Humboldt County kids will have one less option for summer activities this June as Great Basin College is canceling its Kids College program.
The program, which has been around for 15 years, is ending this year due to dwindling enrollment numbers.
Great Basin College Winnemucca campus Director Lisa Campbell said it's good and bad. Although it's disappointing that the program's success has fallen, the decline in attendance is largely attributed to the other low-cost activities for youth in the community.
Campbell said the main Elko campus also decided to cancel the program this year.
"We found a declining enrollment," she said. "So much is going on in the summer."
The camp didn't take place last year, either, but that was because of maintenance at the school. It was expected to be in operation this summer. The program was for early childhood to middle school students and covered topics from arts and crafts and music to culture, language and science. Cost for the classes varied depending on the instructor and materials.
The community still has a variety of summer activities to participate in to fill the void Kids College is leaving behind, Campbell said.
• The Missoula Children's Theatre
One annual low-cost activity that kids have been participating in for years is the Missoula Children's Theatre. This year, the camp will take place twice: from June 16 through June 21 and from July 21 though July 26.
Event chair Jean Kinney with the Northern Nevada Arts Council said the camp is open to students entering first grade all the way up to students who just graduated from high school. The cost is $25 for the week and there is additional incentive to enroll multiple kids from the same family - each additional child is only $20.
The camp begins at 10 a.m. daily and lasts Monday through Friday with a final performance on Saturday. Kinney said there are usually 40 participants and each child is given an opportunity to perform. All camp events take place at the Winnemucca Grammar School. For information, Kinney can be reached at (775) 625-8356 or (775) 304-5955.
• The Humboldt County Library Summer Reading Program
Each summer the Humboldt County Library puts on their summer reading program. This year the theme is, "Fizz, Boom, Read," and will be focused mainly on science.
The kick-off for the eight-week event is June 13 (the Friday after school is released). The main focus of the program is summer reading, according to the library's assistant director Leanne Autree.
"It keeps kids reading for fun during the summer," she said. "It's all about fun."
As students finish reading time sheets, they are given prizes and entered for a grand prize at the end of the program. In addition to the reading program, the library also hosts activities throughout the week, some of which involve the whole family, that are available for a small cost to cover materials.
• City of Winnemucca
The city offers a variety of facilities and activities to entertain youth and families throughout the summer. For those who like to relax and enjoy the sun, pool passes are available. For youth who like to stay more active, there are several sports programs, including: golf, football, cheerleading, soccer, basketball and swimming.
The city also hosts a children's day camp during the summer that includes activities like going to see movies, going to lunch, swimming, visiting the library and bowling.
City Recreation Director Steve Swecker said he is still finalizing times and prices for some activities, but more detailed information will be available closer to the end of the school year. For information, Swecker can be contacted at (775) 623-6325.
A full list of summer activities for youth, adults and families will be featured in the May 2 edition of The Humboldt Sun in the Winnemucca Recreation Guide. Please see the guide for more details and even more activities.
Contact Jessica Powell at j.powell@winnemucca publishing.net.[[In-content Ad]]
