Activities Aplenty for Children During Summer Vacation

Summer is almost here and there’s plenty of fun ahead for Westside youth.

The next three months need not be spent at the video arcade, movies or shopping mall. City recreation centers, schools, libraries and other organizations offer numerous alternatives to the wails of “What’s there to do?” by restless children.

Many day camps still have spots, directors say, and they offer low-cost answers to boredom. For $65 a week, for example, children can join the six-week camp at Penmar Recreation Center operated by the city of Los Angeles. They will be kept busy with field trips, sports, and arts and crafts, said Marc Israel, recreation director. Each week’s activities will revolve around a different theme, such as “Western Week,” “Catch a Rising Star” and “Olympic Week.”

There are also drop-in programs at several local parks and schools. “Elementary schools will serve kids kindergarten through grade six and will have crafts, sports, games and tournaments,” said Bob Ranck, field coordinator for Los Angeles Unified School District’s youth services. “For the older kids, it is more like open recreation. (We) offer basketball and volleyball games with supervision and ensure a safe campus.”

Santa Monica’s recreation department will sponsor tennis lessons, games and trips at several parks, recreation supervisor Richard Rollins said. There will also be programs for developmentally disabled children 8 and older. A social club, sport camp and other activities are included.

West Hollywood has a three-session summer camp for children featuring sports, games, and arts and crafts at Plummer Park starting in July. Children receive a T-shirt and afternoon snacks.

Several programs are geared toward teen-agers. “Club TC” at Veterans Memorial Park in Culver City has recreational and academic classes including astronomy, juggling, tutoring programs, drill teams, softball games, summer dances and trips. A job bank is also available.

For the summer, the center is open from noon to 6 p.m. weekdays. “We coordinate job opportunities such as food and retail positions for teens at local shopping centers,” recreation coordinator Mike Cohen said.

The club is equipped with pool tables, Ping-Pong, video games and air hockey, all free but limited to Culver City residents.

If working out at the gym is more their style, teens can play basketball, volleyball and Ping-Pong at Lincoln and John Adams middle schools in Santa Monica from 4 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

For the aspiring director or producer, Beverly Hills has a Children’s Theatre Workshop at Roxbury Community Park. Children ages 7 to 12 can take part in learning lines, costuming, building sets, applying makeup and producing musicals, comedies and plays. “Kids can explore their talents further and try different aspects of the theater,” recreation supervisor Brad Meyeroditz said. “It’s an all-round experience, and each session ends in a performance.”

To get into the swing of summer, Rancho Park Golf Course will teach golf during a free clinic at the end of June. Most recreation centers also offer sports leagues, with such activities as tennis, basketball and beginning to advanced swimming.

Several cities offer swimming lessons and water safety classes. Students can learn strokes, diving and lifeguard skills. Pools at many neighborhood high schools are also open to the public during the summer.

To get back to nature, the William O. Douglas Outdoor Classroom in Beverly Hills leads easy hikes in Franklin Canyon. For infants, toddlers and parents, there are weekly “Babes in the Woods” and “Tykes on Hikes” programs that last about 1 1/2 hours. They will also present special family events on Sundays.

Kids can learn about animals, reptiles and habitats in sessions offered by the Wilderness Institute in the Santa Monica Mountains.

“It’s different because it is a great opportunity for parents to get outdoors with their children,” said Chris Imhoff, a Wilderness Institute spokeswoman. This is a specific learning experience because they learn to appreciate the outdoors and animals.”

To keep the brain cells moving, local libraries will have reading and storytelling activities. In the “Read to Me” Club at Santa Monica Library, children are invited to hear tales and stories each week starting June 25.

Santa Monica College, Culver City Adult School and Los Angeles Unified School District will present a number of courses for youths. At Los Angeles Unified middle and senior high schools on the Westside, for instance, enrichment and remedial courses will be available to students at no cost, said Doris Dillard, the district’s intercession summer/winter coordinator. Youths can also volunteer for their favorite local cause. The city of Santa Monica has positions within different departments. Recreational, clerical and maintenance jobs are available. Hospitals, churches and nonprofit organizations can also use volunteers.

Finally, there is always the good old summer job for $4.25 minimum wage. Youths can apply at the nearest California Employment Development Department office for jobs. Sponsored by the State of California, jobs include working for government agencies, nonprofit organizations, churches and recreation centers. Teens must be at least 14.