Bug spray and bathing suits; swimming and sunscreen. These things sound utterly foreign to the ears of all of us still bundled up for this ridiculously long and cold winter here in the ROC. Still, ready or not, it's apparently time to start thinking about what to do with the kids once school is out and summer begins.

For the last 15 years, Genesee Valley Parent magazine has been lending a hand in this arduous process with its Camp and Summer Activity Fair. The fair, held in the corridors of Eastview Mall, is a gathering of representatives from more than 90 organizations offering summer activities and camps for kids, offering information, applications, and answers to parents' most pressing questions: How will you ensure my child's safety and happiness? What activities will my kids participate in so they don't go into Xbox withdrawal? Does anyone put Baby in the corner?

And let's get one thing clear: summer camps have come a long way from the traditional stay-overnight-in-cabins experiences full of canoes, campfires, ghost stories, and S'mores. While those wonderful experiences still exist, there are now plenty of camps from which to choose, all seemingly tailor-made to any interest your child may possess. Does the kid like "Ace of Cakes" or "Iron Chef"? Culinary camp may be the way to go. Does your child have an inner Liza Minelli popping out at the most inopportune moments? Check out the myriad performing arts camps all over the region. There are specialty camps and activities for children whether they are science buffs, musicians, budding historians, or outdoor enthusiasts, for ages ranging from pre-schoolers to teens.

Also, please take note: although the economy stinks, none of us are being bailed out, and personal finances may be on the Slim-Fast plan, you owe it to the kids to at least see what's out there. Financial aid and scholarships exist. Just ask.

Additionally, many resources exist online to assist parents in matching kids to camps. Both the National Camp Association (summercamp.org) and the American Camp Association (acacamps.org) offer articles and sound advice. Personally, I recall the relationship between my camp happiness and the amount of S'mores I consumed to be scarily symbiotic, but that's just me....

The Camp and Summer Activity Fair takes place Sunday, March 8, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at Eastview Mall in Victor. For a list of participating camps and organizations, check gvparent.com/camp2009.html.