Don't waste that summer

REAL GUYS READ- These fifth-grade students at Red Oak Elementary School in Oak Park choose reading to fill their time. Kevin Lu, Russel Tagawa, Lucas Hsiong and Greg Ebert won a contest by reading a combined 1,040 Newbury Award-winning books during a two-month period. The boys plan to continue their reading throughout the summer. Way to go, guys. Summer's here and the kids have nothing to do?

Not a chance. Not in this town. Just look at all the opportunities there are for fun and games, camps and activities. Unfortunately, children often waste their days on video games, movies and television.

Keeping your children occupied during summer doesn't have to be a chore. Go to the library or bookstore. The Agoura Hills, Calabasas and Westlake Village libraries all have excellent programs that encourage your child to think and read. Make it a habit to go at least once a week. Encourage them to read something fun. It's been proven that children who choose not to read during the summer will have to work harder to get back up to speed in the fall.

Sign up for an arts and crafts class or send your child to a sports camp. You can also visit your local playground or park. Almost any neighborhood park is a fun place to have a picnic lunch or an evening barbecue. Bring the whole family along and don't forget the basketball or Frisbee. Concerts in the park are a great way to enjoy the beautiful summer twilight.

Invest in a membership at a museum. Now's the perfect time to introduce your children to the exciting world around them. Teach them how to grow a garden, tie a knot or work with wood.

Don't feel guilty if at the end of the day you still get that same blank stare from the child who has "nothing to do." Then again, doing nothing isn't all bad. Don't you wish you could be a child again?