Learn to Have Fun This Summer!

By Tom Fiscus, Orcas Library Board Trustee

Summer is coming fast and so are some fun activities for children and teens on Orcas Island. Your Park and Recreation District, Orcas Island Library, and the School District are collaborating to host a diverse set of children’s and teens’ summer activities. Some are already set and some are in the process of being finalized. The activities have varying start dates. Some will begin in late June and others are spread out over the summer. Some are free and some have a small materials fee. There will be scholarships available to assist where needed. The current lineup includes:

Learn a new board game each week at Game Club, hosted by Park and Recreation at the Orcas School Library, for Ages 7-12. It runs from June 25 – July 23, Tuesdays, from 1-3 PM. The fee is $15. There is space for up to 20 players. Contact Marcia West at 376-7275 to enroll.

Make a video animation of your favorite book or create a video cartoon in the Animation Lab, hosted by Park and Recreation at the Funhouse Commons, for ages 12-17, running from August 5 – 9, from 1-4 PM each day. There is a $45 fee for materials and use of all video and computer equipment. There is space for up to 12 animators. Contact Marcia West at 376-7275 to enroll.

Have you ever thought you’d like to invent something? Join the Inventor’s Challenge, hosted by Park and Recreation at the Orcas School Cafeteria and Buck Park, for ages 7-14. It runs from July 30 – August 27, Tuesdays, from 1-4 PM. The fee of $35 includes supplies and a range of building materials for the participants’ use. There is space for up to 20 new inventors. Contact Marcia West at 376-7275 to enroll.

Also planned to begin in early July are an art studio activity hosted by Park and Recreation in the Orcas School OASIS room; a School garden reading and activity club offered by the Library at the Orcas School; and an expansion of elementary book club programs currently hosted by the Library to include use of the School Library and its great youth book collection.

Look soon for further details and enrollment information. Along with the Park and Recreation District, the Orcas Island Library is available to answer questions at 376-4985.