Summer activities abound in southwest part of town

Danielle Kerr performs a handstand with the aid of instructor Sergei Sandou at the Sandou Theatrical Circus School. View file photo. Mikel Robbins practices acrobatics with the aid of instructor Sergei Sandou at the Sandou Theatrical Circus School. View file photo From left, Alex Diaz, Jordan Sligar and Connor Graff participate in a Camp Invention activity at Bilbray Elementary School. View file photo Advertisement

Think summer is a time to relax, kick back and do nothing? Think again. In the Southwest, there's plenty to do when school's out, including a variety of unique summer camps.

SANDOU CIRCUS CAMP

The Sandou Theatrical Circus Studio and School is offering its second annual circus camp, which runs from June 4 to Aug. 17. Sessions typically are run week by week, but the school is flexible and will offer its services on a daily basis, or children can stay the entire length of the summer.

Kids are split into two age groups, 5 to 9-year-olds and ages 10 and up. Camp instruction runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, but Sergei Sandou, co-owner of the studio, says parents can drop children off as early as 8 a.m. and pick them up as late as 2 p.m.

The camp features coaches trained in gymnastics, including Sandou and his brother Konstantin.

"The circus traditionally has been passed down from family to family," said Bill Sewers, studio manager. "The advance of the circus school brings the circus opportunity to everyone."

Skills students will learn at the Sandou circus camp include gymnastics, trampoline, handstands, contortions, aerial skills, makeup skills, acrobatics, juggling, wire walking and ball balancing.

For more information, call 454-5005. The school is located at 6375 S. Arville St., Suite 7B.

CAMP INVENTION

If the physical arts aren't your child's cup of tea, then maybe the sciences would be of interest. One science-related program being offered this summer is Camp Invention, which will be held at Kim Elementary School, 7600 Peace Way, and Cornerstone Christian Academy, 5825 W Eldora Ave., No. B.

The program originated in 1990 as an outreach project led by teachers in schools in Akron, Ohio. Today, Camp Invention is offered to children in 47 states. During the sessions at Kim Elementary and Cornerstone Christian Academy, children will use history, science, math and critical thinking skills to complete tasks assigned to them by camp leaders.

"A lot goes into the curriculum," said Annette Phillips, regional coordinator of Camp Invention. "It promotes creativity. Learning is driven through curiosity and questions."

One task children will be assigned to complete is disassembling an old home appliance, after which they will use the parts to create their own new invention. On the last day of camp, there will be an inventors' showcase where students' creations will be unveiled.

Another task will include the designing and building of transportation that will take the child around the world. In total there will be five different themes worked on throughout each day of camp, according to Phillips. There is a maximum enrollment of 110 students in each session, and each class will have a one teacher to eight students ratio.

Kim Elementary's Camp Invention runs from June 25-29, and Cornerstone Christian Academy's runs from July 16-20. There is a registration fee of $199, which is due on or before May 31 and includes daily snacks and a T-shirt. For more information on the programs or to register, visit www.campinvention.org or call 800-968-4332.

SECOND CITY TEEN CAMP

For those interested in stage performance, Second City offers a teen camp this summer, June 19-22, July 17-20 and Aug. 7-10. Each camp runs from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $325 per session and includes lunch each day. Discounts are available if multiple sessions are taken. The camp is open to teens ages 13 to 18 and is located at the Threshold Dance Theatre, 4780 W. Harmon Ave., Suite 10. To register for classes, contact the Second City Las Vegas Training Center offices by calling 697-2653 or send an e-mail to lvtraining@secondcity.com.

BASKETBALL CAMPS

Basketball fans, look no further. Two camps in the southwest part of town are offering clinics on the skills you need to succeed. The Lied Memorial Boys and Girls Club is hosting its second annual basketball camp from July 14 through Aug. 11, for five consecutive Saturdays. There is no charge for the camp, but it is limited to the first 150 campers. Each camper will receive a camp T-shirt, individual instruction, group instruction and lunch. Interested parties should register at the club's administrative offices, 2850 S. Lindell Road. For more information, call Paul March at 367-2582, Ext. 381.

The Tarkanian Basketball Academy also is offering basketball camps this summer, with eight sessions running from June 4 to Aug. 16. The camps will cover offense, defense, posting and shooting. The academy is located at 2730 S. Rancho Drive and the office is open Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For more information on the camp, call 871-0096.