Community Corner
From Surfing to Science: Summer Camp Guide 2013
Day and overnight camps can be found all over Orange County and beyond. Spots can sell out before Spring Break arrives.
Even though the calendar says it’s still winter, registration for many summer camps has already begun.
Parents and campers can choose from dozens of choices within driving distance, some tailoring to specific interests while others feature familiar activities like canoeing, horseback riding, hiking and camping out.
Below is a list of camps, brief descriptions and links to websites with more information. Know of a camp not on the list? Let us know about it in the comments section!
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Editor’s note: Los Alamitos camp information provided by the city Recreation and Community Services Department.
Name: Los Alamitos Summer Day Camp Ages 5-12
Location: Los Alamitos Community Center, 10911 Oak Street.
Type of camp: Day. Camp is designed around a central theme each week. Activities include arts and crafts, water activities, sports, games, guest speakers, special events with optional beach trips, pool trips, park trips, off-site movies and weekly excursions to local attractions or amusement parks.
Cost: Daily and weekly options available; Fees: $99 per week / $25 per day. Extended hours available with additional charge. Excursion fees sold separately.
When: 10 Weeks from June 17 to Aug. 23 from Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Extended hours available from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Details: Camp is designed for ages five to 12. Fee covers daily snacks, beverages and activity supplies. Fees do not include beach, pool, park, off-site movie or excursion fees. These activities are optional and require an additional fee to participate.
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Weekly excursions include Scooter's Jungle, Disney's El Capitan Theatre, L.A. Zoo & Griffith Observatory, John's Incredible Pizza, Natural History Museum, Los Angeles Sparks Basketball Game, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, Aquarium of the Pacific, Knott's Berry Farm and the CA Science Center.
Registration begins Monday April 1. Registration forms available soon. Counselors in Training Program is available for ages 13-16.
Name: Los Alamitos Specialty Summer Camps for Kids
Location: Los Alamitos
Type of camp: Multiple types including acting, art, dance, filmmaking, CSI detective, Top Chef, Star Wars, Lego engineering, music, sand castle building, science, singing, sports, writing, youth enrichment and youth etiquette.
Cost: Anywhere from $75 to $185.
When: Multiple and various times. The earliest begins June 17 and the latest begins Aug. 19
Details: Different camps have different age requirements, but in general, participants must be between ages 3 and 14.
For more information on both programs. Visit www.cityoflosalamitos.org or call (562) 430-1073.
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Name: Rawhide Ranch
Location: Bonsall
Type of camp: Horse riding and care, farm life, other activities. Overnight.
Cost: $930
When: Weeklong sessions from June 16 to Aug. 17
Click here to visit the website.
Details: For ages 7-15, with nine weeklong camps to choose from. Swimming pool, archery, arts and crafts, climbing wall and other non-horse activities are available.
•••
Name: Catalina Sea Camp
Location: Catalina Island. Ferry is located at the Catalina Classics terminal next to the Queen Mary in Long Beach
Cost: $3,900
Type of camp: Sailing, scuba, marine science, seafood and all things aquatic. Overnight.
When: Two three-week sessions, June 30-July 19 and July 21-Aug. 9.
Click here to visit the website.
Details: An enhanced ocean experience for ages 12-17, with a week-long camp for ages 8-13. Besides spending time in and on the water, beach parties, outdoor movies, campfires, dances and other activities are included.
•••
Name: Discovery Science Center
Location: Santa Ana Zoo; San Joaquin Marsh
Cost: $125-$190
Type of camp: Science and wildlife. Day camp.
When: July and August
Click here to visit the website.
Details: Discovery Science Center hosts day camps at the Santa Ana Zoo and San Joaquin Marsh. Each site has two camps, one for ages 5-6 and one for ages 7-10.
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Name: Digital Media Academy
Cost: $865-$1,995, with add-on options available.
Location: UC Irvine
Type of camp: Technology. Day camp with overnight options.
When: One-week and two-week sessions in June.
Click here to visit the website.
Details: One-week day camps for ages 6-12; one-week and two-week camps for ages 12-17, with overnight option. Campers get a taste of college life and learn about game design, digital filmmaking and photography, robotics and more.
•••
Name: Academy by the Sea
Location: Carlsbad
Cost: $950-$4,100
Type of camp: Academic and recreational camps on the campus of the Army and Navy Academy.
When: July
Details: The Army and Navy Academy is a private boarding school that opens its Carlsbad campus to campers during the summer. Academic camp for grades 7-12 is held July 1-27; recreation camps for ages 10-17 are held July 8-27, with a shorter one held July 1-7.
•••
Name: YMCA Camp Surf
Location: Imperial Beach
Cost: $585-$1,370
Type of camp: Surfing and other activities on the Y’s 45-acre beachfront property.
When: Nine sessions held from June through August.
Click here to visit the website.
Details: Worth the drive to Imperial Beach, and shuttle service is available from the Amtrak station in downtown San Diego. Four different camps to choose from, based on age (grades 3-6, 7-8, 9-11, 10-11).
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