Climbing campers Young mountain climbers savor the summit during a day camp session as part of Trailside Discovery, an "Environmental Ed-venture" sponsored by the Alaska Center for the Environment. (Photo courtesy Great Bear Graphic Design)

DAY CAMPS AND CHILDCARE PROGRAMS

ADVENTURES OF SUMMER

• Sponsor: Hilltop Ski Area
• Ages: 6-12
• Goals and activities: A highlight of this camp is a new theme every week. Examples include Savvy Sports Week, where kids learn new techniques and sportsmanship. Curious About Culture is an exploration of different countries and their games, songs and dances. Wilderness Skills teaches kids about low-impact camping and backpacking. It includes an optional overnight at Trail Lakes. The Sensational Sea features a field trip to the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward. Water Ways gets kids out to explore local lakes and swamps. In The Sky and Beyond, kids will make a planetarium and discover some of the secrets of space. And during Marvelous Mammals week, they'll visit the Alaska Zoo. Special activities include mountain biking, rock climbing, canoeing, swimming, bowling, ice skating, in-line skating and more.
• When: Weekly sessions run 9 a.m.-4 p.m., with extended hours available, Monday-Friday, June 5-Sept. 1
• Where: Hilltop Ski Area, 7015 Abbott Road
• How much: $145 per week includes snacks, lunches and most field trips
• Licensed or accredited: None listed
• Contact: 346-1446

CAMP SI-LA-MEO

• Sponsor: Campfire Boys & Girls
• Ages: Entering grades 1-7
• Goals and activities: This camp on a lake provides an outdoor setting for day-campers to explore the world around them and participate in hiking, canoeing, crafts, outdoor living skills, singing and skits. Increasing children's self-esteem and helping them to develop social skills are priorities. Camp Fire counselors are lifeguards who are certified in first aid and CPR. Daily round-trip transportation is provided.
• When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. June 19-Aug. 15
• Where: Otter Lake, Fort Richardson
• How much: $100
• Licensed or accredited: ACA
• Contact: 279-3551

CCS SUMMER PROGRAM

• Sponsor: Chugiak Children's Services
• Ages: 3-12
• Goals and activities: Kids make new friends, take field trips, play sports, create arts and craft projects, sing songs and discover new books. Included in the cost are meals (two snacks plus breakfast and lunch), transportation on school buses and fees for field trips. CCS accepts child care reimbursements.
• When: 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. in Chugiak, 6 a.m.-6 p.m. in Big Lake and 6 a.m.-7 p.m. in Wasilla; weekdays beginning June 5 through Aug. 25 for Chugiak and through Sept. 1 for Big Lake and Wasilla
• Where: Chugiak, 18530 Old Glenn Highway; Wasilla, 2100 E. Foundry Way; Big Lake, Mile 49 Parks Highway
• How much: $500 a month for full-time care
• Licensed or accredited: Chugiak, MOA and NAEYC; Wasilla, SOA and NAEYC; Big Lake, SOA
• Contact: Chugiak, 688-2660 or e-mail ccsc@alaska.net; Wasilla, 373-7795 or e-mail ccsw@alaska.net; and Big Lake, 373-7165 or e-mail ccsb@alaska.net

JOAN'S PRESCHOOL SUMMER PROGRAM

• Sponsor: Joan Schuman
• Ages: 3-6
• Goals and activities: Joan's Preschool Science and Nature Program is registering for a summer full of recreation, theme weeks, fun creative arts, self-expression and friends.
• When: June 5-Aug. 25
• Where: Joan's Preschool, Eagle River
• How much: $3.75 per hour
• Licensed or accredited: SOA
• Contact: Joan Schuman, 694-7577

JOY CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER

• Sponsor: Joy Child Development Center, Eagle River
• Ages: 5-8
• Goals and activities: This camp is structured into weekly sessions, each having a special hands-on theme, such as Hawaii Five-O, Mad Scientists and Space Walk. Each week, the group takes a field trip, swims at Chugiak High School pool and enjoys a bicycle outing. Breakfast, lunch and snack provided.
• When: 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, June 5-Aug. 25
• Where: 10111 Eagle River Loop Road
• How much: $30 per day or $135 per week
• Licensed or accredited: MOA
• Contact: Jennifer Portenier, 694-2755

LEMON TREE EARLY LEARNING CENTER

• Sponsor: The Lemon Tree Early Learning Center
• Ages: 3-6
• Goals and activities: This morning summer playschool gets kids involved in science and nature projects, cooking, music and drama.
• When: 9 a.m.-noon weekdays, June through August
• Where: 3901 Raspberry Road, No. 3
• How much: $125 per month
• Licensed or accredited: SOA
• Contact: E-mail Becky Moore, mauiofalaska@yahoo.com

LITTLE STAR

• Sponsor: Little Star daycare program
• Ages: up to 6
• Goals and activities: The older kids do outdoor activities, field trips and bike rides all summer while learning the basics of Russian.
• When: Flexible
• Where: Minnesota Drive and Northern Lights Boulevard area
• How much: $500 a month for full-time care
• Licensed or accredited: MOA
• Contact: Elena Melnikov, 272-3245 or e-mail elenam@gci.net

MIDTOWN YMCA CHILD DEVELOPMENT SITE

• Sponsor: Anchorage Community YMCA
• Ages: 16 months-5 years
• Goals and activities: Midtown YMCA is a full-day licensed child development center where learning activities focus on fine motor skills, language, music, outdoor play and swimming. Experienced teachers supervise the action. Age-appropriate settings allow children to be successful and challenged. The site employs staff who have experience with special-needs children.
• When: 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m., all summer
• Where: Midtown YMCA Child Development Site
• How much: $505-$585
• Contact: Kimberly Eason, 274-8424

MONTESSORI SUMMER ELEMENTARY PROGRAM

• Sponsor: Anchorage Montessori School
• Ages: 6-12
• Goals and activities: This child-oriented approach to learning emphasizes independence, self-motivation and development of intellectual, physical and social abilities.
• When: June 5-Aug. 25
• Where: Anchorage Montessori School, 2824 E. 18th Ave.
• How much: $525 per month
• Licensed or accredited: MOA
• Contact: 276-2240

SOLDOTNA CAMPS

• Sponsor: Soldotna Community Schools
• Licensed or accredited: No
• Contact: Rosie Reeder, 262-6768 or e-mail rosie_reeder@kpbsd.k12.ak.us

Summer Camp 2000

• Ages: Entering kindergarten-grade 6
• Goals and activities: This educational program is designed to stimulate children to explore and expand their talents and abilities. Classes include cooking, fine arts, drama, computers, science, sports and games and a family day.
• When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. June 19-July 7 or July 10-28
• Where: Soldotna High School
• How much: $250 for full day; $150 for half day

Youth Fine Arts Institute

• Ages: Entering kindergarten-grade 12
• Goals and activities: Co-sponsored by the Alaska Alliance for Arts Education, this is a program of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Master teachers present dance, ceramics, drama, painting, music and more.
• When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. June 12-16
• Where: Kenai Peninsula College
• How much: $125

SUMMER PLAYGROUND PROGRAM

• Sponsor: Anchorage Department of Sports and Recreation
• Ages: 3-11
• Goals and activities: This half-day recreation program gives children the opportunity to participate in sports activities, arts and crafts, music, games and field trips. Four sessions are available. Registration is 6-7:30 p.m. June 8 at the site the child will attend.
• When: 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Monday-Thursday for ages 3-5; noon-3:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Friday for older children, June 12-Aug. 3
• Where: Many local elementary schools; call for details
• How much: $25-$35
• Licensed or accredited: MOA
• Contact: 343-4136

SUMMER FUN FOR FIVES

• Sponsor: Anchorage Community YMCA
• Age: 5
• Goals and activities: Children can learn through play, daily field trips, art activities, outdoor games and swimming. Breakfast, lunch and a snack provided.
• When: 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
• Where: YMCA Midtown Family Development Site
• How much: $430-$505 per month
• Licensed or accredited: MOA
• Contact: Kimberly Eason, 274-8424

SUMMER RECREATION PROGRAM

• Sponsor: Municipality of Anchorage, Department of Sports and Recreation
• Ages: 6-12
• Goals and activities: This all-day recreation program gives children the opportunity to participate in sports activities, arts and crafts, music, games and field trips. Nine weekly sessions are available. Register 5-7 p.m. May 2, 4, 16 or 18 at Spenard Recreation Center, 2020 W. 48th Ave. Shot records are required.
• When: 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, June 12-Aug. 11
• Where: Various public school sites; call for details
• How much: $92.50 per week
• Licensed or accredited: MOA
• Contact: 343-4136

TLC SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM IN PALMER

• Sponsor: TLC Child Development Center
• Ages: 31/2-6
• Goals and activities: A series of themed sessions includes Dinosaurs, Outer Space, Kid's Kitchen, Art, Our Big Wonderful Ocean, Rain Forest, Science and Drama. Sessions consist of four one-hour classes.
• When: 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. July 10-Aug. 4
• Where: Trinity Barn Plaza, Mile 2.2, Palmer-Wasilla Highway
• How much: $25 per session
• Licensed or accredited: No
• Contact: Teresa Nelson, 745-5683 or e-mail tjelectric@matnet.com

TOM THUMB MONTESSORI SCHOOLS

• Sponsor: Tom Thumb Montessori Schools
• Ages: East location, 3-8; South and Spenard locations, 3-12; Midtown location, 3-6
• Goals and activities: Children will enjoy nature walks, field trips, arts and crafts, park-like playgrounds, special events, music, Summer Camp Olympics, Independence Day parade and the annual children's carnival. Fun weekly themes and basic reviews get students ready for school in September. The day camp offers a hot lunch program and employs CPR/first-aid certified staff. Daycare assistance accepted. Public school children are welcome to attend.
• When: 7 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays, June 1-Aug. 31
• Where: East, 2500 Boniface Parkway; South, corner of O'Malley Road and Lake Otis Parkway; Spenard, corner of 19th Avenue and Spenard Road; Midtown, 2513 Fairbanks St.
• How much: $425-$550 per month at East and Spenard locations; $285-$550 for South and Midtown locations
• Licensed or accredited: MOA
• Contact: Trudy Deal, 272-5033 or e-mail ttmsalaska@msn.com

WINDING TRAILS GIRL SCOUT DAY CAMP

• Sponsor: Girl Scout Council, Susitna Chapter
• Ages: 5-14
• Goals and activities: For many girls, day camp is the first opportunity for an outdoor experience. Girls learn about the world around them and have fun without going too far from home. In the magical woods of Russian Jack Springs Park, girls play games at Caribou Crossing, tend the camp garden by Wild Rose, listen to the birds at Moose Run and cook lunch over a campfire at Birch Hollow. Campers are outside all day, rain or shine. Winding Trails has two picnic shelters with restrooms.
• When: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays, with extended hours available, June 12-30 and July 10-Aug. 4
• Where: Russian Jack Springs Park
• How much: $100 per week
• Licensed or accredited: ACA
• Contact: Melinda Dillon, 248-2250 or e-mail susitna@alaska.net

YMCA MAGIC CAMP

• Sponsor: YMCA
• Ages: 8 and older
• Goals and activities: Local magician Don Russell has created a two-week magic camp where kids can learn some tricks of his trade. A magic show by the kids is planned at the end of the camp.
• When: Noon-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, July 10-21
• Where: YMCA, 5353 Lake Otis Parkway
• How much: $75-$85
• Licensed or accredited: No
• Contact: 563-3211

YMCA SUMMER PROGRAMS FOR KIDS

• Sponsor: Anchorage Community YMCA
• Ages: Entering grades 1-9
• Goals and activities: Pioneer Camp for first- and second-graders emphasizes small group interaction and exploring nature. Mountaineers are third- and fourth-graders who are introduced to archery and canoeing and other wilderness skills. For fifth- and sixth-graders, the YMCA offers the Explorers camp. Archery, canoeing, outdoor education, indoor climbing, horseback riding, two weekly outings and community service projects are scheduled. The Leadership in Training program is for those entering seventh through ninth grades. This group learns team-building and problem-solving skills, assists counselors and takes weekly outings. Emphasis is on knowing themselves better and developing healthy peer relationships.
• When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, with extended care hours available, June 5-Aug. 18
• Where: 5353 Lake Otis Parkway
• How much: $105-$115 for grades 7-9; $110-$120 for grades 1-2; $125-$135 for grades 3-4; $145-$155 for grades 5-6; extended care hours available for a fee
• Licensed or accredited: MOA
• Contact: 563-3211

YMCA SUMMER DAYCARE

• Sponsor: Anchorage Community YMCA
• Ages: Entering grades 1-9
• Goals and activities: This program is held at one of the Anchorage School District schools. Arts and crafts, field trips, swimming and a lot of other fun activities are planned.
• When: 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, with extended care hours available, June 5-Aug. 18
• Where: Call for location
• How much: $105-$155; $30 extra for extended care hours
• Licensed or accredited: MOA
• Contact: 563-3211