by LAINEY KRAL | photos by Tyler McElhaney
We Uncover What Makes North County San Diego a Summer Camper’s Dream
Summer camps merge exploration and self-expression within a hands-on learning environment. They also promote independence, a sense of belonging, and friendship, which boosts self-esteem and development. And with a good amount of summer camps set in the beautiful outdoors, camps not only cultivate new skills but also provide us with the opportunity to immerse ourselves in nature and breathe in the fresh air. With prime locations near the ocean, parks, and campgrounds, North County San Diego boasts a wide variety of summer camps for children and teens of all ages and interests for the artist, athlete, comedian, or animal lover in the family. Whether a child or teen is looking for a traditional camp experience, a weekend science and discovery camp, a creative experience with an art camp, or a sports camp, summer camps in North County cater to them all. Our summer camp guide provides an inside scoop on the camp options available this upcoming season. We invite you to read along and discover the adventure awaiting you.
Summer of Discovery
Maranatha Christian Schools Summer Camps Promote Academics, Athletics, and the Arts
When local public schools are closing up at the end of the semester, Maranatha Christian Schools (MCS) is gearing up for another fun-filled summer. With over 30 enrichment classes and sports camps, the MCS summer programs have something to offer every student from preschool through eighth grade, and the schedules are flexible to accommodate any family’s needs. “We want to see children achieving their highest potential with the gifts and talents God has given them,” said Francine Good, Director of Marketing and Development.
Academic enrichment options range from general kindergarten and first grade preparation courses to subject-specific English and math courses, as well as courses in music, rocketry, arts and crafts, cooking, and other extracurricular fields to explore. The credentialed teachers give students the personal attention and supportive environment they need to succeed – while having fun, of course!
Maranatha sports camps are led by high school varsity coaches who will teach basic and advanced skills in volleyball, basketball, baseball, flag football, soccer and cheer. They will also offer a speed training camp. Coaches will emphasize fundamental skills, proper mechanics, and character development. Another exciting program is “The Summer Games”, which is a one-week, multi-sport camp for ages 5 to 12. The camp is structured so each camper will participate in four different sports over the course of the week. MCS also partners with K.I.D.S. Therapy Associates to welcome special needs students to the camp.
Summer Theatre Arts Camp is always a hit, and lets students explore all the elements of production, from acting and dancing to stage combat and set design. “The Theatre Camp has been running for over 15 years, and is now in its second year at MCS,” said Francine. “The program is so popular it even has a following – inquiries are already rolling in and spaces fill up quickly.”
All summer staff members have passed Live Scan screening and background checks, and most are credentialed teachers and coaches at MCS during the school year. Staff members are also trained in CPR and First Aid. “MCS has an outstanding reputation for friendliness, safety, and cleanliness,” said Francine. “Our program is professionally managed by individuals who are passionate about building self-esteem in children.”
Over the years, the passionate teachers and comprehensive program have made a lasting impression on students and parents alike. “We’ve had several families who were so impressed with the friendly, caring staff and well-coordinated activities, they decided to enroll their children in our school,” said Julie Elliot, Director of the Summer Camp program. She and the entire MCS team are excited to welcome the community to another summer of enrichment and exploration.
AT-A-GLANCE
Name of School: Maranatha Christian Schools
Superintendent: Jess Hetherington
Year of Establishment: 1991
Address: 9050 Maranatha Dr., San Diego, CA 92127
Website: www.maranathachristianschools.org
Email: mcs@maranathachristianschools.org
Phone: 858-759-9737
Description of School: Maranatha Christian Schools is a Christ-centered learning community where students experience God’s love, are equipped to fulfill God’s unique call and purpose, and excel in their God-given potential through academics, arts, and athletics.
Prep Summer at Horizon Prep
Prep Summer at Horizon Prep offers students entering grades pre-K (ages 3-6), elementary (1st-5th), middle school (6th-8th), and high school (9th-11th) outstanding opportunities for review, enrichment, advancement, and fun, both inside and outside the classroom.
Horizon Prep students, as well as community guests and friends, are invited to attend summer courses where they can explore interests, develop important skills, enrich athletic ability, and become even more prepared for the challenges of the next academic level. Students will find the summer program offerings diverse, enriching, and fun! Horizon Prep’s goal is to ensure that each student is challenged to develop their abilities so they can excel in the classroom and beyond.
Horizon Prep is a Christ-centered, classical school with a reputation for academic excellence and a campus filled to the brim with joyful learners. The school brings that same commitment and excitement to Prep Summer. The school’s enthusiastic teachers and faculty are ready to provide a spiritual, educational, challenging, and fun-filled summer experience.
Visit www.prepsummer.org to find everything you need: registration forms, dates, and course catalogues. It’s going to be a great summer at Horizon Prep Summer 2015! Sessions are offered June – August 2015.
Enrichment courses | For-credit course (high school geometry) | Summer athletic camps | And more!
Outpost Summer Camps
Owner/Director of Outpost Summer Camps Stuart Jones grew up with an outdoor summer camp, Tom Sawyer Camps, when he was younger. “We hiked, rode horses, made forts, sang songs, performed skits, got muddy, and learned how to make and keep friends with both the campers and counselors,” he explained. He spent 14 summers there as a camper, counselor, and director, and then decided to start his own venture, Outpost Summer Camps in 2001. Outpost Summer Camps offers three traditional camp programs to children between the ages of 3 and 14, serving Poway and surrounding areas. According to Stuart, “Each camp has exciting, age-appropriate activities for the different age groups, but all share in the philosophy of creative, spontaneous fun facilitated by the counselors and campers.”
Three-week long sessions are what make Outpost Summer Camps unique. Stuart explained, “In this amount of time children of all temperaments have enough time to learn names, get completely comfortable with routines, and make and keep new friends. Children are able to form genuine relationships while at camp.” Another hallmark of the camp’s uniqueness is the door-to-door transportation. Campers are picked up at their homes each morning, driven to camp, and dropped off at the end of the day. “Our families often tell us that the ride to and from camp, full of songs and adventure, is one of their child’s favorite parts of the Outpost camp day,” Stuart explained. “Our drivers are also our counselors and that makes the camp experience something special and unique, as kids are used to being driven around by their parents.”
For more information about Outpost Summer Camps visit www.outpostsummercamps.com.
Frozen Ropes
As the all-star staff is proud to say, “There is never an off-season at Frozen Ropes!” The baseball and softball training program provides year-round opportunities for young athletes to learn and grow. With locations in 4S Ranch and Del Mar, Frozen Ropes is the largest baseball and softball development program in San Diego and offers private lessons, classes, cage rentals, clinics, camps, and travel ball teams. Frozen Ropes looks forward to the start of Summer League 2015 – last year’s program hosted over 200 young players! Participants in all programs range from 3 to 18 years old, and camps are offered for ages 6 to 12. Parents can sign their children up for morning, afternoon, or full-day sessions, and 2015 camps run every week of summer beginning June 12.
“Player development is our priority at Frozen Ropes,” explained General Manager Curt Holcombe. Staff members include coaches who have won National Championships and played in the Minor Leagues as well as Ron Witmeyer, who played with the Oakland A’s and coached at Stanford and UC Berkeley.
Learn more at www.sdfrozenropes.com, or call the 4S Ranch location at 858-485-9399 and the Del Mar location at 858-643-9390.
Pacific Swim + Rancho Arbolitos in Poway
Rancho Arbolitos and Pacific Swim are excited to help kids make a splash and serve up some fun this year with their swim and tennis camps! Directed by the talented tennis coaches from Rancho Arbolitos and the superb swim coaches from Pacific Swim, these camps are a great way for children ages 5 to 14 to build skills, learn strategy and sportsmanship, and make friends. Campers are divided into groups by age and ability for the best individual experience. The weeklong sessions are filled with games, prizes, and smoothies, and with Pizza Fridays and an open snack bar every day. Full-day and half-day camps are offered from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., 9 to 11 a.m., and 12 to 2 p.m. Early drop-off or aftercare services are available to accommodate your schedule. Spring session runs from April 6 through 10, and summer camps are offered from June 15 through Aug. 14. For more information visit www.ranchoarbolitosclub.com or www.psswim.com, or call 858-486-3670.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego (BGCGSD) is committed to helping kids of all backgrounds and interests develop into well-rounded, successful young adults. “Our clubs are an age-appropriate place of physical and emotional safety and stability for our club members, where they have structure and clearly defined boundaries,” said Brandon Horrocks, Vice President of Operations. “Our youth can build strong, positive connections with adult role models and their peers. The staff makes the club feel like a home where members can be free to be themselves and enjoy being kids.”
BGCGSD focuses on programs that promote academic success, character development, and healthy lifestyles. They offer spring break camps from March 23 to April 24 as well as Ultimate Summer Camps from June through August. A typical camp week includes arts and crafts, computer lab time, physical fitness activities, game room time, and field trips.
Learn more about the programs at www.sdyouth.org.
The Inspired Mind Learning Center
The Inspired Mind Learning Center has something to offer for any student who wants to have a blast while brushing up on math and science skills. In addition to one-on-one math tutoring services, the center offers a variety of special camps throughout the year. This summer, students can look forward to week-long science camps in biology, robotics, engineering, and general science, as well as math review camps to brush up on fundamentals before heading back to school.
“We believe children learn best when they are inspired,” shared Owner David Robins. “Every child can be successful in material that is taught in a way that speaks to them as individuals.” The Inspired Mind Learning Center accomplishes this by fostering a relationship of trust and understanding between students and tutors. The center’s multisensory curriculum caters to all kinds of learners by using all five senses to improve learning and retention. Hands-on activities are a chance for students to see how math concepts are applied in the world outside school.
To learn more visit www.myinspiredmind.com.
Mathnasium of 4S Ranch
With school out of session, summer can be tons of fun – but it can also lead to a loss of academic skills called the “summer slide.” Luckily, Mathnasium of 4S Ranch is here to help stop the slide! Owner Karen Lossing explained, “Students can close gaps from the previous year, deepen problem-solving, build up their automaticity in facts and number sense, get a refresher for an upcoming course, or get a sneak peek of skills they will learn in the new year.”
The summer programs allow for 16 or 24 sessions on a drop-in basis for grades 2 through 12. An initial assessment helps the dedicated Mathnasium team develop an individualized learning plan for each student, and a before-and-after comparison report documents growth and achievement by the end of summer. Karen is proud to say the Mathnasium Method has demonstrated great success in helping kids catch up, keep up, or get ahead in math. “Mathnasium’s programs have 98% of the parents polled stating their students improved,” she shared.
Karen is a former third grade, fifth grade, and Special Education teacher who has written math curriculum for elementary campuses, as well as serving as an administrator. She knows how important the summer months can be to pave the way for long-term academic success. “Sometimes the classroom is overwhelming and their questions can’t be answered before the bell,” said Karen. “Summer is the perfect time to make sense of things without the pressure of school being in session.”
Discover more at www.mathnasium.com/4sranch.
Danceology Performing Arts Campus
Get into a new routine this summer with a fun-filled dance camp at Danceology Performing Arts Campus! Danceology offers a broad variety of camps and classes throughout the eight-week summer session for young boys and girls of all experience levels. “The camps are engaging atmospheres designed to build the foundation and love of dance while cultivating a personal relationship with the family and the student,” explained Danceology Owner Nicole Lucia. “We assess each dancer’s individual level and commitment and recommend classes specially designed for your child’s need.” Programs include five different tiny tot camps, intermediate workshops, and a beginning cheer/hip hop camp for ages 7 to 10. There are also boys-only hip hop and tap classes, as well as an adaptive dance class for young girls with special needs – the only local dance studio to offer such a program.
Two important parts of the Danceology experience are the welcoming environment and high quality of instruction. Instructors are CPR-certified and always on-hand to guide young dancers. The emphasis on nurturing and confidence-building has proven to have incredible results. Over the years, Danceology students have accepted college scholarships and developed professional careers in the industry. “Since we’ve been open for over a decade, we’ve become experts in the field of dance,” said Nicole. “We’ve found our niche in creating that love and passion for performance and dance at a young age.”
Sabrina Roux, a proud Danceology parent, enthusiastically attested to the program’s success. “We treasure every summer spent at Danceology,” she shared. “My daughter would not be as poised and well-rounded of a dancer today without having started in one of Danceology’s dance camps.”
Find out more at www.danceology.biz.
North County Gymnastics & The Gyminny Kids
Get ready to tumble into summer! North County Gymnastics & The Gyminny Kids (NCG/GK) has the perfect camp for children of all ages and abilities. Children can choose from half-day recreational camps, skill clinic camps, high school, tumbling, and acrobatics-focused camps. Program Director Karen Mcguire explained, “NCG/GK was formed out of our enthusiasm for working with children and our desire to encourage students of all ages to lead a healthier and happier existence through physical activity.”
Sessions are offered throughout the year on holidays as well as during the summer. “Children are grouped by age and camp preference as well as with any friends they have requested to be with,” said Karen. “Each camp session starts with a warm-up and review of safety rules. Then groups take turns with our famous Bungee Bouncer system, trampolines, and other equipment as well as enjoying craft and snack time provided by the gym.”
At NCG/GK everything is possible with an award-winning facility and highly trained staff. The 17,000-square-foot climate-controlled facility is recognized as a Gold Medal Children’s Facility by the Character Counts Program. With a combined total of over 300 years of experience, the star-studded staff of 27 includes Miss Yufei, the 2005 Chinese All-Around Champion, Mr. Dave, a California Coaches Association High School Coach of the Year, and Mr. Daniel, a nationally ranked judge at regional gymnastics competitions. All staff members are CPR/First Aid Certified and many also hold safety certifications through USA Gymnastics.
Summer Camp Directory
4S Ranch Sports Park
www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/parks/centers/4s.html
A
Academy by the Sea
www.abts.com
Academy of Dance Arts
www.academyofdanceartssandiego.com
Academy of our Lady of Peace
www.aolp.org
Academy of World Dance n’ Arts
www.worldancenarts.com
Ace Tutoring
www.acetutoring.com
ACT – San Diego
www.actsandiego.com
Adrenaline Lacrosse
www.adrln.com/lacrosse/camps
All-Star Academy
www.all-staracademy.com
All Star Dance
www.allstardance.net
Art 4 Children Summer Camp
www.art4children.com
Art Venture LLC
www.artventurellc.com
B
Bishop’s School Summer Camps
www.bishops.com
Bounce California
www.bouncecalifornia.com
Boys & Girls Club of America
www.bgca.org
Boys & Girls Club of Greater San Diego
www.sdyouth.org
Bronco Ball – RB
www.rbbroncoball.com
Buck Up Rides
www.buckuprides.com
Bushikan Karate Dojo
www.bushikan.com
C
California Ballet School
www.californiaballetschool.com
California Youth Conservatory Theatre
www.cyctheatre.com
Camp Fire USA
www.campfiresdi.org
Camp Jaycee
www.lfjcc.org/camp
Camp Run a Muk
www.facebook.com/pages/Camp-Run-A-Muk/104123639677819
Camp Simcha
www.campsimcha.org/calendar
Camp Stevens
www.campstevens.org/summer
Carlsbad Art Farm
www.carlsbadartfarm.com
Carlsbad Educational Foundation
www.cefacademy.org
www.carlsbaded.org
Carlsbad Lagoon
www.carlsbadlagoon.com
Carmel Valley Art Studio
www.cvartstudio.com
Church’s Martial Arts
www.churchsmartialarts.com
City of Poway
www.poway.org/218/Day-Camp-Program
City of San Marcos
www.san-marcos.net
City of Vista – Recreation Day Camps
www.vistarecreation.com
Club Dive San Diego
www.divesandiego.com
Coast Volleyball
www.coastvbc.com
Congregation Beth Am
www.betham.com
Country Montessori
www.countrymontessori.org
CP3 West Coast Youth Camp
www.cp3camps.com
CYT (Christian Youth Theatre)
www.cyt.org
D
Dance to Evolve – Dance & Tumbling Class
www.dancetoevolve.com/san-diego/summer-dance-camps
Danceology
www.danceology.biz
Del Mar Ballet
www.delmarballet.com
Del Mar Golf Center
www.delmargolfcenter.com
Del Mar Jr. Lifeguards
www.delmarjg.com
Del Mar Pines School
www.delmarpines.com
Drawn2Art San Diego
www.kidsartclasses.com
E
EDU Learning Center
www.edulearningcenter.com
Encinitas Country Day School
www.encinitascountrydayschools.org
Encinitas Junior Lifeguards
www.encinitasjg.com
Endless Summer Surf Camp
www.endlesssummersurfcamp.com
F
Fox Mountain Adventures
www.foxmountainadventures.com
Frozen Ropes
www.sdfrozenropes.com
G
Genuine Volleyball
www.genuinevolleyball.com
Get Air Sports
www.getairsports.com
Girl Scout Camp
www.sdgirlscouts.org
Gyminny Kids & North County Gymnastics
www.gyminnykids.com
H
Helen Woodward
www.animalcenter.org
High Bluff Academy
www.highbluffacademy.com
Horizon Prep
www.horizonprep.org
I
iD Tech Summer Camps – Cal State San Marcos
www.idtech.com
Innovations Academy Charter School
www.innovationsacademy.org
Inspired Movement Dance& Peforming arts
www.inspiredmovementdance.com
J
Jewish Family Service of San Diego
www.jfssd.org
JH Ranch
www.jhranch.com
K
Kid Ventures-4S Ranch
www.indoorplaysandiego.com
L
La Jolla Country Day School
www.ljcds.org
La Jolla Surf Camp
www.lajollasurfcamp.com
Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center
www.lfjcc.org
Leading Note Studios
www.leadingnotestudios.com
Leucadia Surf School
www.leucadiasurfschool.com
Little Artists
www.mylittleartists.com
M
Mad Science of San Diego
www.sandiego.madscience.org
Maranatha Christian
www.maranathachristianschools.org
Master Sports
www.mastersports.com
Mathnasium – 4S Ranch
www.mathnasium.com/4sranch
Mathnasium – Carmel Valley
www.mathnasium.com/carmelvalley
Mathnasium – Carlsbad
www.mathnasium.com/carlsbad
Mathnasium – La Costa
www.mathnasium.com/lacosta
Mathnasium – Mira Mesa/Scripps Ranch
www.mathnasium.com/miramesa
Mathnasium – Poway
www.Mathnasium.com/poway
Mathnasium – PQ
www.mathnasium.com/ranchopq
Mathnasium – San Marcos
www.mathnasium.com/sanmarcos
McArt Studio
www.mcartstudio.com
Mega Arte Riding Academy
www.ridingacademy.biz
Menehune Surf
www.MenehuneSurf.com
Mission Bay Sportcenter Summer Camp
www.missionbaysportcenter.com
Monart School of the Arts
www.northsandiegomonart.com
Morgan Run Club Resort
www.clubcorp.com
Morgan Run Resort
www.clubcorp.com/MorganRunClub
Museum of Making Music
www.museumofmakingmusic.org
N
North County Soccer Park
www.ncspsoccer.com
O
Outpost Summer Camps
www.outpostsummercamps.com
P
Pacific Lacrosse
www.paclax.org
Pacific Swim+Rancho Arbolitos
www.ranchoarbolitosclub.com
Palomar Outdoor Adventures Camp
www.pccc.org
Pari Land
www.pariland.com
Poway Youth Soccer League
www.powayyouthsoccer.com
Prodigy Dance Company
www.prodigydance.com
R
Rancho Bernardo Swim and Tennis Club – (Tennis Camp)
www.rbstc.com/tennis
Rancho Bernardo Youth Basketball League – RBYBL
www.rbybl.com
Rancho El Camino Riding School
www.ranchoelcamino.com
Rancho Family YMCA
www.rancho.ymca.org
Rancho Valencia Resort
www.ranchovalencia.com
RB Community Summer Tennis Camps
kirsi.tenniscoach@yahoo.com
Royal Dance Academy
www.royaldanceacademy.com
S
San Diego & Seaside Volleyball
www.sdvbc.org
San Diego Air and Space Museum
www.sandiegoairandspace.org/education/summer_camps.php
San Diego Botanic Garden
www.sdbgarden.org
San Diego Children’s Discovery
Museum Summer Discovery Camps
www.sdcdm.org
San Diego Circus Center
www.sandiegocircuscenter.org
San Diego Humane Society
www.sdhumane.org
San Diego Ice Arena
www.sdice.com
San Diego Junior Theatre
www.juniortheatre.com
San Diego Park and Recreation
www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/centers
San Diego Rowing Club
www.sandiegorowing.org
San Diego Saddle Club
www.sandiegosaddleclub.cm
San Diego Soccer Club
www.sandiegosoccerclub.org
San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park Summer Camp
www.SanDiegoZoo.org
San Marcos AYSO Soccer
www.sanmarcosayso.org
Santa Fe Montessori
www.santafemontessori.org
Scripps Performing Arts
www.scrippsperformingarts.com
SDFD Junior Guards Program – City of San Diego
www.sandiego.gov/lifeguards/junior
SDSC
www.sandiegosoccerclub.org
Seacamp San Diego
www.seacamp.com
SEP So Cal Youth Camp
www.sepsocal.org
Silver Spur Riding School
www.silverspurridingschool.com
Sing, Move, and Play Music Academy
www.singmoveandplay.com
Soccer Kids/TeeBall Kids – San Diego
www.sd.soccerkids.com
Southwestern College Crown Cove
Aquatic Center Adventure Camp
www.swccd.edu/crowncove
Spirit Kids Sports
www.SpiritKidsSports.com
STAR Repertory Theatre
www.starrepertorytheatre.com
Summer Kidz Kamp
www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/centers/recctr/carmelsabre.shtml
SuperCamp
www.supercamp.com
Surfin Fire
www.surfinfire.com
Swiftkick Martial Arts
www.swiftkickma.com
T
The Academy by the Sea Camp Pacific
www.abts.com
The Foundation Music and Art Center
www.foundationmac.com
The Inspired Mind Learning Center
www.myinspiredmind.com
The Kicking System
www.kickingsystem.com
Theraputic Literacy Center
www.theraputicliteracycenter.com
The Safari Kid School
www.safarikidusa.com
The Wave Waterpark
www.thewavewaterpark.com
Torrey Pines Pop Warner
www.torreypinespw.com
TRC Gymnastics Inc.
www.trcgymnastics.com
Tutoring Club
www.TutoringClub.com
U
UCSD Camps
www.digitalmediaacademy.org
UK Equestrian
www.theukequestrian.com
United States Youth Volleyball League – Whole sports
www.USYVL.com
University of California at San Diego Summer Soccer Camps
www.UCSanDiegoSoccerCamps.com
US Sports Camps
www.ussportscamps.com
USA Tae Kwon Do
www.baiktkd.com
USD Sports Camps
www.usdcamps.com
V
Velocity Sports Performance
www.velocitysp.com/sandiego
Victory Gymnastics Academy
www.vgasd.com
Villa Musica
www.villamusica.org
Vista Music
www.vistamusiclessons.com
W
Water Sports Camp at Mission Bay
Aquatic Center
www.watersportscamp.com
Wave Volleyball
www.wavevb.com
We Are Coaches, Inc.
www.wearecoaches.com
Wellspring Camps
www.wellspringcamps.com
Westwood Club
www.rbwestwoodclub.com
Wild Wonders
www.wildwonders.org
Y
YY Art Center
www.yyartcenter.org