Park Districts, Schools Offer Variety of Children’s Learning Programs

Summer is upon you and so are your kids. You want to keep their minds active and bodies busy, but you aren’t sure how. Fear not. If you act fast, you can still enroll them in summer learning programs around Ventura County.

This summer’s educational programs give kids a chance to see how reading, science and even archeology can be fun. From reading programs to exploring cyberspace, there is something for virtually everyone.

Check with the parks and recreation departments and schools in your city for further information. The following is a sampling of summertime offerings in Ventura County that still have openings:

* Ventura County: The county’s 15 library branches hold the summer reading program “The Mysterious Beasts of Dr. Geest” for ages 3 and older. June 16 to Aug. 30. Topics include insects, rocks and animals. Free. Each branch has separate schedules. 652-7541.

* Thousand Oaks: Introductory Spanish classes for children 3 1/2 to 5, and 6 to 10. Monday afternoons. Conejo Community Center. Conejo Recreation and Park District. $22 for city residents. $26.40 for nonresidents. 495-2163.

* Thousand Oaks: Future Kids of Conejo Valley holds several computer camps, some teaching basic skills and others setting up a mock business. $189. 492-8565

* Simi Valley: Computer classes for children ages 3 to 5. Reading, thinking and problem-solving skills are enhanced while learning about computer hardware and software. Three five-week sessions, Thursday to July 31. $60 per session. Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District. 584-4400.

* Simi Valley: Reading skills programs for kindergarten through fifth grade. Children are taught basic phonics, vocabulary and comprehension skills. Tuition is $199 for five weekly sessions. Rancho Simi park district. 584-4400.

* Ventura: The city’s Summer Recreation Enrichment Programs offer: Science Camp (ages 7 to 13); Creative Artists Camp (ages 7 to 12); and Camp MTV for theater arts (ages 8 to 13). Sessions began June 16 and end Aug. 29. Space limited. Fees range from $85 to $145. 658-4748.

* Ventura: City Community Services Department offers a range of educational programs, including, “Adventures in Archeology,” for children 7 to 12 at the Albinger Museum from July 14 to 18 and Aug. 18 to 22. Cost is $7 per child. Space still available. 658-4733.

* Fillmore: Piru Boys & Girls Club--Summer program for students, ages 7 to 18, includes reading six books over six weeks on themes such as science and art. June 16 to Aug. 1. $7. 524-0456.

* Ojai: Recreation Department--Mad Science. Hands-on science for children ages 5 to 12, including rocketry, optics, slime and taste sensations. Once a week for four weeks, starting July 22. $36. Call 646-1872 for this and other programs.

* Ventura College: College-level courses available to high school students. Courses include, but are not limited to: Introduction to speech and communications; Critical Thinking for Reading and Math; Vocabulary. Classes run at different intervals from July to August. 654-6448.

* Moorpark College: Cyber Summer ’97. Intensive four-day event for high school students featuring, animation, art, film, television, radio, graphic design and printing, photography, creative writing and Web design. Field trip to a computer graphics industry convention in Los Angeles also included. Aug. 11 to 14. $95. Limited scholarships available. 378-1405.

* Ventura: Channel Islands National Park headquarters. Live underwater diving program broadcast from Anacapa Island Landing Cove. Every Tuesday and Thursday, 2 p.m. All ages. Free. 658-5730.