The end of the school year is upon us and now the inevitable question is: “What are we going to do ALL summer long?” or the infamous: “I’m bored,” yes it is summer break! Parents are frantically searching for camps, activities, play dates, swimming lessons, movie days, etc. to fill their kid’s days to avoid the “I’m bored” trap.

Thunder Mountain Sports, 1334 E. Chandler Blvd., will have sand volleyball all summer starting May 24 through July 26.

It’s no secret that Arizona offers some of the best and most luxurious AAA Four and Five Diamond resorts in the country. However, many travelers don’t realize that many of these properties also feature kid camps that aim to please even the pickiest pint-sized traveler. This provides mom and dad with a guilt-free way to indulge in some much-needed couple time, while allowing kids to make friends and create memories of their own.

Before the weather gets any hotter, take your pooch out for a stroll at some of Ahwatukee’s dog-friendly restaurants.

While Arizona is home to several upscale dining establishments that meet the most discriminating palates, the state is also home to several fun and kitschy places to nosh at as well. Whether diners are on a road trip or just seeking out the unusual, below are some suggestions for AAA One and Two Diamond restaurants known for their quirkiness as much as their food.

Girls from Girl Scout Troop 1538 in Ahwatukee are getting their hands dirty while taking action and helping out in the Ahwatukee Community Garden Project’s Children’s Garden.

The city of Phoenix is working to improve parking around the trail heads for the Pyramid Trail in Ahwatukee Foothills’ Club West at the end of Chandler Boulevard, but the long-term solution may not happen until the city can identify the proper amount of funding.

Debra Gutierrez knows first-hand how lasting friendships can be made while being a Girl Scout.

Jozef Bagby, 14, of Ahwatukee recently received his Eagle Scout Award in a court of honor ceremony on March 16 at Esperanza Lutheran Church. Bagby began his scouting career as a Cub Scout Webelos in 2007. He earned his Arrow of Light before bridging into Boy Scout Troop 124, and eventually transferred to Troop 14 after moving to Ahwatukee.

Eagle Scout and Mountain Pointe High School junior Jacob Rak-Kinonen, along with Chandler MMA owner Master Paul McGowan, hosted a women’s self defense clinic on Feb. 10 as a fundraiser called “Helping women be prepared” for local Boy Scout Troop 1/A212.

William Austin Gray has enjoyed participating in scouting since he became a Cub Scout in the second grade. He is an active member of Boy Scout Troop 697 in Tempe.

When Ahwatukee Foothills residents Rhona MacMillan and Mark Jorve retired they became the busiest they’ve ever been, following their dreams and opening a vineyard in Willcox, Ariz.

Rolling out a sleeping bag, pitching a tent and cooking food over a campfire. If anything to do with camping makes you anxious, Arizona State Parks is here to help.

In a previous column I discussed the PACER, a test of cardiovascular fitness that is part of the national youth physical fitness test battery (FITNESSGRAM). FITNESSGRAM, was developed at the Cooper Institute in Dallas and is now offered as a cooperative program with the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition (PCFSN) and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD). In addition to assessing cardiovascular fitness, the FITNESSGRAM Test Battery includes tests of muscle fitness, flexibility, and body composition.

Madison Callan and Isa Rivers, left to right, junior Girl Scouts, won a contest for best wagon design and theme at the Arizona State University Women In Engineering/Advancing Women in Construction cookie wagon building workshop last month as part of the Girl Scout “Gift of Caring” program.

Boy Scout troops and Cub Scout packs from the Grand Canyon Council, BSA hosted their annual Scouting For Food Drive on Feb. 2. More than 30 Scouting units from the Salt River District went door-to-door collecting food to support St. Vincent de Paul’s food banks. Scouts in Ahwatukee and Tempe collected more than 15,500 pounds and delivered to three locations; two in Tempe and one in Ahwatukee. The Ahwatukee location broke their previous year’s record by more than 2,000 pounds, collecting a total of 7,556 pounds and overflowing the bins that were set up at the Kyrene Monte Vista Elementary School parking lot for the event.

The 2013 Arizona Fishing Regulations are now available at all seven Arizona Game and Fish Department offices and at fishing license dealers throughout the state. They are also posted online at www.azgfd.gov/fishing.

Dr. Douglas Bobb and his practice, Sun Valley Hand Surgery, were sponsors for the Boy Scouts of America Grand Canyon Council Eagle recognition dinner that took place recently in Phoenix.

Years of exploring by Ahwatukee Foothills resident Todd Martin are all packed into a handy travel guide for people looking to experience the Grand Canyon in a unique way.

Which scenario would you prefer?

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has declared Oct. 21-27 Cat Week, but we can honor our feline family members all year by following these tips:

When the weather gets nicer the danger on the mountain preserves doesn’t decrease, according to Phoenix fire officials.

The Girl Scouts of Ahwatukee Foothills recently hosted a Recruitment Rally at the Pecos Park Community Room. Girls from kindergarten through 12th grade were invited to the event to speak with school organizers, leaders and girls in troops. Many of the troops that were on hand shared hands-on activities showcasing what they like best about Girl Scouts. Leaders also shared what they like most about volunteering and how fun and rewarding it is to work with girls.

With weather cooling down in the Valley it’s the perfect time for free concerts in the park.

You can hardly think of Tempe without picturing Hayden Flour Mill, its faded white silos rising from the base of Hayden Butte and anchoring the north end of Mill Avenue.