Summer camps

No more morning school bus. Pencils, paper and calculators get a reprieve. Yes, children are celebrating the start of summer vacation.

With a break from the classroom, students can now enjoy a couple months of summer fun. While family vacations, trips to the pool and Little League competition will fill some time, the youngsters have plenty of other options.

Recent stories in this newspaper highlighted several camps taking place. Some still are open to enrollment while others have waiting lists. We encourage you to check out the stories from June 3 and 9.

If you're looking for other kid-friendly summer activities, many at little or no cost, consider these options:

* Vacation bible school. Many churches offer vacation bible school. The time of day varies by church, but they are wonderful opportunities to enjoy fun with friends, hear Bible stories and learn important lessons.

* Start a reading plan. Reading is critical to a child's education, and a visit to one of the area's excellent libraries or book stores is sure to turn up something your child will enjoy.

* Visit parks. Southeast Missouri has many beautiful parks. You can take a walk around Capaha Pond in Cape Girardeau or watch baseball at a Jackson ball field, just to name two options.

* Run, walk or cycle. With the warmer weather, it's a nice time to enjoy a walk, run or bicycle ride outdoors. Whether in your neighborhood or on a trail, these are fun activities that add the extra bonus of exercise.

There are plenty of options, many of which can engage parents and children. We hope you enjoy the summer.