From Legos to horses, city offers fun options for spring break

Need something to do for spring break? The city of Davis has several opportunities to check out:

* Lego Pre-Engineering: Have your child become a play-well engineer, building cities, bridges, motorized cars and planes. With access to more than 100,000 Legos, students will be able to build what they have only dreamed of with the support of an experienced instructor.

The class (No. 514569 01) is designed for children ages 5-7, and meets from 9 a.m. to noon April 1-5 at the Redwood Park Building on Anderson Road. The fee is $188.

* Lego Engineering Fundamentals: Students will explore concepts in physics, architecture, mechanical and structural engineering, from Gear Cars to Battletracks. The engineer-designed curriculum challenges new and returning students to reach higher levels of engineering comprehension while having fun.

The class (No. 514579 01) is designed for kids ages 5-7, and meets from 1 to 4 p.m. April 1-5 at the Redwood Park Building. The fee is $188.

* Wild Child Outdoor Photo Camp: Campers will learn to capture images using various manual settings on digital cameras provided by the instructor. All camps are conducted entirely outdoors, so dressing appropriately for the weather is necessary. Instruction includes composition, portraiture, macro (close-up), self-timer, lighting, depth of field and tips and tricks. Self-evaluation and critique are also explored.

Camps take place in Central Park and include shooting assignments in the Demonstration Gardens. Photos can be viewed in an online gallery. Campers receive their best photograph printed and matted and displayed in a public gallery show before taking it home.

All enrollees will receive a T-shirt declaring them a photographer and graduate of Wild Child Outdoor Photo Camp.

The class (No. 512456 01), designed for children in third through fifth grades, meets from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. April 1-5 at Central Park. The fee is $120, plus a $22 materials fee paid directly to the instructor.

* Spring Break Safari: This weeklong camp for children ages 6-12 includes organized games, arts and crafts, cooking, outdoor and indoor games and field trips including a scavenger hunts, bowling, and a trip to Golfland Sunsplash. The fee includes all activities and field trips.

Participants will gather at the Community Pool Building in Community Park for activities, which run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 1-5.

The class is No. 511387 01. The fee is $150.

* Mini-Horse Camp: Not only will beginning students learn how to ride, they also receive instruction in horse behavior, grooming and care of equipment. The camp takes place at Sterling Riding Academy on County Road 102 north of Davis. Parents can see their kids in action on the last day during a mini-horse show.

Designed for students ages 7-12, the class (No. 517310 01) meets from 9 a.m. to noon April 1-5. The fee is $180. For directions or more information, visit www.sterlingridingacademy.com.

Registration for each of these classes is accepted at the city of Davis Community Services Office, 600 A St., Suite C, or online at www.cityofdavis.org. For more information, call 530-757-5626.