Busy parents all over Walnut Creek who are trying to figure out what to do with their children this summer may be quite surprised at the number of camps offered by the city and other organizations in the area.Through the city's Recreation Division and Civic Arts Education, children as young as 3 can spend summer days exploring the ocean, taking an imaginary trip to a world of super heroes and dinosaurs, competing in a cardboard boat race, cooking a Greek dinner for the family and building a motorized machine out of Legos.
The city's also offers its well-regarded Arts, Adventures & Academics camp for kindergartners through ninth graders from June 10 to June 24.And, the city-run theater company, Center Repertory Company, runs its acclaimed Young Rep Summer Theater workshop, for ages 13 and up, from June 20 to Aug. 4. Then, there are offerings from the Lindsay Wildlife Museum. This guide for summer youth programs offered by the city is full of activities. Here is a breakdown by age groups and interests:
From learning about jellyfish and eels to the great beasts of the animal kingdom, Camp Tenderfoot provides a great first day-camp experience. The two weeklong camps are split into four sessions focusing on special themed activities such as “Wacky World,” in which kids learn by getting creative, making magic wands or tie-dying shirts. Another themed week is “Imagination and Exploration,” in which children explore a fantasy world by designing costumes, molding sculptures and making musical instruments.
Slightly more seasoned and adventurous preschoolers can choose Camp Little Walnut, a weeklong camp split into eight sessions. Preschoolers can spend a week pretending to be pirates, digging for dino-eggs, making comic strips or learning about local heroes. But if your preschooler just wants to play games, sing songs, make crafts and do water play, Funshine Club may be a better fit. This five-week program requires children to be potty trained and that parents provide daily snacks on a rotating basis.
Ages 4-6, 6 -9, and 9-12:
Lindsay Wildlife Museum offers several one-week sessions for ages 4 to 6, in which they learn about critters at Animal Families Camp.
Ages 5 to 12:
The camps for this age group span many areas of interest: cooking, swimming, science and technology, carpentry and LEGOs.
As part of the enrichment series, Kids Cooking-Greek Dinner is a weeklong camp for future chefs. Campers will learn how to read recipes, prep food, cook and clean up properly. Chess Camp includes daily instruction for all level of players and Carpentry Camp teaches lifetime carpentry skills such as problem-solving, measuring and applied mathematics. Kids work together using wood-working hand tools on boats, bird feeders, doll furniture and more.
Kids who are interested in science and technology can choose from numerous camps. From building simple machines and robots at Mad Machines & Robots Camp to learning about our solar system and challenges of space travel at NASA: Journey into Outer Space Camp, kids may not be able to choose just one program. At Inventor’s Academy, kids learn how to problem solve with simple machines made from basic materials. And for those aiming to be the next Charles Lindbergh or Amelia Earhart, a week at the Flight Academy will not disappoint. Campers will learn about the fundamentals of flight, rocketry and even discover the wonders of the Milky Way.
Science Quest covers all aspects of science including chemistry, biology, physics, geology and ecology. And lastly, for preschool and kindergarten-age children, there is Future Geniuses, in which science uncovers the mysteries of motion and energy. This program allows young campers to experiment with everything from color to structures.
And if you can’t get your child away from the computer, don’t fret. Sign up for one of two computer camps: 3D Game Design or Arcade Two-Player Games. The first camp will teach kids to understand and create 3D models and animated effects. At the second camp, students create an interactive arcade action game as well as add music, sound effects and even cheat codes.
Camps for teens range from spending days at local amusement parks to training to become recreation leaders. Teen Camp is a dream come true for teens at which they spend a week bowling, roller skating and riding the thrill rides at Discovery Kingdom, Waterworld and Great America. This camp is designed to foster independence and help teens build friendships.
The future golfing pro can hone his or her golfing skills at Dave DeLong Junior Golf Camp. This weeklong camp, which takes place at the city's Boundary Oak Golf Course, is for students (ages 7 to 16) who range from beginners to more advanced golfers.
Finally, if you’re feeling your teen needs leadership training, there are two camps that might best fit. The Junior Recreation Leader program teaches teens the fundamentals of being a camp counselor by spending 12 to 35 hours per week assisting staff members at city day camps.
Wildlife and nature loving teens will love the Lindsey Wildlife Camp Counselor program. At this camp, teens assist younger campers participating in Wild Times Summer Science Camp with various projects, activities, arts and crafts.
All Ages:
Speaking of the Arts, Adventures and Academics summer program, the theme for this summer's session is "Our Planet: Keeping it Safe and Healthy." The popular five-week program is open for enrollment at www.walnut-creek.org/thingstodo/cae/aaa/default.asp. It has programs for half-day campers with classes at Walnut Creek Intermediate and a full-day program with afternoon recreational swim and field trips.
For those who want an all-day camp (extended care available), the city's Recreation Division offers Walnut Creek Day Camp at which kids can enjoy a full day of water play, crafts, games and other themed adventures.
For the late risers, there is Afternoon Adventure Camp at which campers will enjoy outdoor activities in a beautiful setting. Both programs are a week long and cater to ages 6 to 12 with themes such as "Spy Week," at which kids decode puzzles, gather information and trail suspects. "Pirates" week consists of finding treasures and designing and creating treasure chests. "Dragons, Wizards and Elves" week will delight the Harry Potter crowd with its potion making and spell-binding wizardry.
Kids who are interested in theater will no doubt love Civic Arts Education’s Youth Theatre Company Summer Theatre. No audition is necessary and is open to ages 5 to 14. The program emphasizes having fun while learning how to perform comfortably on stage. Recently, members of Civic Arts Junior Theater were singled out and awarded the Freddie G Broadway Junior Service award. Theatre membership is at an all-time high, so early sign-ups are highly recommended. This summer the troupe will perform "Dear Edwina Junior," a children's one-hour musical, about a girl who gives her neighborhood friends and family advice in a musical show.
Sports, sports sports:
Signing up your child for a sport camp during the summer months is a great way to introduce a sport or hone skills in a sport he or she already loves. Walnut Creek Sports Camp is a multi-sports camp that offers beginner and intermediate-level soccer, golf, tennis, basketball, flag football, volleyball and bowling among two choices offered to campers ages 9 to 13. This nine-week program focuses on having fun and enjoying the sport. Swimming, recreational games and Thursday field trips are part of each session.
Skyhawks Sports Camp engages the imagination of athletes ages 5 to 8 who are just starting to learn the basics of sports. Designed to improve fundamental skills through encouragement and non-competitive play, this unique program allows young athletes to learn the basics of golf, baseball, basketball, flag football, soccer and even capture the flag without feeling pressured to win or keeping score.
Mini-Skyhawk Camp is for preschool- and kindergarten-age children just starting in sports. Games are designed to allow the kids to explore balance, movement and hand/eye coordination.
Just like the name of the camp, Kids Love Soccer, children will love learning the basics of the world’s most popular sport in a fun, recreational environment. Dribbling, passing, receiving and shooting skills will be showcased at the end of the program in an age-appropriate ‘World Cup’ tournament.
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