Plenty of summer activities for the kids, but you'd better sign 'em up soon

School is almost out, and children will be looking for things to do. So here is my annual children's camps and activities column.

There are plenty of local options for your children to participate in, but, remember, you have to get them signed up.

The Children's Museum of Northern Nevada is putting on a camp I wish I could attend. This year's Science Camp theme is "C.S.I.," and each day, children will solve a different mystery using science. Now that is a great way to get children interested in science, and have fun.

Children's Museum

Science Camp

Where: Children's Museum, 813 N. Carson St.

When: Grades 3-5 will run 12:30-3 p.m. June 12-15; or 9-11:30 a.m. June 19-22. Middle school students will meet 12:30-3 p.m. June 19-22.

Cost: $120, includes materials, camp T-shirt

Contact: Caryn Goralka, instructor, at 450-6438.

The Carson Middle School Basketball Camp, for both boys and girls, is in June. All of my children have attended, and it is a lot of fun, plus your children learn some great basketball skills.

It is four days of hands-on instruction, lectures and demonstrations on basketball fundamentals. There are games every day and a camp T-shirt.

Carson middle School Basketball Camp

Where: Carson Middle School gym

When: June 12-15: Girls 8:30-11:30 a.m.; boys 12:30-3:30 p.m.

Cost: $100

Contact: Doug Whisler at 283-2800

My good friend Anita Ballardinia's daughter has been doing hula for years, and it is amazing to watch Savina dance.

Most people don't know this, but the hula is actually storytelling. And it's very beautiful and great exercise. So if there is a little Hawaii in you, grab your daughter or mom and head down with your grass skirts to join Mona Burgess and her Western Nevada Performing Arts lessons.

This is for all ages. Having lived in Hawaii, I know many seniors learn how to hula, and it keeps you fit and your waist trim.

Hula lessons

Where: Above Java Joe's, 319 N. Carson St.

When: Fridays - 8:45-10 a.m. ladies' beginners; 10-10:40 a.m. ages 2-5; 5:30-6:15 p.m. ages 6-12; 6:30-8 p.m. ages 13 and up.

Cost: $20-$40 per month

Contact: Mona Burgess, coordinator, at 691 9599

Barbara Singer from the Recreation Division presents outstanding programs at the Carson City Community Center.

They offer so much, I would have to dedicate the entire column to them. So, instead, I am going to give you the Web site to check it out.

They are one of the few places that offer services for teenagers. They created a very adventurous program to get youth involved and busy in the Trailblazers Program.

Trailblazers is for teens entering seventh, eighth and ninth grades. Three days a week, they go on field trips to such place as Zephyr Cove, Wild Waters, Fun Quest and Animal Ark.

The other two days, they play fun, mind-challenging games and, of course, go swimming. They also learn life skills, such as an introduction to CPR, first aid and community-service projects.

Enrollment is limited to 45 participants per week.

Carson City Recreation Division offers many opportunities for the youth:: preschool, latch key, summer camp, sports, acrobatics, karate and gymnastics.

To find activities, go to www.carsoncity.nv.us/recreation/summer_kamp.htm.

The Carson City Parks and Recreation Department and Vivo Band Instrument Repair are sponsoring a band camp as part of a summer enrichment program.

The camp is for students who will be in grades 6 to 8 in the fall and have at least one year of band experience.

The camp will feature a concert band, a jazz band for more-advanced students, theory classes, sectional and small ensembles. A concert will be presented Aug. 4.

Instructors for the camp are Carol and Richard Doede, former music teachers with the Carson City School District.

Vivo Band Instrument Repair's band camp

Where: Seeliger Elementary School, 2800 S. Saliman Road

When: 8:30 a.m.-noon July 31-Aug. 4

Cost: $85 ($75, if mailed before June 30)

Contact: Carol Doede at 883-2219

On a final note, I spoke last week to the Carson Leadership Class.

Ronni Hannaman and several of the new leaders within the class asked, "How can we help homeless students in the summer?"

I said, give school counselors swim passes from the Carson City Recreation Division, or pay their fees to the Kick Back Camp. As I was leaving, Ronni handed me a check to sponsor a child for a week at Lake Tahoe 4-H camp, so I will now be able to send four students living in motels and shelters.

You can make a difference with scholarships. Thanks, Ronni, and to all the great leaders I met.

• To have your information included, contact Kim Riggs at kimriggs@att.net.