Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Photograph by George Sakkestad

Tessa Cote, 11, paints a hat she made at A Place for Art in Los Gatos. The school offers a summer program.

Hot Ideas

There's more than television under the sun

By Patricia M. Gray

It's summertime, a time kids should indulge themselves by playing and soaking up the sun. But these days, more often than not, children are watched by the '90s favorite nanny--TV. Young people in the Los Gatos area, however, have many opportunities to participate in recreational and educational activities--some are even free.

Here's a list of places to get started making plans for the summer:

Los Gatos-Saratoga Department of Community Education and Recreation, 123 E. Main St., Los Gatos; 354-8700

With convenient locations at various schools, the "rec" department offers abundant summer activities for preschoolers through teenagers, including summer school, specialty day camps, field trips, swimming lessons, overnight adventures and much much more.

A four-week Afternoon Day Camp is being offered this summer. The program provides the opportunity for children to attend the four-week summer school program from 9 a.m. to noon and then attend afternoon day camp at the same location.

Past favorites are also offered, such as sports camps, parent and child programs, Cooking With Kids and more. Costs range from $25 and up, depending on the program.

Southwest YMCA, 13500 Quito Road, Saratoga; 370-1877

The "Y" offers a great variety of recreational and educational activities for families and children of all ages. Programs include summer child care, day camps, sports camps, travel camps, family camps and a lot more.

New Summer Fun Family Nights for the child-care centers offer family time to play and be together.

Day campers are divided into three age groups. Day campers enjoy activities based on various weekly themes, including: environmental awareness, field trips, hiking, social-skill development, cookouts and diversity appreciation.

Specialty campers take part in more specialized interests, such as ice-skating camp, splash camp, mass-media extraordinaire and, new this summer, performing arts camp.

Additionally, backpacking camps and family camps on the Trinity River are offered. Price ranges depending on the program. YMCA members receive discounts.

Youth Science Institute, 296 Garden Hill Drive, Vasona Lake County Park, Los Gatos; 356-4945

Youth Science Institute, a nonprofit organization committed to the enrichment of the community through science education, offers opportunities for getting back to nature through a variety of informative science classes, summer camps and family programs.

Summer science classes include Awesome Amphibians, Feathered Friends, Powerful Plants, Back to the Creek and more. A variety of summer camps are offered including Animal Friends, Bugology, Take-A- Hike, Jurassic Giants, Sensational Senses, Tiny Beasts and much more.

A special summer camp includes children's outdoor musical theater featuring Robin Hood, a play in the woods. Families can learn together in "Science Safaris" covering topics such as a Starry Safari, the Secret World of Bats, earthquake walks and summer night hikes.

The demand for YSI programs has doubled, resulting in some classes filling rapidly. "Everybody wants to sign up for the Vasona programs, but because the park is heavily used, it has the most limits with expanding," says YSI Executive Director Anne Dunham. Dunham notes that YSI sites at Sanborn-Skyline above Saratoga and Alum Rock Park in the East San Jose foothills offer a more natural and rural setting, but parents seem to prefer the more centrally located Vasona Lake. Prices are modest with discounts given to YSI members.

Santa Clara County Parks, 298 Garden Hill Drive, Vasona Park; 356-2729 or 356-3741

Young naturalists can explore Santa Clara County's 40,000 acres of urban and mountain parks, trails, lakes, creeks and open space preserves. County parks offer hiking, jogging, bicycling and walking trails, archery, fishing, horseback riding, campsites and interpretive centers. Or just enjoy a picnic lunch at one of the many local parks: Vasona Lake, Sanborn-Skyline, Los Gatos Creek Park, Rancho San Antonio and Lexington Reservoir.

A Place for Art, 16755 Littlefield Lane, Los Gatos; 356-7782

A home-based art school, A Place For Art offers fun for aspiring Monets with art media such as clay, papier-mâché, sticks, tin and tissue paper. Each class lasts three hours and costs $65 for one day a week or $110 for two days a week (includes all supplies).

During the school year, A Place For Art teaches fundamentals of perspective drawing and three-dimensional drawing. Joann Pfeiffer started the school after discovering there were no art classes in Santa Clara County teaching kids how to draw. "We are offering crafts in the summertime, but during the regular school year, it's a serious drawing class," Pfeiffer says.

Villa Montalvo, Box Office, P.O. Box 2520, Saratoga; 961-5858

For 42 years, Villa Montalvo has presented world-class performances in a beautiful setting. Villa Montalvo offers a collection of cultural events, including: Pickle Slices on June 15, a fast-paced production featuring dancing, acrobatics and comedy guaranteed to put a smile on children of all ages. The performance costs $12 for adults and $6 for children. On June 29, the Missoula Children's Theater presents The Wizard of Oz; the show is $5 for adults and $2.50 for children.

Los Gatos Public Library, 110 E. Main St.; 354-6891 or 354-6893 (children's room)

Young pilgrims can travel in time, space and history via the passages of books. The library is open seven days a week, with activities for children of all ages. This year's Summer Reading Club's theme is "Reading Safari." Associate librarian Judi Snyder encourages kids to open a book--it's a jungle in there. The series runs June 12 through July 31 every Thursday afternoon. The summer reading program kicks off June 17 with Family Night, featuring Megumi the Storyteller. All programs are free, and kids signing up for the reading program will receive a prize package.

School of Piano, 12380 Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road, Suite 7, Saratoga; 865-1072

Established more than 20 years ago, the School of Piano offers private lessons or summer piano camps for budding musicians. The SOP's goal is to make music fun.

Lessons include music theory and history, mixed in with fun musical games reinforcing theory concepts and music-reading skills. Music composition is covered in some classes.

Three summer sessions run June 9-Aug. 23, offering: Piano Camp, Saturday Mini-Camp, Kinderpiano Camp, Musical Games, Sing With Jennifer and Synthesizer Sight-Reading. Prices range from $19 to $375.

Town of Los Gatos Community Services, 110 E. Main Street, Los Gatos; 354-6820

A recently completed Youth Commission project details numerous volunteer opportunities. "Junior Volunteers" ages 8 and older can gain experience in public service and develop civic mindedness. "I'm hoping we'll make a connection between resources and needs," says Community Services Director Regina Falkner, "between students who have time on their hands and the nonprofits that need help." Falkner says volunteering has lots of benefits, including enabling students to use their time productively, learn new skills and do something good for the community.

Among the many volunteer opportunities are: Art Docents of Los Gatos, Inc., Los Gatos Museum Association, Senior Nutrition and Services Program, A Place for Teens, Live Oak Adult Day Services, Youth Science Institute and several town projects, including Music in the Plaza, the Forbes Mill Footbridge Mural Project, and the Department of Parks, Forestry and Maintenance.

For additional opportunities or information, call the town of Los Gatos at 354-6820 or the Volunteer Exchange at 247-1126.

St. Andrew's School, 13601 Saratoga Avenue, Saratoga; 867-3785

St. Andrew's offers an extensive summer sports program to young athletes in third through seventh grade. Sport camps are designed to give students experience in a variety of sports, such as basketball, volleyball, soccer, hockey, track and field, softball, football and frisbee games. Four camp sessions run July 14-Aug. 8. Tuition is $150 a week or $275 for two weeks.

On the drawing board for Creative Arts Camp is: Yea for Clay!, Voice Yourself Through Song and Celebrate Life with Dance. Students are combined into three age-based groups and rotate through the three sessions each day. The cost is $150 for the two-week camp.

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