Organized fun can fertilize a child’s summer

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The signs of summer are already in the Maine air. For many of us, young and old, this inspires thoughts of canoe trips, lake swims and mountain hikes. But if you are a parent who has to work during the summer vacation, it also brings worries about child care. And if you are an elementary- or high school-age child, you might be wondering how to fill your days with something other than television.

Fortunately, Bangor-area programs offer a number of recreational and educational events for a wide range of age groups. Day and residential camps, park programs, volunteer opportunities, and library reading clubs are some of the options parents and children have for making this summer a fun-filled time.

Listed below is a sampling of summer programs in the area. Most of the YWCA and YMCA programs also offer additional child care before and after the daytime activites.

Ages 3-6

KIDDIE KAMP

Kiddie Kamp is a half-day summer program designed to meet the physical, social, and recreational needs of 3- to 6-year-olds. Activities include swimming, gymnastics, arts and crafts, singing, free play, creative movement and outdoor activities.

DATES:

Monday-Friday

8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

July 18-Aug. 17

CONTACT:

Beth Adams

Bangor-Brewer YWCA

941-2808

FEES: $40/week

CAMP DISCOVERY

Camp Discovery is a full-day camp that transports children from the Bangor YMCA to Souadabscook Stream in Hampden for swimming, nature studies, arts and crafts, hiking, storytelling and singing.

DATES:

Monday-Friday

8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

June 25-Aug. 31

CONTACT:

Robin Gorsline

Bangor YMCA

941-2815

FEES:

Members: $60/week

Non-members: $65/week

Ages 5-15

Y-WORKS TRAVEL CAMP

Based at the YWCA, the camp offers a full recreational program with many indoor and outdoor activities including traveling, swimming, arts and crafts, cooking and games.

DATES:

Monday-Friday

7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

June 25-Aug. 31

CONTACT:

Jill Harvey

Bangor-Brewer YWCA

941-2808

FEES:

$40/week

CRAZY DAYS DAY CAMP

Crazy Days Day Camp offers a full day of arts and crafts, games, educational activities, and field trips. The Brewer Recreation Department also offers a variety of weeklong sports clinics.

DATES:

Monday-Friday

8 a.m.-6 p.m.

June 25-Aug. 3

CONTACT:

Mike Martin

Brewer Recreation Department

989-5199

FEES:

$45/week

CAMP MOLLY MOLASSES

This traditional day camp is located on Chemo Pond in East Eddington and offers boating, swimming, arts and crafts, sports, games, and sleep overs. Transportation is provided by the YWCA.

DATES:

Monday-Friday

8 a.m.-5 p.m.

June 25-Aug. 17

CONTACT:

Anna Phillips

Bangor-Brewer YWCA

941-2808

FEES:

$140/2-week session

CAMP PRENTISS

Located on Souadabscook Stream, Camp Prentiss offers a full day of swimming, arts and crafts, nature studies, sports, orienteering and adventure programming. Transportation is provided by the YMCA.

DATES:

Monday-Friday

8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

June 25-Aug. 31

CONTACT:

Robin Gorsline

Bangor YMCA

941-2815

FEES:

Members: $60/week

Non-members: $65/week

CAMP JORDAN

A residential camp for ages 8-15, Camp Jordan is located on Branch Lake in Ellsworth. Activities include horseback riding, swimming, archery, riflery, sailing, kayaking, wind surfing and nature studies.

DATES:

Sunday-Saturday

One and two week sessions

July 1-Aug. 11

CONTACT:

Robin Gorsline

Bangor YMCA

941-2815

FEES:

Members: $170/week

Non-members: $185/week

Out of state: $210/week

SUPERVISED PARK PROGRAM

Sponsored by the Bangor Parks and Recreation, this program provides activites for children ages 5-14 in nine different Bangor parks. Track programs, sports camps, cheering camps, tennis and golf lessons are also offered throughout the summer.

DATES:

Monday-Friday

9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

June 25-Aug. 17

CONTACT:

Betsey Glanville

Bangor Parks and Recreation

947-1018

FEES:

FREE

JOHNSON’S FARM

Buses leave the Bangor area daily to Johnson’s Farm Day Camp in Newburgh. The special focus of the camp is horseback riding and campers spend at least two hours a day riding and learning about horses. Other activities include games, nature studies, and outdoor fun for ages 8-14.

DATES:

Monday-Friday

9 a.m-4 p.m.

June 18-Aug. 10

CONTACT:

Sandra Johnson

234-4235

FEES:

$23/day

WINDOVER ADVENTURE CAMP

A day camp located in Newburgh, Windover offers a horseback riding, small animal care, silk screening, woodworking, pottery, swimming, and more. Buses leave daily from Bangor, Orono and Hampden. The camp also offers extended care before and after the camp day begins.

DATES:

Monday-Friday

9 a.m.-4 p.m.

June 18-Aug. 17

CONTACT:

Jennifer Winship

942-4341

FEES:

$16-20/day

Ages 14-18

JUNIOR VOLUNTEER CARE PROGRAM

Teens are trained in an educational program to assist staff at St. Joseph Hospital in caring for the sick, feeding patients, running errands, and taking patients for walks. Generally, volunteers work for at least four hours a week or more depending on their schedules. A training course is also offered in July.

DATES:

July-August

CONTACT:

Sr. Julia

947-8311

JUNIOR VOLUNTEER CARE PROGRAM

Eastern Maine Medical Center offers two different volunteer opportunities. Teens can choose the patient service program, or public relations and business related activities. To apply for the June 20-22 training program, call EMMC.

DATES:

June-August

CONTACT:

Karen McCumber

945-7850

BANGOR HIGH SCHOOL

In addition to remedial classes, BHS will offer enrichment classes in technology, U.S. history, driver’s education and SAT preparation.

DATES:

June 25-Aug. 6

CONTACT:

Bangor High School

941-6200

FEES:

$20/course

LIBRARY OFFERINGS

Both the Bangor Public Library and the Orono Public Library offer summer reading programs for all ages. At the Bangor library, the theme is “Reading is the `Maine’ Thing,” and registration begins June 25. The program runs through Aug. 8. In Orono, the summer kickoff of the reading program will take place with a concert 6:30 p.m. June 21 in Webster Park. Both programs are free and open to the public.