Matteo Pierazzi, 9, is looking forward to his summer camp at Gold Country Kuk Sool Won where he'll get to do archery, pottery, blacksmithing, martial arts, swimming and make new friends.

Children in Nevada County can choose from a wide range of activities to keep themselves busy through summer. From dance classes to reading programs to sports, the community has a lot to offer its young residents May through August.

Kuk Sool Won is a form of Korean martial arts that's taught at the Gold Country Kuk Sool Won in Nevada City. The school offers two summer camps - June 16 through 20 and July 21 through 25.

"Kuk Sool Won showed me how to defend myself," Pierazzi said. "It taught me discipline. Everybody (in class) learned how to be a nice guy. We learned how to take orders ... how to do things and cooperate with each other.

"Gold Country Kuk Sool Won is like one big family. We do activities in groups."

Sandra Bruce, mother of Pierazzi, said learning Kuk Sool Won has "given him a lot of self confidence. It's helped him a lot to improve his strength, coordination and concentration."

Children at Gold Country Kuk Sool Won learn etiquette, patience and practice, said Roman Delacoeur, 18, a counselor for the summer camp.

"If a child is having trouble with other children, if they can't make friends, this camp helps them open up," said Aaron Garcia, 18, another summer camp counselor. "The environment in the class is structured. There are rules like treating others the way you'd like to be treated."

If your favorite activity is not on the list, e-mail the information to Staff Writer Soumitro Sen at ssen@theunion.com or call 477-4229.



Sports and Fitness

• Scott Jackson's Real Life Fitness, 265-4041 ext. 2: Cardio Tennis, three-days-a-week classes for ages 10 and up. Aqua Challenge, twice-weekly classes for ages 14 and up, from June 17 to July 25, July 29 to Sept. 5.



• Gold Country Kuk Sool Won, 478-1412: Seventh annual martial arts adventure day camp featuring archery, fishing classes, martial arts, crafts and swimming from June 16 though 20, and July 21 through 25. Ongoing martial arts program for children, 5 years old and above, Monday through Saturday. Martial arts program for preschoolers, aged two and a half to five, Tuesdays and Thursdays.



• Grass Valley Aikikai, 274-1453: Classes for children, aged 8 and up, from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Teenagers and children can also attend the classes for adults at 5 p.m., 6:15 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.



• Nevada City Parks and Rec., 265-2496: Day camp program for children aged 4 to 10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday at Pioneer Park. Youth program for children aged 10 to 13 from noon to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Activities include skateboarding, drama and canoeing.

• Nevada County Land Trust, 272-5994. A nature summer camp from June 16 - 20 and a native American camp from June 23 - 27, for children 7 to 10 years old. Activities include hiking, exploration, storytelling, games and art projects.



• Ridge Racket Club, 273-8514: Tennis camps for beginners, Monday through Thursday, starting the week of June 9 and will continue through Aug. 9. Sacramento Area Tennis Association junior league games for ages 15 and under. UTSA league games for ages 18 and under.



• Wolf Creek Wilderness, 477-2722: Whitewater kayaking safari July 15 through 17 and Aug. 5 though 7, for children aged 11 through 15. Father's Day kayak festival June 15 at Scotts Flat Lake.



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