Camp Allofasudden : A host of local resources may help you find a program for the coming months tailored to your child’s interests and needs.

“Summertime and the living is easy,” says the old Broadway show tune. But it doesn’t promise that all that easy living comes cheaply. And it doesn’t say what to do with your children during summer vacation.

Summer camp is one option for parents. Unfortunately, a good summer camp can be very expensive and beyond the financial reach of many recession-weary parents. Other parents--too busy to notice the days getting longer and warmer--may have awoke too late to register their children for camp.

So how do parents please their pocketbooks, their consciences and their children?

There are many alternatives to private camp this year, and they are as diversified as they are inexpensive. And they offer a delicate balance of structured time and flexibility, providing parents peace of mind and youngsters with enough free time to unwind from school pressures. A trip through Ventura County’s community colleges, recreation and parks departments and public libraries provides a parent some ideas on how a summer program can be tailored to a child’s interests and needs.

In each community there are an assortment of classes offered at various times. The amount of time a child or teen-ager spends in structured activity depends on the combination of classes a family selects. Some classes are 1 1/2 hours and are offered once a week for three weeks, while others, such as many of the sport camps, are offered by the week for 3 1/2 hours each day. Parents who have flexible schedules and are adept at time management can put together an economical bill of fare.

Obviously, working parents cannot escort their children to a number of classes in different sites at various times. One solution is to try and arrange a cooperative car pool. Another option is to pick classes through one of the recreation and park districts that also offer low cost day camp. Often, special arrangements can be made that allow the child to attend classes at the same facility where a class is held.

The following tour through Ventura County communities provides sample summer programs. Classes cost on the average $20 to $30--but remember, some last a day, while others run several weeks.

OAK PARK

Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District provides either an inexpensive day camp or individual classes for area residents and the Oak Park community. Residents of Oak Park might think about sending their children to The Art Wagon. Then incorporate classes in jazz-funk dance and puppetry with tennis camp. Next, add the very exciting Jr. Space Academy taught by a NASA-certified lunar presenter. Children 5 through 13 learn all about the space shuttle, zero gravity and are provided with an astronaut sleep sack that they can try out. This combination of classes will entertain a child from June through August for about $165. Oak Park families can also view Films Under the Stars at Mae Boyar Park free of charge.

* The Art Wagon: 3 to 4 p.m. Mondays, Monday through July 27.

* Jazz-Funk Dance: 1 to 1:50 p.m. Wednesdays, July 8 through Aug. 12.

* Puppetry: 1 to 2 p.m. Thursdays, July 30 through Aug. 27.

* Tennis: 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, July 27 through Aug. 6.

* Jr. Space Academy: 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesdays, July 1 through Aug. 19. Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District: 584-4400.

MOORPARK

Traveling over to Moorpark, there are a whole new set of options. Between Moorpark College’s community service curriculum and the city’s Recreation and Parks Services you can choose a combination of unique offerings. Fun opportunities extend through the summer.

At Moorpark College, youngsters can enter the Fantasy World of Cartooning, improve their spelling, learn to play golf, take pictures and perhaps embark on the beginnings of a lucrative career in scriptwriting. All this for about $192. High school students can take Scholastic Aptitude Test preparation classes for either the English portion or the math portion of the exam at a cost of $50 and $60, respectively.

The recreation menu through the city of Moorpark is filled with offerings such as a creative cooking class, tennis lessons and Clown Capers. Children in Moorpark can also experience the Jr. Space Academy and follow it up with the aeronautical Things That Fly class. There are also horsemanship classes available by the month. Following a schedule such as this might cost a parent about $265.

Moorpark College

* Fantasy World of Cartooning: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Mondays, Monday through Aug. 10.

* Spelling: 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. June 30.

* Golf: 3 to 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, July 6-16.

* Photography: Session one, Tuesdays, July 7 and 14, 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Moorpark College; Session two, Tuesdays, July 7 and 14, 1 to 3:30 p.m. in Thousand Oaks.

* Scriptwriting: 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 14.

* Scholastic Aptitude Test Preparation: English: five Tuesdays, 1 to 3 p.m., beginning June 30. Math: five Fridays, 4 to 6:30 p.m., beginning July 11.

City of Moorpark

* Creative Cooking: 2 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays, July 8 through Aug. 12.

* Tennis: 10 to 11 a.m. Fridays, July 31 through Sept. 4.

* Clown Capers: 1 to 2 p.m. Fridays, July 10 through Aug. 14.

* Jr. Space Academy: 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Mondays, June 29 through Aug. 17.

* Things That Fly: 3 to 4 p.m. Fridays, July 10 through Aug. 21.

* Horsemanship: Held monthly each Thursday; times vary for various age groups and family instruction.

City of Moorpark Recreation and Community Services: 529-6864.

Moorpark College Community Services Department: 378-1408.

THOUSAND OAKS

Conejo Valley teen-agers are welcome to enjoy a host of activities at the Teen Center in Thousand Oaks. Selections range from drama and dance to movie-making. Want to get physical? There are aerobics classes, plus basketball, volleyball and wrestling. Staff-taught classes are $5, while instructor-taught classes average $12. The Teen Center offers excursions and special events that feature monthly concerts and professional comedians. Saturday workshops encompass cardiopulmonary resuscitation training, first aid certification, self-defense/rape prevention and makeup/hair design. The Youth Employment Service offers job-skills workshops at the Teen Center. Workshops cost $15. Summer hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

* Drama Club: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Tuesday through July 28.

* Beginning Jazz: 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Wednesday through July 29.

* Aerobics: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Tuesday through July 28.

* 5 on 5 Basketball: 3 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Tuesday through July 28.

* Wrestling: 2 to 3 p.m. Thursdays, June 25 through July 30.

* Volleyball Club: 7 to 8 p.m Thursdays, June 25 through July 30.

* Make-up and Hair Design Workshop: 1 to 3 p.m, Saturday July 25.

Call 494-5156 for more information.

CAMARILLO

The Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District and the local Ventura County Library provide interesting opportunities this summer. Chumash Indian stories, which explore another culture, and pet care taught by the Humane Society are just two of the events offered, free of charge, at the library this summer. Older and more active youths might enjoy the park district’s basketball camp, Clown Capers and Drawing 3-D classes. The child who might like to accomplish something new might enjoy the Sign Language & Then Some class. These summer activities cost about $170.

* Chumash Storytelling: 2 p.m. today.

* Pet Care: 2 p.m. July 14.

* Basketball Camp: 9 a.m to 12:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, June 29 through July 3 and July 6 through July 10.

* Clown Capers: 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays through July 22.

* Drawing 3-D: 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. July 9 through Aug. 13.

* Sign Language: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays, July 22 through Aug. 26.

The Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District: 482-1996.

PORT HUENEME

The Boys & Girls Club will have a variety of games, athletics, wood shop and social-skill activities from morning till late afternoon for youths 7 to 18 years old. Membership dues are $5.

The city’s Recreation and Community Services Department offers many entertainment options for young people (and adults) that fill the summer for about $125. Start with youth self-defense and Tai Chi Flow & Mulan Exercise. Then stimulate the mind with an introduction to personal computers and beginning sign language. Relax with beginning needle craft and refresh with a junior lifeguard program.

* Boys and Girls Club: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. holidays. Year-round.

* Youth Self Defense: 7:50 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays. Year-round.

* Tai Chi Flow & Mulan Exercise: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Year-round.

* Introduction to Personal Computers & Computing: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday monthly.

* Beginning Sign Language: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Fridays, through July 17. Last day to sign up is Friday.

* Beginning Needlecraft: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Tuesday through July 14. Last day to sign up is Friday.

* Junior Lifeguard: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; Monday through July 3, July 13-24 and Aug. 3-14.

The Boys & Girls Club: 488-3719

City of Port Hueneme Recreation and Community Services Department: 986-6555.

OXNARD

Along the coast, classes presented by Oxnard College and the Oxnard Parks and Recreation Department offer opportunities to have fun and save money. At the college, youths can take a writing class, speaking class, drawing workshop or magic workshop. Mix in a few parks and recreation classes such as acting, modeling and beginning karate and the summer fun comes to about $185.

Oxnard College

* Writing: 9 to 10:30 a.m. July 13-17.

* Speaking: 9:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays, through July 8.

* Drawing: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., four Saturdays beginning June 27.

* Magic: 9 to 10 a.m., four Saturdays beginning July 11.

Parks and Recreation

* Acting: 4:45 to 5:30 p.m. Mondays, July 14 through Sept. 19.

Modeling: 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, July 1 through Aug. 5 or Aug. 12 through Sept. 16.

* Beginning Karate: 4 to 4:50 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, July 2-30; Aug. 4-27 and Sept. 1-29.

Oxnard College Community Services Department: 986-5822.

City of Oxnard Parks and Recreation Department: 385-7995.

VENTURA

Following the shoreline north, look for a series of nature programs offered by the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation. There are outdoor adventures for every age and every size pocketbook.

Do your children love the water? Register them for the summer sailing clinic or synchronized swim program. Then they can dry off during Self-Defense Play, Woody Woodworkers, Modeling For Kids, Fantasy Drawing and Native American Indian Skills. An unusual summer recreation program such as this costs about $246. Teen-agers might be interested in parks and recreation’s fencing and airbrushing classes.

At Ventura College, the community services department is presenting a large selection of sports camps. There also are a variety of creative classes such as acting, writing, cartooning and painting. For mind-expansion, try developmental reading; speed reading; Listening and Note Taking; Test Taking: Before, During And After; Goal Setting and Time Management or The Real World of Chemistry. Explore the uses of a personal computer, improve your spelling or prepare for the S.A.T. exams. Prices vary as much as the selection that puts you in control.

Parks and Recreation

* Nature Programs: Numerous activities throughout the summer include Wildlife Lagoon Bird Walk, Cornucopia Community Garden tour, Indian Summer Discovery, Marine Marvels, Wilderness Skills Week and more.

* Summer Sailing Clinic: 9 a.m. to noon, Monday through June 26 and July 27-31.

* Synchronized Swimming: 2:45 to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, Monday through July 31.

* Woody Woodworkers: 5 to 6 p.m. Mondays, July 6-27.

* Modeling: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Fridays, July 10 through Aug. 28.

* Fantasy Drawing: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, June 30 through Aug. 4.

* Native American Indian Skills: 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 8.

* Airbrushing: 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays, July 6 through Aug. 10.

Ventura College Community Services

* Sports Camps: Numerous options available throughout the summer include basketball, baseball, golf, softball, cheerleading, soccer and tennis.

* Listening & Note-Taking: 10:30 a.m. to noon, July 13-16 and July 20-23.

* Goal Setting & Time Management: (grades 6 through 8) 10:30 a.m. to noon Monday through June 25.

* Chemistry Workshop: (grades 4 through 6) 9 to 10 a.m. or 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. for three Saturdays, beginning Aug. 1.

City of Ventura Parks and Recreation: 658-4753.

Ventura College Community Services Department: 654-6459.

SANTA PAULA

Heading along California 126 to Santa Paula we find some real summer bargains through the Santa Paula Recreation Department. From June 27 through August, playgrounds will be supervised at several parks, and arts/crafts, sports, games and special events will be available free of charge for elementary school children. Youth slow-pitch softball and Neighborhood Olympics, including track and more, are also free. Four weeks of art lessons will set you back $20 and six 30-minute singing lessons cost $39. Another interesting class is Shoebox to Showcase, where children learn how to record family history by creating photo albums that provide lasting memories. There are classes in tennis, calligraphy, tae kwon do, golf, cake decorating and more.

* Art Lessons: 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesdays, July 8-29 (ages 8 to 12) and 12:30 to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, July 6-28 (13 and up).

* Singing Lessons: Tuesdays by arrangement, July 21 through Aug. 25.

* Shoebox to Showcase: 2 to 4 p.m., July 15 and 29.

The city of Santa Paula Recreation Department: 933-4226.

OJAI

The Ojai Recreation Department welcomes you with two four-week Summer Children’s Recreation programs of arts and crafts, games, a scavenger hunt, Slip ‘N Slide, bowling and special field trips that will keep boys and girls in grades kindergarten through sixth busy for $40 per session. Add modern jazz and video dance and throw in swimming lessons for a grand total of about $160. Summer hours: 1 to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

* Summer Children’s Recreation programs: 1 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, Monday through July 17 and July 27 to Aug. 21.

* Swim Classes: Tuesdays through Fridays several time a day, two-week sessions June 30 through Sept. 8.

For more information, call 646-1872.

TIPS FOR PARENTS

Brenda Coleman of the Teen Center in Thousand Oaks offers these tips for parents selecting summer activities for their children.

* What are their areas of interest?

* Is there sufficient supervision?

* What is the ratio of child to supervisor?

* Who is instructing--are they qualified professionals who have been recruited for contract instruction?

* Are you required to sign a contract?

* Is there a satisfaction guarantee or refund clause?