Camp connection 2011

GUIDE TO 2011 SUMMER C AMPS FOR KIDS

n n o e C c p t i o m n a C

A special publication produced by the Pacifid Sun

Summer 2011

M a rinwo o d Your child's summer adventure starts here!

Choose your adventure!

Ages 3-14 Marin's Most Popular Traditional Day Camps Tennis Camp Jr. Golf Camp Mountain Bike Camp Dave Fromer Soccer Camp Marinwood Sports Academy Jewelry Camp Parent/Tot Camp Sewing Camp Art Camp Theatre Camp Performing Arts Alive Camp Jazz Combo Camps Computer Animation Camp Engineering FUNdamentals Mad Science Camp Planet Energy Camp Nature Camp CIT (Counselor in Training) GIT (Guards in Training)

w w w. m a r i n w o o d . o r g 2 Camp Connection 2011 • Pacific Sun

CAMP TAM at Homestead Valley

JUNE 20-AUG 12 (OMESTEAD 6ALLEY #OMMUNITY #ENTER OFFERS A SUMMER DAY CAMP IN A BEAUTIFUL SETTING AT THE FOOT OF -T 4AMALPAIS 3WIMMING (IKING 3PORTS $RAMA !RT

/UTDOOR %DUCATION 'ARDENING AND MORE IN A SMALL GROUP ATMOSPHERE

&OR CHILDREN ENTERING GRADES +

.INE WEEK SESSIONS (each with its own theme) *UNE !UG -ON &RI AM PM (Optional pre and post-camp 8-9am & 4-5pm)

s INFO HOMESTEADVALLEY ORG s WWW HOMESTEADVALLEY ORG

Pre-K thru

Grade 10 Traditional camps with overnights, field trips, music, sports, swimming, art, and more!

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PaciďŹ c Sun

pacificsun.com 835 Fourth St. Suite B , San Rafael, 94901 Telephone: (415) 485-6700, Fax (415)485-6226.

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Register at marinjcc.org or call 415.444.8055 EXTENDED CARE & TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE

200 NORTH SAN PEDRO ROAD, SAN RAFAEL Camp Connection 2011 3

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making the

SummerCamp Choice

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he phrase “summer camp” brings to mind images of woodsy cabins, canoes, games of capture the flag and lanyard making; the stuff of treasured memories and Hollywood movies. But while many such traditional camps exist and are thriving today, the modern camper has a wide variety of camp styles to choose from, including specialty camps dedicated to sports, arts or other interests; churchsponsored retreats; day camps; fitness camps and many more. And camps today vary greatly in length, distance from home and cost. So how can families decide which camp is the best fit?

Sean Nienow, an advisor with the National Summer Camp Association, said it really depends on what the family is looking for in a camp experience, but the first step when considering a sleep-away camp (versus a day program) is to make sure both parent and child are ready for a separation, sometimes of weeks or months.

“It’s normal that there will be some measure of homesickness. But parents have to ask, ‘is the child ready to learn new skills and meet new people?’ Usually, yes, they are.”

Often it’s the parents who aren’t ready to let their child go, Nienow said, and initial bouts of homesickness will quickly pass.

However, “is there value in imposing camp on a child who is completely not interested or ready? Probably not,” he added.

Most camps start accepting children around age 7, he said.

Local YMCA and church camps can be short, lasting about one week, while more traditional sleep-away camps can run for several

4 Camp Connection 2011 • Pacific Sun

SUPER SUMMER weeks or the whole summer.

Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Child Psychiatrist Richard Shaw said rather than simply going by the child’s age, parents need to consider the individual needs and personality of their child to determine whether he or she is ready to go away to camp and not be overly influenced by whether his or her peers are ready. “Kids may not be at the same developmental age as their friends,� he said.

Shaw said signs that a child is ready to go off to sleep-away camp include initiating basic self-care such as teeth-brushing, tying shoes and hygiene, making friends on their own and being able to trust adults in authority. Participating in sleepovers with friends or staying with relatives away from home successfully are also good signs of camp readiness, he said.

On the other hand, “if a child has never slept away from home, is afraid of the dark or is very shy or a picky eater,� he or she may have a hard time adjusting to camp life, Shaw said. Though camp can be a Continued on page 6

ADVENTURE CAMP Located at Wade Thomas School in San Anselmo

Best Adventures Ever!

WEEKLY SESSIONS FROM

JUNE 13TH-AUGUST 12TH 2,3,4 or 5 Day Half or Full Day Schedules Optional Swim Lessons, Science Program and Weekly Field Trips

453-3181 | SuperSummerAdventureCamp.org

Summer Camps at

Devil’s Gulch Ranch Not your Ordinary Camp.

An experience of a lifetime on a working diversified family farm

Agriculture s Nature Ancestral Skills

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joebarr.dges@gmail.com

Oxbow XBOUFE;!Ljet!xip! Summer

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Art Camp

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Continued from page 5

wonderful experience in socialization and confidence-building for shy or anxious kids, Shaw recommends preparing them for camp by sending them on one-night overnights or weekend programs first, or to camp with a good friend to ease the transition.

Nienow recommends a more traditional camp experience, offering a wide variety of activities for first-time campers, especially those who come from urban areas or who otherwise don’t spend much time in the great outdoors.

“Some kids may have never swam in a lake, slept in the woods or rowed in a rowboat,” until camp, he said.

6 Camp Connection 2011 • Pacific Sun

For children with specific interests, a camp dedicated to one hobby, sport or topic may be a dream come true. However, parents should be sure their child really wants to focus intently on one interest rather than trying the more classic general-camp route.

“Choosing a specialty camp really comes down to making sure the child really and truly has the desire to go and devote themselves to this intense, in-depth experience,” Nienow said.

“If they’re at a basketball camp, they’re going to be playing basketball four or six hours a day,” he said.

Budget concerns can have a major impact on camp choice. Rates vary

but a standard entry-level sleep-away camp could start from around $500 a week. Day camps or church camps can be cheaper, whereas high-end programs can cost thousands of dollars per week, Nienow said.

National Camp Association staff members such as Nienow offer free advise to any parent looking to choose a camp. A quick visit to www.summercamp.org puts the reader in touch with a variety of articles and tips on the camp-selection process.

Nienow said parents concerned with finding the right camp for their child should go directly to the source and check out interesting camps on an individual, in-depth

PRACTICAL MARTIAL ARTS

basis. Speaking with the head of the camp can go a long way toward determining if the camp is a good choice, especially if the child has special needs or the parent has particular concerns. “Check out what each camp is offering and make sure it’s a good fit for your child. Talk to the staff and the director; they want to talk to parents and make sure it’s a good fit and that the child has a good time,� he said.

No matter what type of camp a child attends, the experience will make a lifelong impression, Nienow said. “Any adult who ever went to camp as a child remembers it. For many kids, it’s their first time away from mom and dad, their first taste of independence, learning a new sport, finding a first love.

They are impacted for life,� he said. Y

NINJA CAMPS Ages 1st Grade and Up

www.ninjacamps.com .YRI .YRI ˆ .YRI .YP] .YP] .YP] ˆ .YP] .YP] %YK %YK

415-927-0899

find us on

Camp Connection 2011 • Pacific Sun 5

search for PacificSun.com a nd

Follow us on twitter! twitter.com/Pacific_Sun Camp Connection 2011 • Pacific Sun 7

G u i d e to 2011 S u m m e r C a m p s f o r K i d s

Camp Connec tion For more information about these camps, see our online directory of camps at PacificSun.com/biz/summercamps To advertise in a weekly directory, contact (650) 326-8210

Oxbow Summer Art Camp 530 Third Street • Napa, CA 94559

www.oxbowsummercamp.org • (707) 255-6000 Our 17-day residential art immersion camps in Napa offer teens age 14-16 the opportunity to explore their creativity, develop talent, meet fellow “art geeks” and have FUN! Staff are professional artists and teachers. After learning fundamentals in each media, students design a project of their choice.

They learn at their own pace and improve art skills in a non-competitive, safe environment. No prior experience, talent or portfolio needed.

Super Summer Adventure Camp 150 Ross Ave. • San Anselmo, CA 94960

www.sananselmopreschool.org • (415) 453-3181 Super Summer Adventure Camp in San Anselmo is gearing up for another fun summer of field trips, swim lessons, art, science, and yoga activities and lots more. Our experienced staff will once again put on a summer that your child will not soon forget! Located on the spacious campus of Wade Thomas School our headquarters are fully equipped and air-conditioned. Swim lessons take place at Drake High School Pool. Our staff is experienced in Early Childhood Education and most work year-round. They are CPR and First-Aid certified.

Join us for fun!

Camp at Devil’s Gulch Ranch P. O. Box 557 • Nicasio, CA 94946

www.dges.org • (415) 662-1099 Summer Camp at Devil’s Gulch is a camp like no other. Devil’s Gulch Ranch is a working ranch in West Marin. It is home to many wild animals, has 18 acres of vineyard, and borders endless wilderness.

Children will experience agriculture and nature in a way that will change them forever.

8 Camp Connection 2011 • Pacific Sun

Marin Shakespeare Summer Camps P.O. Box 4053 • San Rafael, CA 49413

www.marinshakespeare.org • (415) 499-4487 We make Shakespeare fun! Two-and three-week sessions, June 20 through Aug. 12 for ages 5 to 7, 8 to 12 and teenagers, each culminate in a performance. Our popular Tennis/Drama camp for ages 8 to 14 combines drama, tennis and free swim. Also check out our Technical Internship Program.

Marin Horizon Summer Camp 305 Montford Ave. • Mill Valley, CA 94941

www.MarinHorizon.org • (415) 388-8408 We proudly feature an 8 to1 camper to counselor ratio. We are the safest, most reliable program for young children. Children are supervised in small groups at all times, and we promote a policy of inclusion for all activities. We offer flexibility in a 4- or 5-day-per-week program, with a half-day option available for 3- and 4-year-olds.

Camp Tam at Homestead Valley 315 Montford Ave. • Mill Valley, CA 94941

www.homesteadvalley.org • (415) 388-0128 Homestead Valley Community Association offers a summer day camp in a beautiful Mill Valley setting at the foot of Mt. Tamalpais. Swimming, hiking, games, sports, art, crafts, skits, outdoor ed and more in a small-group atmosphere.

For children entering grades K-5. Nine 1-week sessions (each with its own theme) June 2–Aug. 19, MonFri 9am-4pm (Optional pre-and post-camp 8-9am and 4-5pm).

G u i d e to 2011 S u m m e r C a m p s f o r K i d s Ninja Camp 5768 Paradise Dr., Suite F • Corte Madera, CA 94925

Tennis By X 5768 Paradise Dr., Suite J • Corte Madera, CA 94925

Osher Marin JCC Camp Kehillah 200 North San Pedro Road •San Rafael, CA 94903

Basketball By X

www.ninjacamps.com • (415) 927-0899 Train like a ninja this summer! Our Freestyle Martial Art includes: Brazilian Jiu jitsu, self defense, Muay Thai, padded swords and nunchuks, insane ninja obstacle courses, walks to the park and crazy ninja games. Kids, 1st grade and up, LOVE summers at our dojo! Parents LOVE their ninjas coming home exhausted and happy!

www.bodybyXonline.com • (415) 945-9778 Tennis By X Mini-Camp, for boys and girls entering 6th-8th grades, will take your child’s game to the next level. From Thursday through Sunday kids perfect their skills, work on conditioning, and study nutrition, injury prevention, sports psychology (the mental component), and keys to sportsmanship. For camp dates, visit www.bodybyxonline.com.

www.marinjcc.org • (415) 444-8055 Pre-K to grade 10. Traditional day camps including swimming, arts & crafts, sports, Judaic culture and more. Field trips and overnights.

Teen adventures with camping, LA, Yosemite, Santa Cruz, and more.

One-week specialty camps — Mad Science, Legos, Cooking and more. Dates: June 20–Aug.12. Extended care available 8-9:30am and 3:30-6pm. Transportation from Marin and San Francisco.

www.bodybyXonline.com • (415) 945-9778 Baseketball By X Mini-camp, for boys and girls entering 6th-12th grades, will take your child’s game to the next level. From Thursday through Sunday kids perfect their skills, work on conditioning, and study nutrition, injury prevention, sports psychology (the mental component), and keys to sportsmanship. For Camp dates, visit www.bodybyxonline.com.

Marin County Outdoor School at Walker Creek Ranch (Camp Soulajule) 1700 Marshall Rd. • Petaluma, CA 94952

Marinwood Camp 775 Miller Creek Rd. Terra Linda, CA 94903

www.walkercreekranch.org • (415) 491-6602 Camp Soulajule is a residential arts and ecology camp for 8-12-year- olds. There’s also a Leaders in Training Program for 13-15-year-olds. Swimming, canoeing, hiking outdoor ceramics and crafts, night-time campfires, Amazing Race and Barn Boogie. A day trip to the beach is included. Staffed by Marin County Outdoor School staff and counselors.

www.marinwood.org • (415) 479-0775 Join Marinwood Recreation for a summer of adventure!

Our highly trained staff will make this a summer to remember, We offer traditional day camps as well as notso-traditional camps. Ten sessions run June 13-Aug. 19, 9am-3pm for ages 3-14. Extended care available 7:30am-6pm. Not-so-traditional camps include basketball, mini sports, mountain biking, art, nature, theater, jazz, jewelry, sewing, science, computer art, CIT, GIT and more! Y

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Basketball by X – A Mini-Camp

Tennis by X – A Mini-Camp

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Camp Connection 2011 • Pacific Sun 9

Ten Ways to Go Green at Camp and Home

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arents can take active steps to curb consumption and go easy on the earth. As a bonus, by choosing to go green as parents, we are able to save money, something every parent needs. We’re also teaching our kids important lessons about protecting the earth and being conscious— both in our homes and during vacations and other outings.

1. Serve organic and locally grown food at home and try to limit processed food. Food grown with pesticides can impact a child’s development and locally grown food will be fresher and in season and will help give your child a taste for fresh fruits and vegetables. Processed chips, snacks and sodas are loaded with salt and sugar and contribute to everything from childhood obesity to attention deficit disorder. Many camps are switching to local and sustainably grown foods and tossing out the sugar-loaded soft drinks and treats.

2. Cut down on lunch packaging. Use refillable drink containers instead of juice boxes, and fill your own containers with apple sauce and yogurt. And

10 Camp Connection 2011 • Pacific Sun

limit the amount of plastic bags and packaging by filling your own snack containers with crackers, pretzels and other snacks instead of buying “snack sizes.” Some programs even teach children how to construct their own reusable, cloth snack bags.

3. Buy nontoxic toys.

Choose toys from local U.S. companies, check on recalls and choose wood or hard-plastic toys over the soft plastic toys (like rubber ducks) which contain PVC which is known to impact hormone development.

4. Turn waste into art. Have the kids reuse materials that would otherwise be wasted: turn old socks into puppets, plastic jugs into watering cans and paper towel rolls into shakers. Some of the best camps encourage parents to bring recyclables from home and use the materials in camp art activities, as well. Using old materials is a great way to get creative and learn about protecting the planet.

5. Get outside! Kids are suffering from “nature deficit disorder.” On average, kids spend just 30 minutes of unstructured time outdoors each week—but they spend 40 minutes a day in front of the TV. Whether hiking or camping or simply running around the back yard, regular outdoor activity can have huge positive health benefits.

6. Use nontoxic cleaners. Read the labels on cleaners and make sure that they disclose the ingredients. Cleaners should not contain

ammonia or bleach or even artificial fragrances which can cause reactions in kids, particularly those with asthma.

You can also make your own safe household cleaner from distilled white vinegar and water (it’s great for mirrors!).

7. Carpool. Kids are going to so many different lessons and events, but that’s no reason to make tons of separate car trips. New online services like www.dividetheride.com are making it possible for parents to use less gas, save on stress and help conserve energy.

8. Plant a garden. Even a few tomato plants grown outside in pots can help teach kids about the process of growing, the importance of soil, water and sunshine and the reward of caring for plants that then produce flowers and food.

More and more camps are incorporating gardening skills into their lists of activities. Campers learn hand-on approaches to building worm boxes, compost bins and more.

9. Cut down on consumption. Instead of always buying the latest gadgets, get involved in swapping toys with other parents as kids outgrow them, purchasing used toys, or making alternative toys, like playhouses, out of cardboard boxes.

10. Get active! Encourage your local school to serve healthier lunch options in the cafeteria, campaign to get soda companies out of the schools and to use nontoxic cleaners in the classrooms and organic lawn products on the playing fields. See www.sustainabletable.org for ideas. Y

Camp Connection 2011 • Pacific Sun 11

Camp Soulajule at Walker Creek Ranch A program of the Marin County Office of Education, Mary Jane Burke, Marin County Superintendent of Schools.

After over 40 years of serving children in the Marin County Outdoor School and developing a deep understanding of the incredible transformation that can occur when kids learn and grow in a new and caring environment, away from the familiar surroundings of home and family, Walker Creek Ranch is very excited to offer the Camp Soulajule summer camp program. Located in the heart of West Marin, the Ranch is blessed with 1,741 acres of rolling grassy hills, bay forests, and a four acre swimming pond.

We offer a wide variety of fun and exciting adventure and art-based activities for children ages 8-12. All campers will have an opportunity to swim in the pond, canoe, try their hand at archery, visit the beach and complete a variety of arts and crafts projects. In addition, each camper will rotate around additional activities which may include ceramics, mask making, hike to Grandmother Oak, earth art, creek exploration, challenge course, farm animal fun, organic gardening and fishing. We limit the number of participants in each activity period to ensure safety and adequate supervision.

The Heart of Summer Camp Our Camp Staff is the heart of our program, and is composed of Naturalists, Counselors, and Counselors in Training (CIT's). Each is truly gifted in their abilities to connect with kids, to have fun and to make the most of the camp experience. Each also brings their specific talents in music, theater, science, arts and crafts, ceramics, archery, canoeing, life guarding and more. All paid staff are certified in First Aid and CPR and are fingerprint screened.

Leaders in Training Program

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Camp Soulajule also offers a fantastic leadership program for ages 13-15. The Leaders in Training program (formally known as the Junior Counselors in CS IFI U Training program) is a fun and rewarding introduction designed to develop leadership and teamwork skills while making lifelong friends. LIT's learn what it takes to be a camp counselor by assisting staff and leading younger campers during activity sessions.

2010 LIT's participate in hands-on learning during part of the program and spend the Registration is now open! remainder in special camp activities Download registration form at designed for their age group such www.WalkerCreekRanch.org as... a camp out, athletic activities and a day trip outside of the Send payment and registration form to: camp.

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Camp Soulajule

1700 Marshall-Petaluma Rd., Petaluma, CA 94952

(415) 491-6600 • Fax: (415) 663-9245