School's out!
Keep kids active with summer activities
ABOVE: Coach Joe Garcia gives Randy Lopez a quick morale boost Wednesday after he got a base hit during the Gallup Boys and Girls Club baseball game at Indian Hills Park in Gallup. BELOW: Pupils at Stagecoach Elementary in Gallup throw a baseball at a target while participating in an end-of-year field day with the help of the Boys and Girls Club of Gallup [photos by Jeff Jones / Independent]

By Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola
Staff writer

GALLUP — With the school year over, many area parents are looking for activities to keep their children busy during the summer months. Fortunately, many local organizations are offering summer opportunities for children and teens.

Here’s a sampling of some programs:

• Bengal Dance Camp: The Gallup High Bengal Girls Dance Team is offering its Summer Dance Camp for girls at the GHS gym from June 16-19. The $30 fee includes a T-shirt. Register with a dance team member or before 9 a.m. the morning of the first class. Information: Kristy at (505) 870-0976.

• Boys and Girls Club of Gallup: The organization will offer a variety of half-day and full-day services at different sites beginning on June 2. Activities include field trips, swimming, biking, arts and crafts, library visits, and breakfast and lunch service. Call for times, locations, fees, and registration information: (505) 863-3745.

• Broken Arrow Bible Ranch, weekly from June 9 through Aug. 2: Camp, which is located 18 miles south of Gallup, offers a series of five-day camps for children, ages eight through 19. Activities include archery, basketball, volleyball, games, crafts, skits, go-carts, singing, and Bible study. The weekly fee is $75 for first child, $70 for second, and $65 for other siblings. Information: (505) 778-5526.

• City of Gallup: The city’s recreation department is sponsoring its annual summer arts and crafts classes, swimming instruction, sports classes and camps, and special events. Summer catalogs and registration are available at the Gallup Aquatic Center (863-1295) or the Larry Brian Mitchell Recreation Center (722-2619).

• Dance Instruction: The Rehoboth Church (726-9710) is offering a Christian Dance Class on June 9-13; $15 fee includes T-shirt and dinner. In addition to the Desert Community School of Arts (see next listing), the Foundations of Freedom Dance Studio (863-6364) and the Stronghold Church (863-6765) may also be offering summer dance classes.

• Desert Community School of Arts: The DCSA has partnered with the Gallup Boys and Girls Club to offer performing and cultural arts camps. Children need to join the Boys and Girls Club ($10 annual fee) and then register with the DCSA. The fee for each five-day camp is $60: Dance Camp, June 2-6; Choir Camp, June 9-13; Orchestra Camp, June 16-20; Navajo Language and Culture Camp, June 23-27 or June 30-July 3. Information: Tara at (505) 879-6175.

• Music Theater Camp, June 9-28: Michelle Moore of the Gallup Community Theatre’s Children’s Division is directing another summer camp for children, ages 6 to 15. This year’s production will be a musical version of Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland,” and children will have an opportunity to sing, dance, act, paint and create sets, and make costumes. The camp runs from 9 a.m. to noon, June 9-27, and two performances will be held on June 27-28 at Gallup High School. The fee is $50 for the first child and $40 for siblings. Registration and auditions will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on June 3-4 at the Red Rock Elementary School gym. Teens and adults are also needed as volunteers to help with the production. Information: Michelle at (505) 722-4097.

• Reading Program: The Octavia Fellin Public Children’s Library is sponsoring a summer reading program and a variety of weekly library programs for children. Information: (505) 726-6120.

• Sports Camps: Many area high schools are sponsoring a variety of sports camps for local youth. Check with your local high school’s athletic director or the Sports Briefs section of The Independent.

• Tse Yaaniichii Boys and Girls Club: This Boys and Girls Club site, located on the Rehoboth School campus, is offering a variety of programs, from a June 2-July 25 day camp (half-day or full-day), to outdoor adventure camps (Level I: June 16-20 or Level II: July 21-25) and a soccer camp. The program is also offering a World Expression Dance and Drama Camp in July for middle and high school students that requires an extra fee. Information: (505) 863-4412 ext. 123 or 863-3745.

• UNM-Gallup Kids’ College: Register your child for any of these courses two weeks before the first class. Each course has a $25 fee; check with UNM-G for times, age requirements, and other details: Digital Camera, June 10-12; Fun with Old Jeans, June 9-12 or July 7-10; Keyboarding Online, June 16-18; Nutrition/Human Body for Kids, June 16-19 or July 14-17; Paper Maché, June 16-19 or July 14-17; Beginning Acoustic Guitar, June 16-19; Internet Basics, June 23-25; Cooking with Fractions, June 23-26; Arts and Crafts for Kids, June 23-26; MS Publisher, July 7-9; Science Projects for Kids, July 21-24; Painting for Kids, July 21-24; Jar Art Projects, July 28-31; and Silversmith and Beadwork, July 28-31. Information: (505) 863-7738.

• Vacation Bible School: Many local churches sponsor Vacation Bible School, mostly half-day or evening. Some upcoming programs include Rehoboth Church (726-9710), June 9-13; Grace Bible Church (722-5114), June 16-20; First Baptist Church (722-4401), June 22-26; and First United Methodist Church (863-4512), July 14-18.

• Volunteer Opportunities: Some local organizations and agencies welcome responsible youth volunteers.

• Wellness Warriors: This is a wellness program for children who are at risk for developing diabetes. Information: (505) 863-1820.

• Wings of America: A number of Wings of America Running and Fitness Camps are being offered locally. UNM-Gallup will host a two-day camp on June 2-3. Registration is free, and lunch and a T-shirt is included. Information: Colleen at (505) 722-1593 or Cynthia at 863-7589.