Youngsters of S.A.D.D.L.S. Soar on Dance Floor : The organization gives kids the wherewithal to kick up their heels, Western style.

Twice a week a dozen kids ages 6 to 13 meet in Thousand Oaks to polish their dance floor etiquette. Nobody wears white gloves. And it ain’t exactly cotillion. But chances are they’ll say it’s a lot more fun.

I’m talking about the Western S.A.D.D.L.S. performing country-Western dance team, an organization that teaches youngsters to learn and participate in country dancing.

You may have seen the kids kickin’ up their heels at The Oaks mall a couple of weeks ago. And they turned out to dance with their folks recently at the Crazy Bull Steak House and Saloon in Camarillo. Rick Henderson taught the four-count swing and sashayed with his 14-year-old daughter, Rikki. It was great to see old and young alike mixing it up till 9 p.m. when under-age patrons had to leave. And even I cut a rug with a preteen cowboy.

“I was very pleased with the response to the kids,” said Samantha Erkeneff, mother of 13-year-old team member Travis. “The attitude of the management and everyone was very positive when we brought the kids to practice in public.

The kids will perform in public Dec. 16 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Janss Mall in Thousand Oaks.

The group was created in June by Mary Lou Rogers, a former elementary school teacher and owner of Mrs. Rogers Schoolhouse, a tutoring center in Thousand Oaks for children from kindergarten through the sixth grade. The team is the only one of its kind in Ventura County, according to Rogers. And she eventually wants the kids to compete with similar junior groups in California. “But I also wanted the team to make a statement,” she continued. “S.A.D.D.L.S. stands for Students Against Drugs, Drinking, Lawbreaking, Smoking. The kids believe we can have fun dancing and don’t have to participate in things that are not appropriate for their age.”

Erkeneff’s mother agreed.

“I think this is a wonderful outlet for kids,” said Samantha Erkeneff. “They’re exposed to so many negative things like MTV. I think on the whole country-Western music is better. Although they do mention drinking in some country songs, we try to choose the music appropriate for teen-agers.”

And that means a lot of upbeat line dances, which Travis prefers.

“I think they’re more fun because you can add in variations like the ‘hat slap,’ ‘attitude,’ and ‘rodeo,’ ” he said. “It’s fun and you get to go places and perform.”

But some things never change. Young Erkeneff’s response when queried about couples dancing: “Girls? I’ll dance with ‘em if I have to.”

CLIP ‘N SAVE

There are other places in the county where families can go to learn country dancing. Here is a rundown:

Adults and children can take dance lessons from Rick Henderson on Sundays at 6:30 p.m. at the Crazy Bull Steak House & Saloon, 4426 Central Ave., Camarillo, 988-4209. Minors can remain until 9 p.m.

On Saturdays, parents can bring the kids for weekly dance lessons at the Country Rose Saloon and Restaurant, 369 Arneill Road, Camarillo, 388-1992.

Kids accompanied by a parent or guardian can take 8 p.m. dance lessons Tuesdays through Thursdays with David Graves at the Black Angus Restaurant, 4718 Telephone Road, Ventura, 644-7323.

Special children’s line dance lessons are offered from 7 to 7:30 p.m. on Sundays with Jim and Jackie Keener at the Red Dog Saloon, 110 Santa Barbara St., Santa Barbara, 965-2231.

Country Lovers Western Dance Club in Ventura has the facilities to offer children’s lessons, 647-1893.

A monthly family country Western dance sponsored by the Borchard Center Advisory Council has met with great success, according to recreation supervisor Dennis Grass. For $5 per person, families can dance on a 3,000-square-foot floor to music provided by a live band. And it’s in a smoke-free, alcohol-free environment. Dance lessons with Sandi Patterson start at 7 p.m. This month’s dance is on Saturday at Borchard Community Center, 190 Reino Road, Newbury Park, 498-3124.

To locate country dance classes for kids, also consult your local park and recreation department listings. Meanwhile, you may want to get your schools involved. For example, Sue Nicholson, a line dance instructor for Conejo Parks and Recreation District, volunteers her services to her daughter’s fifth-sixth grade class at Weathersfield Elementary School in Thousand Oaks. And she named three teachers there who have incorporated country dancing into their curricula or made it part of an elective class.

Details

* WHAT: Western S.A.D.D.L.S. performing country-Western dance team.

* WHEN: Senior Team (ages 8 to 16) meets on Tuesdays, 7 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturdays, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.; Junior Team (ages 4 to 7) meets on Tuesdays, 6 to 6:45 p.m. and Saturdays, 1:30 to 2:15 p.m.

* WHERE: Mrs. Rogers Schoolhouse, 1800 N. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks

* COST: Monthly fees include lessons and team dues. Junior team, $35 and Senior team, $50.

* FYI: 497-9799.