Well into summer vacation, kids have won every video game on their PlayStation 2, lost all their toys in the sandbox and are sick of asking mom and dad to take them to the pool. It's usually raining anyway.
With nearly two months of summer remaining, what kinds of community activities are available to Magnolia youngsters?
Instead of riding your bike down the street to Jimmy's house and begging his older brother to take you to Wild Waves, kids can check out the summer activities available through Seattle Parks and Recreation. Parks offers a range of things to do including reading activities, nature camps, swimming lessons and various other sports camps. Most activities are close to home and don't cost a thing.
New to Parks this year is their summer reading/activity programs at environmental learning centers around Seattle. The programs are designed for young children to learn about their natural environments. Partnered with Seattle Public Libraries, Parks is offering four different reading/activities programs.
Although two of the four programs have already come and gone, "Annie and the Enchanted Whale," a puppet show about a young girl befriending an Orca whale, takes place Thursday, July 21, at 11 a.m. at Carkeek Park, 950 NW Carkeek Park Rd.
The fourth program is "Amazing Animal Adventures: Animal folktales from around the world," and is at Seward Park, 5902 Lake Washington Blvd. S., on Wednesday, Aug. 17, at 4 p.m. Each program lasts approximately 30 minutes and they are free for everyone.
"We've been very excited about the turn-out and outcomes of the programs so far," said Belinda Chin, education program supervisor at Carkeek Park. Chin said the reading programs are being held at environmental centers this year because they fit with Seattle Public Library's summer theme, "Reading is Natural."
Parks is also offering a Summer Playground Program. The program offers free, supervised play time for children ages 6 to 14 at playgrounds and parks around Seattle.
"We're just hoping to provide more venues for children to be able to come and participate in free activities such as arts and crafts and big game activities," said Michael Figueroa, youth program coordinator for Seattle Parks and Recreations. "It's also a great way for kids to meet other kids from around the city."
There are numerous daily activities and some of the playgrounds offer free sack lunches. The playground program runs Monday through Friday from noon to 7 p.m.
Though the playground program isn't for children younger than 6, there are generally wading pools at the same locations for the youngest members of the family. The wading pools are open seven days a week, all summer, and the hours typically range from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The play ground and wading pool programs end Aug. 17.
For kids who are interested in sports activities and camps, there are a number of different free sports camps this summer such as boating, swimming, basketball and volleyball.
Pro Parks is sponsoring the "Learn to Swim" program, which entitles Seattle area third and fourth graders to free group swim lessons. "Learn to Swim" vouchers should have been mailed to the homes of kids in this age bracket.
The voucher is good for one single series of free group swim lessons. However, the voucher does not guarantee a child's enrollment in a class if the class is full. The voucher can be redeemed at one of many specified Parks swimming pools, including "Pop" Mounger Pool.
If you are unable to redeem your voucher this summer, never fear, it doesn't expire until Dec. 31. For those families with children not in grades three or four, there are swimming lessons offered all summer at various pools, though you will have to pay.
In addition to free swimming, kids can also participate in free basketball camps at various locations around Seattle. These camps are for children ages 8 to 15; children are only allowed to attend one session. Though some of the sessions have already passed, others continue through the end of July.
Girls who want to refine their basketball skills this summer have the chance to learn and interact with one of the best college women's basketball teams in the West. The University of Washington Husky women's basketball team is hosting three free camps for girls ages 7 to 14. The camps will be held at different Seattle locations on Aug. 15, 17 and 19. The Aug. 17 camp will be at Magnolia Community Center, 2550 34th Ave. W., from 1-3:30 p.m. Plan to arrive early because only the first 50 girls will be admitted into each camp.
A volleyball camp is also being offered by Parks this summer. Boys and girls ages 6 to 14 are welcome to participate. The volleyball camp will be held on Aug. 1-3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Eckstein Middle School, 3003 N.E. 75th.
For children looking for a way to learn more about their natural environment and enjoy the outdoors this summer, Discovery Park (3801 W. Government Way) is offering week-long day camps to children ages 4 to 12 throughout the summer. This year there are three different camps to choose from: Nature Fun, I Love Nature and, a brand-new event, Gross Out Week.
"Gross Out Week was added this year to hopefully get kids more excited about what they're learning," said Natalie Fuller, the Discovery Park nature day camp director. "For example, we're going to be learning about mosquitoes and leeches and the gross things they do."
Each of the three camps cater to a slightly different age group. The camps help lead children through the discovery of nature with different interactive activities and games. Older children are introduced to the four habitats of Discovery Park and all kids are encouraged to continue their own exploration of the park once the camp has ended.
"Our main goal through these camps is to help create good citizens through the children's increased knowledge of their natural environment," Fuller said. "The kids really seem to enjoy games and exploring things, and I think they have a lot of fun teaching their parents things that they've learned."
Some of the Discovery Park day camps have already taken place, but there is still limited registration for the camps in late July and August.
For additional summer activities check out Camp Long, Carkeek Park, Seattle Aquarium and Woodland Park Zoo.
For further information or registration for Parks activities contact Seattle Parks and Recreation at 684-4075 or on their Web site at www.cityofseattle.net/parks/default.htm.
Megan Flynn is a freelancer living in Seattle. You can contact her at mageditor@nwlink.com.[[In-content Ad]]
