Once the thrill of summer vacation dissipates, parents often hear the dreaded whine, "There's nothing to do!" Our local churches offer a sure-fire boredom-buster this July in the form of vacation Bible school.

Friendship Baptist invites children and teens to participate in Truth Trek, an archaeological expedition to discover God. Adults, meanwhile, can participate in an archaeologically-based, video-led Bible study. Both programs are free.

The week begins with a kickoff barbecue July 12 from 5:30-6:45 p.m. and then the activities run from 7-9 p.m. every evening through July 16. To register, go to www.fbcmd.org, or call the church office at 410-442-5506.

Friendship Baptist is at 1391 Sykesville Road (Route 32), in Sykesville.

Chapelgate Presbyterian, at 2600 Marriottsville Road in Marriottsville, offers Upward Bound Summer Camp July 13-17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This program serves elementary-age children who have completed kindergarten through fifth grade as of June 2009.

The church considers the camp a gift to the community and does not charge a registration fee. Participants must bring a lunch. To register, go to www.chapelgate.org/camp-registration and click on the images to view the printable PDF forms. The updated registration deadline is July 1.

St. James United Methodist invites children to attend Camp E.D.G.E. (Experience + Discover God Everywhere) July 20-24 from 9 a.m. to noon. The program costs $10 for the first child and $5 for each additional sibling. Call the church office at 410-442-2020 by July 1 to register; space is limited. The church address is 12470 Old Frederick Road (Route 99) in Marriottsville.

West Liberty United Methodist, at 2000 Sand Hill Road, in Marriottsville, also offers Camp E.D.G.E. this summer, July 27-Aug. 1, 5:30-8:30 p.m. To register for this free VBS, call the church at 410-442-2969 or e-mail generalmail@west-liberty.com.

Looking for some light entertainment this weekend? Remember the You Can Always Come Home Players' production of Noel Coward's "Blithe Spirit," showing June 25-27 in the River Hill High School auditorium. This comedy represents a collaborative effort between past and present River Hill and Marriotts Ridge High School fine arts students.

Performances take place at 7:30 p.m., and the box office opens 90 minutes prior to show time. Tickets cost $10, with proceeds benefiting the "You Can Always Come Home Players" Fine Arts Scholarship Fund. For more information, call Nancy Duffy or Carla Styczynski at 410-313-7120.

Part of the attraction of western Howard County is the rural scenery and extra elbow room; however, one drawback may be fewer community activities. Fortunately, we live near Historic Sykesville and can enjoy its small-town atmosphere and events.

Next week the Sykesville Farmer's Market begins at South Branch Park July 2 and takes place every Thursday through the month of September, from 3-6 p.m. Vendors sell local fruits and vegetables, plants and cut flowers, and eggs.

To view the park location, go to www.sykesville.net/main.html, select "Sykesville Farmer's Market" from the left-hand menu, and then select "Click for map."

The Sykesville Apple Butter Market, which began this month, continues the first Sunday of every month through October, from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. It, too, takes place at South Branch Park. In addition to apple butter, arts and crafts, a farmer's market, and food, live music begins at 1 p.m. Guitarist Ellen Cherry performs July 5.

Finally, Sykesville Concerts in the Park begin on Friday nights, July 10-Aug. 21, from 7-9 p.m. The concerts take place at Millard Cooper Park, located on Springfield Avenue off of Route 32.

Parking is free at Sykesville Middle School and families can make use of the lighted play area for their little ones. The local Snack Shack also offers drinks and munchies. Dance-party rock band No Stringz Attached performs July 10.

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