SUMMER BRINGS changes in almost everyone's schedule. Schools and many activities, groups, sports and clubs soon will shut down for the season.
Most kids can't wait for the final school bell to ring, while their parents are busy trying to find activities to keep them busy over the long, hot summer.
Hot off the presses for your soon-to-be-bored brood is the summer program guide from the county Department of Recreation and Parks, listing a load of programs for children of all ages in the Pasadena area.
Downs Park will again be the site of two day camps - one for younger children, the other for teens - with extended care available.
For children entering grades one through six, the day camp consists of three two-week sessions between June 26 and Aug. 4. Camp hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, except for a holiday closing on July 4.
It will include sports, arts and crafts, nature programs, swimming, field trips and theme days.
The fee varies, with discounts available for campers who sign up for all three sessions. There is also a family discount available. Extended care, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. will cost $45 per session per child in addition to the regular camp fees.
Transportation to and from camp from selected sites is included in the cost.
For middle-schoolers, Rec & Parks offers six weeklong sessions of Teens On The Go at Downs Park. Camp hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays June 26 through Aug. 4, except for the holiday.
Campers will be "on the go" with counselors, to places around the county, in addition to activities at the park. Places that will be visited include Ocean City-area theme parks.
The fee is $130 per child, which includes admission prices for the trips, along with transportation to camp from selected sites.
In addition, summer activity centers for children ages 5 1/2 through 12 will be offered from June 26 to Aug. 4 at Fort Smallwood, Jacobsville, Lake Shore, Pasadena, High Point, Solley and Sunset elementary Schools, and Chesapeake Bay Middle School.
The centers will be open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Extended care, with an additional fee, is available from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. at all schools except Sunset.
Activities will include indoor and outdoor games, arts and crafts, sports, special events and field trips.
The fee is $150 per child for the entire session, and an additional $130 for extended care - both with family discounts available. No transportation or lunch is provided.
For preschoolers ages 3 to 5, Rec and Parks offers a half-day camp session at Sunset Elementary. Children must be 3 years old by June 26 and toilet trained.
The weekday program for 3-year-olds will be from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., with ages 4 and 5 attending from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The cost is $150 per child with family discounts available.
A sports camp for children ages 8 to 13 at Chesapeake High School will be operated from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays. It includes baseball or softball, flag football, soccer, field hockey and tennis. There are four sessions between June 19 and Aug. 18, each costing $145 per child and including round-trip transportation from three sites.
For younger athletes, there's a fundamentals multisport camp for ages 5 to 8. Hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, July 17-21 and July 24-28.
Fee is $80 per child, with one-way transportation to Chesapeake High School from three sites.
Extended day care is available at Downs Day Camp from 11 :30 a.m. to 4 p.m.for an additional fee.
Tennis anyone? Tennis lessons are available for children ages 6 to 13 at Lake Shore Elementary on Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting June 27.
Morning lesson times are 8:20, 9:20, 10:20 and 11:20, with class size for the 50-minute sessions limited to 16. The cost for the six-week program is $35.
Beginning to advanced players can benefit from evening clinics held at LakeWaterford Park from 7 to 9:30 June 27 and 29, and July 10 and 12. The clinics will be directed by Ron Mox, department tennis coordinator, and cost $25 for players 12-15, and $30 for ages 16 and older.
Still haven't found the program for your child? Then maybe the fine-arts, fitness and fun camp at Lake Waterford Park in August will fit the bill.
Campers will enjoy activities including music, drama, art, dancercize, field trips, swimming, board games and contests. The camp is planned for children entering grades one through six, and has hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekends Aug. 7-11 and 14-18.
The cost is $100 per child per session, including transportation from selected locations.
The program guide includes registration forms, and is available at county public library branches and area stores. Or download forms at web.aacpl.lib.md.us/rp.