SUMMER CAMPS

Arlington kids win a week of day camp at Horse Country Farm

Two Arlington kids, second-grader Jaiden Waud and fourth-grader Allie Ann Bigger won awards in the Horse Country Farm 2008 Essay Contest and their prize is a week of day camp at the horse ranch.

“We are happy to have them participate in our summer day camp — a ridin’ good time since 1977,” said Shannon Kennedy from Horse Country Farm.

Waud won second place in the first- through third-grade category and the other winners were, first place to Lauren Hill, a second grader from Snohomish and in third place, Elise Dibble, a third-grader from Moxee.

In the fourth- through sixth-grade, along with Bigger, second place went to Monica Ripple, a sixth-grader from Seattle and Elli Allen-Hatch, a fourth-grader from Shoreline. The third place prizes went to Hannah Vanhoff, a fourth-grader from Lynnwood, and two kids from Granite Falls, sixth-grader Cady Brown and fourth-grader Jocelyn Gimpel.

Youth ages 11 to adults are invited to be working students at Horse Country Farm near Granite Falls and learn to take care of horses while practicing riding skills in four lessons a month, one each week and one trail ride each month. Cost is $69 a month with three hours of work each week.

Horse Country Farm also offers western riding lessons, Girl Scout badge programs, guided family trail rides, pony rides for little folks, summer day camps, and a lesson-lease program.

For information call 360-691-7509 or 425-335-4773 or check the Web site at www.horsecountryfarm.com.

Sports camps at Arlington Boys & Girls Club

The Arlington Boys and Girls Club is providing an opportunity for its members to attend basketball (July 7 – 10) and volleyball (July 14 – 17) camps presented by the Everett Boys & Girls Club. Transportation will be provided from the Arlington club. Cost is $100 per kid. Each camp is offered twice, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for ages third to sixth grade and from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. for ages seventh to 10th grades.

Other sports camps offered at the Arlington club include basketball camp July 7 – 10, volleyball camp July 14 – 17, soccer camp July 28 – Aug. 1, baseball camp Aug. 11 – 15, lifetime sports camp July 21 – 25

City of Arlington’s sports programs

Mini-Hawk programs help young children ages 4 – 7 explore sports in a day-program setting with no pressure, just lots of fun.

The staff is trained to meet the needs of young children and the programs are designed to motivate children to be active and healthy while giving them the fundamental skill sets needed to succeed and grow in whichever sport they choose.

Participants must bring equipment or supplies: baseball glove, shin guards, appropriate clothing, tennis shoes, sunscreen, water bottle and two snacks. Visit www.skyhawks.com for more information.

The Mini Hawk program runs 9 a.m. to noon, July 7- 11 at Quake Park, 18501 59th Ave NE in Arlington. It costs $109. For information call 360-403-3448.

Multi-sport programs are designed for the all-around player aged 7 – 14 who are interested in sports. Designed to motivate children to be active and healthy while giving them the fundamental skills they need to succeed and grow in whatever sport they choose, the camp teaches the fundamentals of several sports in an enriching and enjoyable atmosphere.

Participants must bring equipment or supplies: baseball glove, shin guards, appropriate clothing, tennis shoes, sunscreen, water bottle, lunch and snack. For more information, see the Web site at www.skyhawks.com.

The Skyhawks camp is offered at Pioneer Elementary School, 8213 Eaglefield Dr. in Arlington from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., July 7 – 11. The fee is $121. For information and registration, call 360-403-3448.

Art classes at AHS

The Arlington High School art teacher, Bev Schatz offers art classes during the summer in her classroom at AHS. She teaches glass art for teens for middle school aged students, July 28 and 29 for $65. Most other classes are $55. A class on pastel techniques is offered July 14 – 16, with morning sessions from 9 to 11 a.m. for grades K-2 and from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. for grades 3 – 5, cartooning and animation is offered July 7 – 9 and mixed media is July 21 – 23. Register for these classes at 360-403-3448.

Marysville’s summer camps

The city of Marysville’s Parks and Recreation program offers an assortment of camping opportunities. Starting next week, on July 7 – 11, Waterpalooza offers all sorts of games that involve water. Outdoor Adventures is offered July 14 – 18 at Jennings Park, and Mad Scientist is from July 21 – 25.

Summer Tunes band camp is offered at Totem Middle School Aug. 11 – 15 for grades 7 to 9. Ultimate Track & Field Camp is July 14 – 17 at Lakewood High School Stadium and a Multi-Ultimate Sports Camp is offered in July and in August at Allen Creek Elementary. For a complete listing of camps in Marysville go to the city’s Website at www.ci.marysville.wa.us.

W-Bar-B Camp at Warm Beach Camp

Week-long camps at Warm Beach Christian Camps and Conference Center start June 29 when fourth- through sixth-graders and seventh- through ninth-graders are in for a wagonload of western fun at the W-Bar-B Ranch when activities include horseback rides, swimming, archery, rocket launching, mountain boards, climbing tower, high adventure ropes course, and more.

A horsemanship training elective allows campers to improve their riding skills while still taking part in other daily camp activities.

For registration, brochure, directions, and information, call Warm Beach Camp at 360-652-7575 or 800-228-6724; or log on to www.warmbeach.com.

Theater camp

META Performing Arts will hold it’s annual theater summer camp July 14 – Aug. 1, offering programs for three different age groups and experience levels at Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon. Participants may sign up for half days or full days, for one week or up to three weeks.

Teens will have the chance to audition for the META Improv Troupe, which is starting its third year and has started booking at parties and events.

There are also dance and music workshops for the musical, “The Wiz” which is META’s upcoming fall production to be presented at the historic Lincoln Theatre in downtown Mount Vernon.

Summer camp offers hands-on training in healthy vocal production, auditioning, vocal stylings, physical characterization, and more.

Sessions are available July 14-18, July 21-25, and July 28 – Aug. 1. Cost is $125 for half day sessions and $225 for full day sessions.

The fee includes professional headshots by photographer Lindsey Bowen, with a CD for future prints and portfolios.

Interested parties are encouraged to call 360-466-3072. Registration forms and full schedule are available at metaperformingarts.org.

Aviation camp

Youth from age 14 to 18 years of age who are interested in becoming pilots may be interested in an aviation summer camp coming up July 27 to Aug. 2 hosted by Mission Aviation Training Academy and The Point Church, both of Arlington.

The camp will introduce teens to the joy of flying and will especially appeal to youth interested in exploring aviation as a service ministry.

Campers will experience “ground school” in subjects such as basic aerodynamic principles, aircraft systems, and dead reckoning navigation, then they will actually fly a Cessna 172 aircraft on introductory orientation and familiarization flights each day Monday through Friday, weather permitting.

Another highlight will be a field trip to a local aviation museum.

Participants will be exposed to mission aviation through videos and personal sharing by field-experienced missionary pilots.

The Mission Aviation Training Academy (MATA) is a nonprofit organization located at Arlington Municipal Airport. MATA helps train pilots to meet the qualifications for major mission aviation organizations and for service with smaller, independent mission ministries.

To keep the price as low as possible, MATA has two airplanes available for just fuel costs, along with three instructors volunteering their time for the camp. Inexpensive housing and food will be provided at The Point Church, just across the runway from MATA. Cost for the camp is $450.

For information and to register call 425-231-5855 or 360-435-8179, or visit the MATA website at www.mata-usa.org.

Basketball camp

Advantage Basketball Camps are offered at Whatcom Community College in Bellingham July 28 – Aug. 3. For information, call 800-670-0013 or check the Web site at www.advantagebasketball.com.