MAD SCIENCE SUMMER CAMPS happen at the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum, 705 S. McClelland in Santa Maria, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Join “Crazy Chemworks Camp” July 19 through 23, “NASA” again July 26 through 30, and “Chemworks” again Aug. 2 through 6. Only 25 students, ages 6 through 12, are allowed per camp. Cost is $150 per child, with some discounts available. Info/registration: madscience.org/slo.
THE SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY presents two programs of bilingual storytelling by Megumi on July 22 at 4 and 7 p.m. at the Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland, Santa Maria. Info: 925-0951, Ext. 117.
DISCOVERY DRAMA CAMP is presented by the city of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department and the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum through July 22 for kids ages 6 through 12 ending with a performance of Seussical Jr. July 23 and 24. Info: smvdiscoverymuseum.org or 928-8414.
THE TOWN CENTER GALLERY holds art classes for kids ages 5 to 15, including instruction in collage, T-shirt painting, clay, pastel, watercolor, and acrylic painting July 26 through 30 at the gallery, 321 Town Center West, B-6, Santa Maria. Info: 934-5835 or thetowncentergallery.com.
THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA presents Teen Treks Summer Day Camp through Aug. 12, Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center, South McClelland Street, Santa Maria. Cost is $100 per week. Info: 925-0951, Ext. 157, or tboucher@ci.santa-maria.ca.us.
THE SANTA MARIA VALLEY YMCA offers Teen Xtreme Camp through Aug. 13, Counselor in Training camp through Aug. 13, and Traditional camp through Aug. 13. The Santa Maria Valley YMCA is located at 3400 Skyway Drive, Santa Maria. Info: 937-8521.
THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB of Santa Maria Valley presents “Super Summer Fun!” Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for early birds ages 6 through 12 and noon to 6 p.m. for all ages through Aug. 13 at the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Maria Valley, 901 N. Railroad, Santa Maria. “Super Summer Fun!” features several themes and field trips, including Edwards Cinemas, “Wet and Wild Week,” Hurricane Harbor, All America Day, Sports Week, and Hawaiian Luau. Cost is $8 per day for early birds, $5 for any additional child in family; membership dues are $20 per child per year. Info: 922-7763.
SUMMER WORLD CUP YOUTH SOCCER CAMPS: Cal Poly Mustang Soccer and Catalyst Soccer take place through August with a top coaching staff that includes Cal Poly Mustang soccer coaches and current and former players. Camps will take place at local fields throughout the area: Paso Robles, Templeton, Atascadero, San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay, Arroyo Grande, Orcutt, and Santa Maria. Super Fundamentals for ages 6-13 is 9 a.m.-noon for $125 and Little Skillsbuilders for ages 4-6 is from 9:30-11 a.m. for $75. Info: catalystsoccer.com or 541-3031.
WORTH THE DRIVE
THE SOLVANG BRANCH LIBRARY presents a teen gaming night on July 15 at 5:30 p.m. at the library. The Solvang Branch Library is located at 1745 Mission Dr., Solvang. Info: 688-4214.
THE EXPLORATION STATION presents “Mad Science Summer Camp!” with Session 2 July 19 through 23 at the Exploration Station in Arroyo Grande. Info: 473-1421 or explorationstation.org.
THINKCAMPS presents “Somos Amigos,” a Spanish-language immersion camp through July 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Westmont College. Cost is $200. “Computer Quest” is a camp that teaches you how to become a computer whiz through July 30 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Westmont College, Santa Barbara. Cost is $330. Info: 565-7247 or thinkcamps.org.
THE SAN LUIS OBISPO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL YOUTH FILMMAKING PROGRAM takes place through July 23 with a variety of one- and two-week sessions for ages 7-18, who want to make movies. Professional filmmaker instructors will oversee the making of several short films, both live action and animated, some of which will be screened at the 2011 SLO International Film Festival. Tuition ranges from $175-$300, and limited scholarships are available. Info: slofilmfest.org or 546-3456.
THE CITY OF PISMO BEACH presents its Super Grommet Camp for kids 5 to 8 years old July 24 or Aug. 14 from 8 to 11 a.m. at Moondoggies, 781 Dolliver St., Pismo Beach. Cost is $65. “Play with Clay for Parent and Child” is Tuesdays through Aug. 10 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Shell Beach Veterans Hall, 230 Leeward St., Shell Beach. Cost is $90. Moondoggies Beach Club Summer Surf Camps is for kids ages 7 to 17 Tuesday through Thursday from 8 to 11 a.m. or 1 to 4 p.m. through Aug. 17 at Moondoggies in Pismo Beach. Cost is $109. Info: 773-7063 or tbeecher@pismobeach.org.
AYSO/UK INTERNATIONAL SOCCER CAMPS will be offered this summer through the Arroyo Grande Recreation Division Aug. 2-6 with half-day session running 9 a.m.-noon and full-day sessions from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Registration fee for half-day camp is $109, or $160 for the full day camp, which includes a free soccer ball. Info: 473-5474.
THE DUNES CENTER and the United Way present a free summer program “Fun in the Sun” for kids in grades 6 through 9 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. through Aug. 6 in Guadalupe and Santa Maria. Info: chris@dunescenter.org or 343-2455, Ext. 205.
THE AVILA BAY ATHLETIC CLUB offers Day Camps for kids featuring “Tennis”, “Fun-Fit Camp”, and “Swim Camp” for ages 6 through 13 Monday through Friday through the week of Aug. 9 at the Athletic Club, Avila Bay. Cost is $80 per week, $220 for three camps per week. Info: 773-7063 or tbeecher@pismobeach.org.
DOCTOR CHESS presents Chess Day Camp for intermediate chess players in grades second through sixth Tuesdays from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. through Aug. 10 and Thursdays through Aug. 12 in Halcyon. Cost is $7, $3 per additional sibling. Info: 709-0562 or summer@doctorchess.com.
SKATE CAMP IN GROVER BEACH is calling all sidewalk surfers ages 5-12, during weekly sessions from 9 a.m.–noon from through Aug. 13, to the South County Skate Park, 1750 Ramona Ave. This camp aims to develop performance and safety skills, sportsmanship, and park etiquette and welcomes beginners to intermediate level skaters. Cost is $95-$105. And don’t miss out on the all Skate Classic Contest taking place on Sept. 18 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Info: 473-4580.
THE SOLVANG BRANCH LIBRARY presents a Summer Reading Program featuring “Make a Splash! Read!” for kids preschool through 6th and “Make Waves@your Library” for kids in 7th through 12th grades. Both feature books, crafts, writing programs, gaming nights, prizes, and performances starting through Aug. 14. The “Young Writers Group Summer Intensive Workshop” is for 7th and 8th graders through June 25 at the library. The Solvang Branch Library is located at 1745 Mission Dr., Solvang. Info: 688-4214.
THE AARON METCHIK ACTING STUDIO presents a youth and teen film and TV acting camp through Aug. 15 including camera operating, acting, and editing films at the studio in Shell Beach. Cost is $349. Info: 310-910-1228 or metchikstudio.com.
THE SLO COUNTY LIBRARY presents its Summer Reading Program that rewards reading through Aug. 21 at the San Luis Obispo Public Library, SLO. Info: slolibrary.org.
ONGOING
ADVENTURES IN LEARNING PRESCHOOL hosts a free “Story and Sing-A-Long Hour” the first Monday of the month from 10 to 11 a.m. at the preschool, 145 Verbena St., Nipomo. Info: 929-1889.
LA LECHE LEAGUE SANTA MARIA offers pregnant and nursing moms free breastfeeding support and information the third Monday of each month. Info: 291-1445.
THE LITTLE VILLAGE offers a daily enrichment program for kids ages 3 to 6 during the summer and fall. Activities include arts and crafts, baking, music, gardening, and creative play. Info: 925-7515.
MUSIC TOGETHER is a music and movement program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and the adults who love them. Classes are offered in Arroyo Grande and Santa Maria. Free demonstration classes available. Info: 264-5545 or strawberrymusic2gether.com.
MOTHERS OF PRESCHOOLERS GROUP (MOPS) is a non-denominational group that meets for speakers, crafts, mom’s night out, and other fun activities every second and fourth Monday of the month, 6:30 p.m. at Pacific Christian Center. Santa Maria. Child care is provided. Info: 934-3491.
MOM’S CLUB OF SOUTH SLO COUNTY offers friendship support, weekly play groups, and other activities for moms and kids. Info: momsclubinfro@sbcglobal.net, of southslomomsclub.org.
MOMS OFFERING MOMS SUPPORT offers weekly playgroups and other activities for moms and kids. The club meeting is on the fourth Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. at Hunter’s Landing, 1156 E. Grand Avenue, Arroyo Grande. Info: 473-2548.
ORCUTT MOMS CLUB meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at 10 a.m. at Orcutt Presbyterian Church, 933 Patterson Road, Orcutt. Info: 937-8337 or shanadeleon@hotmail.com.
SANTA MARIA M.O.M.S. CLUB is a support group for stay-at-home moms who meet for play and activity groups, mom’s night out, and park days on the fourth Tuesday of each month, 10 a.m., at Maramonte Community Park. Info: 928-0655 or 925-0351.
PERFORMANCE ATHLETICS GYMNASTICS offers a “Parents Night” every second Saturday of the month. Parents can drop their kids off from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. for pizza and gymnastic activities. The facility is located at 720 Aerovista St., Suite C, San Luis Obispo. Info: 547-1496.
THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM OF SANTA MARIA, 412 S. McClelland (next to lawn bowling) is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. Regional habitat exhibits are interactive and multi-sensory. School tours are by appointment only. Donations accepted. Info: 614-0806 or naturalhistorysantamaria.com.
SANTA MARIA STAY AT HOME MOMS GROUP meets for weekly play groups at local parks on Thursdays at 10 a.m. Info: sahm.meetup.com/2515.
THE SANTA MARIA RECREATION AND PARK DEPARTMENT offers the Minami After School Time program for kids ages 6 through 12 from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. on each school day throughout the school year. A full list of classes and events offered by the city is available at ci.santa-maria.ca.us. Info: 925-0951, Ext. 264, or ci.santa-maria.ca.us.
SANTA MARIA VALLEY DISCOVERY MUSEUM is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays, closed. Enjoy themed events on Thursday nights until 7 p.m. Admission is $8 per person, kids under 2 get in free. Location is 705 S. McClelland. Info: 928-8414.
THE SANTA MARIA VALLEY RAILROAD COMPANY freight depot is located at 628 S. McClelland St. The Friends of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad hold monthly programs every second Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. at the depot. Info: 922-7941.
SOLVANG PUBLIC LIBRARY holds a preschool story time at 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The library is located at 1745, Mission Dr., Solvang. Info: 688-4214.
RAILWAY HISTORICAL MUSEUM offers a trip into the Santa Maria Valley’s past when railroads ruled. See miniature railroad layouts, pictures, and artifacts. Learn about railroading in the present and future. Admission is free. The museum is located in the Santa Maria Town Center. Open Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Info: 714-4927.
ABEL MALDONADO COMMUNITY CENTER offers daily activities for kids in 7th through 12th grades. Activities include indoor sports, a computer lab, games, fitness equipment, basketball courts, movies, and more. The center is open Monday through Thursday from 2:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday through Saturday from 2:30 to 10 p.m., and Sundays from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Free tutoring for grades seven through 12 is Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 3 to 7 p.m. and Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. The center is located at 600 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria. Free. Info: 925-0951, Ext. 252.
COLUMBIA CHILDREN’S CENTER is located at 840 E Stowell Road, Santa Maria. The center offers preschool and child care, kindergarten readiness, potty training, and more. Info: 922-KIDS.
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB of Santa Maria Valley offers an Early Bird Program for children 6-12 years old. The program provides year-round students with the opportunity for supervised, structured programs during their off-track time from school. It runs from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Cost is $8 per day. Regular club hours during the school year are Monday through Friday from 2 to 6 p.m., and from noon until 6 p.m. during the summer. Info: 922-7763.
HANCOCK “COLLEGE FOR KIDS” CLASSES include ballet, ballet folklorico, hip-hop, and jazz-funk. Info: 922-6966, Ext. 3209.
VOLUNTEERS FOR INTER-VALLEY ANIMALS (VIVA) hold pet adoptions Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Adoption Center, 133 North D St., Lompoc. Info: 735-6741.
This article appears in Jul 15-22, 2010.