By MICHELLE SCHMIDT Inland360.com
Without school or homework, the hardest part about summer can be staving off the boredom that seems to accompany lazy days and warmer temperatures.
We’re all for having fun and maintaining sanity, so 360 has rounded up a handful of local activities for kids and families to make the most of summertime schedules:
Skate Skills Camp
Skateboarding might be cool, but it helps if you don’t make a fool of yourself while doing it. This is where a class might come in handy.
Even kids who have never been on a skateboard can participate in the beginning skate skills class offered through Lewiston Parks and Recreation. In two one-hour sessions, Kris Johnson, local skateboarder and skate instructor, will teach the basics of flat-land riding: how to push, how to balance, how to turn and how to stop.
Register early for the class, since space is limited — and don’t forget you’ll need to bring a skateboard and safety equipment (a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads and wrist guards) along with you.
if you go Where: Mtn Dew Skatepark, 806 Snake River Ave., Lewiston When: June 14 and June 28. Session 1: 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.; Session 2: 10 to 11 a.m. Ages: 5 to 12 years old Cost: $30/person. Register by June 10 at the Lewiston Parks and Recreation office at 1424 Main St., or call (208) 746-2313. Information about other parks and recreation activities for kids and families can be found at: Lewiston — www.cityoflewiston.org/parksandrec Moscow — www.ci.moscow.id.us/parks-rec Pullman — www.pullman-wa.gov/departments/parks-a-recreation/brochure
Safe Sitters Class
Older kids who want summer spending money might consider a first stop at the Safe Sitter baby-sitting course now offered through Lewis-Clark State College Kids College.
The class provides basic safety information, for example, how to prevent and treat basic injuries, infant and child choking rescue and personal safety. At the end of the class, participants test to receive Red Cross certification. Besides safety, the class covers tips on how to take care of children and running a baby-sitting business.
The course is helpful not only for becoming a safe, responsible baby sitter, but it’s also for kids who stay home alone. This is the first time the class has been offered in the valley in recent years and is made possible through a sponsorship by St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.
The class is already showing to be a popular choice, said Jack Peasley, who directs the Kids College program. Which means if your kids want to get into this — or any other popular class — now is the time to register.
if you go Where: LCSC When: Monday through Thursday, from 8:15 to 10 a.m. Session 1: June 23-26; Session 2: July 7-10; Session 3: July 21-24; Session 4: Aug. 4-7 Ages: 11 to 15 years Cost: $60/person. Register online at www.lcsc.edu/kidscollege or call (208) 792-2207.
LCSC Kids College
LCSC Kids College offers a wide variety of classes from cake decorating to Lego engineering to archery to mythical monsters. Participants can sign up for single classes or a whole day of them. Costs begin at $50/class plus any additional materials fees. Weekly sessions run June 23-26, July 7-10, July 21-24 and Aug. 4-7, with a Children’s Theater Workshop offered July 14-18.
Schmidt can be contacted at themichelleschmidt@gmail.com or at (208) 305-4578.
