8monday

Camp for Kids

Remember day camp? Singing goofy songs, making s'mores, getting poison oak--what more could a kid want? The city of Seaside has a whole new take on day camp. "Sea Otters, Sea Horses and Sea Dolphins" at Oldemeyer Center will blend crafts, music and dance, swimming, field trips and nature awareness. Each session lasts a week and each day will be chock-a-block full of fun. Starts Monday, June 8 (and continues through July 27), 7:45am-5:30pm. Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby Ave., Seaside. $50/week for residents, $60 week, non-residents.

27saturda

See 'Em at the Museum

A year ago, the Monterey Youth (MY) museum opened down on Cannery Row, giving local kids and young visitors ages 2-11 a chance to experience the hands-on, tactile exhibitry already enjoyed by kids in nearby San Jose and San Luis Obispo. Kids who come to MY museum have the chance to serve food at a pretend restaurant, build a pretend house, shop for produce at a mercantile or build structures with magnets. Now, on the occasion of the museum's first anniversary, MY will be hosting a street fair on Wave Street between Prescott and Hoffman avenues, with game booths, face painting, musical entertainment, a clown, coloring contests--and of course, a birthday cake. If you haven't had the opportunity to visit MY museum, this is definitely the time to go since free museum admission will be included in the day's festivities. (And if you want to go to the museum any other time, it's open every day but Wednesday, admission is $4/per person, under 2/free.) Saturday, 10am-3pm. Monterey Youth Museum, Wave Street, across from the carousel, second floor. 646-6446.

more fun.

Teens

Open Mike Poetry Night. Mondays, 7pm. An open mic poetry reading will follow featured high school poets reading their original works. Cozy, coffeehouse setting. Adults may attend, but only teens may read their poetry. If you're interested in being a featured reader, call Jeanne at 646-3949 or e-mail mccombs@ci.monterey.ca.us. Community Room, Monterey Public Library, 625 Pacific St., Monterey. Free. 646-3949.

West Coast Swing. Wednesdays, 7-9pm. Join the hot and happening West Coast Swing with Pat Eodice, competitor, choreographer and teacher. New and experienced dancers age 16 and older pre-register at Monterey Recreation & Community Services Dept., 546 Dutra St. Couples rates available. Monterey Youth Center, 777 Pearl St., Monterey. $30/resident; $39/non-resident. 646-3866.

Boys Volleyball. June 9-July 23, Tuesdays, Thursdays. Boys in grades 6-12 are grouped by age to learn techniques in offensive and defensive play, drills, positioning, proper serving, hitting and game rules. For beginners and those seeking to improve their skills. Game times vary by age group. Pre-register at Monterey Sports Center. 301 E. Franklin St., Monterey. $42/residents; $50/non-residents. 646-3739.

Great Babysitting. June 15-19, 9:30am-12:30pm. Young caregivers ages 12-16 learn to be super-sitters, with songs and projects to use while caring for young children, as well as home safety and how to handle emergencies. Be CPR certified by the end of the one-week program. Pre-register at Monterey Recreation & Community Services Dept., 546 Dutra St., or Monterey Youth Center, 777 Pearl St., Monterey. $55/residents; $72/non-residents. 646-3866.

Tots

Budding Ballerinas. Wednesdays, Fridays 4-5pm. Children ages 4-7 experience the joy of dance. Classes offered by Carmel Ballet School in Carmel and Pebble Beach. Cost varies with enrollment level & number of classes attended. Start anytime. Call for full details. 655-5598.

Twenty Toes "Gym." Beginning 6/4, Thursdays, 6-6:45pm. Parents and tots together explore and develop physical skills. Children are introduced to elementary gymnastics skills and gain self-confidence through the use of parachute games, creative dance and rhythm sticks. Mom or dad have fun at the same time. Four-week sessions begin June 4, July 9 and August 6. Pre-register at Monterey Recreation & Community Services Dept., 546 Dutra St. or call Monterey Youth Center, 777 Pearl St., Monterey. $32/residents; $41/non-residents. 646-3866.

Ballet for Kids. Fridays 2:15, 3pm, 4pm. The Monterey Recreation and Community Services Department offers this ongoing progressive program of children's ballet for kindergarten and older. Class time varies with skill level. Recital held annually. Pre-registration required at Archer Park Center, 542 Archer St., Monterey. $28/Monterey residents; $37/non-residents. 646-3870.

Summer Playland. 6/8 through 7/31. 1-5:30pm. Games, sports activities, swimming, excursions and special events are free for children ages 5-11 in this playground program sponsored by the City of Seaside. Register at Oldemeyer Center, 926 Hilby Ave., Del Rey Woods School, 1281 Plumas Ave., Seaside. Free. 899-6270.

Ultimate Dance Camp. Beginning 6/15, 8:30am-5:30pm. This is for kids at all dance levels to learn proper warm-up and dance techniques, make costumes and design sets for a recital for family and friends. One-week session begins June 15 for ages 6-9 and June 22 for ages 10-14. Pre-register at Monterey Recreation & Community Services Dept., 546 Dutra St., Monterey. $100/residents; $130/non-residents. 646-3866.

Gymnastics Camp. 6/15 through 6/19. 9am-5pm. Gymnasts ages 9-14 will have a tumbling good time as they practice skills on the vault, uneven bars, balance beam, mini-tramp and floor. Students will view videos, decorate uniforms, design sets and learn choreographed routines for a recital. Pre-register at Monterey Recreation & Community Services Dept., 546 Dutra St., Monterey. $120/residents; $156/non-residents. 646-3866.

Sea Dog School. 6/15 through 6/20, 9am-4pm. Offered by the Lyceum of Monterey County, this six-day class for grades 6-8 teaches navigation and kayaking skills you need to be a valuable crew member on a research boat. Culminates in a research outing, exploring Monterey Bay and its creatures. Class repeats 6/22-27 at Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History. Buena Vista Middle School, Monterey. $140. 372-6098.

Tweens

Sports Camp. 6/15 through 8/7. 9am-5pm. Eight one-week sessions let kids grades 3-6 participate in a variety of sports activities, including basketball, football, soccer, floor hockey, inner-tube water polo and more. Parents can drop off kids as early as 7:30am and pick them up as late as 5:30pm. Pre-register at Monterey Sports Center, 301 E. Franklin St., Monterey. $80/residents; $95/non-residents. 646-3739.

Summer-by-the-Sea. 6/15 through 8/14. Daily. Sign up for as many weeks as you like. This summer activity camp offers special activities and outings for kids ages 7-12. Fees are $70 for a full week, $15 for a full day drop-in or $10 for a half day drop-in. Offered by City of Carmel-by-the-Sea Recreation Division, the program is open to anyone. Harriette Rowntree Cottage at Sunset Center, Carmel. 626-1255.

Cartooning. 6/16, Tuesday, 2:30pm. Young people ages 9 and up who are seriously interested in the art of cartooning can meet and learn from a master, Hank Ketcham, creator of the 'Dennis the Menace' cartoon strip. Bring a large drawing tablet. Seating is limited. Monterey Public Library Community Room, 625 Pacific St., Monterey. Free. 646-3934.

Cheerleading Camp. 6/22 through 7/24. 9am-5pm. Learn sideline cheers, crowd cheers and a dance routine in any of four one-week sessions. For grades 3-6. Parents can drop off children as early as 7:30am and pick then up as late as 5:30pm. Pre-register at Monterey Sports Center. 301 E. Franklin St., Monterey. $83/residents; $98/nonresidents. 646-3739.

SPCA Animals Camp. 7/13 through 7/17, 9am-3pm. Children ages 9-12 will get "hands-on" experiences with animals, from pets to livestock to patients in the Wildlife Center and learn about animal care, native wildlife and the important role animals play in the world. Also offered July 27-31. Bring own lunch each day. Limited scholarships available. Enrollment limited. SPCA, Highway 68 across from Laguna Seca, Monterey. $100. 422-4721 or 373-2631 ext. 222.