It is almost

time for summer vacation for school children all over the country.

Soon, the streets

and parks will be inundated with children raising all sorts of heck, facing

over two months of pure freedom. Parents know that they cannot possibly

supervise the children every hour of each day. They also know that summer

camps are perfect places for children to get lots of exercise while they

explore and socialize.

But which camp

out of the thousands out there is right for them?

There are many

camps in the area that target certain types of children. For instance,

if your child is into sports, Clayton College and State University offers

basketball, soccer, tennis and speed camps throughout the summer.

Each camp is

under the direction of the coaches of Clayton's college teams. The camps

are open to children ages 6 and up and most of the camps are half day

camps. For specific information about which camps run when, phone the

Department of Athletics at 770-961-3450.

Fayette County

Baseball will present the Doyle Baseball School for children 6 and up

from June 7-11. The camp will run 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at a cost of $150 per

player. Deadline for early registration is June 1. For information phone

Charles McCollum at 678-817-0725.

The Wendell

Coffee Golf Center will offer junior golf camps every week from June 7

to Aug. 26 for age groups 6-17. The cost is $175 per week, which includes,

lunch, drinks and prizes and clubs if needed. Phone 770-969-4469 for information

or to sign up.

The Fayette

County Recreation Department and Encore Entertainment will offer two theater

camps this summer. They will be for children 7-11 and 12 and older. They

will perform in a show that they create. The focus of the classes will

be movement, voice and the Spolin technique of improvisation.

The camps will

be offered July 12-16 and Aug. 2-6. The camp runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

daily at a cost of $75 per week. To register, phone 770-461-9714.

Horse camps

also will be offered at the Eagle's Landing Stables and Camp Calvin. The

camp is only minutes from Atlanta Motor Speedway on the Clayton/Henry

line and will be open to children ages 5 and up.

Three different

camps will be open this summer. The first is summer horsemanship camp,

which is open to children in kindergarten through second grade. Along

with the horse activities, children will cool off in the swimming pool,

enjoy picnics and participate in arts and crafts. Phone 770-472-RIDE.

Resident Horse

Camp is an overnight camp for children in grades 3-6. They will learn

how to ride, while they enjoy cookouts, hayrides and marshmallow roasts

in the evening. Adventure Horse Camp is for children in grades seven to

12.

The intensive

hands-on camp will include an overnight pack trip on horseback in the

outskirts of the camp's 500-plus-acre property. Phone 770-946-4276.

There truly

are thousands of other summer camp options, including Girl Scout, Boy

Scout and park camps, which are camps offered by recreation departments

at neighborhood parks. The United Way also has a hot line with 217 camps

in the metro Atlanta area that can help parents narrow down their choices

depending on cost, length and activities. Dial 211 and a referral specialist

can help locate the camp that is right for you and your child.

Enjoy your

summer, by helping you child enjoy his or hers. Summer camps are the backbone

of this great nation, well, not really, but they are lots of fun. Many

long-lasting friendships are formed at summer camp and kids can actually

learn something there as well.