Summer on Lopez means several things: tourists, warm weather and Lopez Summer Workshops! The Lopez Island Family Resource Center is coordinating over 60 workshops this year, with over 75 individual class sessions. Classes are filling more quickly this year, partly due to a new online registration system. “Online registration makes registering for classes quick and easy. It makes it a lot easier to people to see if a class is full right away, instead of waiting for their registration form to be mailed in,” said Patsy Haber. The Resource Center is encouraging everyone to register as soon as possible. All participants can now register for classes from any computer and once registered can see class information such as instructor contact info, class dates and times. It also makes it easier to send out messages to all participants of a class if any last-minute changes arise.

This summer, the LIFRC Summer Workshop program is offering a variety of tried-and-true favorites, including our popular British soccer camp as well as some exciting new options. The LIFRC is partnering with San Juan to offer a new Theater Arts Camp for Kids at the San Juan Community Theater. This is a week-long opportunity for students to practice their drama and theater skills, while spending time with friends. Toddler and Me Swimming class will be returning, and a new Advanced Swimming class was added this year to accommodate growing skill sets. Several new Swimming Introduction sessions were recently added to accommodate demand. A new Juggling workshop will be taught this year by Lopezian Christopher O’Bryant. The Lavender Celebration will return and allows children the change to learn about herbs and enjoy the outdoors. Mary Jenison will teach two Thai cooking classes. Class maximums were recently increased to allow even more participants. With over 70 sessions, there’s something for everyone, from Lego Robotics to Kayaking to painting Silk Scarves and Banners.

The Resource Center works hard to provide a plethora of options for all ages and interests. Since no Parks and Recreation Department exists on Lopez, the Resource Center has taken on the chance to give visitors and residents of Lopez Island plenty of activities for the summertime. For the past 15 years, the LIFRC has aimed to keep fees affordable and will never turn a child away for lack of ability to pay for a class. Generous donations from local businesses, organizations, and individuals help maintain a scholarship that is used all summer long for those who need it. In 2012, the LIFRC provided nearly $5,000 in confidential scholarships. Payment plans are also available. “We work hard to keep prices low so every child on Lopez can participate. Many parents are working during the summer so we want to make sure their children have the opportunity to participate in summer activities,” said Celia Marquis, LIFRC director.

The scholarship program is partly possible thanks to generous donations from members of the community. A mother whose son received a scholarship to participate in the popular British soccer camp wrote, “Thanks so much for the soccer camp. My son had the best camp ever and it was good to see him take the lead and organize with younger kids on the team…Thanks for making our kids feel good about themselves and providing summer activities while I work.”

Full brochures and registration forms are available at the LIFRC office or online at www.lifrc.org. Go to the website to register for classes. You will need a debit/credit card. However, if you are paying with cash, check, or need to set up a payment plan or scholarship, simply call or visit the office at 468-4117. Workshops are filling up quickly this year, so get your registration done soon.