Many local churches offer entertaining and educational summer programs (such as Vacation Bible School or Summer Day Camp). Usually churches offer discounts for additional children and have scholarship funds available to make attendance affordable to all families.

HOLLISTER

- Calvary Baptist Church (1900 Highland Drive) presents Turned Around July 27-31 from 9 a.m. to noon. Children entering kindergarten through sixth grade will have Bible time, missionary stories, puppet shows, arts, crafts and snacks. No charge. (831) 637-2909.

- Trinity Lutheran Church (2300 Airline Highway) offers God's Challenge July 27-31 from 8 a.m. to noon for students in kindergarten through junior high. There will be game show-themed arts, crafts, games, Bible activities, music and snacks. Cost: $10 per student. (831) 636-1321.

- Hollister Presbyterian Church (2066 San Benito St.) will present Crocodile Dock Aug. 3-7 from 9 a.m. to noon. Children from preschool to fifth grade will enjoy Bayou-themed crafts, games, movies, songs, Bible lessons and snacks. Cost: $35, sibling discounts. (831) 637-4350.

- Grace Bible Church (634 Monterey St.) presents Pirates of the Corinthian Aug. 3-7 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for grades one through eight. There will be pirate-themed skits, music, crafts, Bible stories, snacks and recreation. No charge. (831) 638-1394.

GILROY

- First Baptist Church (8455 Wren Ave.) presents Boomerang Express June 22-26 from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. for students entering first through sixth grades. Students will simulate a visit to Australia while enjoying Bible stories, music, crafts, recreation and snacks. No charge. (408) 847-6000.

- Foothills Foursquare Church (8335 Church St.) presents Under the Sea July 13-17 from 9 a.m. to noon for grades kindergarten through five. Students will enjoy Bible stories involving water (like Noah and the Ark, Jonah and the Whale), games, music and a special video. No charge. (408) 848-3100.

- Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (1735 Hecker Pass Road) offers a summer music camp: Jesus, Our Song on our Journey July 13-17 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. for children in preschool and older. They will learn about events in the life of Jesus and how "Jesus travels with us as we journey through life" through stories, songs and crafts, including a baking activity. Donation: $50. (408) 842-2713.

- New Hope Community Church (8886 Muraoka Drive) presents Son Rock Kids Camp July 13-17 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for students entering kindergarten through fifth grade. They will learn choreography, Bible stories, hand motions, crafts and enjoy snacks. A performance for parents will be held Friday at 6:30 p.m. Cost: $20, sibling discounts. (408) 842-4857.

- South Valley Community Church (8095 Kelton Drive) will host Son Rock Kids Camp August 10-14 from 9 a.m. to noon for children entering first through sixth grades. There will be songs, Bible stories, crafts, outdoor camper activities and snacks. Cost: $15. (408) 848-2363.

MORGAN HILL

- Advent Lutheran Church (16870 Murphy Ave.) will offer three sessions of Musical Theatre Day Camp June 15-20, July 6-11, July 13-18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a performance for parents each Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Children from kindergarten through ninth grade will learn acting, music, choreographed movement and art. Cost: $210 per session, sibling discounts. (408) 779-3551.

- St. John's Episcopal Preschool (17740 Peak Avenue) holds a summer day camp for ages 2-1/2 through six each week through Aug. 14. Activities will include play, arts, crafts, reading, music and games. Cost varies by the number of days attended. (408) 782-9994.

- Morgan Hill Bible Church (15055 Monterey St.) presents Crocodile Dock June 22-26 from 9 to noon for first through sixth grades. There will be Bayou-themed games, songs, puppets shows, snacks and Bible stories. Cost: $35. (408) 778-5083.

- St. Catherine Catholic Church (17400 Peak Ave.) presents Undefeated June 22-26 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. for children age four through sixth grade. They will be "missionaries in motion finding ways to show the love of Jesus." Cost: $20, sibling discounts. (408) 779-3959.

The church will also host a series of week-long sports camps for basketball, softball, soccer, volley ball and football for ages six to 13 at varying prices. Call (408) 340-3572.

- Shadow Mountain Baptist Church (280 Llagas Road) offers Fun in the Sun July 6-10 from 6. to 8:30 p.m. for fourth through sixth grades. There will be Bible stories, crafts, games, puppet shows, skits, music and snacks. No charge. 782-7806.

- Morgan Hill Presbyterian Church (16970 De Witt Ave.) offers The Rock: Climbing Higher in our Faith July 20-24 from 9 a.m. to noon for grades one through six. There will be a climbing wall, singing, crafts, games, Bible stories and snacks. Cost: $50. (408) 779-2820.

- West Hills Community Church (16695 De Witt Ave.) presents Operation Space: Close Encounters with God's Word Aug. 3-7 from 9 a.m. to noon for ages 5-11. It will be held at El Toro School with games, music, crafts and snacks. Cost: $5. (408) 779-0697.

Chuck Flagg Chuck Flagg is a retired teacher with a passion for religion. Write him c/o The Dispatch, P.O. Box 22365 Gilroy, CA 95021.