As the school year winds down and summer nears, parents’ search for camps and other activities to keep their kids occupied can be a hassle. 

This year’s Summer Activities Fair is returning to give parents and their children in grades K-12 a single location to checkout what’s going on this summer. 

“I think parents are appreciative of the activities fair cutting down the research time,” said Karen Manley of William H. Natcher Elementary School’s family resource center, which is co-sponsoring the event. 

The fair typically includes information on summer activities pertaining to academics, arts, aviation, cooking, dance, martial arts, music, reading, sports, volunteering and more. Along with Natcher Elementary’s family resource center, the event is also being sponsored by the Bowling Green High School Youth Services Center and Community Education. 

This is the fair’s 12th year, but organizers are mixing things up this year by hosting the event at the Bowling Green Ballpark concourse. It will run from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and the rain date is Thursday. 

Also, attendees who register at the event before 6 p.m. can get free tickets to that night’s game where the Hot Rods will face the Clinton LumberKings at 6:35 p.m. 

“It seems to be one of those activities that the community enjoys and needs,” said Misti Carrigan, a youth services coordinator at Bowling Green High School. She said she’s often heard from appreciative parents who enjoy having so many camps to choose from at the fair. 

Don Sergent, Community Education’s communications director, also sees it being an information source for parents. 

“Otherwise they might be having to make a lot of phone calls or visits to places,” he said. 

For Debi Jordan, Community Education’s executive director, it’s also an opportunity for kids to find things they’re interested in. 

“They can see if they have an interest and then pursue later on if they want to as well,” she said.  

Registration has begun for Community Education’s school-age summer programs. Children between kindergarten and third-grade can attend The Super Summer Club, and those between fourth and eighth grades can sign up for Camp Extreme. They run from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. from May 23 through August 3. 

Between May 23 through June 1, all grades will be meeting at the Bowling Green Independent Schools Professional Development and Learning Center on 503 Old Morgantown Road. From June 2 through Aug. 3, the Super Summer Club will meet at the Professional Development and Learning Center while Camp Extreme will meet at T.C. Cherry Elementary School at 1001 Liberty Way.

– To register for Community Education’s programs visit: www.cognitoforms.com/CommunityEducation1/Summer2016Application; for more information on the Super Summer Club visit: www.commed.us/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/SSC-parent-information-sheet-16.pdf; for more information on Camp Extreme www.commed.us/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Camp-Extreme-parent-information-sheet-16.pdf.

— Follow education reporter Aaron Mudd on Twitter @aaron_muddbgdn or visit bgdailynews.com.