Get a taste of the great outdoors by participating in the Great American Backyard Campout. PHOTO BY KRISTY MYERS
By Michael Berick
School is out but kids don’t have to stop learning. If your child loves to cook, check out the Panera Bread Bakers-in-Training program, where kids ages 5-12 can take baking classes at select Panera locations (La Mirada, Lakewood, Pasadena, La Cañada, Walnut, Pico Rivera and City of Industry). They’ll get a tour of the restaurant’s kitchen and learn about making baguettes and cookies. Panera will donate baguettes and a portion of the $20 registration fee to charities. For more information, visit www.panerabread.com/bitkids.
Kids who are more interested in how to make a 7-10 split than an oven-baked treat will want to know about the Kids Bowl Free program. Young bowling fans who sign up for this nationwide program get to bowl two free games a day. Among the participating bowling centers are Pinz in Studio City, Palos Verdes Bowl in Torrance, Canoga Park’s Winnetka Bowl and the Irvine Lanes. For a full list of lanes where Kids Bowl Free, go to www.kidsbowlfree.com.
Closer to home, enjoy the Great American Backyard Campout. This National Wildlife Federation-sponsored program offers a fun first step into the great outdoors. Families can set up a tent in the comfort and convenience of their backyards and use information and tips from the GABC’s website (www.backyardcampout.org) to enhance this domestic camping adventure. While the official Great American Backyard Campout date is June 28, you can really do it any time you are inspired to.
