SUMMER BOREDUM BUSTERS

Players have a crab walk relay race at Semo girls basketall.

The Teeball league is a great way for kids to have fun and be outdoors.

The jubilation that accompanies the arrival of summer vacation quickly turns to days of monotony for youngsters. But never fear, boredom busters in the form of camps, carnivals and classes are here.

The Area Wide United Way has collected an assortment of summer children's programs. Many are offered by the agencies receiving United Way money.

"We hope to promote the materials in a way that would benefit families," said Kathy Patterson with the United Way. "We know this is not all the information available, but it's a start."

Youngsters and their parents seeking something to do this summer have a number of choices. In fact, new programs are starting nearly every week. Many summer activities are free. Some have an enrollment or participation fee and some require registration.

Summer reading programs are free at the Cape Girardeau Public Library. The library has daily activities for children, including story times, crafts and Fantastic Fridays, when speakers and other special presentations are planned.

The Jackson Public Library offers a chance to travel through time this summer with its reading program. Story hours for children in grades kindergarten through three will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. Stories range from dinosaurs to outer space.

Riverside Regional Library also offers reading programs throughout the summer.

The GREAT Program, Gang Resistance Education and Training, will offer summer programs in four neighborhoods this summer. The program is geared to children entering fourth, fifth or sixth grades. Times are from noon to 3:45 p.m. at all sites. The Great program will be at United Church of Christ June 15 to 17, at Jefferson Elementary School from June 22 to 24, at First Baptist Church June 29 to July 1, and at the Cape Civic Center July 27 to 29.

St. Francis Universal Health and Fitness has a variety of summer camps for children ages 6 through 18, including sports camps, strength conditioning and weight loss camps.

First Baptist Church is holding a basketball clinic July 25 to 30 for third through 12th graders.

Southeast Missouri State University has a number of summer sports camps, including boys and girls basketball and cheerleading.

The university is also holding classes throughout the summer on topics ranging from creative writing to caving.

Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department offers many youth sports programs, swimming lessons, safety programs and nature programs throughout the summer.

Similarly, Jackson Parks and Recreation offers sports, swimming, crafts, fishing and fun days.

Trail of Tears Park holds free Friday evening and Saturday programs throughout the summer including hikes, lectures and other nature programs.

Barnes & Noble, Hastings and Waldenbooks book stores have summer reading programs.

Town Plaza Cinema and Cape West 14 Cine offers special summer movies for children.

Southeast Missouri Hospital offers Kids Bee Fit, a children's fitness program, at West Park Mall Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. and at 10:45 a.m.

West Park Lanes offers youth bowling leagues this month for children ages 3 to 21.

Many area churches hold vacation Bible schools at little or no cost.

Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts have day camps and longer campouts planned throughout the summer.