Summer's here in Carson Country, so what is a kid to do?

Area students have traded in text books for baseball gloves and long afternoons in the classroom for long afternoons at the swimming pool.

School is over and that means summer has officially begun.

For students, it is a long-awaited freedom but for parents it can mean struggling to find something for the children to do and someone to supervise them while doing it.

Although there are a variety of options, there are also organized programs available.

Carie Ostrander, the athletic assistant for the Boys & Girls Club of Western Nevada, said the club offers an alternative for working parents.

"It's really hard to find affordable day care during the summer," Ostrander said. The club charges an annual fee of $10 per child.

Carson City Recreation also offers a summer program.

"It's important to keep them busy in a structured environment," said Bonnie Fahrenbruch, recreation specialist. "Parents want their kids to be busy and learning. We provide that."

Ostrander said the center provides a variety of activities ranging from arts and crafts to sports to entertain the 250-300 children that come to the center on an average day.

"It almost one hundred percent sure that these kids are going to find something that they want to do," she said.

Fahrenbruch said the city's program also keeps children busy with field trips to Sand Harbor and other activities.

This year, a special program called Summer Teen Enrichment will run for ninth- and tenth-graders to prepare them to work for the program the following year.

"It gives them nine weeks of training," Fahrenbruch said. "It gives them a real foot in the door and experience to put on their applications."

Summer is not all about fun, however. For some students, school is far from over.

Summer school for the elementary school students beginning June 19 and runs until July 14. Classes will be held at Mark Twain Elementary and busing will be provided from the other schools.

The session will concentrate on improving basic skills in reading and math.

"We do it so that we can help students that are in need of further developing their skills," said Associate Superintendent Dorothy Todd.

Carson Middle School will hold a summer session from June 19 to July 14 and from July 17-24.

Eagle Valley Middle School's will run from June 19 to July 21.

Carson High School's summer session will start June 19 and end July 14.

Additional sessions will be available at Fritsch Elementary in computer science and at Bordewich-Bray for Success for All from July 24 to Aug. 18.

Todd said it is important not only that the students sign up for the classes but that they attend them.

"The students who come and really devote their time do improve," she said. "Attendance is very important."

For more information:

Boys & Girls Club of Western Nevada

882-8820

Carson City Recreation Department

Bonnie Fahrenbruch

887-2290