Spring Break Camps & Activities

FREE SPRING BREAK DAY CAMP | Boys and girls, grades K-5. Join Yakima Parks and Recreation’s AmeriCorps staff for crafts, games and trips to the pool. Meets from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 29 to April 2 at the Southeast Community Center gymnasium, 1211 S. Seventh St., Yakima. For more information, call Kim Lopez at 575-6020.

LEARN TO SWIM WEEK | Boys and girls, ages 3-14. The YMCA offers a week of free swimming lessons. Classes meet for 30 minutes each day, March 29 through April 2. Register at the Yakima Family YMCA, 5 N. Naches Ave., Yakima; 248-1202.

STAYCATION @ THE LIBRARY | The downtown Yakima Library and Selah Library are each hosting free daily activities the week of March 29 through April 2 for families who are staying close to home. Here’s the schedule:

Selah Library, 115 W. Naches Ave., Selah; 698-7345.

• Monday — 10 a.m. Nature Collage Craft: Make a beautiful picture using things found in your yard.
• Tuesday — 2 p.m. Butterfly Crafts: Make butterfly crafts and see an antique butterfly collection.
• Wednesday — 10 a.m. Fruit Day: Make fruit stamps and drink smoothies.
• Thursday — 10 a.m. Rock Painting: Create rock buddies.
• Friday — 2 p.m. Planting Flowers: Children of all ages may learn how plants grown and start their own garden.

Yakima Library, 102 N. Third St., Yakima; 452-8541.

• Monday — 2 p.m. Fun with Paper Airplanes: School-age children are invited to fold paper planes and have fun at the library.
• Tuesday — 2 p.m. Take Me Out to the Ballgame: School-age kids are invited to have some baseball fun at the library.
• Wednesday — 2 p.m. Campout! School-age kids are invited to a camping-themed activity at the library.
• Thursday — 2 p.m. Luau Fun: Children of all ages are invited to a Hawaiian Spring Break celebration.
• Friday — 2 p.m. Movie Day: Bring friends and enjoy a movie at the library.

KIDS CASTLE SPRING BREAK HOURS | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 29-April 2. On Monday, March 29, Kids Castle prices are $2.50 all day for children 2 and under, ages 3 and up are $5.25 for an hour or $8 unlimited. The rest of the week is open gym: Up to age 2, $3 for an hour or $4.25 all day; ages 3 and up are $6 for one hour or $9 all day. Every Wednesday, two kids play for the price of one. Kids Castle will be closed April 4 for Easter. Clean socks are required. Located inside Gymnastics Plus, 2121 W. Lincoln Ave., Yakima; 453-8126.

STRIKERS SOCCER CAMP | Boys and girls, grades 1-8. Improve your skills at this three-day camp presented by Yakima Parks and Recreation and the Sun City Strikers Soccer Club. Meets March 30 to April 1 at Chesterley Park. Grades 1-4 meet from 8 a.m. to noon; grades 5-8 meet from 1-5 p.m. Cost: $60-$72, depending on residency; includes a T-shirt, water and snacks. Register with Yakima Parks, 2301 Fruitvale Blvd., Yakima; 575-6020.

FISHER GOLF SPRING BREAK SPECIAL | The week of March 27 to April 4, juniors pay $5 green fees for nine holes of golf at Fisher Golf Course, 823 S. 40th Ave., Yakima; 575-6075. The season opens March 26.

Yakima Parks offers winter break camps

Instead of staying home alone, children ages 5-12 can play and make crafts with friends at this Yakima Parks & Recreation winter day camp program, which offers supervised activities at the Southeast Community Center, 1211 S. Seventh St., Yakima.

The camp will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 21-23 and 8:30 a.m. to noon Dec. 24. Participants should bring a sack lunch.

To register, or for more information, call Yakima Parks at 575-6020.

Summer ‘09 Day Camps

ART CAMP: NOW YOU’RE COOKING | This delicious four-day camp combines art and drama. Participants will decorate an apron, make an accordion-fold recipe book and create a clay snack bowl. The camp wraps up with a family performance of “The King’s Dessert” and a taste of the king’s royal treat.
DETAILS: Girls and boys, ages 9-11. Meets 1-4 p.m. July 27-30 at Allied Arts, 5000 W. Lincoln Ave., Yakima. Cost: $65. CONTACT: alliedartsyakima.org; 966-0930.

ART CAMP: SUPERHERO TRAINING | Participants will design their own cape, mask and illustrated comic in this heroic camp that combines drama and art. On the final day, campers will wrap up with a family performance of “Funnyman.”
DETAILS: Girls and boys, ages 9-11. Meets 1-4 p.m. Aug. 3-6 at Allied Arts, 5000 W. Lincoln Ave., Yakima. Cost: $65. CONTACT: alliedartsyakima.org; 966-0930.

ART & SCIENCE CAMP | Crafty kids can explore art and science through hands-on projects at this downtown studio. New themes and projects each week. Offered by Red Art Gallery and Mad Science of Yakima Valley.
DETAILS: 9 a.m. to noon, Monday through Thursday. New sessions weekly, June 29-Aug. 17. Ages 6-18. Cost: $65. Preregistration required; limited space available. Red Art Gallery, 30 N. Third St., Yakima. CONTACT: Mindy Clark, 469-2766.

Looking for more summer activities? Find a list of summer art classes HERE.

CAMP HORSEPOWER | Participants will build new friendships – two- and four-legged – at this camp, which aims to foster relationships and respect in a nurturing, safe environment. Campers will learn to dress the horses and work with them on the ground; not a riding camp.
DETAILS: Meets 9-11:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday. Sessions: June 15-18, ages 8-12; June 22-25, ages 12-15; July 13-16, ages 8-12; July 20-23, ages 12-15. Or, schedule a private camp with group of five. Cost: $100; partial scholarships available. Camp located four miles north of Selah. CONTACT: Jayne Beebe, 831-2407.

CARROLL CHILDREN’S CENTER SUMMER DAY CAMP | All-day program for school-aged kids includes weekly field trips, crafts, science and other themed activities.
DETAILS: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, June 15-Aug. 21. Open to students entering first grade through 12 years. Meets at Englewood Christian Church, 511 44th Ave., Yakima. Cost: $125 per week, includes lunch and snacks; family discount available. Preregistration required. CONTACT: Carroll Children’s Center, 965-7104.

EARTH GIRLS: KEEPIN’ IT GREEN | Girls ages 5-17 can make toys and crafts from recycled items and learn how to save the planet with Girl Scouts.
DETAILS: Meets 6:30-8:30 p.m. June 22-26 in the Franklin Middle School commons, 410 S. 19th Ave., Yakima. Cost: $10 per day or $40 for the week; one-time $10 fee for non-registered Girl Scouts. Preregistration required. Girls who participate at least three days receive Earth Girls participation patch. CONTACT: Lisa Tapia, 834-9785.

FREE SUMMER DAY CAMPS | Instead of staying home alone, kids ages 5-12 can play and make crafts with friends at this Yakima Parks program, which offers supervised activities at local parks.
DETAILS: Weekdays, June 15-July 29. Free; lunch provided. Locations: Milroy Park, N. 16th and Lincoln avenues (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Thursday); Southeast Community Center, S. Eighth Street and Arlington (9:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.); Kissel Park, 32nd and Mead avenues (9:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.). CONTACT: Yakima Parks, 575-6114.

GYMKIDS CHEER CAMP | Pep up the summer with these “cheer”-ful day camps for kids ages 5-12.
DETAILS: Meets 10 a.m. to noon Monday through Thursday at Selah GymKids, 709 North Park Center, Selah. Two sessions: June 29-July 2, Aug. 17-20. Call for fees. CONTACT: Selah GymKids, 698-5437.

GYMNASTICS DAY CAMPS | Ages 5 and up. Sponsored by the Gymnastics Plus Booster Club, three one-day camps will be held this summer at Gymnastics Plus: June 19, July 24, Aug. 14. Meets from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Cost is $35 per session or $90 for all three; includes T-shirt and a picture. Participants will learn new skills with the guidance of safety-certified coaches. Demonstrations by competition team members. For more information, call Shannon at 453-8126 or Ava at 945-0845.

GYMNASTICS PLUS SUMMER SCHOOL | Ages 5-10. Morning and afternoon sessions each weekday, June 15-Aug. 28. The morning session, which includes Kids Castle games, meets from 8 a.m. to noon. Afternoon session, including swim time, meets from 1-5 p.m. Other activities include gymnastics instruction, crafts, science and guest speakers. Cost is $20 per four-hour session; 10 percent discount when you register for 10 sessions. Gymnastics Plus, 2121 W Lincoln Ave., Yakima; 453-8126.

IKE DRAMA CAMP | All the world’s a stage at this camp, where participants will learn about singing, dancing, acting, costuming, sets, props and improvisation in a fun, supportive atmosphere.
DETAILS: Ages 7-13. Meets from 9 a.m. to noon, June 15-19 at the Eisenhower High School Little Theatre, 702 S. 40th Ave., Yakima. Performance for friends and family at 11 a.m. June 19. Cost: $65, includes T-shirt and snacks. CONTACT: 833-7676.

INTERMEDIATE SUMMER BAND | Middle-school students, including incoming sixth-graders, can toot their own horns (and other instruments) at this two-week camp.
DETAILS: Meets 9-10:30 a.m. weekdays, June 15-26, at Allied Arts, 5000 W. Lincoln Ave., Yakima. Cost: $65. CONTACT: Allied Arts, 966-0930; alliedartsyakima.org.

JAZZ BAND | Musical middle-school students, including incoming sixth-graders, can jazz up their summer at this two-week camp.
DETAILS: Meets 11 a.m. to noon weekdays, June 15-26, at Allied Arts, 5000 W. Lincoln Ave., Yakima. Cost: $25. CONTACT: Allied Arts, 966-0930; alliedartsyakima.org.

KIDS SEWING CAMP | These three-day workshops will have you in stitches! Students ages 8-16 will practice basic sewing techniques using sewing machines, sergers and embroidery machines.
DETAILS: Several camps offered in July. Call for details. B & C Sewing & Vacuum Center, 613 W. Yakima Ave., Yakima. CONTACT: 453-8301.

LITTLE GREEN THUMBS PRESCHOOL CAMP | Pre-K and kindergarten students can learn about the science of seeds, weather and bugs in the garden.
DETAILS (Selah): Ages 3-6 years. Meets 9-11:30 a.m. at Wixson Park, 214 S. Third St., Selah. Multiple sessions: June 15-19, July 6-10, Aug. 3-7 Cost: $64. CONTACT: Mad Science, 966-3015; madscience.org/yakima
DETAILS (West Valley): Ages 3-6 years. Meets 9-11:30 a.m. at West Valley Community Park, 323 S. 80th Ave., Yakima. Multiple sessions: June 29-July 3, July 27-31, Aug. 10-14. Cost: $83 Yakima resident; $95 nonresident. CONTACT: Yakima Parks, 575-6020.

NASA: JOURNEY INTO OUTER SPACE CAMP | Hands-on program for kids ages 5-12 will explore the Earth’s atmosphere to the outer reaches of our solar system. Learn about planets, comets and the forces of flight; participate in a rocket launch.
DETAILS (Selah): 9 a.m. to noon at Wixson Park, 214 S. Third St., Selah. Multiple sessions: June 15-19, July 6-10, Aug. 3-7. Cost: $84. CONTACT: Mad Science, 966-3015; madscience.org/yakima.
DETAILS (West Valley): 9 a.m. to noon at West Valley Community Park, 323 S. 80th Ave., Yakima. Multiple sessions: June 23-26, July 27-31, Aug. 10-14. Cost: $107 Yakima resident; $122 nonresident. CONTACT: Yakima Parks, 575-6020.

READING & SPELLING CAMP | Tackle phonics, spelling and penmanship at this private summer school for students in grades 1-4. All skill levels welcome.
DETAILS: Weekday mornings, June 22-July 21, except July 3 and 6; meets at Yakima Adventist Christian School, 1200 City Reservoir Road in Naches Heights. Cost: $360 per student; materials $60 per family. Register by June 10. CONTACT: Verlene Hartwig, 829-6224.

SUMMER IN THE PARK | Enjoy games, crafts and other supervised activities at Selah’s Wixson Park, 214 S. Third St. Weekly themes. At 1 p.m., the pool opens next door.
DETAILS: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday, June 15-July 24. Ages 6-12. Cost: $38-$50, depending on residency; fee covers entire summer and includes a T-shirt. Scholarships available. Register at the Selah Civic Center, 216 S. First St. Friday field trips available for extra fee. CONTACT: Selah Parks, 698-7300.

SUMMER ORCHESTRA | This camp might prove instrumental for middle-school students, including incoming sixth-graders, who want to bring their playing to a new level.
DETAILS: Meets weekday mornings, June 15-26, at Allied Arts, 5000 W. Lincoln Ave., Yakima. Two levels: Intermediate meets 8:15-10:15 a.m.; advanced meets 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Cost: $75. CONTACT: Allied Arts, 966-0930; alliedartsyakima.org.

SUMMER SCIENCE FUN FOR GIRLS | Girls ages 5-17 who participate in this Girl Scout day camp will conduct summer science experiments, including water rockets.
DETAILS: Meets 6:30-8 p.m. Thursdays, July 9-30 at Central Lutheran Church, corner of 16th and Yakima avenues, Yakima. Cost: $2 each day; one-time $10 fee for non-registered Girl Scouts. CONTACT: Lisa Tapia, 834-9785.

SUMMER SCIENCE IN THE PARK | Girls ages 5-17 will conduct fun science experiments at this free drop-in Girl Scout program in the parks.
DETAILS: Multiple sessions and locations. Meets 1-2:30 p.m. Mondays, June 15-July 6, at Milroy Park, corner of 16th and Lincoln avenues, Yakima; 1-3 p.m. Tuesdays, June 23-July 14, (same time as the ArtsVan) at Southeast Community Park, S. Eighth Street and Arlington, Yakima; and 10 a.m. to noon Fridays, July 10-31, at Applewood Park, Naches. CONTACT: Lisa Tapia, 834-9785.

SUMMER SHAKESPEARE CAMP | Students at this two-week camp will learn to deciper “ye olde” Elizabethan language, appreciate the complexity of Shakespeare’s characters and get a taste of some of the planet’s greatest literature, one bite at a time. Performance-based class with lots of stage time. The camp’s own Shakespeare in the Park festival will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6.
DETAILS: Boys and girls, ages 9-18. Meets 9 a.m. to noon July 27-31 and Aug. 3-7 at Allied Arts, 5000 W. Lincoln Ave., Yakima. Cost: $120. CONTACT: alliedartsyakima.org; 966-0930.

TREK ‘N’ TRAVEL TROLLEY | Young explorers can hit the road with this day-trippin’ Washington tour bus.
DETAILS: Weeklong sessions offered June 29-July 3, July 27-31 and Aug. 10-14. Ages 8-12 years. Register early; space is extremely limited. Cost: $115 Yakima resident, $137 non-resident. CONTACT: Yakima Parks, 575-6020.

YMCA SUMMER DAY CAMP | Kids participating in this popular summer program will visit area parks and pools each day and take a major field trip each week.
DETAILS: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., June 15-Aug. 21. Ages 5 through fifth grade. Cost per week: $124 YMCA family members, $135 YMCA members, $153 program participants; bring a sack lunch, water and sunscreen. This program fills up; register as soon as possible. Meets at the Yakima Family YMCA, 5 N. Naches Ave., Yakima. CONTACT: Mikeal Doyle, 972-5251; yakimaymca.org.

Looking for Spring Break activities?

Looking for something to keep the kids busy during Spring Break? Try these fun options:

FISHER PARK $5 GREEN FEES | During Spring Break (March 28-April 5), junior golfers can play nine holes at Yakima’s Fisher Park Golf Course for $5. Juniors are 9-18 years old; they usually play for $8.25. The fee for youth golfers, ages 4-8, to play 9 holes is $4.75. Fisher Park, 823 S. 40th Ave., is open from 7 a.m. to dusk, March-October, weather permitting. Fisher Park: 575-6075.

LEARN TO SWIM WEEK | Boys and girls, ages 3-17. The YMCA offers a week of free swimming lessons. Classes meet for 30 minutes each day, March 30-April 3. Call in March to register. Yakima Family YMCA, 5 N. Naches Ave., Yakima; 248-1202. On the Web: yakimaymca.org.

RED ART GALLERY | Grades 1-6. This downtown Yakima studio and Mad Science are teaming up to offer “Super Structures and Simple Shapes,” a morning art and science camp. Meets from 9 a.m. to noon March 30-April 2 at Red Art Gallery, 30 N. Third St., Yakima. Cost is $65 for the week. To register, call Red at 469-2766.

YAKIMA PARKS AND RECREATION | Grades K-5. The Yakima Parks AmeriCorps team will offer a free drop-in Spring Break Day Camp. Space is limited so pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Meets from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 30-April 3 at the Southeast Community Center, 1211 S. Seventh St., Yakima. Participants should bring a sack lunch with their name on it. To register, call Kim or Amy at 575-6114.