Kids on spring vacation this week have numerous options for staying busy. Activities are planned by Albany Parks & Recreation, the Albany Public Library and in downtown Albany throughout the week:

Parks and Recreation

Albany Parks and Recreation is offering several camps for children in first through seventh grades.

• School's Out - One-day camps at Maple Lawn, 1950 Old Salem Ave. S.E. Camp will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. Campers need to bring a swimsuit, towel and lunch each day. Activities include games, crafts and local field trips. The cost of camp each day is $27 for in-city residents and $36 for those who live outside the city limits.

• Horsing Around - A four-day horse camp at KeyVale Farms, 3580 S.E. Jefferson-Scio Drive, Jefferson, is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Campers need to be between 6 to 17 and will need to bring a lunch and beverage each day. The cost of the camp is $222 (in-city) and $295 (out-of-city).

• Drama Camp is a three-day camp for youth ages 8 to 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Wednesday at North Albany Elementary School, 815 Thorton Lake Drive N.W. Cost is $70 (in-city) and $93 (out of city). Campers will need to bring a lunch and beverage each day.

For more information or to register, call Albany Parks and Recreation at (541) 917-7777 or go to www.cityof

albany.net/parks.

Albany Public Library

Three programs for children will be at the main library, 2450 14th Ave. S.E.

• Juggler Charlie Brown will entertain with his special blend of absurd comedy and technical feats at 2 p.m. Tuesday. Brown, of Portland, manipulates props and the audience equally in his show, open to people of all ages.

• "Critters on the Edge," with crafts, art and movement for kids 5 and older, will be at 2 p.m. Thursday. Albany artists and educators Jim Piercey and Brooke Bigelow will host this puppet-making, movement and performance event. Attendance will be limited to the first 60 children.

• Clever Cooks XXV, the 25th annual kids' cooking contest, will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 28. Children up to age 18 are welcome to compete. Entry blanks are at both libraries; deadline is Wednesday.

For more information, call Scott Keeney at (541) 917-7591.

Downtown Albany

• Spinning Tales with Ray Ballantyne starts at 11 a.m. Monday at the Albany Regional Museum, 136 Lyon St. S.W. An elementary school teacher for 30 years, Ballantyne uses children's literature and the oral tradition to tell tales of early Oregon. He now is a full-time storyteller and children's writer. Admission is free, and reservations are recommended. To make a reservation call (541) 967-7122 or visit the museum between noon and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday or 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

• At 10:30 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday there will be activities for children pre-kindergarten and older at Frogs & Pollywogs, 222 First Ave. S.W., in the Flinn Block. For details, call (541) 967-3055.

• From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, children can visit the Carousel Art Studio and Museum at 503 First Ave. N.W. to see carousel figures and learn the history of the American carousel. There will be a children's table with coloring pages. Admission is free. For more information, call (541) 791-3340.

• From 10:30 a.m. to noon Friday, the Monteith House Museum at 518 Second Ave. S.W. is hosting its second annual Pioneer Day Camp for 15 children ages 5 and older. Children will churn butter, make cornbread, play pioneer games and tour the house. To make a reservation, call (541) 928-0911.

Democrat-Herald