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Summer camps and virtual activities offered to kids this summer

B y Ky r a P l a n e t z

Though Whatcom County has recently entered phase two, summer during a pandemic is looking very different for kids this year. While many were looking forward to playing outside with friends, going on trips or attending summer camp, most of those plans have been canceled.

However, though they can’t attend camps physically, a number of local organizations are offering virtual camps and activities to keep kids busy this summer. Below is a list of virtual camps and activities for kids this summer.

Gym Star Sports Center

The Ferndale business is offering a variety of in-person summer camps for multiple age groups this year. Week-long camps run from July 20 to August 28. Each camp has a different theme but participants will play on trampolines, do gymnastics, parkour and more. There are camps for preschoolers and school age children alike. Tuition ranges from $145 to $172 per week. For more information visit: gymstarsports.com.

Bellingham Girls Virtual Rock Camp

The organization is offering a virtual camp with online sessions for girls and gender non-conforming youth, ages eight to 17. Campers will learn to play an instrument, write songs, collaborate with a band and get a crash course in anti-racism and oppression.

The camp will integrate on and offline activities each week during their two, two-week sessions. Instruments will be provided and campers will get a chance to show off their skills in an online showcase via Zoom at the end of their session. Session one begins July 25 and ends August 8 while session two begins August 15 and ends August 29.

Sliding-scale tuition is offered to all campers but the suggested cost to attend is $350. For more information visit: bgrc.org/cometo-camp.

Bellingham Parks and Recreation

The department’s Camp at Home program is “designed with imagination and creativity in mind.” The program offers an interactive way for kids ages six to 12 to create fun projects with their families.

There are five virtual camps left this summer for registration; each camp will include an online component, but will allow for offline time to create a themed project. Each camper will receive a supply bag which includes a variety of art supplies, designed to give campers the tools they need to complete their projects.

The next camp, Weird World of Wonka, will be held July 20-July 24. The last day to register for this particular camp is July 16, at 4:30 p.m. Tuition for each camp is $40 plus $10 shipping for supply bags to out-of-county participants. The department will deliver supply bags to in-county participants at no cost. For more information visit: cob.org/services/recreation/ activities/Pages/Summer-Camp. aspx.

Boys & Girls Club of Whatcom County Virtual Club

The organization has launched an online club website that offers activities run by staff members. Club members can log in with their member ID number to access specific content, while some content is free to all.

The website has a tab for each branch of the club. For example, the Blaine tab has a video posted by Blaine club staff doing a lip sync battle. Each week new videos will be posted to let kids interact with STEM activities, athletics, art, reading and more.

For more information visit: sites.google.com/whatcomclubs. org/bgcwcvirtualclub/home.

Digivations Camp Demigod Institute

The NASA award winning STEM, arts and movement camp, which usually meets in Leavenworth, will meet virtually this year. The camp focuses on fantasy, particularly through the lens of the Harry Potter and Percy Jackson books, and virtual campers will meet via zoom.

There are a variety of camps offered through this organization and each will run three hours a day for five days a week. For more information visit: harrypottercamps.org.

Whatcom Community College

This summer Whatcom Community College is offering all of its usual Kids’ College and Teens Programs online in lieu of in-person classes. Ages eight to 14 are invited to participate in a variety of virtual classes focusing on coding, video game design, app development and more.

There are 76 classes available for registration and tuition ranges from $149 to $159. For more information visit: whatcom.edu/ academics/community-continuing-education/kids-college.

North Cascades Institute 2020

Youth Leadership Adventures

The organization is offering week-long outdoor day adventures around Whatcom County for 9-12th grade students.

The program is free and participants will get involved in climate literacy by canoeing or kayaking with six to eight other students and two instructors. Three sessions are still available for registration. For more information visit: ncascades.org/signup/youth/YLA

Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) Summer Reading

Each library branch is offering a free book to those who complete a Summer Reading BINGO card, which can be downloaded at WCLS.org.

The program lasts until September 30. Also on WCLS’s website, anyone can access online activities such as weekly scavenger hunts and story time. For more information visit: wcls.org/summer-reading/#

Whatcom Museum FIG at Home

The Family Interactive Gallery at the museum’s website offers free online activities to engage families at home. There are a range of activities, from art to science projects, with printable PDFs that offer step-by-step instructions. The museum is also selling take-home art supply kits that are available for order by calling 360/778- 8975. For more information visit: whatcommuseum.org/explore/ family-interactive-gallery/fig-athome/.

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