Summer programs offer inexpensive programs for children

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Summer programs offer inexpensive programs for children TRI-COUNTY AREA—With school out, the question now is “how to keep the children and teenagers busy?” Many villages, towns, and libraries are offering summer programs. Most of them are free, but some do have a cost or are limited to residents only. However, there are enough activities to do until school starts again. In Penn Yan, the village again offers two summer programs; one for the playground and one for tennis. Dan Doyle, director of parks and recreation, said the playground program runs from July 6 to Aug. 14, for children going into grades first through fifth. He said normally, there can be around 60 children enrolled for the free program. As of Friday, July 3, Doyle said there were 30 signed up. However, he said many parents sign up their children on the first day because that is how it has been done in the past. Doyle also said children have the option of sports and other camps. The tennis program is open to all age groups. It runs from July 27 to Aug. 11 (Mondays and Tuesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.), and costs $25. Doyle said as of Friday there were eight people signed up. Last year there were 12 participants and the year before that 15. Doyle added the tennis program will also include field trips. As to the appeal of the tennis program, Doyle said “it is something they can always play.” The Penn Yan Public Library will be holding a “Be Creative @ Penn Yan Library” program. It started July 7 and goes throughout this month with a number of events open to all age groups. Events include “Silly Song and Storytime” on Tuesdays and Thursdays and “Library Lady Lapsit” on Wednesdays. For more information, call 315-536-6114. The village of Dundee is offering a summer program, from July 6 to Aug. 14. Chris Sutherland, village clerk, said this year there are about 70 children signed up, which has been the average. She explained that the program offers arts and crafts in the morning and swimming in the afternoon. For more information call 607-243-5551. A reading program will be held at the Dundee Public Library. This week, going until Saturday, July 11, is registration. The program itself will run until Aug. 28. Denise Shay, youth coordinator, said that as of Friday, July 3, 10 children had already asked about it. Last year, only five children participated. She said it is open to all age groups and many of the activities will be family friendly. For more information, call 607-243-5938. The Jerusalem summer program will be at the Keuka Lake State Park again. It will run from July 13 to Aug. 13 and is open to children ages five to 14 living in Jerusalem. The program will be Mondays to Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Children will be able to experience swimming, hiking, field trips, and crafts. For more information, call 315-595-6668. In Hammondsport, the Fred and Harriet Taylor Memorial Library has seen an increase in children attending their summer program. Lisa Treichler, with the library, said this year there were 30 children coming to the programs, which is more than last year. She said it has been going up every year, with both locals and people on the lake attending. The program is for ages four to 12, with a number of “Be Creative” events scheduled. They include story time (July 17, 24, and Aug. 7 at 10:30 a.m.), arts and crafts, and performances. The remaining programs include the Zoomobile with live animals, July 13 at 1 p.m.; “Yoga Fun for Kids,” July 15 at 2:30 p.m.; Betty Jordan with interactive songs and games, July 22 at 2:30 p.m.; Bruce Weaver, magician, singer, ventriloquist, and more, July 29 at 3 p.m.; “Where the Wild Things Are,” July 31 at 2:30 p.m.; and craft time making printer’s hats, Aug. 5 at 2:30 p.m. For more information call 607-569-2045. The Hammondsport school is also offering an educational summer program. According to Michelle Sincerbox, director of special education, it started Monday and will run until July 30. It lasts four days a week from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. She said close to 60 students are signed up for the academic program. Sincerbox explained it covers areas that the school saw needing improvement throughout the previous year. For more information, call 607-569-5200. The Watkins Glen Public Library is holding a “Be Creative” summer program. It started Wednesday, July 1 and the last event will be July 29. The program is open to children, ages six to 12. Carla LeFever, children’s librarian, said the events include performances by Nan Hoffman, July 15, and Rebecca Rabideau, July 29. The other events are; “Artists Abound,” July 15; “Fun With Boxes,” July 22; and “A Visit from the Very Hungry Caterpillar,” July 28 (preschoolers are invited to this day). Events start at 10 a.m. LeFever said the program is sponsored by state funds through the Arts of the Southern Finger Lakes. Many other libraries throughout the state are using the same theme. She added the programs last year had between 25 and 30 children at each event. This year, 25 are already signed up as of July 1. There is also a summer reading program for teens through the Watkins Glen library. This year’s theme is “Express Yourself!” and most programs are at 7 p.m. Some of the remaining events are July 15, “Foam sculpture and soap carving”; July 22, “Find your voice or talent.”; and a visit by author Coralee Burch July 23 at 2 p.m. For more information, call 607-535-2346. The Watkins Glen village is holding a summer recreational program at Clute Park. It runs until July 24, weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Children will be able to take part in games, swimming, arts and crafts, and outside programs. Even though it has already started, children can still take part in the free program. It is open to ages six to 12 or kindergarten to fifth grade. For more information, call 607-535-4438. The Dutton S. Peterson Memorial Library in Odessa is also holding a summer program, from June 30 to July 21. It is Tuesday mornings starting at 10 a.m. for Pre-K to third graders. There will also be “A Visit from the Very Hungry Caterpillar,” July 28, but in the afternoon. Gayle Gruber, library director, said enrollment in the program is down some this year with 17 children. She said last year there were 30 students and the average range is 20 to 30. For the teenage group, the library is also offering a reading program contest (open to adults as well) and a photography contest. For more information call 607-594-2791.		$element(adman,groupads,YatesRight5)$ $element(adman,groupads,SchuylerRight3)$ $element(adman,groupads,Steuben1)$

Summer programs offer inexpensive programs for children

Summer programs offer inexpensive programs for children

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