Away from it all

Kids' summer camps set in Centennial Hills

Special to ViewSigns point the way to different activities at a previous Camp Lee Canyon in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area. The Clark County-run camp offers youngsters an opportunity to experience mountain air and wilderness activities. Special to VIewChildren gather in the woods for an activity during a previous Camp Lee Canyon in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area. This year’s camps are set for July 18-23 and 25-30. Advertisement

Spring is the right time to start thinking about sending youngsters off to the self-searching sojourn that is summer camp.

Although the face of camp continues to change, some consider the experience to be a rite of passage in a child's life and important for their confidence building away from home.

Whether the youngster seeks a wilderness retreat or more academic or sporty attraction, there are several options in the Centennial area to help ensure they leave the experience a happy camper.

Officials at each camp with fees encouraged residents to consider helping sponsor interested campers who might be unable to attend during tough economic times.

Contact the camps individually if interested in donating.

SCIENCE WHIZ KIDS

For an alternative to pine trees and campfire songs, the Mad Science organization introduces children to lab coats and beakers during their science enrichment day camps.

Lynsey Gecs, self-dubbed "mad scientist" for the national program, said children in preschool to sixth grade can participate in science experiments.

"It's a lot of hands-on experience," she said. "Kids get to take home their experiments to show what they're learning."

The camps are offered at several locations around the valley and start at $199 per child.

Mad Science sessions begin June 7 and run through Aug. 27 at Dance Connection, 7501 N. Cimarron Road, Suite 103. Camp is from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday including snack and lunch time.

For more information, call 257-6231.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Camp Lee Canyon in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area offers city-slicker kids an opportunity to experience mountain air, rustic cabins and activities they can't do at home.

Two six-day sleep-away camps for kids 8 through 15 are offered through the Clark County Parks and Recreation Department. Campers learn about the environment, participate in campfire songs, hiking, ropes courses, play games and take part in other activities. Campers can even take a shot at archery.

Not only is the experience an escape from everyday life, kids get out of the scorching summer heat of Las Vegas.

Temperatures on the mountain are about 40 degrees lower than in the valley.

"It's a really unique opportunity for children to learn about the environment, meet new people, make new friends, have some unforgettable experiences," said Diane Bush, cultural/recreation supervisor for Clark County Parks and Recreation.

The camp still includes a lot of the rustic amenities it did when it was built in the 1930s, Bush said.

On the Edge Camp is set for July 18 to 23 for campers 13 to 15.

Omni Camp kicks off July 25 and runs through July 30 for kids 8 to 12.

The fee for both weeklong camps is $400.

"They will meet and make friends with children from far and wide, and some of those friendships last a lifetime," Bush said.

For more information or a camp brochure, e-mail camplee@co.clark.nv.us or call 455-1905.

A DIFFERENT TUNE

Camp Lee Canyon also hosts Lee Canyon Summer Music Camp, set for July 11 to 16, a week of intensive instruction in violin, viola, cello and piano.

Young musicians must come equipped with prior experience on their instrument.

The day after camp concludes, campers will perform for friends and family July 17 at the Winchester Cultural Center, 3130 S. McLeod Drive.

The fee is $600 per student. The cost includes room, board and instruction.

The young musicians are led by Oscar Carrescia, a master violinist and founder of the Las Vegas Youth Camerata Orchestra.

The camp is available for participants 12 through adult.

For additional information or to register for the camp, call 455-7340 or visit accessclarkcounty.com/parks.

MAKING LEADERS

Issues Concerning Adolescents of Nevada plans an annual leadership camp June 20 to 26 at Camp Lee Canyon.

Youths 11 to 17 can spend a week learning how to make smart decisions in life while surrounding themselves with positive peer and adult mentors.

The $250 camp fee includes all camp activities, a T-shirt, cabin lodging, meals, training materials, guest speakers, a dance, a talent show and a chance to meet other drug-free adolescents.

For more information, visit icanlv.org or call 451-4226.

YOU GO, GIRL

Between June and August, Tameka Anderson goes by the name Rafiki, and she's proud to answer to it. The 20-year-old Las Vegan received the nickname as a counselor at Foxtail Girl Scout Camps in the Toiyabe National Forest in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area.

The moniker means "friend" in Swahili, and Anderson said she enjoys becoming a friend and mentor to girls who attend the camp.

"We become a family up there," she said.

Camp Foxtail is open to girls, both member and nonmember, 7 to 17.

But today's Girl Scout Camp isn't your mother's sleep-away experience, program manager Axa Aguilar said.

The camp celebrates its 61st anniversary this year, but Aguilar is constantly looking for cutting-edge activities to teach the girls life skills, help build relationships and have fun in the meantime.

* The Fairies and Princesses program will offer pampering but also help teach girls table manners and how to create their own stationary and soap.

* The Night Owl event will help them learn to explore nature in darkness while also studying stars.

* Scrumptious Science may get a little dirty in the kitchen but girls will learn science skills.

* The Survivor Challenge will teach girls everything they'd need to know if they are on the reality show "Survivor," Aguilar said.

In addition to programs like these, the girls can learn horseback riding, geocaching, team-building and other skills.

"I take their evaluations and everything they see that they'd like to see at camp and try to provide it," Aguilar said. "It's a great experience for any girl."

Camp Foxtail has room for 100 girls per session, which are available in three-day and weeklong increments. They begin June 13 and run through Aug. 30. Registration is still open.

For more information, Aguilar can be reached at 385-3677, ext. 260.

For a brochure on Camp Foxtail, visit frontiercouncil.org.

ALTERNATIVE CAMPING EXPERIENCES

* About 13 years ago, leaders at Liberty Baptist Church, 6501 W. Lake Mead Blvd., noticed one group of children was absent from summer camp.

It was students in year-round schooling, who couldn't experience traditional summer camp, said Neal Berkey, children's director for the church.

It was then that Camp Liberty put down its roots.

The free summer camp is offered to children 2 through 11 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. every Sunday. The program runs from June to August.

"We do it as a service to the community because we realize they might not get to do things," he said.

Children can play games and learn religious lessons.

In addition to the day camps, Berkey said four "big days" are offered.

Camp Liberty Carnival is planned for June 27, during which families can jump in bounce houses, play more than 30 carnival games, hear Bible stories, have their face painted and win prizes.

Festivities continue July 18 during Camp Liberty Mini-Mall, when the church is transformed into a mini mall for campers to spend play money on candy, toys, pampering, a pet shop and an arcade.

Camp Liberty Hawaii Day is planned for Aug. 1, when families can cool off with Hawaiian-themed water games and events.

Festivities conclude Aug. 22 during Western Sunday. The event is the final day of Camp Liberty, and children are encouraged to dress up in Western attire and participate in a petting zoo, play fair games and chow down on hotdogs, chips and soda.

All camp events are free. Berkey said valuable life lessons, including giving to those in need, emphasis on community and respect, will be taught throughout the events.

Children are supervised by volunteers.

To register a child for the camp, call 647-4522.

* June 7 is the start date for day camps at the Centennial Hills YMCA, 6601 N. Buffalo Drive.

From 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, children are kept busy playing in the park, swimming, playing games, doing crafts and getting energy out in the gym.

The weekly day camps are offered until the last week of August.

For children between 6 and 11, the fee is $131 per child per week.

For campers 5 and younger, the cost is $141 per week.

Teen camp for participants 12 to 14 is $145 per child per week.

For more information or to register, call 478-9622 or visit lasvegasymca.org.

Contact Centennial and Southeast View reporter Maggie Lillis at mlillis@viewnews.com or 477-3839.