Summer Programs Give Parents Cost-Efficient Option

School’s almost out for summer and many parents will search for activities to keep their kids busy this season. However, finding things to keep them busy can be challenging and expensive.

Mary Hellwig lives in Palm Desert and has two grandsons she wants to find summer camps for. Like many people, she wants her kids to stay active. “I think they need to be around other kids,” said Hellwig. “I think they need to learn sportsmanship and playing with other children and just getting out of the house and being active.”

Quinton Egson serves as the Chief Professional Officer of the Boys and Girls Club of Coachella Valley, and he believes that many parents share Hellwig’s goal. “I think it’d be a good idea to try and get the kids off the computers and away from the video games for the summer and engaged in something that’s constructive,” said Egson.

The Boys and Girls Club offers a wide variety of programs to keep kids busy and entertained during the summer. “We have boxing, we have karate, music programs,” said Egson. “We have just about anything a kid could want.”

The YMCA of the Desert also offers some great programs for children this summer. They offer specialized camps ranging from cooking, Harry Potter magic school, and surf lessons. “Kids can come in, they can learn something new, and maybe take that on somewhere else in life,” said Program Director Dallas Williams.

The summer programs won’t only keep the kids out of trouble, but they’ll help parents stay on budget. “We are very reasonable, it’s twenty dollars for the summer session,” said Egson. “We’re open Monday thru Friday from 7:30 to 5:30. We’re in the communities of Desert Hot Springs, Indio, La Quinta, Coachella, soon to be in Mecca.”

For more information on these programs go to our “Seen on 3” section.