORT and Jacoby Creek School, Arcata
Cost: $50-$85 per week, depending on program; $2 to drop in on the open gym sessions.
Contact: 822-3488

HUMBOLDT COAST AQUATICS YOUTH SWIM TEAM
Description: HCA is a competitive and recreational swim team for all ability levels. Practice sessions every week, staffed by five professional coaches. Some swimming experience is necessary.
Ages: 5-18
When: 3-6 practice sessions are offered each week; call for details.
Where: Arcata Community Pool and HSU Pool
Cost: $40 per month or $360 annually
Contact: 822-7885

HUMBOLDT CRABS BASEBALL CAMP
Description: Camp, now in its 18th year, offers week-long sessions focusing on baseball skills, teamwork, sportsmanship and communication.
Ages: Boys and girls 8-14.
When: Week-long sessions June 19-July 28, Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: Sessions in Arcata, Eureka, Fortuna and McKinleyville.
Cost: $70 first session, $60 additional weeks; includes youth season pass, T-shirt and 10 adult tickets to Humboldt Crabs baseball games.
Contact: 826-2333.

HUMBOLDT STATE UNIVERSITY LONG DISTANCE RUNNING CAMP
Description: Week-long camp gives aspiring long distance runners a chance to improve their conditioning, refine form and learn how to prevent injuries. Special attention is given to steeplechase racing.
Ages: High school and up.
When: July 23-28
Where: HSU.
Cost: $395
Contact: Kevin Clougherty at 826-5955

HUMBOLDT STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS BASKETBALL CAMPS
Description: Boys' resident or nonresident camp, girls' resident or nonresident camps.
Ages: 4th-10th grade boys; 5th-12th grade girls.
When: July 30-Aug 3 for boys; July 11-15 for junior high girls; June 20-24 for high school girls.
Where: HSU
Cost: $325-$350 for resident campers; $250-$270 for nonresident campers.
Contact: 826-3463 for boys' camps; 826-5942 for girls' camps.

HUMBOLDT STATE UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL
STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING PROGRAM
Description: A weight lifting program designed to increase any athlete's strength, flexibility, and agility and speed.
Participants receive a seminar in weight training and have access to the weight room all summer.
Ages: High school
When: All summer
Where: Humboldt State University Strength and Conditioning Facility
Cost: $50, with a $10 fee reduction for youth already participating in another HSU Athletics summer camp.
Contact: 826-4519

HUMBOLDT STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS GIRLS SOFTBALL CAMP
Description: A residence or commuter softball camp for girls.
Ages: 5th-12th grades
When: June 25-29
Where: HSU
Cost: $300 for residence campers; $200 for commuter campers
Contact: Coach Frank Cheek, 826-5952

HUMBOLDT STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS SOCCER CAMPS
Description: Co-ed youth camps, junior high and high school girls' camps, and high school boys' camp
Ages: 6-10 and 11-14 for co-ed youth; 6th-8th and 9th-12th grade girls; high school boys
When: Aug. 7-11 for co-ed youth; Aug. 1-4 for girls; Aug. 14-18 for boys.
Where: HSU
Cost: $70-$90, depending on camp.
Contact: 826-4129 for girls' camps; 826-5942 for boys' and co-ed youth camps, 826-5941 for boys' high school camp.

HUMBOLDT STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS VOLLEYBALL CAMPS
Description: Two separate camps for girls day camp for junior high girls and resident camp for high school girls with commuter camp option.
Ages: 6th-9th grade girls and 9th-12th grade girls
When: July 16-20 for junior high, July 23-27 for high school.
Where: HSU
Cost: $150 for junior high; $295 for high school resident camper, $220 for high school commuter camper.
Contact: 826-5974

LEADERSHIP EDUCATION ADVENTURE PROGRAM (LEAP)
Description: Summer LEAP provides safe, adventure-based recreation to local youth who are at-risk or low-income, and to challenged adults. Includes challenges such as rafting, backpacking, rock climbing and a challenge course.
Ages: Varies according to group.
When: Varies according to activity.
Where: Various outdoor locations.
Cost: From $12 for one-day challenge course to $27 for two-day rafting trip.
Contact: Campfire Boys and Girls, 443-8019.

REDWOOD SOCCER CAMPS
Description: Week-long day camps, select camps for advanced players and team training camps.
Ages: 6-14
When: June 12-Aug. 4, times vary according to session.
Where: Sessions in Arcata, Eureka, Trinidad, South Fork, Fortuna, McKinleyville, Willow Creek, Freshwater.
Cost: Day camps $80 with ball, $65 without ball; camperships available.
Contact: Northcoast Children's Services, 822-7206

Note: For summer school or church camp options, contact local school districts or religious organizations.

COVER STORY  |  IN THE NEWS  |  CALENDAR

Comments? E-mail the Journal: ncjour@northcoast.com

© Copyright 2000, North Coast Journal, Inc.