Summer Fun Planned for Youngsters

By Tiffany Watkins

School is almost out for summer vacation and the community has many events lined up to keep youngsters' minds stimulated and bodies active.

The Boys & Girls Club of Ramona is offering a day camp that includes weekly field trips to such places as Knott's Soak City Water Park, Legoland and the San Diego Zoo, just to name a few.The camp hours are 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Drop-in hours are 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The weekly cost is $75 for one child with a20 percent discount for each additional child.Scholarships are available for those who qualify.

Registration fee is $10 and includes a T-shirt. Membership fee is $50 and is good through June 30, 2007. The first day of camp is June 19 and ends Aug. 25.

"It keeps them busy," said Lori Woosley, site supervisor.

The Boys & Girls Club offers pool, fooseball, air hockey, flag football and nation ball. Woosley said when she was growing up they played dodge ball, but now it's called "nation ball" and it's more team related.

"I want to help children out and we are kid-friendly here," said Rene Scribner, programs director. "I have three kids and my two younger kids have participated in day camp and the youngest one who is in 11th grade still comes and helps out."

Woosley has two children who attended camps since they were 5.

"Kids benefit from the social interaction and small groups," Scribner said.

There are five areas where small groups work together - cooking, education, arts and crafts, science and social recreation. Playtime also is mixed in the schedule.

"For camp, we limit to about 80 kids each week and sometimes it's the same kids every week," Woosley said.

There are five camp counselors and five staff working in the afternoon.

The Boys & Girls Club also offers Club X, which is open Friday nights for teens to hang out. To attend, you need to be a current member or a guest of a member and it's for sixth grade and above. The hours are 6 to 10 p.m. For more information on the Boys and Girls Club summer camp or Club X, call Scribner at (760)788-7564 or Woosley at (760) 789-8203. The clubhouse is located at 622 E St.

Ramona Oaks Recreation Center in San Diego Country Estates is offering other summer events for children, with a day camp Monday through Friday. The programs include Skyhawks sports program, Mad Science and Tiny Tot Mini Camp. The different camp programs range in ages, but youngsters between 3 and 14 can find a program targeted to their age group. There also are youth events and tips for ages 12 to 16.For more information, call (760) 789-4146.

The Ramona High School pool will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, starting June 19. The cost is $3 for swimmers. A family pass is available for $100. There also will be swimming lessons for preschool students through adults. Swimming lesson hours are from 10 a.m. to noon and 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, contact Stacey Dusseault at (760) 788-0821 or email at Dusseault@cox.net.

Here are some phone numbers of organizations that will help keep your children active in the community:Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, (619) 298-6121; Girl Scouts, (760) 789-4888; Ramona Pony Baseball, (760) 788-1978; and Ramona Girls Softball, (760) 788-1166.