Plenty to do outside this summer

Danette Goulet

It is the first week children don’t have to rise with the birds.

They are not stressed or inundated with schoolwork.

There is no state standard to be met in the summer.

It’s great to have them home, and they are thrilled to be there.

But how long will that last?

The next several months could start to drag if it wasn’t for the

plethora of camps and programs offered in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa.

Both of the cities have lists of things to occupy children’s minds and

time, from Discovery and science camps to water sports and martial arts.

Each city runs a couple of camps of its own and contracts with groups

such as the Skyhawks, who run soccer, golf and baseball camps.

In Costa Mesa, Rob Cavanaugh, the recreation coordinator, runs Camp

Costa Mesa for elementary school students.

After 20 years, Camp Costa Mesa filled up on the first day of

registration.

So the city also added a teen camp for students entering the seventh-,

eighth- and ninth-grades in the fall, he said.

“It’s for kids who are too old for traditional day camps and too young

to get involved with their high schools,” he said. “It’s an

excursion-based camp Mondays through Fridays put together so the kids

have some positive interaction with own peer group.”

The city also has a mobile skateboarding park with safe ramps and

jumps that it sets up at three different locations three days a week.

The city is deciding on summer locations, Cavanaugh said.

Also offered through the city but not run by the city are music

classes, Clay ‘n Play Sculpture, Krafty Kids, karate, Manners for

Children and French for Young Beginners.

In Newport Beach, they have all the Seahawk soccer, golf, tennis and

football camps, but they also offer many through the city services, such

as surfing camp, sailing classes and paddle camp.

So if you have a budding rocket scientist or just want to get the kids

out from in front of the television and computer, there are options.

Information about programs offered by the cities may be found on their

Web sites, under recreation listings.