With the summer fast approaching and school about to let out, working parents may be wondering what lies in store for their children in the months to come.

According to child experts, the summer is often a time of increased youth mischief — lots of energy, lots of time.

But in Southeast Queens, there are a number of programs for kids to help both children and parents get over the summertime blues.

At the 103rd Precinct, Youth Officer Detective Alvin Stevens has an answer to the question: "What are you going to do with your children this summer?"

One option offered by Stevens is the precinct’s free day camp at P.S. 48 in Jamaica for ages 7 to 13.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday to Friday, the kids can enjoy activities including "cultural and educational trips, and cookouts," Stevens said.

They will attend baseball games. Through the trips, readings and other activities they will learn about black history, American history, he said.

At Black Spectrum Theater in Roy Wilkins Park, the theatre will host its 2001 Summer Theatre Camp for ages 7 to 12.

Activities will include theatre classes, cultural trips, swimming and other sports, and academic tutoring, among others.

Free lunch and free t-shirts will be provided, according to organizers.

Hours of the camp will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m, and the session will run from July 9 through August 17.

According to Director Yvonne Dobson, there will also be fun at the Jamaica YMCA.

The Y will hold a day camp for ages 5 to 15 that will begin on July 2 and run for eight weeks from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Activities will include arts and crafts, field trips, leadership development, field and team sports, and recreational swimming.

The fee is $130 for the first week and $150 for each week after that.

Extended hours, which allow parents to keep their children at the camp from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., are available for an additional fee of $60 for the first week and $75 for each week after that.

Transportation will be provided at a fee.

Parents who are financially strapped should not be scared off by the Y’s fees.

Like with all YMCA fees, financial aid is available for those who need it. Applicants for financial aid are required to bring two pieces of proof income.

Here, too, children will be required to present medical reports.

The Jamaica Houses Community Center, located on 160th Street and 109th Avenue, will also offer a day camp for children.For details on the Jamaica Houses camp, call Bobby White at 297-7237.

The 103rd Precinct’s camp offers an opportunity for older children, between the ages of 14 and 21, to work as counselors, taking care of the children and helping with the activities.

At The Council for Airport Opportunities, located at 90-04 161st Street, a summer youth employment program is helping young people between the ages of 14 and 21 find work.

The Council helps young people find work at Queens’ airports working as baggage handlers, ticket agents, etc., according to Stevens.

In the case of the Council receives too many applicants, a lottery will be held for jobs.

Those over the age of 16 can also apply for permanent positions.

The Jamaica YMCA also has paid summer camp counseling positions available for those ages 14 and up, according to Williams.

"We try to take the older individuals. We try to take kids who have come here to camp before. They would help take attendance in the morning. They would help with arts and crafts; they would help distribute materials. They would do theatre shows, make posters, costumes," Williams said.

According to Officer Stevens, kids should consider volunteering this summer. "Kids can volunteer at the YMCA. Sometimes kids only want to get paid for work, but they can get paid in work experience, and if they do a good job, they may be kept permanently. I tell the youth not to rule out any volunteering," Stevens said.

According to Queens Borough Public Library Director of Public Relations Joseph Catrambone, "the library is always taking volunteers. It’s just that during the summer, there are more opportunities for students who are not in school." Young people well versed in computers may gain impressive items to add to their resumes by volunteering to help people in surf the internet in the computer departments of the libraries, Catrambone said.

There are many other opportunities in the vast library system.

"The library is run like a corporation with different departments. There are different clerical positions in the different departments," he said.

The YMCA also has volunteer oportunities for young people, according to Williams. "We have volunteer opportunities for young poeple to be junior camp counselors. Opportunites are available in the late afternoon for young people who might have to go to summer school and, therefore, can’t get jobs," she said.

The Y has other volunteer opportunities for young people with special skills. "We take volunteers if someone has good computer skills. They can work in the membership office, business office, health and wellness," Williams said.

"If they swim, we can use them in our swimming classes. We give them a little test. If they pass, they can help the instructors. We like to have another person with the instructor in the water," she said.

"The volunteers we get are usually from 12 to 14 years old," she said, but that is not a rule.

For more information on the 103rd Precinct’s camp, contact the precinct at 657-8198 and ask to speak to Officer Stevens, Officer William Marks or Officer Calvin Carey.

For more information on the Black Spectrum Theatre’s summer programs, call 723-1800.

For more information on the Council for Airport Opportunities’ summer youth employment program, contact Executive Director Littie Saxton at 526-3322.

To find out how to volunteer at one of the Queens Borough Public Libraries, visit your local branch or call the Central Library at 990-0815.

To find out more about the Jamaica YMCA’s day camp or volunteer opportunities, contact Tawanna Saxton, the youth and family program director, at 739-6600, ext. 145.

For details on the Jamaica Houses Community Center’s camp, call Bobby White at 297-7237.