By Craig T. Kojima, Star-Bulletin
Timothy Lum works on a clay creation at Linekona Art Center.

It’s not too late for kids
to jump into summer fun

By Dawn Sagario
Star-Bulletin

The summer that seemed oh-so-far-away is now upon us, and parents who forgot to plan ahead are scrambling to find something to keep young ones entertained.

So what's left for weary moms and dads, or kids who are just plain tired of hanging around the house? Programs listed here offer anything from creating with clay to romping outdoors. But be quick in calling. Slots are filling up fast and there is a lot of last-minute competition out there.

Honolulu Academy of Arts

The academy offers ceramic programs for children in grades 4 through 6 at Linekona Art Center. Sessions started last Tuesday and continue through July 22.

Classes meet Tuesdays through Fridays. Choose from three sessions running 8 to 9:45 a.m., 10:15 a.m. to noon, or 1 to 2:45 p.m.

Tuition is $160 ($150 for academy members' children), with no pro-rating for late joiners. Call 532-8741 to register.

By Craig T. Kojima, Star-Bulletin
Naomi Wada works with charcoal at Linekona Art Center.
The center offers ceramic programs for children
in grades 4 through 6.

Kama'aina Kids

So the kids are bored of watching the same old videos at grandma's house and playing the Nintendo 64 all day? Tots and teens will have their share of fun in the sun at the following six programs. Call 262-4538 for a program's availability.

Summer Day Camps continuing to July 30 or Aug. 20 are available at: Ben Parker Elementary, Enchanted Lake Elementary, Ewa Center, Honolulu Center (at Punchbowl), Mililani and Waimalu. Children from kindergarten through sixth grade can participate in such activities as camping, swimming, crafts, and music and dance. Registration may be paid per week, at $90 for the 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. day program.

What creepy critters are running around in your back yard? The Bishop Museum teams with Kama'aina Kids in its Backyard Aliens program. Participants in kindergarten through sixth grade will enjoy activities offered in the Summer Day Program, plus a hands-on curriculum focusing on back-yard plants and creatures. The hours are the same as those of the Summer Camp, with fees running $120 per week.

Before- and after-summer school programs are also available at various elementary school sites. Beginning June 17 through July 20, children in grades K through 5 can participate in kayaking, canoeing and sailing, swimming, music and dance, arts and crafts, and go on excursions, before and after summer-school sessions. Morning programs run 6 to 8 a.m. Costs vary by location, ranging from $60 to $75 per week. After summer school supervision until 5:30 p.m. is also available for $15 per week.

The Spirit Program offers 10- to 14-year-olds the basics of environmental education and outdoor living. Session 2 (July 6 to 30) is $460.

Participants at Scuba Camp spend five to seven nights at Camp Timberline earning their PADI scuba certificates. The camp includes meals, five ocean dives and use of scuba gear. Fees for Session 2 (July 5 to 9) total $395 and Session 3 (Aug. 9 to 15), $595.

Camp Timberline's weeklong teen adventure camp features hiking, high and low ropes challenge course, outdoor living skills and backpacking for those ages 12 through 17. Sessions are $190 each. Dates are: Session 2 (June 28 to July 2), Session 3 (July 12 to 16) and Session 4 (July 26 to 30).

Camp Mokuleia

Need a remedy for the mid-summertime slump? Maybe a summer camp will lift the boredom. Camp Mokuleia offers a choice of one- to six-week sessions beginning July 3, for ages 7 to 17, with three summer programs to choose from:

General camping (ages 7 to 13) offers a variety of activities such as archery, arts and crafts, snorkeling and drama and dance.

Leaders in training (ages 14-15) is designed for youth interested in learning leadership skills.

Counselors in Training (ages 16-17) is structured to develop leadership skills.

Fees vary depending on the program and length of the session, ranging from $200 to $275 per week. Call 637-6241.

Lyon Arboretum

The Lyon Arboretum, at 3860 Manoa Road, offers a twist on kids' usual idea of outdoor fun. Call Jill Laughlin at 988-0461.

"Plants and Animals: Exploring the Links" takes kids hiking and on a treasure hunt. Painting, planting and cooking are also on the agenda. The program runs 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 2 to 6. Children who have just completed kindergarten through second grade are eligible. Fees are $150, which includes all supplies.

"Discover Plants: From Top to Bottom," runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 9 to 13, taking children through five days of hands-on activities in the garden. They will be planting and tending their seedlings, as well as working on art projects and cooking. Participants should have completed kindergarten through second grade. Fees are $150 and also includes all supplies.

Waikiki Aquarium

Dive into the depths of the ocean and discover what life lies beneath the surface of the sea in the Waikiki Aquarium's program, "Seashore Science: Reef Explorers." Children 8 to 12 years old become marine scientists from June 28 to July 2, as they explore Hawaiian shorelines, study marine life and design experiments.

The course, which runs 8 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday, includes classroom projects, outdoor activities and field trips.

Fees are $110 (non-members) and $80 (aquarium members). Call the aquarium's Education Department at 923-9741 for information about other activities such as family overnighters and reef walks.

YMCA camp

The YMCA's Summer International Resident program at Camp H.R. Erdman offers five days and four nights of activities such as kayaking, snorkeling and hiking with campers from Hawaii, the mainland and Japan.

The first camp runs July 26 to 30, and the second runs Aug. 2 to 6. The cost per session is $250, and children ages 9 to 13 may attend.

Call 637-4615 for information.

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