Every summer, my daughter, Stella, and I rejoice when the playground sprinklers come on
When Stella was a baby, I dangled her over the glittering, piercing cold spray as she squealed with laughter. Soon she learned to walk, staggering through them, bucket and shovel in hand. Every year I could step back a little more from her, eventually watching from the park bench with the other parents. Before I knew it, she was biking through them with the other big girls.
Then, the summer before Stella entered first grade, we arrived at the park on the first hot day, as always. “Where is everyone?” I asked another mom, looking around. Where were the scooters and bikes, the jump ropes, the chattering, the hand-clapping games? “Avocado, avocado, is the name of the game, if you mess up I will change your name!” The park had been taken over by nannies and parents with babies sleeping or drooling on their shoulders.
“So where’s Maddie?” I asked Maddie’s mom.
“Camp, of course.” Maddie’s mom laughed.
“You didn’t sign up Stella?” another dad asked.
I soon learned that parents in my neighborhood didn’t choose just one camp. They piled them like wedding cake layers, one atop another. The first week of July brought Mandarin immersion mornings with synchronized swimming afternoons. Then followed two weeks of zoo camp, a ballet program with gymnastics, Mathnasium every Tuesday and Wednesday, a week of cooking school, and then two weeks of horseback riding. One mom sent her daughter to join a circus. She really, truly did.
“So what’s Stella doing?” Maddie’s mom leaned over to observe my daughter peering down a disgusting drain clogged with leaves and hair. “She’s just doing more of… this?”
“This, yes!” I nudged my kid’s hand away from the dirty drain, washing it in the sprinkler. “And field trips!”
If working at a school has prepared me for anything, it’s managing a field trip. (That I’m a librarian is just a bonus.) The build-up of anticipation, the meticulous coordination of details, and…coming home to reflect on the experience and make a project. Anything could be a field trip, even the hardware store! And I didn’t even have to bother with permission slips and emergency numbers.
That night, I stayed up late googling museums and free activities—there was hip-hop dance in the park!—and penciling in library craft activities at branches within ten miles. There was no reason we had to go to our local branch; we could travel anywhere and check out books with our three different library cards. We’d officially start our “sprinkler summer” filled with a sprinkling of activities.
For the first couple of weeks, I dealt with my anxiety and competitive streak by telling myself and others, “Stella has a coding class at the library tomorrow. On Friday, she does tie-dye.” We registered for all the free classes—our safety net—but we didn’t show up when the sprinklers beckoned.
We invented new routines, like frozen yogurt Thursdays, or writing illustrated letters to grandma once a week and mailing them ourselves. We scheduled all playdates for 4 p.m. when Stella’s friends finished camp. We carried a bulging blue Ikea bag to the playground and filled it with chalk, biodegradable water balloons, soap bubbles, a parachute, and pail and shovel, and spilled it out for everyone to share. We made friends of all ages. We became known as the family that always had chalk. We even got 3-D chalk that you wore special glasses to see in its vibrating neon glory.
If this makes it sound like I did every single thing myself homemade and by myself—I didn’t. I hired babysitters and asked for help from grandmas and my partner. I used the TV in times of need.
Was our first sprinkler summer a success? I still had doubts that summer before first grade. Then one August day, Stella and I sat outside the Natural History Museum finishing our peanut butter sandwiches. Three yellow school buses pulled up, and a counselor marched dozens of kids off the bus. The first busload wore red shirts; the second busload, orange; and the third, green.
“Do you wish you could be with them?” I asked.
“No,” she said. “Or maybe just for three days or five minutes.”
I laughed.
“What color shirt should we wear for our camp, Mama?”
“Whatever design you want,” I said. “It’s all yours.”
School’s out—but you may not be. So if you’re looking for a fun place to drop your kids off while you’re at work (or if you just want to give your little ones something to do besides loads of marathon screen-time sessions), there are plenty of spring break camps still enrolling. Whether your tot wants to try the trapeze or learn to horseback ride, here are some of our picks:
Two locations (Short Avenue Elementary School - 12814 Maxella Avenue; and Hancock Park Elementary School, 408 S. Fairfax Ave.) Los Angeles
If your child can't choose whether to do sports or art, how about a little of both? Got Game camp lets kids customize each day based on their interests. Choose from competitive sports like basketball, soccer, hockey, flag football and baseball — or arts including dance, theatre, and arts & crafts. There is also robotics, chess, water play and more.
Dates: April 6-10, 2020 Hours: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost: $295 for the week. Extended care options available
Kids will enjoy climbing the walls (of the rock and play structure) at AdventurePlex’s Spring Adventure Camp—as well as playing ball court games in the indoor gym. Little guys (4 & 5 year-olds) have specially structured activities just for them.
Ages: 4-12
Dates: April 18-22 Hours: 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Cost: $60 per day, $225 per week
This well-established sports program is holding their spring camp at two different locations (Westside LA and Silverlake). You may be familiar with them as an after-school care provider at your own local school, so you know these guys really know how to entertain kids. Kids develop sporty skills and enjoy friendly competition. Hot lunches can be purchased each day. Same-day registrations accepted. Yes!
Ages: 4-14
Dates: April 10-14 Hours: 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Cost: $60-70 per day. Rates vary by location and activities.
Verdugo Recreation Center - 3201 W Verdugo Ave. Burbank
Sharpen your A-game at this Clippers-sponsored youth basketball camp designed to help dribblers hone their skills on the court. Kids will build fundamentals and improve ball handling and game skills with the help of special "celebrity" guests and trained coaches.
Ages: 6-14
Dates: March 23-27. Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost: $395 for full session
Iverbe offers a full day camp with an old-fashioned schedule of group sports, arts and crafts and games at state-of-the-art facilities at Willows School, near downtown Culver City. The price includes a hot lunch and snack, too.
Ages: 4-13
Dates: Mar. 30 - April 3; April 6-9 (no camp on Good Friday). Hours: 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Cost: $375 per week
This recreational gymnastics facility near the Marina boasts Olympics-themed camp fun for little Gumbies. Broadway also hosts a program for special-ed kids aged 5 and older. School-aged campers have the option of weekly field trips, which include STAR Eco Station, Underwood Family Farms and whale watching in Newport Beach. You can check out daily themes and field trip schedule online.
Ages: Kinder camp: 3.5-5 years old; otherwise 5-12
Dates: April 1-19 Hours: Kinder camp:9am-12:30pm; otherwise 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Cost: Kinder camp: $75/day or $317 per week for tots, $95 per day or $399 per week for school-age kids
Water worshipers will love the opportunity to catch a wave at this specialty beach camp. Safe surfing instruction is emphasized, with foam surfboards, body boards and wetsuits included (as well as snacks and drinks) in the daily rate. When they're not surfing or playing, kids can hang 10 under canopies set up to prevent sunburns.
Ages: 6-16
Dates: March 23 through April 17. Hours: Full-day (9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) or half-day (9:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., or 12:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.). Free extended care including drop-off as early as 8 a.m. Cost: $65 per half day; $85 per day (based on booking 2-9 days).
This recreational gymnastics facility near the Marina boasts Olympics-themed camp fun for little Gumbies. Broadway also hosts a program for special-ed kids aged 5 and older. School-aged campers have the option of weekly field trips, which include STAR Eco Station, Underwood Family Farms and whale watching in Newport Beach. You can check out daily themes and field trip schedule online.
Ages: Kinder camp: 3.5-5 years old; otherwise 5-12
Dates: March 30 - April 17 Hours: Kinder camp:9am-12:30pm; otherwise 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Cost: Kinder camp: $75/day or $317 per week for tots, $95 per day or $399 per week for school-age kids
One of the most flexible choices in town, JAG camp lets you customize your experience. Ages 3 & up are welcome and grouped by age and ability. Drop-in is A-OK, provided space availability. Campers take part in structured activities and games but also get plenty of free time to pounce on the professional equipment as well as jump in a giant bounce house and build crafty creations.
Ages: 3 & Up
Dates: March 23– April 10 Hours: 8:30 a.m.–noon or 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. or all day 8:30-5:00 p.m. Cost: $119-$199 per day
Flip, jump, tumble and play this spring break away. No experience required, so it’s perfect for even your bigger kids who have never really taken a gymnastics class. In addition to gymnastics instruction at all levels, kids take part in arts and crafts, games and other fun.
Ages: 4-14
Dates: March 18-22 Hours: 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Cost: $395 per week
If you've got restless little ones who need a place to tumble and roll, Mygym is the perfect place to safely get out those wiggles. Perfect for kids under 7 (as young as 3!), these camps let kids run, jump and play as well as play organized games and crafts. Your kids will be exhausted and ready for a good night sleep at the end of the day.
Ages: 3-8
Dates: April 13-17 Hours: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 1-4 p.m. (varies by location) Cost: members, $35 per day; nonmembers, $40 per day (may vary by location)
The perfect camp for kids who keep begging for a pet, this critter-centric camp is ideal for aspiring veterinarians and little animal lovers alike. Kids learn about the human-animal bond, pet adoption, veterinary care, animal behavior and more. Campers will spend time with trainers, groomers and, of course, cute critters.
Ages: 9-12
Dates: Two, one week sessions: Mar. 23-27, April 6-10 Hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Cost: $400
Designed for every level of rider (including “never been on a horse”), TES kids’ horse camp will feed their love of animals while learning proper techniques through games and activities with trained instructors. Regular hours are 9 a.m.–4 p.m., with an extra hour before or after camp at an additional cost. No previous riding experience is necessary but proper attire is required, including boots.
Ages: 6-12
Dates: One-week sessions from Mar. 23 through April 24 Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost: $125 per day, $495 per week
Take a walk on the wild side and get up close and personal with the world’s most unusual creatures. Kids join the fight to save the planet at this internationally recognized environmental science museum and exotic wildlife rescue center. Party with parrots, live it up with alligators and get down and dirty with the dragons (that’s right, dragons!), all while discovering new and exciting ways to protect our planet’s delicate ecosystem. (Note: because of the close contact with animals and their foods, this camp is not recommended for kids with severe animal or nut allergies.)
Ages: 5-12
Dates: April 6-10 Hours: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (extended care available 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) Cost: $450 for the week
The Spring Break Camp at the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium lets little scientists become "Marine Crime Scene Investigators," complete with badges and science investigation kits. Campers will get to see and interact with hundreds of local marine species while engaging in various science experiments, playing games, digging for sand crabs, and doing arts and crafts.
Ages: Grades K-5
Dates: Apr. 5-10 Hours: 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Cost: $75 per day, $350 per week
L.A. ZooCamp allows animal lovers a chance to go behind the scenes and explore life cycles of animals up close—with daily lessons on various facets of animal care and behavior.
Ages: Kindergarten through fourth grade
Dates: April 6-10 Hours: 9 a.m-4 p.m. (extended care available 8 a.m. through 5 p.m.) Cost: $75 per day/ $325 per week
11220 Hindry Ave. Los Angeles The kids no longer have to climb the walls at home, they can do it here, all day long! Kids will learn basic climbing techniques, terminology, and safety. If the kids are there for more than three days, they’ll officially complete Climbing Academy and be able to join one of the recreational teams. On the last day of camp, kids get to try their skills inside Sender City, a veritable climbing playground that lets kids climb up various challenges including rope webs, ascending towers, and vertical tire walls.
Ages: 6-14
Dates: 5-day camp sessions run Mar. 23 – Apr.17 Hours: morning session: 8:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m., afternoon session: 12:30-4:30 p.m. Cost: $92 per day, $355 per week for a four-hour session
Send your little clown to the circus! Kids ages 7-14 will learn things like aerial arts, acrobatics, juggling, flying trapeze, and more. Each day runs from 1:30pm - 6pm, with Friday afternoon reserved for a show where kids can show off everything they learned. Get read for some serious camera-worthy moments.
Dates: 5-day camp sessions run Mar. 16 – Apr.10 Hours: 1:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.; Friday afternoon at 5:30 p.m. the campers will put on a show for friends and family Cost: $365 (or $325 if you sign up before March 1)
If your off-the-wall kids are always setting up obstacle courses all over your home, it might be time to sign them up for Ninja Warrior camp, where they can learn to scale walls, vault over obstacles and swing from high bars, all while having a blast with their friends. Vault PK's daily camp activities include a mix of parkour, trampoline skills, Ninja warrior-inspired obstacles (warped wall, quintuple step), rope climbing, and tumbling skills.
Ages: 4-14
Dates: April 6-10 Hours: AM half-day, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. for kids ages 4-14; PM half-day, 12-3 p.m. for ages 5-14. Cost of the a.m. program for a single day is $45; or $200 per week. Cost of the p.m. program for a single day is $30 or $125 per week.
Kids can explore art and science through topics ranging from bird watching and bug hunts to learning about plant parts and different types of animals. Physics-based activities and chemistry experiments like making slime are some of the camper’s favorites while art classes are nature-themed and are as simple as going into the Arboretum to draw with pencils, crayons, or pastels or more complex like sculpting or papier-mâché.
Ages: 5-10
Dates: Mar. 30-April 3; April 3-10 Hours: 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Cost: Members, $360 per week; non-members $400 per week
This year's Kidspace camp is themed around astronauts and space travel: Kids will learn what space shuttles need to launch and what astronauts go through in order to go into space. Activities are developed in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Ages: 5-9
Dates: April 6-10 (Week 1, which runs March 30-April 3, is already sold out) Hours: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (aftercare is available until 5:45 p.m.) Cost: $450 per week (members, $405)
Sponsored and developed by the Natural History Museum, this camp is celebrating the achievements of women in paleontology by hosting a special “girls in science” version of Adventures in Nature camp called, “How Girls Museum.” This two-day camp is for girls in grades 3–6 and is held at La Brea Tar Pits and taught by the Natural History Museum's stellar female scientists.
For girls in grades 3-6:
Dates: April 8-10 Hours: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.(with extended care until 5 p.m.) Cost: $180
Fairy tales and pop stars take over spring break at this dance studio. It’s a whole week of not only dancing fun but also great crafts, play and tumbling time. This year's theme is "Pop Stars," which means kids will be learning dance routines to songs by some of their favorite artists. For kids, the highlight is the performance on Fri. For you, it might be that healthy, kid-friendly lunches, water, and snacks are all provided so you can drop them off without anything (except ballet and tap shoes, which they have for sale at the store).
Ages: 4-8
Dates: April 6-10 Hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Cost: $325
Kids will spend a week making a real film—and they'll be invited to walk the red carpet and screen their film at the studio's student film festival later in the year! Taught by working industry professionals, the camp will teach aspiring actors, producers and directors the basics of making—and acting in—a movie. Upon completion of the camp, each student will be provided with a copy of the film for their own personal use and receive IMDB credit.
Ages: 5-16
Dates: March 30 - April 3; April 6 - April 10 Rates: Not listed (e-mail info@graystudiosla.com for information)
There’s one rule at comedy camp: laugh and have fun. Building self-confidence, developing social skills and getting a constant brain workout are just some of the side benefits. Kids play high-energy improv warm-up exercises, learn to build improv scenes with an audience suggestion, play short-form improv games, create sketches and learn how to improvise music, too. The week ends in a performance on Fri. Bravo!
Age: 6-11
Dates: April 15-19 Hours: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Cost: $300 per week
Spring Break Theatre Camp at the Santa Monica Playhouse
1211 4th St. Santa Monica
Kids will work with a director and playwright-in residence to help create and perform an original play with music. Young thesbians will learn about acting, dance, voice, original costumes, make-up, lighting, sound, props, set and more—as well as learning about teamwork, communication and friendship.
Age: 6-14
Dates: April 6-10; April 13-17 Hours: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. (performance Fridays at 4 p.m.) Cost: $395 plus $35 supplies
reDiscover Center, 12958 W Washington Blvd. Los Angeles
Let your kids go wild with repurposed materials! Tinkering School LA teaches kids to build whatever they dream up with wood, plastic, and metal. With a 4:1 camper to facilitator ratio, the center provides a safe and supportive environment—even with power tools.
Ages: 5-12 Dates: March 30th – April 17th, 2020 Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost: $525
It’s the Spring Break you wish you had time to do with your kids, with visits to bowling alleys, laser tag arenas and museums on a variety of field trips. Destinations include Pacific Park in Santa Monica, the Petersen Automotive Museum, the Aquarium of the Pacific, and Scooter's Jungle. Each jam-packed day also incorporates active games to build sportsmanship and encourage new friendships.
Ages: Kindergarten through 6th grade
Dates: Mar. 30 - April 10 Hours: 8 a.m . -6 p.m. Cost: $87.50 per day
See a whoop of gorillas, a huddle of penguins, a flamboyance of flamingoes, a romp of otters, an army of frogs, and an ambush of tigers (oh my!) at Brookfield Zoo, which has been a mecca for animal-kingdom hoopla since 1934. Besides the obvious wild fun with the furry to the slithering, their newest temporary exhibit, Brick Safari, will have you walking along a menagerie of LEGO brick animals located along a winding, wooded path. Slip into your comfy walking shoes, bring a sense of adventure, and plan a family date at Brookfield Zoo.
New and Temporary
Brick Safari
A roaring tiger, a leaping dolphin, a lounging leopard—sure, these are all animals one might expect to see on a visit to Brookfield Zoo. Lucky for guests, this summer you’ll be treated to a chance to see these sweet creatures in an entirely different and unique way at Brick Safari. Open as of May 11 and continuing through September 29, it features more than 40 life-size animal sculptures created from millions of individual colored LEGO bricks.
It’s an extra special addition to the zoo, as it’s the first venue to host this international traveling exhibit in North America. Many of the sculptures you’ll see are based on Brookfield Zoo favorites—the giraffe, snow leopard, and pangolin. After checking out these amazing figures, guests can visit their live counterparts that reside at the zoo.
This interactive exhibit will appeal to both science and art lovers, who will have the opportunity to tap into their creative sides. Colorful graphics featuring interesting animal facts and statistics such as the size of each figure, how many bricks were used to build each one, and the amount of time it took to create each sculpture are displayed.
Summer Nights
A warm-weather favorite is back for its 6th year, Summer Nights, featuring an enhanced dining, beer and wine garden, live music, roaming performers, kid entertainment and a new laser show all surrounded by wildlife and nature (and in the cooler temps of evening!). Summer Nights are scheduled Friday and Saturday evenings, June 21-August 10.
A Little History
Brookfield Zoo was the very first zoo in America to house giant pandas. Su Lin was one of the most beloved. Even though she’s long passed, you can visit her at Chicago’s Field Museum of Natural History, where she is on display.
Other firsts: the zoo, in 1960, opened a much-celebrated dolphin exhibit indoors. And, in the 1980’s Tropic World, an elaborate large-scale indoor rainforest simulator, was built. Your eye wanders high above in this exhibit, to locate calls of animals that are balanced in trees as well as straight out onto the rolling hill-like grounds. The sound of rain and thunder washes over the exhibit as well, making it feel like you’re wandering through real wet lands in search of animals.
Kids can see over 450 different species of animals—or around 2,300 individual animals, stretched out over 216 acres. The best part: the zoo uses moats and ditches in an elaborate design to house the animals, instead of cages and bars, to provide barriers between visitors and animals. The animals have room to roam around and you can get an unobstructed photo—it’s a win-win.
Getting to the Zoo
Brookfield Zoo is located at 8400 W. 31st ST., only 14 miles west of Chicago’s downtown. Many signs will help direct the way, on the Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) and Stevenson Expressway (I-55), as well as throughout the neighborhood of Brookfield. If arriving by car, park at the North Gate or South Gate for $14.
Did you know that you can take the Metra’s Burlington Northern Line to the zoo? If you’re traveling from the city or from the western suburbs, this is the easiest—and cheapest—route. Exit at Hollywood Station, the Zoo Stop, and walk three blocks northeast to the zoo’s South Entrance.
Extras: The Dolphins in Action show, at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children and seniors. The carousel is $3.00 per ride. The Motor Safari is $5.00 for adults and children and $3.00 for seniors. Hamill Family Play Zoo is $3.00 per visitor. Add-on experiences include giraffe feedings and penguin encounters—review the website for special pricing, dates and hours.
Zoo-Based Education
Not only does the zoo have special animal carts, hands-on activities and educational chats throughout the park, but there are also programs designed to teach conservation, inspiring a love of the natural world in our kids.
Family Play Programs: Kids in two different age groups can join special playgroups, led by artists, nature educators and early childhood specialists, to learn about nature and wildlife. Located at the Hamill Family Play Zoo, this nature-focused playtime includes weekly animal encounters, trips to a pond to learn about the environment, and lots of arts and crafts.
Backstage Adventures: Kids can work with animal care staff to learn how to take care of the zoo’s animals: penguins, bears, dolphins, apes, reptiles, birds, bugs—big or small, pick your favorites and go on a one-of-a-kind zoological adventure.
Zoo Camp:The multi-age camps, held in the spring, summer and winter, are super popular at Brookfield Zoo. The best part about these camps is the flexibility—sign up your camper for a couple of days, for several weeks, or for a half-day three-day camp.
Sleepover Safari:For a truly inimitable experience, join a sleepover party at the zoo. You’ll go on a night zoo hike, after all of the regularly admitted visitors have left, participate in animal-themed activities, spend the night with lots of kids and families, and enjoy a hot breakfast the next morning before departing.
Hamill Family Play Zoo:Infants to kids through 10 years of age will love exploring the Hammill Family Play Zoo, where they can climb on indoor structures (perfect for Chicago days with inclement weather), do arts and crafts, learn through hands-on activities and exhibits, and trek around the outdoor family area. Don’t leave without visiting the Hamill Family Wild Encounters exhibit, which gives families the opportunity to feed and touch goats, llamas, alpacas, wallabies, and even reindeer.
Year-Long Events and Programming
Throughout the year, Brookfield Zoo hosts several special events, meant to inspire a love of animals and nature. These programs are also designed to spend time with family and friends, enjoying the zoo as an interesting backdrop. Check out: Party for the Planet, the Annual Whirl Gala, Brick Safari (Legos anyone?), Roars & Pours, Summer Nights Concerts, Zoo Brew, ZooRunRun, Boo! at the Zoo, Veterans Day Celebration, and Mother’s and Father’s Day brunches.
Spending a day at Brookfied Zoo—wandering through: Big Cats, Desert’s Edge, Clouded Leopard Rainforest, Great Bear Wilderness, Living Coast, Regenstein Wolf Woods, Salt Creek Wilderness, The Swamp and Tropic World, among others— is a great way to bond with your children, while also learning something new about animal conservation and the environment, as well as our place in protecting delicate ecosystems.
Hours and Admission
Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat. & Sun., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
$21.95/adults; $15.95/ages 3-11 & 65 & up; free for members and military personnel with ID receive free parking and admission year-round. Tip: All tickets are $1 cheaper if purchased online.
Summer may feel far away but before you know it, that last school bell will ring and the kids will look at you, asking “what’s next?” If you want to have your kids attend one LA’s most coveted camps, deadlines start now. Many of the coolest summer camps fill up before you can say even say “spring break” not to mention there are some super savings with early bird discounts. So get your credit cards ready to buy yourself some peace of mind and secure your kid’s spots at making marvelous summer memories.
photo: Aloha Beach Camp
Aloha Beach Camp
This camp is like totally awesome for your beach loving brood, bro! There’s no better way to wile away the precious summer hours that being at the beach. Activities at Paradise Cove in Malibu, Zuma Beach and other nearby locales (depending on age and the day’s schedule) range from painting sea shells, building sandcastles, sand crab races and having a lobster luau to more “gnarly” adventures such as jet skiing on Lake Castaic, ocean kayaking and cosmic water slides. This beachside camp offers three programs by age (Keiki Camp 4-7, Kahuna Camp 8-11, High Action Camp 12-15). There’s one more reason we LOVE this camp: they pick your kids up at one of 17 locations around town, so you never have to brave beach traffic.
Sign up today, because: There’s limited availability and spots fill up quicker than you can say “aloha.” Plus, you can snag the early bird discount rates through March 4.
Need to know more before you sign your kid’s up? There is a free open house but get tickets as even those informational spots fill up quickly.
For Campers Ages: 4-15
Pick-up locations are all over town; the camps take place at Paradise Cove and Zuma Beach.
818-932-4600
Online: alohabeachcamp.com
photo: Tom Sawyer Camp
Tom Sawyer Camp
The great outdoors beckon at Hahamonga Watershed Park, above Devil’s Gate Dam in the Arroyo Seco of Altadena. While Tom Sawyer had the Mississippi River, young campers here have horses to ride (and paint), mud balls to make and circus tricks to learn, all in a safe and nurturing environment en plein air, with no video game in sight. The four Tom Sawyer summer camps on offer are divided by age groups, starting at 3 years old and going up to 9th grade.
Sign up today, because: Enrollment is happening now! By the time you’re on spring break and you realize you need kiddo coverage again in summer, this camp will be totally full.
For Campers Ages: 3-14
4550 Oak Grove Dr.
Altadena
626-794-1156
Online: tomsawyercamps.com
photo: Tina Ly
UC Santa Barbara Family Vacation Center
How about getting away with the kids that simultaneously offers the opportunity to get away from the kids? This all-inclusive vacation center offers week-long summer sessions that allow Mom and/or Dad to do their own thing while the little ones are entertained via tennis or surf lessons, arts and crafts, field trips, pool time and much more. Adult options range from wine tours to painting, while family time brings everyone back together for campfires, rock climbing or “disco bingo.” Campers are grouped by age, from infants to teens. Accommodations are an apartment-style-suite on the UCSB Campus. Meals are all-you-can-eat, buffet-style, but there are plenty of outdoor picnics and BBQs. Read all about why we love this camp, and get the inside scoop here.
Sign up today, because: Registration has already started, and some weeks for summer 2018 are already sold out. Must be all that disco bingo!
For Campers Ages: infant to adult
UCSB Campus
San Rafael Hall
Santa Barbara
805-893-3123
Online: familyvacationcenter.com
photo: LA Zoo
Zoo Camp
Even if you have all walked up and down the LA Zoo a million times, little campers will still go ape over a chance to meet the zoo’s residents (1,100 animals representing 250 different species; many rare or endangered) with VIP behind-the-scene-access. A typical day mixes indoor activities like awesome crafts and arts (for example, making stuffed cattails and wearing them home at the end of the day) with animal encounters and lots of learning about the zoo’s inhabitants. Kids are divided by age, and each week has a theme as does each day; for example, Sense-sational Safari and Animal ABC’s.
Sign up today, because: Right now they only have registration for spring camp but summer will be here in a flash. Keep checking their site for updates or better yet, get on their mailing list to be alerted first!
For Campers Ages: 4-12
5333 Zoo Dr.
Griffith Park
323-644-4200
Online: lazoo.org
Camp Shi’Ini
Bear hunting, making totem poles or searching for American Indian “artifacts” like the Gold of El Dorado… Immerse your little ones in an extravaganza of Native American themed adventures involving awesome feather headdresses, teepees, and tom-tom drums. The little darlings are divided into tribes by age, and activities are age appropriate, whether canoeing, archery, horseback riding, swimming or crafts. This coveted camp has a vintage date of 1947 and keeps on giving.
Sign up today, because: The early arrow catches the worm! Enrollment for summer at Shi’ini (pronounced “Shee-nee” and meaning “Summer People” in Najavo) is now open and fills fast.
For Campers Ages: 4-13 La Casita Del Arroyo
177 South Arroyo Blvd.
Pasadena
626-922-0945
Online: campshi-ini.com
photo: Tumbleweed Day Camp
Tumbleweed Day Camp
A medley of summer fun is to be had in Brentwood, with a wide range of activities intended to teach kids “creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and communication.” While the camp accommodates PK to 8th grade, a typical day for the littles campers (pre-school to second grade) might include archery, swimming, nature studies, themed days, tetherball, music and much more—five different activities per day. Special events range from playing wizards to superheroes to detectives.
Sign up today, because: This clever camp is a favorite among kids and parents and spaces fill up fast.
Still on the fence? They have a few open houses coming up in March so RSVP here to secure your informational spot.
For Campers Ages: 4-14
1024 Hanley Ave.
Los Angeles
310-472-7474
Online: tumbleweedcamp.com
photo: Garden School Foundation
City Seedlings
Class is in session in the garden! But this “class” has no ABC’s and 123’s. Instead, your little seedlings will learn how to make garden sushi and rainbow crackers via seed-to-table cooking, get their green thumbs dirty with garden and science activities such as compost critters and prune paratrooper, make arts and crafts, and also get physically active with fun games, all on the beautiful two-acre garden space of Campus of Crown Preparatory Academy and 24th Street Elementary School.
Sign up today, because: Registration is now open but hurry! Their early bird discount ends Mar. 3.
For Campers Ages: 5-13
Campus of Crown Preparatory Academy and 24th Street Elementary School
2055 W. 24th St.
Historic West Adams
Online: gardenschoolfoundation.org
photo: Meghan Rose
Dodger Baseball Fantasy Camp
They only take 100 kids for each of the two weeks, so there’s some fierce competition to get one of these spots. The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation offers boys and girls of all abilities the ultimate Dodger experience: the Dodgers Youth Baseball Camp. Four days of camp at Dodger Stadium will feature daily instruction by members of the Dodgers Major League coaching staff and Dodger alumni with special guest appearances by current Dodger players. Kids also get a full Dodgers uniform including hat, jersey, pants, socks & belt, 4 tickets to a game and an amazing once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be down on the field playing games, in the Dodgers batting cage take BP, in the Dodger Bullpen learning how to throw and sitting in the Dodger Dugout learning the game of baseball.
Sign up today, because: Registration begins Mar. 1 and sells out instantly every year. Put this one on your calendar and circle it in red, if you’ve got a baseball fan in the family!
If you’ve got a little visionary and or mini explorer, one with an exploding imagination and fearless ideas, you may have found that the regular old summer camps aren’t doing the trick. Enter Galileo Innovation Camp, a beloved Bay Area summer camp that has arrived in LA just in time for summer. The imaginative curriculum and nurturing environment instills confidence alongside the learning, and it’s so much fun kids beg for an extra week.
Welcome to the City of Angels
The camp founder, a SoCal native, was happy to bring his camp back to his roots, and felt like it was a great fit. “LA is a hotbed for creativity and innovation and we felt like our program would be a perfect addition to that ecosystem,” said Glen Tripp, Founder and CEO, Galileo Innovation Camps for Kids. “Plus, having grown up in Southern California, I wanted to bring home the camp I developed and would have loved to attend when I was a kid.”
A Day In The Life
Camp Galileo is for kids from PreK-5th Grade. Each week, budding innovators explore one of four themes, such as “Galileo Rocks” where they will get to unleash their inner rock star or virtuoso while creating their own works of art and experimenting with frequency and vibration. Each theme combines art, science and outdoor activities, and is cleverly adapted for three different age groups.
For example, within the theme “Destination San Francisco” one one day you’ll find Nebulas (Pre-K to K) constructing a richly-textured bison collage inspired by a imaginary trip to the Golden Gate Park, then building a mini version of the country’s first public playground (built in San Francisco) and finally taking part in a city-themed scavenger hunt. Meanwhile, the Stars (1st and 2nd Grades) bring the sea lions of Pier 39 to life using oil pastels and engineer their very own miniature cable car system with working pulleys. The big kids, Supernovas (3rd to 5th Grades), are working on more advanced concepts such as building a skyscraper that can stand up to a simulated earthquake or using paper-folding techniques to create a robust, three-dimensional cardboard structure.
Choose Your Own Adventure
Galileo Summer Quest is for big siblings, grades 5-8. They can direct how they choose to explore their passions, picking from more than a dozen majors including Fashion Design, Mod Design with Minecraft®, or Chefology: International Eats. Whether these up-and-coming visionaries are designing their own mini-collection to be featured at the end-of-session runway show or inventing a signature dish to serve at the camp-wide international food festival, they can dive into a new major each week or return to a major that they love and try even more ambitious projects.
All work and no play, you say? Aside from spending four hours a day working in their majors, big kid campers will have plenty of time to participate in camp-wide activities and games, build new friendships and relax with some of Galileo’s inspiring leaders.
Feed the Brain, Feed the Body
When these future inventors are working and playing this hard, they get famished. Here kids have the option of packing their own lunches or parents can sign them up for a nutritious lunch program provided by Choicelunch for $36 a week. The lunch program offers more than five entrée options every day and includes a morning snack, a big lunch, a healthy afternoon snack and fresh-cut fruit. Health-conscious parents can rest assured that all ingredients are organically and locally sourced (whenever possible) 100% trans-fat free and that no artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners are added. Just add water, and you can send kids off for the day, without a care (or a packing frenzy) in the world.
Investing In Your Innovator
Camp Galileo starts at $379 and Galileo Summer Quest starts at $489 for the first week. Save $20 if you sign up for a second week, $30 for a third week and $50 for a fourth and subsequent week(s). Extended care is $40 for the morning session and $80 for the afternoon session. For the Nebula campers, there is also a part-day program option from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., if they’re not ready for a full day.
How Soon and Where Do We Send Them?
Camps are held Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. with extended care available starting at 8 a.m. and available until 6 p.m., at the following locations:
Registration has already begun, so you can sign up online now at galileo-camps.com.
So if you’re tired of the same-old same-old (or you missed the hour window you had to sign up for Zoo Camp—that sucker filled up fast!), there’s a cool new camp in town. And we think it will fit right in.
Do you have an innovative camp that your kids love? Let us know in the comment section; we’re always looking for a fantastic find that will keep kids busy and happy all summer long.
— Judy Park
All photos courtesy of Galileo Innovation Camps for Kids
Winter Break has kids jumping up and down with excitement, but sometimes you need a break from the “break.” Keep your kids happy in a winter camp while you get back to work or just grab a few quiet hours to yourself where the kiddos aren’t bouncing off the walls at home. From dance to horseback riding, we have 10 awesome camps to help you keep your cool when there’s no school.
photo credit: ABC’s of Dance
For Your Tiny Dancer
If your “Frozen” fan didn’t get her fix dressing as Elsa for Halloween, let her dance her heart out in this Frozen/Winter Wonderland themed dance camp. It’s a full week of dancing fun, and each week ends in a performance for family and friends. Bonus We Love: Healthy lunches and snacks are provided daily from The Corner Bakery, so your little ballerina has healthy food to fuel those twirls.
ABC’s of Dance
8505 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood
Ages: 4–8
When: Session 1 starts December 29, session 2 starts on January 5
Cost: $245 per week
Online: abcsofdanceweho.com
For the Animal Obsessed
Who hasn’t wanted to live at the Zoo at one time or another? If you’ve got a kid who loves all creatures great and small, send them to Zoo Camp, where they will go ape over meeting the Zoo’s hundreds of animals behind the scenes. It’s as close as you can get to moving into the Zoo, without admitting you belong in the monkey house.
Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
5333 Zoo Dr., Griffith Park, Los Angeles
Ages: 4-5 & 6-12
Cost: $65/day for non-members and $60/day for members. Extended care available for an additional fee.
When: December 29-January 2 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Online: lazoo.org
photo credit: Tumbleweed Camp’s website
For Your Little Naturalist
Summer camp goes winter. Set against the stunning background of the Santa Monica Mountains, Tumbleweed offers campers horseback riding, archery, ropes courses, and more all while communing with nature. Bonus We Love: If you’re a tad traffic phobic (and what Angeleno isn’t?), no problem. Tumbleweed offers transportation to and from the site, at meeting places conveniently located throughout Los Angeles.
Tumbleweed Camp
1024 Hanley Ave., Los Angeles
Ages: Pre- K through 8th grade
Cost: $128 per day
When: December 22-January 2 (hours vary)
Online: tumbleweedcamp.com
photo credit: School of Rock’s website
For Kids Who Love to Rock
Tiny rock stars will love this week-long camp, which provides hands on individual and small group instruction in how to rock out. Your kiddo will take part in drum, guitar and/or vocal workshops, with a performance at the end of the week. It’s all about learning music, playing music, and band bonding. Bonus We Love: Get the iphones ready to record that end of the week rock star performance. It’s an extra gift for the grandparents.
School of Rock
7801 Beverly Blvd., Mid-City LA
Ages: 7 & up
Cost: $525 per week
Dates: Dates have yet to be announced. Check website.
Online: schoolofrock.com
photo credit: Page Museum’s website
For Kids Who Love Prehistoric Rocks
Is your kiddo interested in learning about creatures that used to roam the Earth? Kids will learn about saber tooth cats, dire wolves, woolly mammoths, giant sloths and more through hands-on activities that mix science, dirt and art. Bonus We Love: Your kids have always loved getting dirty at the pits. Now they can go behind the scenes and see what really happens behind the gates where the scientists are at work, pulling bones out of the tar.
Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits
5801 Wilshire Blvd., Miracle Mile LA
Ages: K through 4th Grade
Cost: $270 a week for museum members, $300 a week for non members
Dates: January 5-9 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (with extended care available)
Online: tarpits.org
photo credit: Studio LOL
For The Short Stuff Stand-Up
Does your mini comic love making everyone laugh? Campers here will learn short and long form improv, sketch comedy, comedic character work, and more. The week ends with a performance for family and friends. No arts and crafts here, just good old fashioned LOLs. (And perhaps the first step toward the sit com deal that will pay for college.) Bonus We Love: This gets them ready for the school talent show in the spring.
Studio LOL
12434 Moorpark St., Studio City
Ages: 8 – 12
Cost: 240-$300/week
Dates: 3 weeks of camp offered, from December 22-January 9 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Online: studiolol.com
photo credit: LACMA
For the Budding Basquiat
Spend an exciting week with paint, clay, found objects and more at LACMA’s Winter Art Camp. Campers have adventurous experiences looking at, talking about, and making art with a team of fun and creative museum educators and artists. Bonus We Love: You’re at LACMA; after pickup, you can wander the galleries with your kids.
LACMA
5900 Wilshire Blvd, Miracle Mile LA
Ages: 6-8 and 9-11
Cost: $350 (Or $325 with your NexGen membership, which you have right? Because it’s free!)
Dates: 2 sessions begin on Dec 22 or Dec 29 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Online: lacma.org
photo credit: Got Game Camp
For Your Mini All-Star
Sitting all day at school is not for your lil’ athlete. So treat them to camp that lets them move – with sports like basketball, soccer, hockey, flag football, baseball, volleyball and lacrosse, while mixing in some arts arts ranging from dance, theatre, music, arts & crafts and computer technology. Throw in karate, chess, dodgeball, kickball and there’s literally something for every active little one. Bonus We Love: The extended hours go from 8 a.m.-6 p.m., so if you’re not getting much of a work vacation, they’ve got you covered. The kids are so active and having so much fun, they won’t mind the long day.
Got Game Camp
408 S. Fairfax Ave., Miracle Mile LA
Ages: 4-14
Cost: $265
Dates: Weekly sessions begin December 22 and run through January 9 from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Online: gotgamecamp.com
For Those Who Can Make It Work
Fashion Design Camp gives kids the full experience that will ready them for the style biz. They start by generating a vision board, designing a collection, picking designer fabrics, sewing and finishing a series of clothes. Kids will learn how to use a sewing machine, cut fabric from patterns, and construct hand-made garments from scratch. Then they can sew the buttons back on their own clothes. Bonus We Love: Camp culminates in a fashion show that friends and family are invited to.
Unincorporated Life
1150 N Western Ave., Hollywood
Ages: 6-12 & 13-18
Cost: $400-$600
Dates: Weeklong sessions begin December 15, 22, & 29 and January 5
Online: theunincorporatedlife.com
photo credit: Santa Monica Playhouse’s website
And Finally, The Pint-Sized Drama Queen
Hey kids, let’s put on a play! No, seriously, in one week kids at the Santa Monica Playhouse Camp will use text, music, movement, costumes and make-up to have fun making new friends and creating and performing a new and original play – all in just five days. Bonus We Love: If you have different vacation dates, just round up a group of 5 friends and they’ll custom create a class for you.
Santa Monica Playhouse Theatre
1211 4th St, Santa Monica
Ages: 6 to 12 & 13 to 17
Cost: $395 per session
Dates: Session 1starts Dec 26, Session 2 starts Jan 5 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. daily
Online: santamonicaplayhouse.com
Got any other hot tips on great winter break camps? Let us know in the comments!
