The days are getting longer and warmer, and school will be out for the summer in just a few short weeks, which means that the time is at hand to investigate all the ways to keep kids active during the months ahead.

Local summer camps offer a great way not only to keep kids busy, but to engage them in a variety of activities. Here are some local sports camps run by the Mercer Island Parks and Recreation Department, the Boys & Girls Club and the Stroum Jewish Community Center.

Mercer Island Parks and Recreation

Little Champs Sports camp: 4-7 years old, 9 a.m.-noon

American Gladiator: June 29-July 2,$68

T-ball/Coach pitch: July 6-10, $83

Soccer: July 13-17, $83

Wacky Week: July 20-24, $83

Track and Field: July 27-31, $83

Basketball: Aug. 3-7, $83

Nate Robinson Basketball Camp: 6-16 years old, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., July 28-31, $277

Youth Boating Camps at Luther Burbank

Junior Opti sailing camp: 6-8 years old, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., July 6-10, $227

Opti Sailing Camp: 8-13 years old

Opti 3: 9 a.m.-12 p.m., July 13-24

Opti 4: 1-4 p.m., July 13-24

Opti 5: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Aug. 3-7

Opti 5.5: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Aug. 10-14

Beginning Sailing: 12-17 years old, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., July 20-24

Intermediate Sailing: 11-17 years old (90-pound minimum), 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Aug. 10-14

*All campers will be required to pass a swim test on the first day of each camp. Contact Dannie at 275-7891 for more information. Unless otherwise noted, all camps are $352.

Challenger British Soccer Camps

International coaches will teach soccer basics, new tricks and techniques, and each camper will receive a ball, T-shirt and player profile. The camp will be held at the South Mercer Playfield. For more information, visit www.challengersports.com.

Camp 1: July 20-24

Camp 2: Aug. 3-7

Mercer Island Boys & Girls Club

Ogata football camp: July 20-23, $200

Co-ed Volleyball camp: Aug. 3-7, grades 4-9

Advanced co-ed volleyball camp: Aug. 10-13, grades 7-9

Stroum Jewish Community Center

Contact the JCC at 232-7115 for more information.

Sports Camps for students in kindergarten through fifth grade are open.

Session I: Sports Odyssey, June 22-July 10

Session II: Games Galore, July 13-31

Session III: Wacky Sports Adventure, Aug. 3-21

Fitness training: July 6-10

Mary Wayte Pool swim lessons

For more information, contact the pool at 296-4370.

Summer lessons begin June 22 and run through Aug. 29. Northwest Center offers swim lessons throughout the year for all age groups. Youth and preschool classes are 30 minutes long. Download the pool’s list of swim lessons, days and costs at http://nwcenterpools.com under “Instructional Swim.” The pool also offers a dive class, parent-tot classes, private and semi-private swim lessons, adult group lessons and adapted aquatic lessons for adults and children with special needs.