With children out of school and summer in full swing, parents and caregivers in search of educational and fun adventures are turning to local venues.

Whether it's holding down a job to make money or spending time with family and friends, Orangeburgers are taking advantage of time out from the regular hours of school to pursue enrichment and leisure activities to while away the hot days of summer.

Carlton Salley spent time with his daughters, Natoria, 11, Cadra, 9, and Chanell, 6, while they caught the reading bug at the Orangeburg County Public Library. In addition to signing up for the annual summer reading challenge, the Salleys got onboard with the crew of Noah's Ark at the First Baptist Church vacation Bible school.

"The girls will begin swimming lessons in August, and we plan to take a family trip to Atlanta to visit the aquarium and other places," Salley said.

Shayla Sharperson and her 4-month-old son, Cardell, have been enjoying their summer together "staying cool in the pool." The Sharpersons, who have also been busy planning their family reunion, were looking forward to their road trip to Atlanta.

"I've been in summer school for enrichment," said Tavarious Johnson, a Sheridan Elementary School student whose favorite subject is math.

But, it hasn't been all work and no play for this 12-year-old. Johnson admitted that after school, he often took a dip in the pool to cool down from the heat and then went for a virtual run, playing football on his Playstation 2.

Older students turned to summer jobs as they were preparing for their final year in high school or their first year in higher education.

Mylesha House, 17, a rising senior at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School, said she accepted a job at Wendy's to help her family pay bills and to save up for senior year expenses.

"When I'm not working, I like to talk on the phone and go out with my friends," House said.

Midlands Technical College student Ahkeem Haynes, 19, who is in his second year of employment at a local fast food restaurant, said he uses the extra cash for summer fun, like "travel and eating out." When relaxing, Haynes enjoys playing video games and talking with his girlfriend on the phone.

Preparing to go to North Carolina A&T for her freshman year in sports science, Pilar Frazier has been working at Pizza Hut and spending time with her mother, Cassandra Green, buying school supplies and clothes.

"I support my daughter's decision to go out-of-state because I believe any child who has the opportunity to take advantage of learning in another area should embrace it," Green said. "Home is important, but getting experience living in different places is important to appreciate where you come from."

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T&D Correspondent Donna L. Holman can be reached by e-mail at ladyflyer7@msn.com. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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