By Mary Owen
Hey kids, want to claim a prize from a treasure chest? Don’t know how?
Come to Porter-Boone Park in Aumsville on July 8 and get a clue!
“We’ll be having a scavenger hunt,” said Laura Hofmann, administrative assistant for the City of Aumsville. “When kids find a clue, they’ll get a baggie with a puzzle piece in it. When all the clues are found, they put the puzzle together, and will get to take a turn pulling a prize out of the treasure box.”
Thanks to local sponsors, 10 weeks of Aumsville Day Camp 2011 were slated for this year at the popular park, double last year’s summer activity days, Hofmann said.
The events take place from 1 to 3 p.m. and are free to children in Aumsville and beyond. Snacks and drinks are provided.
Additionally, to boost reading interest, summer activities will include a story time, with a mystery adventure for older youngsters, and each child attending will receive a free book, part of a grant received by the Cascade School District.
“We had 55 kids at our first event on June 15, ‘Welcome to Summer Camp,’” she said. “We made cookies, and the older kids played Frisbee golf. The Pizza Peddler provided pizza for the kids.”
The Aumsville Police Department sponsored a Bicycle Safety Rodeo in June.
The third activity day, sponsored by Compost Oregon, centered on “How Does Your Garden Grow.”
Participants started plants in the community’s plot in the Aumsville Community Garden, and also potted tomato starts to take home, Hofmann said.
“The whole idea of this summer program is to get kids up and moving, get them away from sitting in front of the TV all day playing video games,” Hofmann said.
The game days also teach children about history and other issues related to Aumsville’s centennial birthday celebration, she said.
Jullie Wisser, manager and vice president of Riverview Bank, will talk to kids on Friday, July 8 about opening savings accounts. The theme for the day’s activities is “What Do You Value?”
“We’re also going to talk about important things like friends and family,” Hofmann said.
Activities like making ice cream in a bag, playing with hula hoops, seeing how wool is spun, playing “Red Rover,” and making friendship bracelets will give kids a clue as to life a century ago, Hofmann said.
“These are some of the things I remember as a kid, that we did back in the days,” she said.
Upcoming summer camp days are:
Wednesday, July 13: “Fun & Fit,” with Zumba for children and a Tae Kwan Do demonstration. Sponsored by Aumsville Medical Clinic.
Friday, July 22: “Water Day,” with water balloons and water games. Sponsor needed.
Wednesday, July 27: “Games of the Century,” with games from the past including marbles, jacks, hopscotch. Sponsored by James Reed & Associates Insurance.
Friday, Aug. 5: “Historical Treasure Hunt,” visiting various spots along Main Street, with each participant earning a free pizza certificate at the completion of the activity. The Aumsville Medical Clinic will set up a clinic and talk about medicine 100 years ago; a lady will spin wool from a lamb on the premises; the Aumsville Fire Department will talk about fighting fires a century ago. Sponsored by Figaro’s Pizza, Aumsville.
Wednesday, Aug. 10: “What’s Your Dream?,” a day filled with butterfly activities and making friendship bracelets, and takes a look at what kids might want to do with their lives. Sponsored by JMS Engineering.
Friday, Aug. 19: “Mini-Field Day,” filled with relays and crazy games, sponsored by Aumsville Medical Clinic.
Additionally, kids can show up on: Wednesday, Aug. 24 to help build a float for the annual Corn Festival, held Aug. 27.
Donations – juice, crackers, granola bars, paper cups, markers, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, craft supplies and more — are still being accepted for Summer Camp 2011, and can be dropped off at the Aumsville City Hall.
A full list can be found on the city’s website at www.aumsville.us.
Adult and family activities will also be held at Porter Boone Park and throughout the city:
Saturday, July 9: Free Movie in the Park, Mill Creek Park, beginning at 8:30 p.m., “Toy Story 3,” shown at dusk. Concessions will be available. Sponsored by Stayton Area Rotary.
Friday, July 15: “A Night with the Old-Time Fiddlers,” Porter Boone Park, with free hot dogs. Sponsored by Aumsville Animal Clinic and Budget Blinds in Stayton.
Friday, July 22: Free Zumba in the Park, Porter Boone Park, 7 p.m. with Tirzah Hawkins.
Friday, July 29: Centennial Family Game Night, Community Center, with Kelly Leggett.
Wednesday, Aug. 3: Aumsville Centennial Celebration: birthday cake, a chronological walk through the history of Aumsville, photo contest and more. Historic displays in the community center open at 1 p.m., photo viewing at 4 p.m., and the Mayor’s Centennial Message and time capsule burial at 6 p.m. by the fountain in front of city hall.
Saturday, Aug. 6: Antique Appraisal Fair, watch for information in the city’s July newsletter.
Friday, Aug. 12: Free Matthew Price folk-rock concert in the park, Porter Boone Park, time to be arranged. Sponsored by D.A. Lulay and Associates, Stayton, and Aumsville Animal Clinic.
For information on summer activities, call the Aumsville City Hall at 503-749-2030.
