Published: Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Kids can get campy with active local offerings
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Weekly Herald file photo/CHRIS GOODENOW
During "crazy hair day" camp counselor Jeff "Mater" Frolen throws a cushioned ball at a camper during a game of Perpetual Dodgeball during Kamp Kookamunga in 2009.
Summer break is here and some working families may find they have limited options for long or expensive vacations.
City parks and recreation departments offer a variety of camps and activities for preschool to teenagers to make sure channel surfing isn't their only summer activity.
In Mountlake Terrace, young people can pick from sports camps, babysitting training and day camps. The Aqua Kids Day Camp, summer swim team and junior lifeguard courses are also options.
It takes months of planning to offer these camps for youths to get the chance to try new activities, said Lori Johnson, recreation coordinator.
“These camps aren't an after thought,” Johnson said. “We create a fun, unique experience.”
The idea is to give kids another summer option beside relaxing in front of their screen, be it laptop, television or cell phone, Johnson said.
The day camps the city offers keep young people active outside and trying new activities.
“We help them develop interests outside the screen,” Johnson said.
This year, they will introduce “Olympic Week.” Olympic figure skater, Kylee Berger is scheduled to visit camp and talk to campers about her experiences.
“My vision is to make it a countywide event and incorporate all the camps from Snohomish County cities,” Johnson said.
In Edmonds, city staff tries to accommodate parents' work hours by offering before and after camp child care at a minimal cost.
Summer camps are great experiences for kids as they offer a social outlet and a chance to learn new skills, said Renee McRae, Edmonds recreation manager.
The city offers a range of camp programs for ages 3 to 17 years. Teens 16 and older can work during the summer camps.
Youths can pick from acting, arts and crafts and photography. More athletic camps offer jump rope, gymnastics and specific sports camps. There are also Lego, music and sewing programs available.
“While we still continue to offer our traditional day camp option, we have found that kids have varying interests so we need to have other options available,” McRae said.
Kids in Lynnwood can attend Kamp Kookamunga and TACO (Teen Adventure Camp Outdoors) for teenagers. Swim camps, Skyhawks Sports, fencing, art, drama and golf are available too.
The ideas are inspired by what youths are into, said Kelly Anderson, recreation supervisor.
“We try to mix it up with new and different experiences,” Anderson said.
Safety is the number one priority and working around parents' hours are key. Camps run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. so children are supervised while their parents are at work.
“We really focus on the kids and make sure they're having a good time and experiences they wouldn't have sitting at home,” Anderson said.
The camps include an exercise component that complies with the countywide Get Movin' program. One of the philosophies is to stay active at least 30 minutes per day. The selection of sports camps helps accomplish that.
“There are things that will cater to most children's interests,” Anderson said.
For more info or to register for camps, visit:
• Lynnwood Recreation Center, 18900 44th Ave. W, Lynnwood
425-670-5REC (5732), www.playlynnwood.com
• Mountlake Terrace Recreation and Parks, Recreation Pavilion, 5303 228th St. SW, Mountlake Terrace
425-776-9173, www.mltrec.com
• Edmonds Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services, Frances Anderson Center, 700 Main St., Edmonds
425-771-0230, www.reczone.org
City parks and recreation departments offer a variety of camps and activities for preschool to teenagers to make sure channel surfing isn't their only summer activity.
In Mountlake Terrace, young people can pick from sports camps, babysitting training and day camps. The Aqua Kids Day Camp, summer swim team and junior lifeguard courses are also options.
It takes months of planning to offer these camps for youths to get the chance to try new activities, said Lori Johnson, recreation coordinator.
“These camps aren't an after thought,” Johnson said. “We create a fun, unique experience.”
The idea is to give kids another summer option beside relaxing in front of their screen, be it laptop, television or cell phone, Johnson said.
The day camps the city offers keep young people active outside and trying new activities.
“We help them develop interests outside the screen,” Johnson said.
This year, they will introduce “Olympic Week.” Olympic figure skater, Kylee Berger is scheduled to visit camp and talk to campers about her experiences.
“My vision is to make it a countywide event and incorporate all the camps from Snohomish County cities,” Johnson said.
In Edmonds, city staff tries to accommodate parents' work hours by offering before and after camp child care at a minimal cost.
Summer camps are great experiences for kids as they offer a social outlet and a chance to learn new skills, said Renee McRae, Edmonds recreation manager.
The city offers a range of camp programs for ages 3 to 17 years. Teens 16 and older can work during the summer camps.
Youths can pick from acting, arts and crafts and photography. More athletic camps offer jump rope, gymnastics and specific sports camps. There are also Lego, music and sewing programs available.
“While we still continue to offer our traditional day camp option, we have found that kids have varying interests so we need to have other options available,” McRae said.
Kids in Lynnwood can attend Kamp Kookamunga and TACO (Teen Adventure Camp Outdoors) for teenagers. Swim camps, Skyhawks Sports, fencing, art, drama and golf are available too.
The ideas are inspired by what youths are into, said Kelly Anderson, recreation supervisor.
“We try to mix it up with new and different experiences,” Anderson said.
Safety is the number one priority and working around parents' hours are key. Camps run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. so children are supervised while their parents are at work.
“We really focus on the kids and make sure they're having a good time and experiences they wouldn't have sitting at home,” Anderson said.
The camps include an exercise component that complies with the countywide Get Movin' program. One of the philosophies is to stay active at least 30 minutes per day. The selection of sports camps helps accomplish that.
“There are things that will cater to most children's interests,” Anderson said.
For more info or to register for camps, visit:
• Lynnwood Recreation Center, 18900 44th Ave. W, Lynnwood
425-670-5REC (5732), www.playlynnwood.com
• Mountlake Terrace Recreation and Parks, Recreation Pavilion, 5303 228th St. SW, Mountlake Terrace
425-776-9173, www.mltrec.com
• Edmonds Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services, Frances Anderson Center, 700 Main St., Edmonds
425-771-0230, www.reczone.org