Summer Break In Las Vegas Offers Cool Activities For Kids

And just like that, schools out. Once again, parents in Las Vegas are on the hunt for camps, events, and more, to keep their kids busy, and active over the summer.

Summer break can be a very stressful time for parents, and kids. Trying to find something unique and fun to keep kids from turning into tiny feral creatures - and teenagers - can be a challenge.

Some parents, and children, think summer break should be shorter. I honestly CANNOT imagine ever saying that as a kid. But now, kids get bored a lot faster. And they miss the friends they see, on the regular, at school.

And parents burn out. Between trying to find the most enjoyable summer happenings, and paying for them - or paying for extra childcare - it can be a bit overwhelming.

And no, kids are not just getting on their bikes, and coming home when the "streetlights come on" like you, or I may have done. Because times have changed.

There are a multitude of things in Las Vegas, to get your kids involved in over summer break. They range in length, activity, and price. But there is definitely something for everyone. Here are just a few fun and unique outings:

YMCA:  Ages 3-15, May 28-Aug. 9, prices will vary depending on the camp.

Boys and Girls Club: Ages 6-12. May 20 - August 8. Boys and Girls Club of Southern Nevada

City of Las Vegas: Ages 3-15, May 21-Aug. 9. $100-150 per week. Plus $10 per week for supplies and transportation. Kids Camp and Teen Camp, lasvegasnevada.gov.

Red Rock Climbing Center - rock climbing camps: This place is really fun. And they offer a weekday camp that teaches kids the skills they need to climb, and stay safe. Activities include climbing, knot tying - and the good old fashioned rope swing! Ages 5-15, June 3-Aug. 4, $45 per day, Red Rock Climbing Center

Camp Pride Tree: This is an inclusive LGBTQ summer camp. It offers overnight stays at Camp Lee Canyon at Mount Charleston. Campers can take part in game shows, art, nature, dance parties, board games and sports. Full and partial scholarships are also available. The camp also offers a counselor-in-training program for 17 year olds.  June 27-July 1, $400. The Pride Tree

Girls Rock Vegas: For girls who want to rock! The program offers the chance to learn instrumental skills, form a band, and songwriting from local music professionals. It is to inspire those who go to find their own original sound. Ages 9-17, June 24-28, $250, Girls Rock Vegas

Discovery Children’s Museum: Discovery Children’s Museum has a bunch of summer camps. If you've ever been, you know this place is a total blast. Kids can learn how to paint, coding, study the stars, do cool experiments, and tons of other activities! Ages 6-11. June 3-28 & July 1-12, $325/camp ($295 if you already have a museum membership). Discovery Children's Museum

Camp Just One: Just One provides inclusive experiences for all who attend, no matter what their financial situation is. The camp has tons of volunteers, and guest speakers. And cool field trips to places like Allegiant Stadium, and local colleges. They’re divided into three different weeks based on age groups: June 10-14 for middle schoolers, June 17-21 for high schoolers (interested in college prep), June 25-28 is also for high schoolers. The program is free. But it is a nonprofit, so they do encourage a donation of $50, which is a very fair fee. Camp Just One 

Gear Up Aspire Scholars Program: This is a program with Nevada Department of Education, NSHE, CCSD and UNLV. It's for students interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and looking to get a jump on their high school and college careers. Free for any 9th grader. And for 10th and 11th graders from Bonanza, Clark, Durango and Pahrump Valley high schools. Grades 9-11, June 9-15 for 9th and 10th grade. May 28-June 27 for 11th grade. Young Rebels UNLV

Rebel STEM Explorers 3-5 Camp: This little camp puts elementary students with science and engineering activities. Learning about the power of the sun, Learning the ecosystem, and effects of climate change. Grades 3-5, June 10-14, free, Young Rebels UNLV

The Las Vegas heat has slapped all of us this past weekend.

As locals, we should be acclimated to the scorching and sizzling heat. However when a heat dome covers Las Vegas like a blanket of death, it truly feels like hell on Earth.

No matter how many times you experience triple-digit temperatures, anything over 110 degrees feels horrible. A brisk walk from a store into your car can feel like a marathon. And although people say "it's a dry heat," it's still hot.

In fact, the temperature has been so scorching that it almost broke a record. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, this past weekend almost beat the 10-day record for consecutive temperatures at 110 degrees and over, and this record happened in 1962.

Being in this heat can truly be exhausting and also dangerous. Along with nearly record-breaking temperatures, being in this heat for too long is actually dangerous.

A reporter interviewed a 71-year-old man last week while he was hiking in Death Valley National Park. A few hours later, he was found dead, and officials believe his death is heat-related. Temperatures that day reached over 120 degrees. According to People, the reporter asked the man why he was hiking, which he answered, "Why not?"

Along with that horrible case, at least 16 people in Clark County have died from heat-related illnesses, according to a report by KTNV. So, the heat is no joke. In fact, it's deadly.

What's a better way to escape the heat than planning a quick getaway? Now, we can always hit the nice resorts and lavish pools. But, the temperature outside is still boiling. So lucky for us Las Vegans, we can escape the heat by driving a few hours West or by hopping on a quick plane ride.

Enjoy the cool coastal California towns, take a day trip to the beautiful beaches and more! Scroll down below for some quick getaways that'll allow you to relax and cool off from the Las Vegas heat.

Laguna Beach is the perfect getaway to cool down and enjoy some beautiful beaches. There is a scattering of other beaches that are smaller and calming. The drive from Vegas to Laguna Beach is about four-to-five hours depending on traffic. The temperatures are much cooler in Laguna Beach, and it's the perfect spot for families, couples or even solo trips.

The North Cascades National Park stays cool and crisp even during the hot summer months.  The west side of the mountain is cooler and wetter than the east side due to the west being in the rain shadow part of the mountain, according to the U.S. National Parks' website. The temperatures touch around the mid 60s with a lot of rain, according to the National Weather Service.

Santa Catalina Island is a beautiful place with great beaches and sunsets that melt your soul. The island also has "eco Jeeps" and other fun activities that can make you feel like you're in paradise. It takes one hour to get to Catalina Island from Long Beach, San Pedro, Dana Point and Newport Beach from a high-speed ferry boat. It's a gem that is the perfect place for Las Vegans to escape the heat while enjoying some island vibes.

Take a quick plane ride to San Francisco! The travel time is about 1 hour and 45 minutes for a non-stop flight, and there are a plethora of travel deals and promotions from airlines that can make a plane ticket pretty affordable. The weather is cool with the current seven-day forecast predicting highs in the 60s. There are tons of things to do, so many places to eat and many things to enjoy while exploring San Francisco. The culture is vibrant, and you'll truly get a break from the heat when you visit San Francisco.

San Diego is also a great city to visit if you're trying to escape Las Vegas. The slower-paced nature of San Diego will give you a break from the hustle and bustle of Vegas. Plus, it's cooler in San Diego. There are beaches, a good amount of nightlife and great food. You can drive there, or take a plane ride (which is about 1 hour).

Maybe you're feeling like traveling internationally for a quick weekend trip. Ensenada is about an hour plane ride and a six hour drive from Las Vegas. From beautiful beaches, amazing food and great hospitality, Ensenada is another hot-spot in Baja California, Mexico that offers great nightlife. If you want a mixture of tropical oasis with a little "Vegas-style" partying then Ensenada is the perfect place to escape to.

La Paz, Mexico is another beautiful destination in Mexico. The beaches will leave you breathless, it's a fishing heaven and it's simply serenity. You have to fly into Los Cabos and then drive to La Paz.

The Channel Islands National Park is comprised of five islands off the coast of Santa Barbara. All of these islands are beautiful with a Mediterranean climate year-round. It's a relaxing trip that you can take for the weekend. But according to the National Parks website, "Visitors to the islands must be prepared for high winds, fog, rough seas, and sea spray at any time." And this can be a nice break from the scorching, stressful desert heat. Temperatures are usually in the mid-70s, which is perfect for a island getaway.