As appeared in The Sentinel – article about CA summer camps for kids

March 18th, 2007 by: Nancy

The Quest for a Summer Camp

By Dana Guzzetti

Prepared parents have peaceful summers. This is the time to have a family talk about summer plans. Whether kids want some free play time or even high adventure, the very best summer camps book up early and now is the time to start checking them out.

Day camps and local recreation programs are a wonderful way to give kids enrichment and a change of pace, without having them far from home. These programs are fun filled and allow youngsters to become comfortable being on their own.

Investigate the camp and ask questions, so you will be comfortable too. Be sure camp management does background checks on counselors, and that counselors are well trained in camp safety, experienced in the camp’s specialty and trained to supervise children at your child’s age level.

Another source to check is the American Camp Association. This organization maintains standard minimum requirements for member camps. Ideally parents can visit a resident camp. If that is not possible, ask for references. Some camps provide CDs or videos as well as brochures.

This area is recognized for its variety of high quality summer activities and camp opportunities. Matching a child’s interests and personality to one need not be a challenge. Many camps have camperships available. If one is needed, do not fail to ask.

Seven Hills School in Walnut Creek is sponsoring a Summer Camp Fair in cooperation with the American Camp Association March 3. There will be representatives and information from accredited camps and advice on preparations for summer camp. Seven Hills also has a summer program of its own.

The Athenian School i n Danville offers Devil Mountain Summer Camp, Athenian Sport Camp and a Summer English Language Program at it 75-acre campus at the foot of Mount Diablo. April 18 is Information Night; check www.athenian.org for more information.

Dorris Eaton School in Walnut Creek offers academic enrichment 9 a.m. to noon. “After that it is just fun,” Trina Spencer, director of admissions said. “We have animals, swimming, music, special guests, trips and programs.”

The City of Walnut Creek offers recreational and competitive aquatic summer programs, mini sport camps, teen dances, classes, trips, and summer day camp programs for younger children at Heather Farm.

The City of San Ramon’s Crow Canyon Day Camp is a good local choice for younger children. Many activities take place in the canyon behind the gardens, bisected by the San Ramon Creek. Call 973-3200 or look for new information at www.ci.san-ramon.ca.us/parks/activities.pdf.

Check your city’s park and recreation district office for summer programs.

Traditional Outdoor Fun

Established in 1972, Roughing It Day Camp in Lafayette has four and eight-week sessions loaded with outdoor fun. Kids who are ready to ride might like to try horseback riding as part of the day camp, and then sign up for one of the horse riding camps.

Horizons East Equestrian Center in Livermore has a lighted sand indoor arena and a 200 x 250 foot outdoor sand arena where they have English riding lessons, shows and more (www.showstables.com).

In Walnut Creek North Gait Equestrian Center has summer camps running Mon. through Fri. 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. where small groups of youngsters learn horse safety, anatomy, tacking, riding, mucking and bathing the horses as well as old-fashioned fun experiences like line-dancing and bobbing for apples (www.northgait.com or 925/932-2282).

East Bay Regional Park District has a complete schedule of summer camps. Visit www.ebparks.org or call 510/636-1684 to receive a camp directory and information on camperships.

At John Muir Mountain Day Camp, held at the National John Muir Historic Site in Martinez near the intersection of HWY 4 and Alhambra Avenue, campers learn the John Muir heritage with focus on creativity, music arts and crafts.

Girl Scout and Boy Scout Camps and the YMCA immediately come to mind for traditional day-camp experiences that might include nature and environmental science, art, sports and just plain play.

Non-Girl Scouts can go to one or more of the 10 Diablo Day Camp sessions at Little Hills Ranch or Twin Canyon. Camp sign-up includes Girl Scout membership. It is a fun outdoor program which includes swims, crafts, songs and much more at a reasonable price. The camp program, which has a different theme for each session, is run by screened and trained volunteers.

The Mt. Diablo Region YMCA has all-day, week-long Team Adventure summer programs at schools and YMCA locations throughout the area. Visit www.mdymca.org/class for more information.

Camp Galileo in Lafayette, developed with the Tech Museum of Innovation, de Young offers kids kindergarten through fifth grade a change of pace. Medieval Arts and Ocean Explorers, Modern Master and Invent It, African Art and Building Big are some of the camp session names of a program run by Galileo Educational Services. For information visit www.thetech.org/summercamps.

Diablo Mountain Sports and Recreation (DMSR) offers weekly traditional (hike, crafts, swim, etc.) day-camper sessions mostly in Briones and Castle Rock Park throughout the summer beginning in June.

DMSR runs the same kind of day camp with a youth ministry focus, which is called Resurrection Day Camp. For information on either camp visit www.diablosports.org or call 925/952- 4450.

Science, Computer, Language

ID Tech Computer camps in game design, video creation and game “modding” are offered at St. Mary’s College in Moraga and U.C. Berkeley on a day-basis. These award-winning camps historically fill up fast. Save $50 per family if you sign up before March 31.

Vision Tech is a not-for-profit San Ramon company that operates computer camps for children throughout the Bay Area. The program includes such subjects as Game Design, Film Making, Build a PC, and Robotics. Each course in camp is for 5 days and each one is for different age groups. The Robotics program in one that is for the younger children, aged 6-10. The programs go on up to age 17, so there is a program for any child.

Consider the Endeavour Camp for youth space education just north of Santa Barbara for an out-of-the-ordinary experience. Campers have a week-long camp experience learning about earth, astronomy, satellites, and space travel (www.endeavours.org).

For similar topics closer to home contact the Chabot Space & Science Center where they have week-long half and full-day session summer science camps for grades 1-8 from July 9 to Aug. 17.

Older teens may be intrigued by one of the adventure learning experiences listed at www.academictreks.com.These are distant destinations and not what one might call economical, but they are said to be the best in experiential learning. Camp titles include accredited Marine Biology sessions in San Salvador or the Bahamas, Immersion French language study in France and a community service Amazon Expedition in Brazil.

The Berlitz School in Walnut Creek has special class for kids or adults in the summer. The three week children’s (small classes grouped by age) intensive language classes generally run for one-half day, four days a week.

There is also a weekly total immersion class that runs all-day, five days a week. “There are high school students who are starting a program or want to maintain their language proficiency over the summer. We tailor to match their needs,” said Berlitz language Center Director Celeste Lindahl. She says Spanish, French, Italian and Mandarin are in demand now, but they teach any language requested (925/935-6428).

Tall Ships Academy offers experience-based learning for high school age girls. It includes oceanographic research and schooner sailing. San Francisco State University gives three units of college credit for program participation. The program is from June 25 to Aug. 3 and March 16 is the deadline for registration (some camperships available).

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