Summer Camp Guide 2013
Acting Academy for Kids
AA4K’s Performing Arts Camp is offered in two South OC locations this year—Camino Real Playhouse in San Juan Capistrano and Cabrillo Playhouse in San Clemente. Daily classes in music, art, acting, and dance immerse kids aged 4 to 13 in an authentic performing experience. The weeklong camps are each guided by professional educators and culminate in a student-centered production with sets, costumes, and lights. Ten distinct weeklong programs run from June 24th to August 30th. The “core camp” rate is $250 per week with early-bird and after-camp enrichment options as well. Go to ActingAcademyforKids.com for details and production schedules.
Brain Builders
Brain Builders puts the “STEAM” in education—science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. Weekly camps starting June 18th introduce children ages 5 to 14 to concepts including energy, thermodynamics, gravity, robotics, hydraulics, animation, and story-writing. Young builders test their skills and projects against equipment like the Bridge Crusher, Earthquake Simulator, and the 20′ Gravity Race Track. The camps are set up like classes and half-day and full-day options are offered. Get fee info and registration details at BrainBuildersEd.org and put on your thinking cap! Use promo code “thelocaldish” to receive 10% off any camp.
Capo Beach Christian School
Summer Quest is Capo Beach Christian School’s answer to the dreaded, “I’m bored!” This faith-based camp is run by the school’s faculty, with a low child-teacher ratio in a safe and loving environment. Outdoor fun like jaunts to the beach, pool, or park and field trips to Legoland, county fairs, and water parks keep the youngsters busy all summer long. Character building, new friendships, and creative play are emphasized. Summer Quest offers camps from June 24th to August 23rd. At only $190 per week, this is one of OC’s most affordable camps. Half-day and drop-in rates are also a great value. To register your child, visitCapoBeachChristianSchool.org.
City of Dana Point
Dana Point’s Recreation Department has filled its calendar with every camp under the sun. Future artists, engineers, gymnasts, singers, dancers, and athletes can sign up for one or more programs through the City’s website at DanaPoint.org. Sessions for ages 3 – 14 start June 17th and include Ceramics, Young Rembrandts, LEGO Engineering, Soccer, Basketball, Golf, Gymnastics, Multi-Sport, and Musical Theater. Professional instructors show your little phenom the ropes of the pottery wheel, soccer field, basketball court, and theater. Weekly rates range from $120 to $170 per week and locations vary.
City of Laguna Niguel
From June 17th to August 16th, campers from 3½ to 14 can participate in the City of Laguna Niguel’s age group camps in the pristine Crown Valley Community Park. The youngest participants learn through dramatic play, traditional camp songs, and nature exploration while making new friends. Children who’ve completed kindergarten experience activities like dancing, swimming, group games, and crafts. With older students (4th – 8th grade), the emphasis is on cooperation, arts, strategy games, and fun Thursday excursions. Trained camp counselors supervise and facilitate. Younger kids attend camp half-days and school-agers participate all day. Fees are extremely reasonable and depend on the camper’s age and number of days in attendance. Check outCityofLagunaNiguel.org for more.
DanMan’s Music School
Not your father’s band camp! DanMan’s five-day intensive workshops let campers create and name their own rock bands and put on a real show for family and friends. Instruction on guitar, piano, drums, bass, and vocals is provided by inspiring professional music teachers. Exercises include creating set lists, making band posters, and rehearsing for the big gig. The cost is $225 per camp, but if you register before June 30th, you can get in for $199. The jamming begins July 8th at DanMan’s Music School. Bring in Danman’s ad from this issue before April 30th to receive $25 off. Check out Danmans.com or call 949.496.6556 for more information.
Evolution Sports Camp
Two-time Olympian Felipe Delgado designed Evolution’s multi-sport camps to give kids a chance to play a variety of sports each day, including archery, swimming, basketball, soccer, volleyball, and field sports. In this active-all-day concept, campers learn the fundamentals of each activity and are inspired to join organized leagues during the school year. The weekday camps are for children ages 5 – 12 with both full-day and half-day programs available. The weekly costs are $225 and $175 respectively, but discounts are offered until May 15th. Register at EvoSportsCamps.com or call 949.388.4545.
Marina View Preschool
Summer camp at Marina View Preschool and Kindergarten is all about learning and fun! Full and half-day programs run weekdays, July 1st to August 29th. Children as young as 12 months and up to age 6 participate in activities such as Pajama Day, Sundae Party, Face Painting, and Movie Day. Two monthlong themes—”Under the Ocean” and “Land of the Dinosaurs”—let curious little minds explore topics in-depth through reading and art projects. Stop by the school to learn more and to pick up a registration packet. Stop by the school and pick up a registeration packet or visit MarinaViewPreschool.com to learn more.
MV Dance & Performing Arts
A wide range of camps and workshops for children and teens is offered by MV Dance and Performing Arts. The littlest tots (beginning at age 3) can enjoy Princess or American Girl get-togethers and older kids can try their twinkly toes at Hip Hop, Ballet, or Dance Team Camp. Intense workshops are available for intermediate and advanced students and a series of two-day Broadway Boot Camps include acting, singing, and dancing. A two-week Musical Theater camp features a performance on the last day. To sign up or get tuition rates, drop by the studio or go online to mvdpac.com. Mention MV Dance & Performing Art’s ad in The Local Dish Magazine to receive a 10% discount.
San Clemente Preschool
A summer jam-packed with field trips, shows, and play time is lined up at San Clemente Preschool. Children ages 2 to 6 are invited to participate in weekly themed adventure camps like Dance Party, Under the Sea, Science, Little Chefs, Community Heros, and Sweet Treats Carnival. Camp SCP operates June through August on weekdays and enrollment is $25 for current students or $125 for new students. Call 949.498.1025 or visit SanClementePreschool.com for tuition and sign up info. Let the play begin!
San Juan Sea Lions
Spending summer time at the local pool is what memories are made of! The San Juan Sea Lions offer both youth and high school swim camps, where swimmers learn techniques including diving, breaststroke, backstroke, butterfly, and free style. Monday through Thursday classes begin June 24th for kids aged 4 to 13 and all start at 9 a.m. The cost is $275 for the entire summer swim season and you can sign up atSanJuanSeaLions.com.
St. Anne School
The Summer Knights Day Camp is the perfect combination of fun and education for kids plus convenience and flexibility for parents. The seven-week camp starts June 24th with full-day, half-day, and extended hours options. Students from preschool through middle school are welcome to join for one week or all seven. Field trips, arts and crafts, and light academics are packed into weekly themes like Get Fit, Hollywood Knights, Surf’s Up, and Wild West. The full-day camp is $300 per week and the half-day option is $200 per week. Contact Ingrid Trenton at itrenton@st-anne.org to get on board.
Endless Summer Surf Camp
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Endless Summer is the longest running surf camp in south OC and caters to first timers wanting to learn the basics of surfing and ocean safety as well as experienced surfers looking to improve their skills. Offering a new camp every Monday from June through September, the fun in the sun continues for 15 weeks at San Onofre State Beach. Day camps (10 & older) run Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and include equipment, lessons, lunch, snacks, drinks, and a t-shirt for $495. Weeklong overnight camps are $895 and include accommodations, surf equipment, surf lessons, all meals, snacks, drinks, and a camp t-shirt. Surf & Turf (surfing & golf) camps, private lessons, group lessons and adult camps are also available. VisitEndlessSummerSurfCamp.com or call 949.498.7862 to register early; all of their camps sell out every summer!
Zen Dojos
Zen Dojos’ Active Camps will keep your kids aged 4 to 12 on the move and motivated. Daily stretching, warm ups and strength drills enhance athletic ability and coordination while fun and practical Karate training sessions develop focus and concentration. Kids will also enjoy park days, movies, bowling, laser tag and field trips to venues like Jump ‘n Jammin and the Rainforest Cafe. Ten action-packed weeks of camp begin June 17th and run through August 23rd. Choose from either full-day camp or one of the two half-day options. Enroll by April 15th for a special $199 full-day weekly rate or $120 for the half-day rate (plus a $35 registration fee). Mention The Local Dish Magazine and receive a 35% discount! For more information, visit TheKarateClub.com or call 949.240.6574.