School’s out Now what?

School is almost out, and parents may be wondering what they will do to keep those young minds, and hands, busy for the next two months.

Never fear. There are numerous programs in West Hawaii that will help keep the keiki happy — and parents sane — this summer.

Multiple activity camps

c Hokulani Arts & Creative Learning Center offers summer programs for teenagers ages 13 through 18. Students learn various mediums, such as drawing, painting, sculpture, mixed media and craft projects, photography, modeling, acting, musical instruction, Hawaiian arts and special workshops. Space is limited. For more information or to register, visit hokulani.org, or contact Executive Director Leilani Pacheco at 238-4940 or hokulaniaclc@aol.com.

c Kealakehe Community Association offers a summer program for 10- to 17-year-olds from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, June 4 through July 13, at Kona International Market. The program will offer cultural activities, martial arts, Youth Crime Watch programs, field trips to the learning center at the kitchen, healthy eating and nutrition and more. The program costs $150 with lunch provided, or $100 if students bring their own lunch. There may be a small fee for field trips. For more information, contact Elaine Watai at 896-2785 or ewatai2@hawaii.rr.com or Yvonne Naldoza at 769-0273 or ynaldoza@aol.com.

c Hawaii Preparatory Academy offers a summer camp for children entering kindergarten through fifth grade in the fall. Ka Makani Kids Camp will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 9 through Aug. 3. at the HPA Upper Campus. Camps are divided into groups — kindergarten through second grade and third through fifth grade. Students will explore “go green” concepts in an integrated, safe and creative hands-on environment. Group and team-building activities focus on stories and geography of Waimea, paniolo culture and renewable energy experiments. The cost is $675, which includes camp T-shirt, daily lunch, snacks and supplies. For information and registration, call 881-4088, email kamakanicamp@hpa.edu or download an application at hpa.edu. Space is limited; registration deadline is June 15.

Educational classes and camps

c West Hawaii Explorations Academy offers three summer courses: summer science, au plein air art and an online foreign language program. To register, visit whea.info or call the office at 327-4751.

– The Science Summer program will cover the different environments of the Big Island and environmental issues through various field trips and activities. There will be one required overnight educational field trip scheduled during the program. There will be several day trips to local sites of interest. Transportation for these field trips will be provided by WHEA. The course offers a one semester environmental science credit (0.5) that may be applied toward graduation requirements in science or as an elective credit if all science credits have been fulfilled. The program runs from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 12 through 19 for seventh- through 12th-graders. The cost is $190.

– Au Plein Air Art is a hands-on art adventure. Students are treated to art excursions each day, going on location to experience drawing and painting in the open air. At the end of each day students will leave with drawings and paintings reflecting their Hawaiian locale. Transportation for these field trips will be provided by WHEA. The program offers a one semester basic art credit (1.0) that may be applied toward graduation requirements as an elective credit. The program runs from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 26, 27, 28, July 2 and 3 for ninth- through 12th-graders. The cost is $125. There will also be a camp for sixth- through eighth-graders from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 6 and 7. The cost is $60; the middle school program does not offer an art credit.

– The Online Foreign Language course is designed for students who want to further their language skills, or are just starting to learn a new language. All levels are encouraged to attend; 30 languages are available. Students will work independently at home, at their own pace. Students must have a computer with Internet access, Windows or Mac operating system, Adobe Flash 10 and Adobe Shock Wave (free downloads available), a computer with microphone or headphones with microphone are required. An introduction meeting at the WHEA campus is held. The program offers the option to acquire a one semester credit (0.5), or at a more advanced pace a year credit of Foreign Language (1.0), that may be applied toward graduation requirements or as an elective credit. An orientation will be held 8 to 10 a.m. June 1 for seventh- through 12th-graders; the course must be completed by July 13. The program costs $100.

c One Island Sustainable Living Center offers a Yes!! Youth Empowerment for Sustainability Camp on its 10-acre sustainable living center and organic farm in Honaunau. Participants, ages 10 through 18, will explore hands-on learning projects on renewable energy and energy efficiency, aquaponics, organic local foods gardening, composting and soil building, butterfly breeding, water conservation and more. The camp runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 18 through 22, with an overnight campout June 22. On June 23, family and community members are invited to an all-day celebration from 8 to 4 p.m. The camp costs $250, which includes materials, lunches and snacks; sliding scale, sibling discounts and scholarships are available. Early drop-off/late pick-up can be arranged. Enrollment is limited to 15 students. For more information, email hawaii@one-island.org, call 328-2452 or visit one-island.org/hawaii.

c Hawaii Learning Resource offers summer academic enrichment camps for students entering second through eighth grades. The first two-week camp, Spy Academy, will be from June 11 through 22, targeting students entering second through fifth grade. The camp focuses on building learning skills with an emphasis on observation, focus and listening. The second two-week camp, Game of Life, will be from June 25 through July 6, targeting students entering grades sixth through eighth. The camp focuses on project-based life lessons designed to build learning, team and life skills. The camps run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday at Hawaii Preparatory Academy’s Village Campusl; maximum enrollment of 20 students per session. Camp tuition is $400 per student per session and includes lunch and snacks. Financial assistance is available. Applications can be found at hawaiilearningresource.org or by calling 885-9318.

c Hawaii Preparatory Academy’s summer session, held June 26 through July 20, offers upper school students a number of two-hour enrichment courses, including SAT Prep, driver education, marine science seminar (earn 0.5 elective credit), algebra and geometry, aquaculture systems, the writer’s imagination, bamboo crafts and construction, Big Island graphics studio, mixed media ceramics, photojournalism, English as a second language and more. Middle school students can take Hoku a Aina, a morning interdisciplinary seminar that integrates core skills through ecoliteracy; program includes field trips. Tuition for boarding students is $4,600; the fee for individual day courses is $550 per class. Financial aid is available. Online registration is available at hpa.edu.

c With the help of the American Association of University Women, Kona Stories bookstore will host a monthly story time for children, ages 3 to 7 years old, at its location in Keauhou Shopping Center. The one-hour story time features stories and crafts centered on a theme, followed by a snack. The story time will be at 10:30 a.m. May 30 and June 27; there is a $5 participation fee to cover crafts and snack. Space is limited to 30 children; parents need to check in 10 minutes early at Kona Stories bookstore. For more information, call 324-0350.

Sports camps and events

c Holua Tennis Center offers a summer camp for six- to 18-year-olds from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, June 2 through July 27. The program includes tennis instruction and games, conditioning, arts and crafts, other sport activities, points and prizes and a carnival day. There is also a Tournament Tuff program for players who are competing in tournaments or high school. The program includes match play and mental toughness training. Registration runs from 1 to 5 p.m. May 29 through June 1 at Holua Tennis Center.

c Hawaii Preparatory Academy offers several sports camps and classes:

– Tiny Tots Tennis classes for 4- to 7-year-olds from noon to 1 p.m. Mondays and Fridays from June 11 through Aug. 6. The two-day classes provide a fun introduction to the sport with games and prizes. Cost is $30 per week. Junior Tennis Camps for children 6 years and older will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The classes emphasize the development of proper technique of all strokes, and players will be coached in various aspects of match play, including strategy. There will be special age sessions for intermediate and high school players. Cost is $130 per week. For more information and to register, contact Colleen Patton at 881-4037, email cpatton@hpa.edu or download a registration form at hpa.edu.

– Equestrian camp from June 12 through 14 and 19 through 21 that costs $75 per day. The daily three-hour equestrian camp is open to students 8 years and older, and offers a diverse training regimen designed to create a working knowledge of the aids and mechanics involved when riding English, as well as proper grooming and tacking procedures. A weekly two-hour Friday riding program is open to students 8 years and older. The program runs from 3 to 5 p.m. The cost is $40 per session. Trail rides (two-hour minimum) also can be arranged on an individual basis. The cost is $35 per hour. For more information, registration or to arrange a trail ride, contact Judy Folk at 885-4302 or 937-2569 or Laura Rose at 885-7194 or 895-6632.

– Youth basketball camps from June 4 through 7 students entering fourth through 10th grade. The camp will focus on skill development, footwork fundamentals and team and in-game instruction. Fourth- through seventh-graders will meet from 8:30 to 10 a.m.; cost is $65. Eighth- through 10th-graders will meet 1 to 4 p.m.; cost is $80. All campers will take home a camp basketball. For more information, contact Fred Wawner at 881-4290 or fwawner@hpa.edu.

Swimming and water

c Hawaii Preparatory Academy offers two swim sessions: June 25 through July 6 and July 9 through 20. Lessons are 30 minutes and held Monday through Friday. All levels of classes are provided — from mommy/daddy and me to advance. The cost is $75 per session. For more information, call 881-4088.

c The Big Island Sailing Foundation is offering four one-week sailing camps. Beginning dinghy sailing for children age 8 through 12 will be June 18 through 22 and June 25 through 30 at Keauhou Bay; dinghy and keelboat sailing for 10- to 16-year-olds will be July 16 through 20 and intermediate sailing and intro to racing will be held July 23 through 27, both at Honokohau Harbor. Day camps run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Certified instructors and lifeguards will lead the shore and sailing programs. No prior sailing experience required for the June camps, however participants should be able to swim. Booklets and life jackets provided. The camps cost $165 for new sailors and $140 for returning sailors. Scholarships are available. For more information, call Alicia Starsong at 325-5529 or email bisf@earthlink.net.

c Jack’s Diving Locker offers multiple scuba programs for keiki throughout the summer. Fees listed do not include tax or material costs. For more information about any of the camps, call 329-7585 or email dive@jacksdivinglocker.com.

– Keiki Sea Camp for ages 6 through 8 is offered June 4 through 8 and July 2 through 6. Includes beach excursions, swimming, snorkeling, tide pooling, marine life study, arts and crafts. Cost is $225.

– Sea Camp Hawaii — Octopus and Invertebrates, June 11 through 15, for 8- to 14-year-olds. $250.

– Sea Camp Hawaii — Coral Reef Ecology, June 18 through June 22, for 8- to 14-year-olds. $250.

– Sea Camp Hawaii — Reef Fish and Eels, July 9 through 13, for 8- to 14-year-olds. $250.

– Sea Camp Hawaii — Sharks and Rays, July 16 through 20, for 10- to 14-year-olds. $250.

– Sea Camp Hawaii — Sea Turtles, July 23 through 27, for 8- to 14-year-olds. $250.

– Seal Team Scuba Camp, June 4 through 8 or June 25 through 29, for 8- to 14-year-olds. Includes PADI Seal Team Aqua Missions with basic scuba skills, creature identification, underwater navigation, building a space station underwater and photography. Cost is $295.

– Master Seal Team Camp, June 11 through 15 or July 2 through 6, for 8- to 14-year-olds. Includes PADI Master Seal Team Aqua Missions such as safety, search and recovery, wreck and night dive in pool, along with shallow water shore dives in the ocean. $295.

– Open Water Scuba Camp, June 18 through 22, July 2 through 6 or July 23 through 27, for 12- to 18-year-olds (10- to 11-year-olds may participate if they are Master Seal Team members and have instructor approval). Includes PADI Open Water Diver course with academics, shallow water skill dives and four open water dives, including a boat trip. $350.

– Advanced Scuba Camp, June 4 through 8, June 25 through 29, July 2 through 6, for 12- to 18-year-olds. Includes PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course with academics, skill review in the pool and open water dives from the shore and boat. $350.

– Rescue Diver Camp, June 11 through 15, for 12- to 18-year-olds. Includes PADI Emergency First Responder course with academics, skill dives and shore dive rescue scenarios. $350.

– Specialty Camp — UW Navigator and Boat Diver, June 4 through 8, for 12- to 18-year-olds. $350.

– Specialty Camp — Buoyancy and UW Photographer, June 18 through 22, for 12- to 18-year-olds. $350.

– Specialty Camp — UW Navigator and Boat Diver, June 25 through 29, for 12- to 18-year-olds. $350.

– Specialty Camp — UW Naturalist and Fish ID, July 9 through 13, for 12- to 18-year-olds. $350.

– Specialty Camp — Night and Manta Ray Diver, July 16, 18 and 20, for 12- to 18-year-olds. $350.

– Specialty Camp — National Geographic, July 30 through Aug. 3, for 12- to 18-year-olds. $350.

Arts

c Bonnie Mitchell offers harp and piano lessons for children ages 4 and older at Kealakekua Music Center. The cost depends on the length of instruction. For more information, call Mitchell at 322-2735 or email HarpistinHawaii.com.

c Junior Music Academy offers its “Musical Adventures Around the World” summer sessions for keiki entering first through fourth grade. Students will focus on playing musical games from far and wide, with hands-on instrument playing, singing, circle games and improvisation. Session one is 9 to 11 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, June 4 to 15. Session two is 9 to 11 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, June 18 to 29. Pre-piano for preschool age children meets at 10 a.m. Tuesdays, May 15 to July 3, or 9 a.m. Thursdays, May 17 through July 5. “Clapping, Wiggles, Bounces and Tickles” for infants and toddlers meets at 9 a.m. Tuesdays, May 15 through July 3 or 10 a.m. Thursdays, May 17 to July 5. Classes will be held at Junior Music Academy in the old industrial area. For more information, call Miss Mary at 331-2000 or visit juniormusicacademy.com.

c SKEA’s Summer Art Camp is slated for 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 12 through 14 and 18 through 22 for children ages 6 through 11. Local artists will create art with children through a variety of mediums; outdoor activities will also take place. The costs is $25 per day with an early bird registration before June 4. For more information or to register, call 328-9392.

c Kahilu Theatre offers a Summer Arts program to students ages 6 to 12. The program runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, June 4 through July 6. The program, “Where does STUFF come from?” costs $550 per student. Students will explore where food and water come from, as well as origins of power resources. They will also learn about building a sustainable organic garden. In addition, hip-hop, hula hooping, breakdancing, painting, music and origami paper making will be taught. For more information, contact Lisa Shattuck or Eric Kwan at 885-6868 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Space is limited to 30 students.

Religious

c Kona Baptist Church offers a Children’s Music Camp during June. The camp provides children an opportunity to explore, exercise and sharpen their artistic gifts, as they work together to learn, rehearse and present the children’s musical “Spend Awhile on the Nile.” Children will have the opportunity to sing and move to music, as well as explore other expressions of drama, public speaking and social interaction. The camp is open to children who will have completed second through fifth grade by June 1. Sessions will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, June 4 through 29. The musical will be performed at 6 p.m. July 1 at the church. The cost is $10 per child, which is nonrefundable and includes music books. Camp participants will also a receive T-shirt, snacks, CD, etc. All registration and payment must be received in the church office by May 31. Space is limited. For more information, call 322-3355, email konabaptist@hawaii.rr.com or visit konabaptist.org.

c Cornerstone Christian Fellowship offers its Vacation Bible School from 5 to 8 p.m. July 8 through 15 for children who have completed kindergarten through sixth grade. The camp includes dinner, snacks, crafts, music, games, recreation and Bible learning activities.