If you are a parent, guardian or caregiver to a child, chances are you will soon be searching for just the right summer activity for your children. There will be no shortage of activities to involve kids in this summer. The only difficulty may be deciding which ones. Everything from arts and crafts programs to gymnastics to music and more are available, and many are low-cost or even free.

Mike and Sara DeNeve have the task of finding activities that both of their 4-year-old twins can enjoy. They realize that as the boys get older and develop their own interests, the choice of activities will only get more difficult. They have taken music classes in the past and gymnastics through the city of Escondido and are looking into T-ball.

"Enrichment programs are so important!," said Sara DeNeve, a credentialed teacher and an education specialist in North County. "Even if your child doesn't quite perfect the cartwheel, they will have gained invaluable social and school preparedness skills."

Chad McLain, 8, and brother Kenton, 5, are always eager to find a new activity, so parents Kathleen and Bob McLain of San Marcos have faced these decisions many times. The McLains decided on Art 4 Children this summer, an enrichment program with the San Diego Music Studios in San Marcos. Art 4 Children holds after-school classes and school-break day camps, and was a perfect fit for Chad, whose teacher recommended more exposure to art opportunities. Children can select from classes including chess, drama, watercolor, Spanish, Karate and musical instruments. During a weeklong day camp, kids can choose three or four different classes.

"It is important to let kids choose something they are interested in," said Kathleen McLain. "I allow the kids to choose one or two classes and then I choose the others. "I chose Spanish for Chad last summer and he absolutely loved it!"

Besides school- and city-sponsored programs, other popular choices are day camps. This option, as opposed to overnight camp, allows children to be involved in sports and stay at home with the family, while at the same time trying something exciting and new.

But overnight camps are also making a comeback. A study by Philliber Research Associates shows that camps improve a child's self-esteem and individuality. Children reported that camp made them feel good about themselves and gave them confidence to try things that they were afraid to do.

Trying new things is something that the YMCA of North County hopes kids do this summer. They are offering an extensive list of fun and educational classes and camps. Two additions for summer are the Survivor Camp for ages 8 to 14, and the Amazing Race Camp for ages 13 to 17. Both are weeklong camps based on the reality television shows and will probably be as popular. The YMCA is holding a summer sign-up day for all ages on April 23. They are encouraging all North County parents and children to swim, enjoy barbecue and check out all of the upcoming summer activities.

For extra-brave kids, a new Extreme Action Adventure Camp is being offered by Pali Adventures. Kids ages 12-17 can learn to skateboard, dirt-bike, parasail, rock-climb, ride ATVs and do almost any other extreme sport you can imagine.

Some children will want to try something new and some will want to stick with the familiar. Either way, most parents will want their kids to learn and have fun, and not drain their pocketbooks in the process.

Here are just some of the options for finding just the right activity this summer:

City of Escondido Parks and Recreation Department: Summer Camp Programs include Basketball skills and cooking camp. Nike Junior Golf Camp will be held at The Vineyard Golf Course in Escondido. Call (760) 839-4691 or visit www.ci.escondido.ca.us/recreation/.

City of Oceanside Parks and Recreation Department: Summer Camp Kickoff is 10 a.m.-1 p.m. May 21 at the Civic Center Plaza. Summer programs include MAD Science Camp, Yoga Kids and Girl Power. Call (760) 435-5041 or visit www.ci.oceanside.ca.us/recreation/summercamps.asp.

City of Vista: Brengle Terrace Recreation Center, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive. Children can choose from 12 different camps. Open registration is 8 a.m.-noon May 14. Orientation Night is 6:30-8:30 p.m. June 16. Preview the facilities, meet counselors and take a look at the exciting classes for the summer. Call (760) 726-1340, Ext.1501.

North County YMCA Summer Sign Up Day: Starts at 8 a.m. April 23 all day at 1050 N Broadway, Escondido. Camps include paintball, surf camp, and working at Sea World. Call (760) 745-7490.

Pali Adventures: operator of specialty teen summer camps. Open House from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. May 1. Visit www.paliadventures.com or call (909) 867-5743.

Art 4 Children Summer Camps: Creative arts and academic camps. Weeklong camps allow children to choose four activities rather than just one. Offerings include violin, piano, creative writing, and painting. Call (760) 735-8106 or visit www.art4children.com.

Golf Clinics at Pala Mesa Resort: Free clinics daily for all ages (except Sundays and Mondays) from 11-11:45 a.m. Junior golf clinics are held Sundays for ages 5-16; parent-child clinic is also on Sundays. Call (760) 731-6803.

Junior Lifeguard programs: Carlsbad, Encinitas and Oceanside each have Junior Lifeguard programs for ages 9-17. Visit www.encinitasjuniorlifeguards.com, www.ci.oceanside.ca.us/Harbor/JuniorLfg.asp, or for Carlsbad, call (760) 720-7019.

American Camp Association: offers a wealth of information on camps and their value. Visit www.acacamps.org. To help choose the right camp, visit www.CampParents.org.

Mary Eidson is a freelance writer.