Summertime fun: Choices abound, so there's No reason for kids to be idle

By Jamar Younger

Mar. 20, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) --
Sahuarita and East Side-area children will have plenty of opportunities this summer to learn how to rope a calf, throw a punch or sharpen their financial-planning skills.

The Star's list of summer programs presents numerous options for families who want to get a head start in planning their children's summer.

Some programs promote physical activity, while others cater to a child's creative or scientific side.

This list is extensive, but it might not include all the programs available in your area.

Children can gain some intangible skills in addition to the ones listed in the program descriptions.

For example, the horse and roping camps at Just Horsin' Around in Vail teach children how to do more than just ride horses.

It's also a good physical activity that helps children build confidence, said Candace Jepson.

Jepson and her husband, Richard, own the camp.

"I think riding horses makes children calmer, and it's a really happy thing," she said. "If your child comes to camp and they're capable, they'll learn a lot."

El Camino Church

7777 E. Speedway

Tucson, AZ 85710

886-7770

jamesforbes1@gmail.com

No Limits Martial Arts -- Ages 5-10. Mon-Tue 3-4 p.m., through Dec. 31. $25 per month. Learn the basics and have a blast.

--Ages 11-14. Mon-Tue 4-5 p.m., through Dec. 31. $25 per month. Martial arts training.

--Ages 15 and above. Mon, Wed 5:30-6:45 p.m., through Dec. 31. $50 per month. Jujitsu, grappling and kickboxing. Any experience level.

Just Horsin' Around

950 N. Davidson Road

Vail, AZ 85641

591-1615

justhorsininvail@yahoo.com

Roping Camp -- Ages 12-18. Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m., July 14-18. $250 includes care and board of horse. Team roping and calf roping. Learn to rope or improve your skills. Must be able to ride a horse.

Kodenkan of Tucson Martial Arts and Fitness

250 N. Pantano Road

Tucson, AZ 85710

722-1863

www.kodenkanoftucson.com

Kodenkan offers numerous martial arts classes for children and adults. All the following, except Lil' Dragons, cost $99 per month plus a $49 registration fee that includes a uniform. Here are a few summer offerings.

Adult Jujitsu -- Ages 14 and up. Mon, Wed 6-7 p.m., June 1-Aug. 31. Modern style that emphasizes self-defense, personal growth, physical fitness and goal-setting.

Family Karate -- Ages 6 and up. Mon, Wed 5-5:50 p.m., June 1-Aug. 31. Learn traditional martial arts skills while focusing on self-defense, self-esteem, self-confidence, respect, goal-setting and physical fitness.

Karate Kids --Ages 6-12. Tue, Thu 4-4:50 p.m., June 1-Aug. 31. Learn traditional martial arts skills in a safe atmosphere.

Kung Fu --Ages 12 and up, Tue, Thu 7-8 p.m., June 1-Aug. 31. Praying Mantis Kung Fu is a Chinese style that is a combination of Shaolin and the traditional family styles of Kung Fu.

Lil' Dragons --Ages 4-7. Mon, Wed 5-5:30 p.m., June 1-Aug. 31. $54 per month plus $49 registration fee. Uniform included. Class combines martial arts, fitness, coordination games and safety lessons.

Springs Gymnastics, Cheer and Dance

9694 E. Rita Commerce Drive

Tucson, AZ 85747

664-1900

Recreational gymnastics summer camp -- Ages 3 and up. Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-noon, June 2-6 and June 30-July 4. $125.

Team-level gymnastics camp -- Ages 5 and up. Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-noon, July 7-11. $125.

The Desert Speed School

2480 N. Pantano Road

Tucson, AZ 85715

731-0276

www.desertsportsandfitness.com

Athletic Performance Training --Ages 8-18. Mon-Sat, hourly, 8 a.m.-7 p.m., March 16-Sept. 28. $18-$30 per hour. Hourly sessions. Safe, competitive, fun and educational exercises and drills to improve overall athletic performance. Focusing on speed, strength, flexibility, conditioning and explosive power.

Ultima Self-Defense and Fitness

7649 E. Speedway

Tucson, AZ 85710

721-2348

www.ultimaselfdefense.com

info@ultimaselfdefense.com

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu -- Ages 5-12. Tue, Thu, 5-6 p.m., Sat 9:30-10:30 a.m., May 1-Aug. 30, $75 per month. Learn to use wrestling and grappling skills.

High School Self-Defense Class -- Ages 12-18. Tue, Thu 3:30-4:30p.m., through May 30, $40 per month. Learn life-saving self-defense skills. Subject to instructor approval.

Powercat Karate -- Ages 4-6. Mon, Wed, Fri 4:30-5 p.m., May 1-Aug. 30. $50 per month. Students learn blocks, kicks and punches and combine their techniques and forms.

Tiger Karate --Ages 7-12. Mon, Wed, Fri 5-6 p.m., May 1-Aug. 30. $75 per month. Students learn blocks, kicks and punches and combine their techniques and forms.

Ultima Self-Defense and Fitness

7649 E. Speedway

Tucson, AZ 85710

721-2348

ultimaselfdefense.com

info@ultimaselfdefense.com

Teaching Safety Skills to People with Developmental Disabilities -- Ages 12-up. 4:30-5:30 p.m. Tues, Thurs. $60 per month. Learn life skills, including situational awareness and community safety techniques. Classes can be adapted to people who use wheelchairs.

Ott Family YMCA

401 S. Prudence Road

Tucson, AZ 85710

885-2317

www.tucsonymca.org

oliviag@tucsonymca.org

Day Camps in Vail -- Ages 10-14. Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-6 p.m., May 27-July 3. $105 per week, deposit required. Old Vail Middle School and Corona Foothills Middle School. Activities include field trips, computers, cooking, speakers, arts and humanities and sports/fitness.

Ott Camp -- Desert Willow Elementary. Ages 5-11. Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-6 p.m., May 27-July 3. $105 per week. Activities include field trips, computers, cooking, speakers, arts and humanities and sports/fitness.

Dietz Discovery Camp -- Ages 7-11. Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-6 p.m., May 27-July 25. $105 full day per week, deposit required. Activities include weekly themes, arts/crafts, field trips, swimming and more.

Erickson Explorers Camp --Ages 5-11. Mon-Fri 7a.m.-6 p.m., May 27-July 25. $105 full day, per week, deposit required. Activities include weekly themes, arts/crafts, field trips, swimming and more. Must have kindergarten experience.

Fun Club -- Ages 5-11. Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-3 p.m., May 27-Aug. 8. $75 for five daily coupons. Recreational drop-in program that includes swimming every afternoon. Come one day, one week or all summer long. Must have kindergarten experience.

Junior Discovery -- Ages 5-7. Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-6 p.m., May 27-Aug. 8. $105 full day, per week, deposit required. Activities include weekly themes, arts and crafts, field trip, swimming daily and more. Must have kindergarten experience.

Ott Camp at Desert Willow Elementary -- Ages 5-11. Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-6 p.m., May 27-July 3. $105 per week per child, deposit required. Weekly themes, arts and crafts, field trips, swimming and more. Must have kindergarten experience.

Teen Adventure Camp -- Ages 12-15. Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-3 p.m., June 2-July 25. $80 per week per child. A values-based program that includes leadership, team building, field trips, swimming, skate park, community-service projects.

Maguire Academy of Irish Dance

7036 E. Broadway

Tucson, AZ 85710

319-0204

www.maguireacademy.com

info@celticacademytucson.org

Traditional Irish Step Dancing -- Ages 4-adult. Mon-Fri June 2-6; June 9-13. Prices and times vary depending on level. Taught by former "Riverdance" star Darren Maguire.

General

Sahuarita Unified School District Early Childhood Center

52 W. Calle de las Tiendas

Green Valley, AZ 85614

393-6217

cwebb@sahuarita.k12.az.us

S.U.S.D Summer Day Camp -- Ages 3-8. Mon-Fri 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m., June 2-Aug. 1. $145 full day, $110 half day, per week. Literacy-based program centered on characters from "Sesame Street," "Arthur," "Clifford" and more. Field trips and special guests all summer.

St. Michael's Summer Enrichment Program

602 N. Wilmot Road

Tucson, AZ 85711

722-8478

www.stmichael.net

summer@stmichael.net

Extended hours are available at no extra charge.

Dinosaur Detectives -- Students entering grades K-2. Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-4 p.m., June 2-13. $370. Learn how to separate fact from fiction by studying the dinosaur world.

Summer Fun -- Students entering grades 3-8. Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-4 p.m., June 2-13. $370. Activities in moviemaking, indoor sports, mythology and mosaics.

Amazing Space -- Students entering grades K-2. Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-4 p.m. June 16-27. $370. Activities in astronomy, creative writing, art, music and rocketry.

Up, Up, and Away -- Students entering grades 3-8. Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-4 p.m., June 16-27. $370. Activities include "Odyssey of the Mind," rocketry, creative movement and tile design.

The Quilter's Market

7601 E. Speedway

Tucson, AZ 85710

747-8458

thequiltersmarket.com

shop@thequiltersmarket.com

Quilt Camp and Classes -- Ages 7-17. May 15-Aug. 15. Ongoing classes. Make a quilt or do a sewing project like a tote bag.

El Camino Baptist Church

7777 E. Speedway

Tucson, AZ 85710

886-7770

www.elcaminochurch.org

yeager@elcaminochurch.org

Father/Daughter(s) Jewelry Box Craft & Game Day -- All ages. Sat 10 a.m.-1 p.m., July 19. $6 per participant. Build a jewelry box together.

Father/Son(s) Arcade Day --All ages. Sat 10 a.m.-1 p.m., June 14. $6 per participant. Compete against yourselves and other father/son teams.

Mother/Daughter(s) Tea Party & Bracelet Craft Day -- All ages. Sat 10 a.m.-1 p.m., May 10. $6 per participant. Make beaded bracelets and enjoy a traditional tea party luncheon.

Mother/Son(s) Pastry Chef Day -- All ages. Sat 10 a.m.-1 p.m., June 28. $6 per participant. Learn the basics of cake decorating and decorate a cake together.

Empire Ranch Foundation

Off Arizona 83, between mileposts 40 and 39

Sonoita, AZ 85637

1-888-364-2829

www.empireranchfoundation.org

admin@empireranchfoundation.org

Wild About the Grasslands! -- Ages 11-14. Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-3 p.m., June 16-20. $125. Learn about the endangered habitats of the semi-desert grasslands at this ecology program at the Empire Ranch in the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area.

Just Horsin' Around

P.O. Box 910

Vail, AZ 85641

591-1615

justhorsininvail@yahoo.com

Horse Camp --Ages 8-18. Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m., May 26-Aug. 8. $175 per week. Learn to ride horses or improve your riding skills working with a trainer. Round pens, arena, trail riding. Transportation provided to and from Tucson.

La Paloma Academy -- Central Campus

2050 N. Wilmot Road

Tucson, AZ 85712

661-2775

www.lpatucson.org

jdye33@aol.com

La Paloma Academy Summer Camp -- Ages K-6. Mon-Fri 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m., May 26-Aug. 1. $125 per week. Discounts available. Hands-on activities for kids in the areas of arts and crafts, drama and music, computers, academics, sports, games and swimming. Lunch and field trips included.

Lonesome Oak Ranch

16850 W. Old Stage Road

Arivaca, AZ 85601

398-0596

www.lonesomeoakranch.com

barra425@aol.com

Horsemanship Camps -- Ages 6-18. Sun-Sat 9 a.m.-6 p.m., May 25-Aug. 10. $375 per week; $75 per day. Day camps or weeklong overnight. Learn basic horsemanship, riding, crafts and other fun activities.

Academics

Camp Invention

9455 E. Rita Road

Tucson, AZ 85747

1-800-968-4332

www.campinvention.org

beckt@vail.k12.az.us

Camp Invention -- Grades 1-6. Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., June 9-13. $225. Hands-on science and creativity program by National Inventors Hall of Fame at Mesquite Elementary School.

Cochise College

901 N. Colombo Ave.

Sierra Vista, AZ 85635

1-520-515-5492

www.cochise.edu

dredges@cochise.edu

Buzz on Biz Entrepreneurship Camp -- Grades 6-8. Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-5 p.m., July 21-25. $150. Learn what it takes to start your own successful business.

High School Science Camp -- Grades 6-8. Mon-Thu 8 a.m.-noon, July 21-24. $100. Conduct microbiology, biotechnology, biology/anatomy, chemistry and astronomy labs.

Rhythmkidz -- Ages 7-12. Mon-Fri 12:30-4:30 p.m., June 16-20. $100. Music, dance and poetry from world cultures. Camp concludes with a performance .

Robokidz -- Grades 5-7. Mon-Thu 12:30-4:30 p.m., June 23-26. $100. Focus on the science and technology of robots.

Tech Trek I & II Technology Camp -- Grades 6-8. Mon-Thu 12:30-4:30 p.m., July 14-17. $100. Introductory and advanced Web design, game design, video and image editing.

El Camino Church

7777 E. Speedway

Tucson, AZ 85710

886-7770

www.elcaminochurch.org

yeager@elcaminochurch.org

Summer Science Spectacular -- Entering Kindergarten-grade 6. Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-noon, July 7-11. $30 per week. Interactive science activities, crafts, snacks and games.

Summer Science Spectacular for Small Fries --Ages 3-4. Tue, Thu 8 a.m.-noon, July 8, 10. $15 week. Learn about God and His creatures in the world of bugs.

St. Augustine High School

8800 E. 22nd St.

Tucson, AZ 85710

751-8300

www.staugustinehigh.com

tbaker@staugustinehigh.com

Summer Program -- Entering grades 6-9. Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-3 p.m., June 2-27. $550 for four weeks. Enrichment program includes math review, financial planning for teens, creative writing, Spanish, fine arts and sports. For those entering the ninth grade, courses are designed to review and prepare for high school success.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0014-23911197