CHOOSE YOUR SUMMER
ADVENTURES!
San Diego
CAMPS and
PROGRAMS 2022 Virtual Ca mp Fair
Countdown to Camp!
Lisa Gipson
Activities that prepare kids for summer fun
This year’s camp season promises to be bigger and better than ever! Parents, take advantage of summer break to send the kids to camp—it’s a unique opportunity for them (and you) to learn and grow in leaps and bounds. To get ready for camp (and get into the summer camp spirit), engage in camp-inspired activities at home. Many of these fun activities double as teachable moments as kids learn skills, get prepared for camp and learn self-sufficiency. Personalize reusable water bottles. Kids should always have a reusable water bottle, whether it’s day camp, overnight camp or a beach day, so this activity will help get your family through the summer. Purchase an eco-friendly bottle for each family member and personalize/decorate with name and favorite decals. Make trail signs. Using rocks, pebbles or sticks, practice making and reading simple trail signs.
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Have a cookout. Pull out the camp stove and make a meal on the patio. Your family may have so much fun with this that it becomes a regular weekend routine! Or, take it a step further and learn how to make a box oven for outdoor cooking: www.sandiegofamily. com/for-the-kids/family-science/ making-a-box-oven.
Cover the basics. Before sending your children to camp—even if it’s day camp—there are some basics you’ll want to cover. Now is a great time to teach, review or practice the following, if applicable: • Tying shoes • Saying (child’s) full name • Knowing Mom & Dad’s names • Memorizing Mom or Dad’s phone number • Discussing buddy system • Applying sunscreen (when and how) • Knowing own allergies and/or meds
Pitch a tent in the backyard. Pitching a tent is a great lesson in patience and teamwork. Make sure everyone helps! Even if no one sleeps in it, a tent is a fun place to hang out and read or play games for the day. Have a sleeping bag relay race. Sleeping bag relays are something I did with my Girl Scouts in preparation for camp. You didn’t actually think I was going to roll everyone’s sleeping bags for them, did you? We did this relay over and over until everyone mastered rolling and securing their own bags. Craft a nature journal. Nature journals are a unique way to connect with the outdoors—either at camp or at home. Get instructions at www. sandiegofamily.com/for-the-kids/craftsfor-kids/nature-journal-for-kids.
If the kids are going to overnight camp, be sure they’ve practiced sleeping away from parents several times.
Let them pack. Parents, please teach kids how to pack for an overnight trip. Use progression like we do in Girl Scouts—start small and work towards more responsibility. When kids are little, give directions such as, “Choose five pairs of socks and eight t-shirts.” As they get older get less specific, but give more information. Such as, “We are taking a five-day trip. Most days will be warm, but it might rain. Put everything you think you need on your bed and I’ll come discuss it with you in half an hour.” It’s a learning process, so praise them for good decisions and gently correct where needed. My youngest daughter was packing without help (complete with her self-made checklist) by the time sixth grade camp came around.
Don’t carry the backpacks! Our job as parents is to train kids to be responsible, caring, independent contributors to the world. As difficult as it can be to watch children struggle, doing things for them that they can do for themselves actually stunts the growing process. So please, don’t carry your child’s backpack. We bought backpacks for each of the 10 girls in my Girl Scout troop when they were in first grade. We made sure they had the necessary day trip supplies inside (pen, small first aid kit, nature journal or notebook, hair tie, bandana, water bottle, granola bar, etc.), but it was their responsibility to replenish supplies and carry their own gear. Always. If I was approached by a parent carrying a child’s backpack, that was promptly corrected. The girls carried those backpacks until they fell apart (the backpacks, not the girls!) in middle school. Carrying a child’s backpack may seem like an insignificant gesture, but it’s a wonderful opportunity to teach children responsibility. Create a countdown to camp. Mark the camp start date on a calendar, so kids can see the day get closer. Or, make a paper chain and let kids remove a loop every day. Celebrate your new summer camp skills by roasting marshmallows and telling stories around a firepit in the backyard. v Lisa Gipson is the managing editor of San Diego Family and mom to three daughters; she was a volunteer Girl Scout leader for 20 years.
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Cherie Gough
FINDING PURPOSE Unexpected benefits of summer camp
One of a parent’s biggest joys and responsibilities is supporting the natural interests of their children and encouraging growth. Summer is the perfect time to develop new
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skills, and now is the time to plan for summer camps, which offer a variety of engaging activities. Observe your child’s strengths and interests to help identify her values, then help choose camps that stretch her and watch her reap rewards beyond expectations.
How to Help Kids Identify their Values • Pay attention: Look for times when your child finds her “flow” and loses herself in a particularly enjoyable activity. • Speak up: When you identify your child’s strengths or interests, compliment her focus and ask questions to learn what she loves most about the activities. • Enlist a mentor: Kids don’t always respond best to parents. Ask a family friend who shares your child’s interests to talk with her and encourage her abilities. • Utilize resources: “Librarians are unsung community resources and an amazing entryway into the creative world,” says Alonso Nunez, Executive Director and lead instructor at Little Fish Comic Book Studio. He suggests not only asking librarians to help find books that enhance children’s interests, but also inquiring about workshops or events that can develop skills. • Allow tweens and teens to take the lead when deciding on meaningful camps. In her book, Fourteen Talks Before Age Fourteen, author Michelle Icard makes the case that parents of tweens can be most effective by acting as “assistant managers,” supporting children in the decisionmaking process by listening carefully and providing feedback, rather than making decisions for them.
Choose Camps that Stretch Kids Growth happens when people step beyond their comfort zones. Science proves this is especially true for ages 10 and up, when the brain is malleable
and neurons and synapses proliferate. Laurence Steinberg, author of Age of Opportunity: Lessons from the New Science of Adolescence, notes, “The increase in novelty seeking is a way of making sure that individuals venture out into the world at a time when the brain is primed to learn from new experiences.” So, what can parents do? • Encourage kids to attend camps that offer new activities to help them grow in unexpected ways. • Enlist a friend with shared interest to help ease jitters. “My participation in Girl Scouts horse camps, San Diego Zoo camps and Living Coast Discovery Center ‘keeper camp’ increased my eagerness to learn more,” says Sydney, a senior at Patrick Henry High School. Camp can create a dynamic to build upon. When John of Del Cerro attended Mesa Rim’s climbing camp with a friend, he found a new love. “I quickly grew to enjoy the sport and instantly wanted to invest in it.” After camp, he joined a local climbing team. “My coaches taught me great values that I will use for my whole life, no matter the sport,” says John. “They taught me that hard work and effort pay off, and that you can have fun while working hard.” Little campers gain social skills. Avery, now age 14, is an avid actor with San Diego Junior Theatre. She took her first Junior Theatre camp at age 5 and reflects that it gave her the opportunity to take risks. By participating in the fun, she overcame her initial shyness and came out of her shell.
Expect Growth According to Nunez, one unexpected skill that Little Fish Comic camps help develop is letting go of perfectionism and being comfortable making mistakes. “At Little Fish, we experiment with ideas to find our own stories,” he says. “The eraser is a necessary part of that process.” Kris Mooney, Director of Education at Fleet Science Center, agrees. The
Fleet’s learning camps help kids let go of apprehension and self-doubt. According to Mooney, many kids (and adults) think science isn’t their strong suit and feel alienated because they perceive science as difficult or challenging. “We help science feel more comfortable with hands-on activities that are exciting, engaging and memorable,” says Mooney. “Most experiences don’t feel like learning activities. Kids gain confidence in themselves [at camp] by learning new skills, developing interest in science, making friends and having lots of fun!”
Preparation for the Future A well-chosen camp that sparks love for an activity creates confidence, helps kids adopt a growth mindset and can even lead to potential career choice. “Living Coast Discovery Center introduced me to a world that is difficult to get extensive experience in—animal care,” says Sydney, who plans to major in zoology in college. “Between preparing food and cleaning raptor habitats, their camp provided opportunities to expand my interests and learn about a professional facility’s care for animals like my pets at home—reptiles and amphibians. The camp also connected me with people experienced in the field who could contribute to my career. I am still in contact with a few of them today.” “Theater gave me this sense of self and personality,” says Avery. “I found my voice and am able to stand up for my views. I learned the value of the arts and even convinced my elementary school to do a musical.” No matter your child’s interests, summer camps offer positive, fun experiences that foster growth and connect them to meaningful experiences. v Cherie Gough is an award-winning writer and mom to two talented, kind adolescents.
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Trinity Theatre Company Musical theatre summer camps for kids of all experience levels!
Program Highlights Our 1-week Carmel Valley camps will focus on teaching musical theatre performance skills, including singing, dancing, and acting. Students will learn a variety of songs from musicals and will perform them in a public showcase at the end of each session. Our 2-week Level Up camps (for San Diego Unified students only) will give students the opportunity to select, create, and present a live performance. Although participants may vary in performance backgrounds, this hands-on approach will guarantee new experiences for all students from playwriting to performance, directing, technical theatre, and producing a show. Dates & Times • CARMEL VALLEY CAMPS: July 11th - 22nd, M-F (1-week sessions), 9:30 am - 12:30 pm • LEVEL UP CAMPS K-5 (San Diego Unified Students Only): June 21st - July 1st, July 11th-22nd, 11:30 am - 2:30 pm (at school sites) • LEVEL UP CAMPS K-8 (San Diego Unified Students Only): August 1st - 26th, M-F (2-week sessions), 12:30 - 3:30 pm (Community Actors Theatre) Ages • CARMEL VALLEY CAMPS: Ages 5-14 • LEVEL UP CAMPS 1, 2: Grades K-5 • LEVEL UP CAMPS 3, 4: Grades K-8 Rates & Discounts • CARMEL VALLEY CAMPS: $200 per week, get $20 off with the code SDFam10 • LEVEL UP CAMPS: Free for SDUSD students.
• CARMEL VALLEY CAMPS: Pacific Highlands Ranch Recreation Center (5977 Village Center Loop Rd, San Diego, CA 92130) • LEVEL UP CAMPS: Bay Park Elementary School (2433 Denver St., San Diego, CA 92110), Oak Park Elementary School (2606 54th St., San Diego, CA 92105), Rosa Parks Elementary School (4510 Landis St., San Diego, CA 92105), Community Actors Theatre (2957 54th St., San Diego, CA 92105) Phone: 619-838-7233 mailto:sean@trinityttc.org https://trinityttc.org/summer-camps-2022/ www.facebook.com/TTCartseducation
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Camp Galileo
Hands on STEAM-Based learning that helps create a bright future for pre-K – 10th graders.
Program Highlights At Camp Galileo, pre-K – 10th graders experience an irresistibly fun, imagination-fueled summer that paves the way to a bright future. Here’s why kids (and their families) love it: Curriculum: Our hands-on, STEAM-based curriculum captures kids’ imaginations and builds lasting skills Convenience: We support busy families with comprehensive extended care and flexible enrollment policies People: Our staff of talented educators, artists and makers are hand-picked for their ability to support and inspire campers Inclusivity: We believe in creating a diverse camp experience that is accessible to all children Fun: As every kid knows, camp isn’t camp unless it’s mind-blowingly, unforgettably FUN. Dates & Times 6/27 - 8/5 9am - 3pm AM Extended care: 8am - 9am PM Extended Care: 3pm - 6pm Ages Pre-K - 10th grade Rates & Discounts $450/week Use promo code CAMPTIME50 to receive up to $200 off when you buy 3 weeks of camp Area Carlsbad and La Jolla
Phone: 800-854-3684 email: https://galileo-camps.com/contact/ https://galileo-camps.com/
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Monart School of Art
Drawing & Mixed Media Summer Day Camps for Ages 6-8 & 9-12 Program Highlights With the Monart Drawing Method, children of all skill levels can learn to draw realistically and express themselves artistically! In our drawing and mixed media summer day camps, our campers will learn valuable drawing fundamentals and create several beautiful works of art based on a different theme each week. Campers will explore a variety of art mediums and learn useful media techniques. With 10 separate weeks of camp this summer (each based on a different theme with an assortment of creative projects planned) there’s sure to be a camp that’s perfect for your budding artist! Junior day camps (ages 6-8) are 2 hours, running from 1pm to 3pm, Monday through Friday. Senior day camps (ages 9-12) are 3 hours, running from 9am to 12pm, Monday through Friday. Available themes include Oceans, Animals, Comics & Cartoons, Fantasy & Fiction and Mixed Media. For parents needing full-day coverage, we partner with other camps (Music, Yoga & Wood Crafting) located within our building. All art supplies & materials are provided by Monart and included in camp tuition. Campers bring their own snack & water bottle. Dates & Times • SR CAMP: AGES 9-12 / 9AM-12PM / MON-FRI • JR CAMP: AGES 6-8 / 1PM-3PM / MON-FRI • Week 01: Jun 20 – Jun 24 / Mixed Media • Week 02: Jun 27 – July 01 / Amazing Animals • Week 03: July 05* – July 08 / Oceans of Fun • Week 04: July 11 – July 15 / Cartoons • Week 05: July 18 – July 22 / Fantasy & Fiction • Week 06: July 25 – July 29 / Mixed Media • Week 07: Aug 01 – Aug 05 / Amazing Animals • Week 08: Aug 08 – Aug 12 / Oceans of Fun • Week 09: Aug 15 – Aug 19 / Cartoons • Week 10: Aug 22 – Aug 26 / Fantasy & Fiction *closed July 4th in observance of Independence Day
Ages • SR CAMP: AGES 9-12 • JR CAMP: AGES 6-8 Rates & Discounts • SR CAMP: $249 • JR CAMP: $165 Area Arts District, Liberty Station, Point Loma
2590 Truxtun Road #204 San Diego, CA 92106 Phone: 619-222-3729 mailto:info@monartdrawing.com https://monartdrawing.com
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Firefly Tutors Welcome to Firefly Tutors. Our tutors deliver personalized in-home, online, and pod tutoring tailored for your student. We tutor all grades and subjects from K-12th to College level.
Program Highlights Summer tutoring gets your child ahead for the next school year! In-home, online & POD tutoring all grades and subjects from K-12th to college level. READING, WRITING, MATH, SCIENCE, SOCIAL STUDIES, FOREIGN LANGUAGE, SPECIAL ED, TEST PREP + much more.
Phone: 888-505-5930 mailto:info@fireflytutors.com www.fireflytutors.com www.facebook.com/fireflytutors2021
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Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego
Summer at The Club: Awesome Camps for Awesome Kids!
Program Highlights Summer at the Club is a complete experience! Activities include sports, swimming, arts & crafts, STEM and more. Different themes make each week unique and special. Theme weeks include Super Heroes Week, Star Wars Week, Patriotic Week and Water Week. The theme is incorporated into special events, art projects and other hands-on activities. Members will also participate in the Summer With A Goal (SWAG) Program. With many children falling behind academically, stopping the traditional summer learning loss is crucial. SWAG keeps members’ minds engaged throughout the summer. Camps also offer weekly field trips. Dates & Times Varies slightly from site to site, but typically from 7 am - 5 pm, Monday - Friday Ages 5 to 13 years old Rates & Discounts Fees vary from $133 - $200 depending on site and program. $60 annual membership fee. $10 registration fee. Scholarships and sibling discounts available. Area Multiple locations throughout the county
Multiple locations throughout San Diego County Phone: 858-866-0591 mailto:info@sdyouth.org www.sdyouth.org
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