Ah, the long summer days. It’s so easy to romanticize all the fun things and freedom summer will bring once school is out. However, by the second and third week, the kids might be getting restless, missing their friends and longing for some adventure.
As parents, it can be a difficult to provide enough interesting and challenging experiences to keep the kids in shape both mentally and physically when the television or video games beckon. The good news is that the Centralia and Chehalis area offers a wealth of day camps and summer programs that will keep kids engaged. Even in July, it’s not too late to sign up.
Centralia Parks and Recreation offers a number of options and you can register for online.
Southwest Washington Dance Center
The Dance Center offers two dance camps every summer in July and August for children 3-12 years old. You can sign up for one camp or both. Both camps are fun filled and include dance movement, choreography and crafts. This year, the July theme is “Dance, dance, dance” and will introduce young dancers to a variety of styles between July 10-14. The August session is a Nutcracker theme and runs August 7-11. Dance camps are a great opportunity to introduce your child to the creative energy at Southwest Washington Dance Center. It is easy to register through Centralia or Chehalis Parks and Recreation.
3-4 years old – 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. $45 per session
5-6 years old – 9:30 am to 12:00 p.m. $60 per session
7-12 years old – 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. $80 per session
Minecraft Party
Perfect for the Minecraft fan in your family who wants to play Minecraft, grab snacks at the “refuel station,” make keychains and many more crafts! This is a two-hour event on Friday, July 7 for kids K-5 at Kitchen #1 in Borst Park. The cost is $20.
Valley View Health Center C to C Bike Ride
Are you ready to pedal from C (Centralia) to C (Chehalis) on the morning of Saturday, July 22? This is a great way to get the family moving and includes pizza, games, giveaways and lots of prizes. Don’t miss this fun family favorite with a lower price this year!
Arts in the Park
Let inspiration take flight at Borst Park with this three-day camp from August 1-3 featuring instruction from artists Grace Wills and Sue Wachter. Art Camp will culminate in an art show Thursday, August 3, 7:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Budding Artists is for K-1: Children will have the opportunity to work with sculpting, painting and collage from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. with a cost of $60.
Youth Artists is for 2-6 grades and will work in acrylic painting, drawing, collage, sculpture and photography from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a cost of $80
UK Elite Soccer Camps
All camps include daily national soccer themes, World Cup-style tournaments, camp T-shirt and cool coaches. These run from July 31-August 4 and feature levels appropriate for ages 5-14 years. Sign up for half days 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at $100, or full days from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at $160. Camp is located at Borst Park Pioneer Playfield and registration is available online.
With Chehalis Parks and Recreation it is also easy to register for camps and programs. While some of the programs are the same, the Chehalis site also offers some unique options.
Heritage Kung Fu
Beginning Kung Fu will build self confidence, focus, respect and teach goal setting. The emphasis will be on character development and to give your child the tools they need when they are faced with a bully situation and how to become bully proof. This is a fantastic and fun way to spend your summer days. The August session is for four weeks on Wednesdays August 2, 9, 16 and 23 from 4:00 to 4:50 p.m. at Heritage Kung Fu located on 249 NW Chehalis Avenue. The cost is $40 and an optional uniform costs $35.
Kim’s TaekwonDo Chehalis
Taekwon-do is a non-contact Korean martial art that emphasizes hand and foot fighting (punching, kicking and blocking). Classes are for men, women and children from ages 8-100+. Come and join the fun and gain confidence, build self-esteem, get in shape, learn a martial art and earn a black belt! Parents and children are encouraged to register together. Classes are ongoing and new students may join the first week of each month, which makes August a perfect month to try it out. For additional information about Kim’s Taekwon-Do visit their website.
Youth Tennis Lessons
Learn to play tennis! Lessons will focus on skill-building and proper techniques. Classes run Monday through Thursday (Friday is used for a make-up day if needed). Participants must be at least 6 years old and provide one can of tennis balls and a racquet. Located at W.F. West Tennis Courts, Session 2 takes place on July 10-13 and Session 3 on July 17-20.
The times are 9:00-10:00 a.m. for inexperienced beginners, 10:00-11:00 a.m. for intermediate and 11:00 a.m.-noon for high school. One week is $30 and two weeks cost $50.
Pacific Athletic Center (PAC) Basketball Camps
Gary Viggers, long time basketball coach with 25 years of experience, will instruct this three-day camp, which will focus on basketball fundamentals, advanced ball handling, footwork, scoring moves and offensive concepts. The camp runs July 18-20 and is for 3-5 graders from 10:00 a.m. to noon, 6-8 graders 1:00 to 3:00 p.m, and is located at Pacific Athletic Center, 2091 Jackson Highway, Chehalis. The fee is $40 pre-registration and $45 on-site registration if space is available.
For information on more basketball and soccer camp opportunities, check out the Chehalis Parks and Recreation page.
Thorbeckes Fitlife Center Camps
No summer camp and program list is complete without Thorbeckes. They offer four summer camps:
Sport Stars Camp is play with a purpose. This camp includes TAP, which is a program to improve speed and agility helping young athletes stay in shape for fall sports, gymnastics and rock wall climbing. This camp runs from July 11–13 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and is for ages 6 to 11. The cost is $45 for members and $55 for non-members and is located at Chehalis Thorbeckes.
Incredible Kids covers a number of fun activities that Thorbeckes has to offer, including swimming, laser tag, yoga and miniature golf. This camp is from July 18-20 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. for ages 6 to 11. The cost for this camp is $40 for members and $50 for non-members and is located at the Centralia Thorbeckes.
Bullfrogs and Butterflies is a camp for the younger set, ages 3 to 5 who are potty trained. Campers will enjoy swimming, yoga, playing games and doing crafts. Camp runs from July 25–27 from noon to 3:00 p.m. The cost is $40 for members and $50 for non-members and is located at the Centralia Thorbeckes.
TAP Summer Kids Camp takes place at the Chehalis Thorbeckes and will keep your kids in shape for fall sports. Session 2 is a 4 week session and runs from July 24 – August 18 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. The cost is $105 for members and $130 for non-members.
In addition to camps Thorbeckes also offers group swim and private swim lessons in the Aquatic Center at its Centralia location.
