NORTH KITSAP — Now that school books are stuffed away and final papers almost turned in, fight the urge to watch cartoon reruns and get active.

A number of camps and local organizations kick off June 23 for kids to hone their talents in recreation and the arts.

Poulsbo Parks & Recreation

For sports fanatics Poulsbo Parks & Rec offers Viking Tennis, lacrosse, volleyball, track and field, gymnastics, sailing, cheerleading and baseball camps. Signups for Skyhawks Sports Camps are also handled through Poulsbo Parks & Rec.

Info: (360) 779-9898 or www.cityofpoulsbo.com/parks or www.skyhawks.com.

North Kitsap Pool summer camps

Week long swim camps will be offered for kids ages 6-10 at the North Kitsap Community Pool.

Full day and half day camps are available. Children enrolled all day receive two swimming lessons; half-day campers receive one lesson. Craft projects and outdoor play sessions commence each day with a special tie-dye t-shirt making day at the end of each week.

Info: (360) 598-1067.

Lacrosse

Summer Camp

The North Kitsap lacrosse coach Val Torrens hosts co-ed summer lacrosse camps to gear up and recruit players for league play. Come learn the basics and get a jump start on next season or play in the summer lacrosse league. Official registration deadline is today but late registration is possible.

Camps run June 23-27 with future third through eighth graders going from 9 a.m. to noon and future ninth through 12th graders going from 4-7 p.m.

Camps are held at Wolfle Elementary School off Highway 104 in Kingston.

Registration is through Poulsbo Parks and Recreation, located in the Community Recreation Center building off Front Street in Poulsbo.

All players must provide their own mouth guard and cleats. For further information, call Torrens, North Kitsap lacrosse coach at (360) 697-1397.

Olympic Outdoor Center Kayak Camps

Located on Front Street in downtown Poulsbo, Olympic Outdoor Center offers kayak camps for kids and teens ages 7 to 18.

This year the camps run every other week, starting June 23 through the week of Aug. 18 with a choice of two sessions offered per day.

Info: (360)697-6095 or www.olympicoutdoorcenter.com.

Poulsbo Yacht Club Sailing Programs

Get ready for a crash course in sailing this summer available in Poulsbo’s Liberty Bay.

Courses are for teens and preteens.

Info: (360) 779-3321 or www.poulsboyc.org.

The Zone

Summer Camps

Each week kids have the ability to participate in both sport and non-sport related activities at The Zone Sportsplex in Poulsbo. Schedules will be provided online for weekly activities. Sports include soccer, baseball/softball, flag football, ultimate frisbee, dodgeball, kickball, volleyball, soccer, tennis, and much more. Age-appropriate crafts are done every week, such as frisbee decorating, design your own original ball cap, and sports photo frames.

Info:(360) 697-9663 or www.zonesportsplex.com/camps.htm.

Stillwaters Summer Nature Camp

During nature camp, children explore the many ecosystems on the Stillwaters Environmental Center campus in Kingston. The camp runs from July 28-31 for children entering second through sixth grades.

Lessons include how to live with with our wildlife neighbors while having fun playing outdoors. Camp is taught by Kari Golden.

Info: (360) 297-2876 or www.stillwatersenvironmentalcenter.org.

Water Wonders

Day Camp

Kitsap Public Utilities District and Kitsap County Surface and Storm Water Management host a Water Wonders Day Camp from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 8-10 at the Island Lake Community Center. Info: (360) 626-7723.

M&M Kids’

Summer Camps

The Martha & Mary Kids’ Club 2008 summer camp is at Poulsbo Elementary. Camps begin Monday, June 23 and are held from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Children are split into two groups depending on age. Explorers are children ages 6-8; Voyagers are ages 9-12.

Each week, children are taken on special field trips.

Info:(360) 779-7500 or www.marthaandmary.org.

Shabala Studio

The Shabala Studio Art School in Kingston offers 12-hour art camps throughout summer. From pet portraits to castles and dragons, the studio presents an encouraging atmosphere for children and teens to develop their inner artist.

Info: (360) 265-3188 or www.shabalastudio.com.