And there's something for everyone, with every budget. This summer have your kids put down the video games and pick up a new hobby and go out and enjoy some of the things that America's number one city has to offer.

The activities available this summer range from high-end with big costs to activities that are a blast and won't break the bank.

Arts and crafts are a worthy investment that can produce some spiffy dividends. At Do-Art, for kids ages five and up getting their hands dirty in clay makes for lasting pieces that will merit a space in the china closet for a life-time. Do-Art isn't the only place offering colorful options, the Chldren's Studio at the Harn Museum is worth a look-see.

And if your child moves to his or her own beat maybe dance camp will get them on their feet, off the couch and dancing like the stars. For the first time Salsa Caliente -the latin dance school, known around town for the past 6 years- is offering classes for children. Students ages 10 and up can spend half or full days learning salsa, merengue, bachata, cha cha cha and hip hop. Two weeks of camp comes out to $5 a class.

And if your child aspires to pirouette like Baryshnikov, Pofahl studios offers ballet and lyrical jazz classes for students of all levels.

Summer is also about dedicating outdoor play to serious sports time fun. If your young golfer entertains dreams of hitting drives like Tiger then golf camp at UF is worth your green! The University Athletic Association also offers camps for kids who enjoy: love, set and match, as well as something for the volleyball visionary.

If your child's sights are set on professional stardom, and you like to take a hands-on approach to coaching them, then you'll enjoy spending a weekend training together at coach billy donovan's parent/child camp. With a weekend stay at the University of Florida's dorm room, moms dads, sons and daughters can bond over the love of the game of basketball.

But not everyone has the surplus of cash to make basketball camp a reality, so NBA player and former hometown hero Orien Greene's foundation is setting up a 3-day camp at Eaststide High School, focused on athletics and academic achievement.

A registration fee of $25 --which is half off if you sign up early-- guarantees boys and girls ages 9 to 17, an opportunity to play with top coaches and have a personal audience with the nba player and perhaps a few of his friends as well. An opportunity that will help all kids capitalize on the benefits of camp this summer.

The foundation puts up the cost for the camp but is hoping for donations on transportation, if you're interested please contact the foundation at the number listed below.

DO-ART: Thornebrook Village

9 a.m. - 11 a.m. Monday - Friday $105/week

(352) 337-0039

Children's Studio Classes At The Harn Museum

$130/ week

(352) 392-9826 ext.112

info@harn.ufl.edu)

SALSA CALIENTE (352) 514 - 7204

@Westwood Middle School

Dsalsero@hotmail.com

$200 for 2 weeks

POFAHL STUDIOS

www.pofahldancestudio.com

(352) 373-1166

UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

(352) 375 - 4683

www.gatorzone.com/camps

BASKETBALL ext. 4200 (Billy Donovan's Parent/Child Camp)

VOLLEYBALL ext. 13244

FOOTBALL ext. 4100

GOLF ext. 4729

TENNIS ext. 4731

ORIEN R. GREENE FOUNDATION YOUTH BASKETBALL CAMP

Eastside High School

JUNE 14 - 16, 2007

Registration fee - $25 in advance, $50 at the door

orgreene@yahoo.com

(904) 537 - 9287