Schools out, we’re in

Activities started over Lavender Weekend before our usual kids even stepped in the door for another week of summer fun.

Our blue bus rolled all week and it started off as the in-city shuttle for Lavender Weekend. We really enjoy escorting visitors around town between the parking lots, downtown businesses and the arts and crafts fair. Young and old alike boarded our blue bus to sample Sequim and the Boys & Girls Club.

Out at the park, as part of the Lavender Festival, visitors also got to sample the club at our Festival Fun for Kids booth and play area, sponsored by Molina Healthcare. Starting at 9 a.m. with a wake-up workout, every hour presented new activities for kids to participate in such as bead and button crafts, a photo scavenger hunt and obstacle courses.

Morning Camp

Summer by-the-books had us immersed in chocolate and candy this week. “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” inspired the activities and field trips. After a sunny and busy lavender weekend, the kids were content to settle in for a viewing of the classic movie featuring Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka and all the charismatic characters of the story.

On Thursday, the kids visited the Seattle Chocolate Factory for a tour and lesson on making chocolate. They were able to taste the signature-smooth chocolates and they journeyed through the machines. They received a lesson on the history of chocolate and how the decadent treat is made and flavors created. They didn’t spy any Oompa Loompas on the tour — but out on a field trip to Chetzemoka Park they were able to practice their waddle and stomp in a game popping balloons tied to each other’s ankles.

All the kids took pleasure in constructing candy bridges out of tooth picks and Dots and making their own everlasting gobstoppers and candy necklaces. Ear-to-ear grins along with some whipped cream were on the faces of the morning campers as they had their own pie eating contest. They all had a chance to win some lolly-pops with the sucker toss contest.

Around the Club

Last week, Discovery Channel unleashed their annual “Shark Week” and as tradition holds, so did we at the club. The art room had kids chomping to get in and partake in the arts and crafts centered on sharks.

The kids cut out magazine pictures of sharks and drew in the rest of the surrounding scenery with their own imaginations. The shark week fun continued with an identification quiz of 12 different shark. Congratulations to Ryan A., who got 100 percent accurate!

The art room was also host to a stained glass paper art project. The kids started by outlining their selected design with white glue mixed with black acrylic paint. When dry they filled them in with colored glue.

We warned kids and families that with all this sun and warm weather they should plan on getting wet and the kids giggled and jumped around in delight when the hose was turned on and they got sprayed down. That was just in the backyard; but out and about, the campers enjoyed a Sounders game in Seattle (thanks to the generosity of Green Crow), a Lefties Game in Port Angeles, and a Seattle Mariner’s game.