As temperatures rise and summer in Santa Fe reaches its peak, the seasonal summer camps, classes and programs for children and teenagers are in full swing.

But with the recession going on, some local programs are filling up faster than others.

According to city of Santa Fe Recreation Division Director Tom Trujillo, city-sponsored summer camps still have open spots.

"Everybody's money has been a little tighter, or in some cases the two-household incomes have gone from two to one, so parents are being careful," Trujillo said. In past years, the Genoveva Chavez Community Center's sports and day camps have been full, but this year that wasn't the case.

What did pick up were the inexpensive activities, such as visits to Bicentennial Pool, Trujillo said. A 1 1/2-hour swimming session at Bicentennial, for example, is only 75 cents.

"We still offer affordable alternatives to make sure kids can go out and have fun," Trujillo said.

Michael Sheppard, director of the Big Sky Build It! program, said he's sure the struggling economy has contributed to the slowing enrollment for teenagers in the program.

"Enrollment has been really great with younger kids but really slow with older kids," he said, adding that this is a drastic change compared to last year's enrollment. "I think with the economy, the older kids can stay home or go to the state park, while the younger kids have to go to camp."

Sheppard said the program, which costs $235 a week plus $50 for materials, normally awards $6,000 to $7,000 a year in scholarships.

"A lot of people attend under a scholarship program," he said. "For families that don't qualify, we talk discounts."

Fine Arts for Children and Teens offers summer art classes at $225 a week. Executive director Julia Bergen said that while there hasn't been much difference between this year's enrollment and last year's, she's noticed more of a demand for scholarships.

Bergen said the program raises money throughout the year and also receives foundation grants to contribute to the scholarship fund.

"It's a challenging time, there's no question," Bergen said. "We will never refuse a child because of financial hardship."

For Ester Marie Nagiel, director of Camp Stoney, the effects of the economy are even more confusing.

"We have had fewer kids than last year, but fewer people asking for scholarships," she said. "A mixed message, I guess."

Nagiel said she thinks these statistics are partly due to a new payment plan they offered this year that also gave participants a discount. Camp Stoney has several different camps to choose from, ranging from $350 to $450 a week.

Sally Chapman, director for the Hummingbird Music Camp, said she has noticed no significant changes in enrollment this year.

The summer program fee is $560 per week. Because of the economic downturn, more families have requested scholarships. On average, the camp houses about 110 kids and one out of every 15 receives a scholarship, said Kristen Pickens, Hummingbird Music Camp supervisor and music teacher. In previous years, no more than two children received the financial assistance during the entire summer, Pickens said.

"We try really hard not to go up because it's for kids, and we don't want to take away from any child that can't come because of too high of prices," Chapman said.

The Karate Academy Summer Camp, however, has actually seen increased enrollment this summer, with more sign-ups for the entire summer than for just one week. The cost for the program, which runs from June 1 through Aug. 31, is $1,000.

"It's been a good summer," said Steve Flores, owner of the Karate Academy, attributing the increase to word-of-mouth among families and friends.

Although he didn't need to make any price cuts for the summer camp, Flores said, he has had to cut the price for his regular classes in half.

Contact Jessica Trumbull at 986-3050 or jtrumbull@sfnewmexican.com.