With summer just around the corner, and the annual question “What will the kids do?” in the air, City Councilman At-Large Doug Linkhart has announced the release of the 2004 “Denver Youth Activities Guide.”

The guide, sponsored by Linkhart, State Senator Paula Sandoval, and DPS Board Member Kevin Patterson, is chock full of programs and opportunities for school-age children to learn, work, connect or just have some organized fun in the summer months of 2004.

The bilingual guide lists 123 locations and organizations throughout the city, ranging from summer sports camps in hockey, tennis or lacrosse, to jobs in community-based service programs; from classes in reading or technology to programs in art appreciation or improvisational comedy. The guide is conveniently organized into four categories: education, employment, recreation and social activities, and it features a map indicating the location of each.

“There are so many great opportunities for kids in summer here in Denver,” said Councilman Linkhart. “Parents can help their kids explore what interests them and use the summer lull as a time for productive growth, as well as fun. With so many programs low-cost or free, no child has to be left out.”

More than 90,000 copies of the guide will be distributed through Denver Public Schools, at Denver Public Library branches, at city recreation centers and at Safeway supermarkets. The guide is also accessible online at United Way www.unitedwaydenver.org, the City and County of Denver Web site www.denvergov.org or www.douglinkhart.org, and can be referenced by phone through the new 211 social services information number.

Corporate sponsors for the 2004 Denver Youth Activities Guide are First Data Corporation, Mile High United Way, Centura/St Anthony’s Hospital, Frontier Airlines, Forest City Stapleton, 1st Bank, Safeway, American Family Insurance, and JPS International.