As the first weeks of summer break from public school emerge on the North Olympic Peninsula, many children look for something to do.
When daily summer standby activities run old and the “I’m bored,” chorus begins to echo in parents’ ears, it may be time to look into what’s available for children during the summer months.
Here are few ideas.
Jefferson County YMCA
The majority of classes and day camps at the Jefferson County YMCA, based in Port Townsend, were still open as of last week, said Marla Overman, youth development director.
Weekly classes include Adventures in Leadership, “Our Big Backyard” series, Build Your Own Skateboard, Learn to Skateboard, Belly Dance, Ashoka, How to Play Pokemon, Magic: The Gathering workshop, and woodworking.
The cost and location and age restrictions for each class varies. Check with YMCA offices for details for individual classes.
Themed, weekly day camps for children from 5-12 began June 16 and will continue — with the exception of the Fourth of July — through Aug. 29.
They are offered from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday,
Day camp themes include Spy Camp, Heroes Week, Animation and Claymation, Myth Busters: Sensational Science, Sound Garden: Music Camp, Mythological Creatures: Fairies and Dragons, Giggling Gourmet, Survivor, and Pirates and Mermaids.
The day camp costs $185 per week for full-time or $100 per week for part-time camp.
One-day camp drop-ins are welcome, Overman said.
Drop-in rates are $50 per day or $25 for a half-day.
Scholarships are available for youth in need of financial assistance.
Parents can register their children at the YMCA offices, 1925 Blaine St.
For camp dates, locations and registration information, phone 360-385-5811 or visit the YMCA website at www.jeffersoncountyymca.org
Free meals and literacy
The YMCA Summer Meals Program offers free snacks and meals to all youth age 1-18, Monday through Friday, through Aug. 22.
■ In Port Townsend, lunch is offered at noon and snacks at 3 p.m. at Mountain View Commons, 1925 Blaine St.
Occasional enrichment programs will be offered during and after meals.
■ In Quilcene, lunch is offered at 12:30 p.m. and snacks at 3:30 p.m. in room 16 at Quilcene School, 294715 U.S. Highway 101.
Quilcene children also can take part in free enrichment activities for youth 5-12.
The enrichment programs will take place from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. through Aug. 22.
■ In Chimacum, snack is offered at 10 a.m. and lunch at noon at the Chimacum Elementary School, 91 W. Valley Road.
Chimacum children also can take part in Feed Your Brain, a free literacy and adventure program for youth age 5-12, held at the school from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday until Aug. 22.
A registration form is required for children taking part in enrichment programs.
The forms are available on the Jefferson County YMCA website.
Port Townsend Library
The Port Townsend Library has scaled back its offerings this year due to its move back to the Port Townsend Carnegie Library building following a major remodel to modernize the historic structure, said Bev Shelton, interim director of the library.
Programs that remain include Read to Rover and a science series.
Read to Rover is held Thursdays, in which children practice their reading skills by reading to dogs to provide summer learning enrichment.
Times for Read to Rover will be determined.
On July 7 and July 14, for children age 7 and older, themed science days including Magma Mountains, Solar Energy, Peace of Mind, and Robot Challenge will be held at the Port Townsend Recreation Center, 620 Tyler St.
The science programs are limited to the first 25 children to arrive.
Mountain View Children’s Library is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Tuesday and Thursday through Saturday, as well as from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
A full schedule and list of programs for youth can be found at www.ptpubliclibrary.org.
Jefferson County Library
The Jefferson County Library summer reading program, which began Thursday, includes reading, activities, prizes and events for children and adults of all ages.
The library is located at 620 Cedar Ave., in Port Hadlock.
Each week the library will hold workshops such as science with Thaddeus Jurczynski and art with Sidonie Wilson.
Programs include Steampunk art and fiction writing.
The opening day of the reading program in Quilcene will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Quilcene Community Center, said Martha Ashenfelter, youth services librarian.
For a full schedule and list of programs for youth, see www.jclibrary.info or phone 360-385-6544.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
