Remember getting ready for a camp, knowing all the while that for the next week you were going to be a smorgasbord for every bloodthirsty bug known to man? You pleaded with your parents that you already knew how to drown and that the only thing you were going to learn in camp was how to make a mosaic of farm animals from macaroni noodles and Froot Loops.

You resigned yourself to the fact that, no matter what happened, you were not going to have any fun. It would be a losing battle from the moment you cracked the car door at camp. But the magic of summer always took over, and the hardest part about camp always turned out to be the moment when you had to go home and admit to your parents that they were right and that you had had a great time.

Now, as parents, you get to have the fun when your children come back and ’fess up to all the fun they’ve had.

If you’re at a loss as to where to send the kids, here are some suggestions for camps, day camps and activities that will be going on around town this summer. Enjoy. Don’t forget to write your kids’ names in their underwear.

YMCA

The East, Donelson, Green Hills and Brentwood YMCAs all offer an assortment of day camps, beginning in June and continuing until August, for ages 6 to 12. Camp outings are weekly and biweekly with outdoors-oriented activities like fishing, hiking, canoeing, archery and devotions. Camp hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; extended care is available. Fees vary from $65 to $110. Scholarships are available. Call your local YMCA for more information.

YWCA

The YWCA offers summer retreats for girls, ages 10-14. Food, fashions, language arts and crafts of African, Native American, Asian and other cultures will be featured at this summer’s youth camp, to be held at Harpeth Hall School, June 17 -July 26. Hours are 8 a.m.-4 p.m., and extended care is available. The fee is $85 a week with a two-week minimum; registration fee is $15. For more information call Melba Perkins at 297-5041.

Cumberland Science Museum

The Cumberland Museum will be taking kids to the stratosphere with its Super Summer Science Camps. The camps are for children 5-10 years of age, and there is a Junior Science Camp for children ages 1-4. The camps consist of 12 one-week (Monday-Friday) all-day camps. The camps feature a hands-on exploration of weekly topics—there’s a Cave Camp, a Creek Week, and a Rocks and Fossils week, for example. Camps begin at 8:45 a.m. and end at 3:45 p.m.; extended care is available. Average camp costs are $149, but there is a $10 discount for members. Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information, call 862-5177.

Nashville Academy Theatre

NAT hosts a variety of one-week day camps for children ages 2-6. There will be classes in creative drama, mime/movement, improvisation, story dramatization, and other related arts and activities. The camp runs 9 a.m.-2 p.m. daily, beginning the week of June 3 and continuing through the week of July 29. Cost per session is $65. NAT will also offer a Junior High Summer Drama Program for students in grades 7 through 9. This program provides students with a concentrated experience in the creative process that goes into creating a theatrical production. The junior high program runs June 29-July 3. Fee is $125. For more information, call 254-9103.

Adventure Quest at Tennessee Christian Medical Center

Adventure Quest is planned for children, ages 10-14, who have attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders, problems with peers, or emotional problems. The teens participate in adventure-based activities designed to help them improve their teamwork, problem-solving and communication skills. The program also focuses on issues of self-esteem and trust. In between hiking, fishing, ropes courses and canoeing, campers talk about anger management, alcohol and drugs, improving self-esteem, family relationships and study skills. The day program runs June 17-28 or July 15-26. Tuition is $325 per week. Partial scholarships are available, and tuition is covered by some private insurance. Call 865-0300, ext. 5517.

American Red Cross

The Red Cross will offer a new program called HYPE (HIV/AIDS Youth Peer Educator Conference), to be held June 21-24 at Brandon Spring, a residential camp at Land Between the Lakes. The program is for students entering grades 10-12 who want to help their peers live healthy lives. Campers will learn to deliver presentations to groups, talk to peers one-on-one, and make referrals. The camp, lodging, all meals, a T-shirt and transportation are free. For more information, call 327-1931.

Camp Horizon

Sponsored by the American Cancer Society, Camp Horizon is a program for children, 7-17, who are within five years of a diagnosis or treatment for cancer. Kids spend June 23-29 at the Bethany Hills Campground, near Kingston Springs. Campers will swim, learn arts and crafts, play games, go hiking and canoeing, and hold dances. It’s just like any other camp except there’s a full nursing staff and on-site pediatric oncologist. Chemotherapy, if necessary, is available. All staff members, including medical staff, are volunteers. The camp is now in its 14th year and can accept up to 85 children. Call 1-800-280-1227 or 255-1227.

Oak Hill Day Camp

Operated by First Presbyterian Church, Oak Hill Day Camp is open to the public. There are two camps for different age groups. The Kindy Camp is for ages 4-5 and runs 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The Elementary Camp is for children in grades 1-6 and runs 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Extended care is offered. The camps offer swimming, horseback riding, arts and crafts, drama, roller skating, devotionals and more. All activities take place on the 55-acre campus of the church. The elementary camp starts June 10 and continues through Aug. 9, with three three-week sessions. The fee is $260 per session. Kindy Camp offers one- and two-week sessions ($87 for one week; $170 for two). Some scholarships are available. Call the camp office for more information at 298-9527.

Sportsplex

The Centennial Sportsplex offers skating and swimming classes. Skating class registration is May 28-June 8. There are three class groups, ranging in age from 3-17. Skating classes cost $43 before the deadline and $54 after. Swimming classes are set for Tuesday-Thursday evenings, June 11-July 16, Monday-Friday, June 17-28, and Monday-Friday, July 8-22. Age groups range from 18 months to adults. The lessons cost $50, and payment is due the first day of class. Registiation is required before the first class. For more information, call 862-8480.

Camp Evergreen

A day camp offered by Alive Hospice, Evergreen is planned for children, ages 8-16, who have recently lost a loved one. The camp runs June 6-8 and provides an opportunity for children to learn about the grief process and to explore their feelings. Discussion groups are provided for support, not for therapy. For more information call 327-1085. There is a $5 registration fee, but the camp is free.