Summer Camps Guide Bay Area Edition ~ April 2014 DIY Camp 3 Camps You Can (Easily) Do At Home

Sci & Tech Camps The Bay Area Has The Best

Ready For Camp? Published By How To Know When Your Child Is Ready by Leslieby Science and Nature Center Summer Camp Nature-s way of feeding mosquitoes by YMCA Camp Pinewood

Summer Camp Guide 2014 2 In This Issue

5 Calendar of Events

31 Summer Camp 101

35 Is My Child Ready For Camp?

38 Summer Under the Stars!

39 Family Camp

42 Sizzling Summer Science

45 ChatterBlock’s DIY Camp

by YMCA Camp Pinewood Use this guide as a starting point Note! then head over to the ChatterBlock Our Summer Camp Guide is full of links. website to browse and search Tip! You can click or tap underlined text and hundreds of camp listings. ads to get further information.

Summer Camp Guide 2014 3 ASSOC N IAT R IO E T N

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S C S Accrediting Commission E H for O G O Schools E L L S OL A N D C Calendar of Events

San Francisco Puppy Dog Tales with Oliver Apr 2, Apr 16 at the Eureka Valley Free First Tuesdays at CJM Branch Library April 1 at CJM Children read to Oliver, a certified Every first Tuesday of each month, therapy dog. (Registration required.) admission to the Contemporary Jewish Museum is free! Storytime with Dan Santat at Books Inc. Laurel Village Summer 2014 Teeny Tykes & Tunes Apr 3 at Books Inc. SF—Laurel Apr 1-2 at Golden Gate Park Village ART & MUSIC Mothers Meadow Winner of the Silver Medal from the Join us for free fun-filled activities Society of Illustrators and creator for kids during Spring Break! Teeny of the Disney animated hit, “The Tykes & Tunes is an exciting fun- Replacements,” author/illustrator Dan Camps filled enrichment activities for kids: it Santat joins Books Inc. Laurel Village includes music, instruments, games, for storytime to share his latest magical crafts, and movement. (Registration imaginings with The Adventures of required.) Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend. June 9–Aug 15 Monthly LEGO Night First Fridays—Drop In Crafts! Full- or Half-Day Apr 2 at the Bernal Heights Library Apr 4, May 2, Jun 6 at Golden Gate Branch Valley Branch Library Gr K–8 The fun keeps rolling with our popular Come to the children’s area at the LEGO NIGHT! LEGO Night is the first Golden Gate Valley branch anytime on Wednesday of every month at Bernal the first Friday of the month and make Branch. Come and build some wild a craft project! and crazy creations. Children learn to build LEGO models using motors, First Fridays: Board Game sensors, gears, and pulleys, and Madness Register online now! then program them using a laptop Apr 4 at the Glen Park Library computer. Family participation is Branch Library arts4all.org encouraged. The monthly cookie table Candyland, Uno, and lots more to is ever present : ) choose from. Join us for an afternoon of non-electronic games! Finn Center, 230 San Antonio Circle, Mtn View | 650.917.6800

Summer Camp Guide 2014 5 Great Teen Book Swap outside at night? Illuminate your way Apr 4, Apr 11 at the Bayview with beautiful hand-made lantern. Library Branch Library ($6/child, $10 for an adult and child Free book! Just swap us a review. together.) Sign up at the museum’s Here’s how it works: the teen librarian front desk to participate; the last sign- Where heroes will bring out several books and allow ups are taken at 3:30. teens the chance to browse through them for one that they’d like to keep. Kids Night Out at Bay Jiu-Jitsu Teens will, in turn, swap us a review of Apr 5 at Bay Jiu-Jitsu—Japantown are made the book by the next swap. SF A Bay Jiu-Jitsu Kids Night Out is the At Shotokan Karate Leadership School we Birding For Everyone @ SF perfect opportunity for parents to make heroes. Our coaching and training Botanical Garden enjoy a “night off” while their kids programs combine your desire for your child Apr 5 at the San Francisco have a great time playing games and to do well in life and our proprietary leadership Botanical Garden hanging out with friends. Kids of all development curriculum to completely transform Take a leisurely naturalist-led walk levels (including absolute beginners) through the micro-habitats of the San are welcome to attend. the way you and your child think about life. Francisco Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park to search for the California Target First Free Sunday Quail and other birds that stop off Apr 6 at the Asian Art Museum here to rest or nest! Walk lasts about 2 For families (part of Target First Free hours. Sundays), free general admission on the first Sunday of every month. Doing and Viewing Art: In Admission is granted on a first- Living Color come, first-served basis. Due to Apr 5 at the de Young Museum capacity restrictions, admission is not Mention ChatterBlock guaranteed. Kimball Education Gallery & receive Family tours are followed by related $300 off hands-on art projects led by The Comedy Magician Robert enrollment! professional artists. For ages 4-12. Strong Expires May 31, 2014 Space is limited and on a first-come- Apr 6 at the Randall Museum first-served basis. (Register 15 minutes Robert Strong captivates his audiences before the start of class.) with amazing magic, breathtaking Shotokan Karate Leadership School juggling, and outrageous comedy. 3082 Marlow Rd, B1 Santa Rosa Afternoon Art—Hand-made Since moving to the Bay Area from Lantern Baltimore, he was recently voted “San (707) 575-1681 • www.skls.org Apr 5 at the Randall Museum Francisco’s Funniest Prop Comic”. Don’t Sitting around a campfire? Hanging miss this rare public show for families!

Summer Camp Guide 2014 6 Family Adventure Treks: hour, participants can make various Plushie Avatar Workshop The Butterflies of San Bruno art projects including duct tape hats Apr 10 at the Portola Library Mountain! and roses, custom made buttons and Branch Apr 6 at San Bruno Mountain State stickers, paper crafts and much more. Excited to make your own cuddly and County Park plushie but not another teddy bear? In Tree Frog Treks is honored to partner Pajama Storytime—Earth Day this fun hand-sewing workshop GoGo with lepidopterist Liam O’Brien, Apr 7 at Pacifica Sanchez Library Craft will teach you how to make your winner of Bay Nature’s Local Hero Come celebrate with songs, stories, own customizable plushie avatar. Award for Environmental Education! and a craft! PJs are optional. Choose from different hair styles, Liam will lead us on a family-friendly clothes, and accessories to make a Join us for Dragon Camp! walk on San Bruno Mountain, where Sing Along with Miss Kitty plushie that represents you, your alter we’ll be looking for all kinds of Celebrating Month of the ego, or someone you love. Perfect for butterflies, including the endangered Young Child crafters of any level! For ages 12+. San Bruno Elfin and the Mission Blue! Apr 8 at Anza Library Branch Age 6 and up. Children under age 13 Join us for a fun musical entertainment Family Films—Fantastic Mr. Fox must be accompanied by a paying with Miss Kitty as we celebrate the Apr 11 at the Golden Gate Valley adult ($25 per person). Week of the Young Child at the Anza Branch Library Branch Library. (Advance reservation is An urbane fox cannot resist returning Peter and the Wolf: A Free required for groups of 8 or more.) An to his farm raiding ways and then Family Concert annual celebration of young children must help his community survive the Apr 6 at the Calvary Presbyterian and their families with a variety of farmers’ retaliation. Church special programs at the library. Keep Young Minds Sharp and Bodies Strong with our fun and age appropriate camp! Peter and the Wolf has been a family Game On! : Wii Gaming at • Martial arts training favorite since Walt Disney released his SF Zoo Free Admission Mission Branch • Fun Conditioning exercises animated version in 1946. Originally Wednesdays For SF Residents Apr 11, May 9 at the San Francisco • Kung Fu Games, Arts/Crafts written for a full orchestra, the Trinity Apr 9 continuing at The San Public Library—Mission Branch • Self Defense, Self Esteem, Self Discipline Alps Chamber Players introduce a Francisco Zoo Join us for video games on the Wii at • No prior experience necessary! special chamber music arrangement Northern California’s largest zoological Mission Branch! Game On!, is your 1st full week for 1st time campers 10% for 10 musicians and narrator. park and conservation center, offers opportunity to bring your friends and off when you mention ChatterBlock! Admission is free and open to the free admission on the first Wednesday play together on the big screen. For public! of every month for San Francisco ages 8-18. Martial Arts Classes also available for residents. This urban oasis, nestled age 3 and up. Call for a free trial class! Maker Mondays against the Pacific Ocean, provides a Tweens @ the Library—Washer Apr 7 continuing at San Francisco comfortable climate all year round. Necklaces 151 Old Country Rd, Suite D Public library—Main Library We know you’ll enjoy seeing the 250 Apr 11 at the South SF Main Library San Carlos An arts and crafts hour for teens and different animal species in naturalistic Create your own necklace made with 650-591-1127 tweens. Join us for Maker Mondays! surroundings, and our many Zoo washers you decorate yourself. For www.twindragonacademy.com During this weekly arts and crafts activities and events. ages 10 and up.

Summer Camp Guide 2014 7 2014 Easter Egg Hunt and Easter Egg Hunt for Dogs Pancake Breakfast Apr 12 at the Old Speedway Apr 12 at San Bruno City Park Meadow in Golden Gate Park Held in San Bruno City Park, this fun Bring your furry friend and join us for family event is Project PRIDE’s 35th this festive event! Enjoy finger foods Annual Easter Egg Hunt and Pancake and local vendors while your dog Breakfast. There is a charge for the sniffs out eggs filled with tasty treats optional all-you-can-eat breakfast, but and valuable prizes. There will be children’s activities and the Easter Egg photo opportunities with the Easter Hunt are free. Bunny and Kira Stackhouse of Nuena Photography will be on site to snap MommyCon San Francisco photos of this fun day. Easter Attire is Apr 12 at the Wyndham Parc 55 encouraged for pets and kids are free! Hotel MommyCon is a boutique style Easter Egg Decorating & Basket convention dedicated to bringing Making Party modern parents and mothers-to- Apr 18 at JAMaROO Kids be together. Our focus is on natural Come decorate eggs and make easter and organic parenting methods and baskets at JAMaROO Kids Studio! timeless tidbits as we journey through parenthood together. Our seminars Teen Maker Friday—Microwave and workshops include: babywearing, Mug Cakes birth, breastfeeding, cloth diapering, Apr 18 at San Francisco Public Singing By the Numbers car seat safety, natural health and Library—Visitacion Valley Summer Music and Arts Camp For Ages 6-10 medicine, baby gear, childproofing Make a delectable mug cake in and so much more! Each attendee the microwave. We provide the Vivace’s Summer Music and Arts Camp blends choral and folk music and arts gets a gift bag from our sponsors. ingredients, you provide the sweet lessons centered on numbers and counting. tooth. After making your cake, mingle Singers will cycle through arts and crafts, Harvey Milk Elementary School with friends and play board and video song games which focus on music theory 2014 Spring Carnival games. concepts, ear training and correct vocal placement. They will also work on learning Apr 12 at the Harvey Milk Civil folk music from around the world which they Rights Academy San Francisco Zoo—Family will perform. The camp concludes with a Come one, come all to our annual BikeAbout concert and gallery of artwork. Spring Carnival—FUN for the whole Apr 19 at the San Francisco Zoo family. There’ll be games, prizes, two Pedal with your pals while enjoying Location: Stone Church of Willow Glen, 1937 Lincoln Ave, San Jose jumpy houses, entertainment, face the sights and sounds of your very For more info: [email protected] or painting, delicious food as well as own zoological park! Families can 408.885.1746 • www.vivaceyouthchorus.org cotton candy and baked goods. bring their bicycles to the Zoo for this

Summer Camp Guide 2014 8 informative one- and one-half hour, perform throughout the parade route docent-led cycling tour. It’s great to like a myriad of floating butterflies. be in the Zoo ahead of the crowds and watch the animals start their day. 23rd Annual Easter Parade & Registration includes parking and Zoo Spring Celebration admission. Participants must bring a Apr 20 at Union Street bicycle; the SF Zoo does not provide The 23rd annual event celebrates and bicycles to rent. showcases the diverse community of San Francisco and features some of Earth Day San Francisco 2014 Union Street’s best restaurants serving Apr 19 at the Civic Center Plaza attendees in an outdoor bistro setting. Up to 10,000 people from the San A variety of children’s and family Francisco Bay Area, and beyond, will activities are the focus of the event converge at U.N. Plaza/ Civic Center and include: large inflatable bounces, to celebrate Earth Day. The event will kids’ rides and games, a climbing wall, feature three stages of Multi-Cultural a hands-on children’s activities area, Music and Performance, Renowned costumed characters, a petting zoo, Keynote Speakers, Interactive D.I.Y. a pony ride and entertainment from Workshops, Green-Economy and some of the Bay Area’s best musicians. Businesses Info, Representatives from Indigenous Community Leaders, Habitat Restoration Day Civic Agencies, Youth Empowerment Apr 26 at Costaños Canyon Groups, Green Tech Info, Fashion Habitat Restoration Day will be taking Industry Leaders, Religious Leaders, place at Costaños Canyon for Earth and Prominent ‘Eco-Green’ Political Day on April 26. Bring family, friends, Officials. and neighbors to remove invasive plants and restore the canyon’s native Northern California Cherry habitat. Please wear work clothes and Blossom Festival sturdy shoes; bring gloves if you have Apr 20 at Japantown Peace Plaza them. All ages and abilities welcome! The parade begins at the Civic Center at 1:00 pm, proceeding up Polk to Post Lakeshore Elementary’s Street, and ending in Japantown at Superhero Saturday Carnival Post and Fillmore streets. A number and Auction of performers from Japan will also Apr 26 at Lakeshore Alternative grace us with their presence. Japanese Elementary School classical (Buyo) and folk dance (Minyo) Leap into action for a day of super fun, groups representing the Bay Area will creativity, and entertainment!

Summer Camp Guide 2014 9 Young Performers Theatre: of acts at the main stage, plus jumpy Rumpelstiltskin houses, performers, and other events Apr 26 at Young Performers specifically for kids in the children’s Theatre area at the end of Wilder Street and Rumpelstiltskin wishes for a king’s elsewhere. baby, he discovers a miller’s daughter who has just won a prince for her Children’s Day Family husband if she can spin straw into Workshop gold. When the king orders her to spin May 3 at the Japanese Cultural and the gold, she is left alone in despair. Community Center Rumpelstiltskin appears magically, Gather the family and come on over offering to spin the gold for her if she to the JCCCNC to learn about the will give him her first child. He offers Japanese National Holiday Kodomo her one chance to keep the child—if No Hi (Children’s Day). Take advantage she can guess his name. of this great opportunity to get a feel for this cultural enriching experience Fabric Origami Shirt as we walk you through this one Apr 26 at Chinatown Library hour workshop that will stimulate all Branch five of your senses. Get your hands We will use origami to fold shirts sticky as you create and eat your own made with stiffened fabric. The shirts Sakura Mochi. Plus more. You don’t will have a collar and sleeves. They want to miss out on this fun one of a are three dimensional, permanent, kind workshop that will provide you wonderful sculptures, holiday and your family with a unique hands ornaments, or incorporated into on Japanese cultural experience. cards. They may be framed. Materials (Registration required.) provided. Limit to 15 participants. Instruction in English. Pre-registration Pajama Storytime: Mother’s is required. For teens, ages 10 and Day older. May 5 at Pacifica Sanchez Library Come for Mother’s Day songs, stories, The Annual Glen Park Festival and a craft! PJs are optional. Apr 27 at Glen Park Village The Glen Park neighborhood is full Mother’s Day—Free Day! of families, and the 2014 Festival will May 11 at the Exploratorium be a fantastic event for everyone, Come visit us on May 11 (Mother’s Day) especially the kids! For the 2014 when we open our doors to the public festival we expect to run a full slate for free.

Summer Camp Guide 2014 10 MakeArt: Wild Cardboard Trebles in Paradise Masks Apr 5 at Sequoia High School May 24 at the Museum of Craft and What are young boys capable of, Design musically? A whole lot! Trebles in Explore a fun, forgiving, and extremely Paradise showcases the wide diversity versatile material: cardboard! Take a of styles, periods and musical tour of Elevated Corrugated, a group expression available in a top boys exhibit featuring 12 artists working chorus. exclusively with cardboard. Then get busy cutting and gluing your way Peninsula Spring Home Show to a wild and crazy cardboard mask. Apr 11-13 at the San Mateo County For ages 8-12 (ages 6-7 welcome Event Center accompanied by an adult). Free for Featuring kitchen and bath members/$10 for non-members. remodeling, landscape experts, HVAC, plumbing, solar, doors, windows, contractors, roofs, flooring, shutters, SF Peninsula sliding doors, garage doors, and more! Enter to win prizes! Plus all new flower Likrath Shabbat Friday and plant sales section. Celebration Apr 4, May 2 at OFJCC—Jessica Trains and Planes on Display at Lynn Saal Town Square the Hiller Aviation Museum Once a month, gather in the town Apr 12-19 at the Hiller Aviation square and celebrate the joy and spirit Museum of Shabbat. Enjoy music and children’s Kids (and adults) love model trains! activities while meeting with friends. Watch the operation of diverse and You are welcome to bring your own colorful passenger and freight trains lunch. Activities depend on weather of the present and times past from conditions. Europe.

Lego Club Fun With Frances Apr 5 continuing at the Millbrae Apr 18-19 at the Peninsula Youth Library Theatre Do you love LEGO Building Blocks? Famed for her many adventures, Join us for LEGO play every first Frances made her debut with this Saturday of the month! We will title over thirty years ago. In this first provide the LEGOS, so you only need Frances book, the little badger adroitly to bring your imagination. delays her bedtime with requests for

Summer Camp Guide 2014 11 kisses and milk, and concerns over Easter Bunny Arrives by tigers and giants and things going Helicopter bump in the night. Long a favorite for Apr 19 at the Hiller Aviation Self Competitive the gentle humor of its familiar going Museum to bed ritual, Bedtime for Frances is How do you think the Easter Bunny Soccer in San Francisco at last available with the warmth of gets around so fast to deliver those SoccerKids Youth Soccer School is a full color enriching Garth Williams’s eggs? By helicopter of course! Join the self-competitive program that teaches original nuanced and touching art. Hiller Aviation Museum in welcoming children between the ages of 2.5 and 7 the bunny arrive in a personal the basic fundamentals of soccer with Spring Farm Tours 2014 helicopter. age appropriate activities that incorporate Apr 19, May 17 at Deer Hollow Farm make-believe and imagination. Come explore Deer Hollow Farm! Friends Book Sale Meet our new farm babies. Visit the Apr 20 continuing at the San • Small class sizes livestock in their pens, stroll through Carlos Library • Mornings & Afternoons 6 days a week the grounds, tour century-old farm Support our library by buying books Save $25 off • Nationally licensed professional coaches buildings, and admire the bounty at the Friends of the San Carlos Library Summer camp. uSe code of the garden at Deer Hollow Farm’s periodic book sale, 3rd Sunday of chatterBlock. Locations in SF and Marin annual Spring Farm Tours. every month, 1-4 pm, 2nd floor of the www.soccerkids.com • 415-608-2608 library building. 2014 Egg Hunt at Burgess Park Apr 19 at Burgess Park Guided Night Hike at Hidden The Bunny visits Burgess Park with Villa toys and candy filled eggs for girls and Apr 25 at Hidden Villa boys ages 8 and under. The festivities A rare opportunity to enjoy Hidden start at 10 am with bounce houses, Villa after hours. Bring a flashlight and crafts, and pictures with the Bunny. experience our back country trails Activities are co-sponsored by the with an experienced naturalist guide, Menlo Park Firefighters Association. as light fades and the stars come out. There’s nothing like the intimate 2014 Egg Hunt at Kelly Park feeling of darkness to bring you and Apr 19 at Kelly Park your family closer than ever to your The annual Egg Hunt is here again connection to the natural world! and will be taking place at Kelly Park, which is behind the Onetta Harris Portola Valley Woodside Earth Community Center. There will be Fair crafts, a jelly bean guess, a magic Apr 26 at the Portola Valley Town show, and photo opportunities with Center the bunny! Come join in on all the fun! Bring your family and join your Portola

Summer Camp Guide 2014 12 Valley and Woodside friends and demonstrated in a safe and exciting neighbors at beautiful Portola Valley manner. All income from sales of Town Center for a day of fun and tickets and merchandise goes directly Summer discoveries. to support WCE&CF programs. Enrichment 36th Downtown Family Parade San Mateo Highlands Eichler Classes Apr 26 at the Mountain View Home Tour 2014 Community Center May 3-4 at the Highlands The City of Mountain View Recreation Recreation Center Develop Division is pleased to present the 36th To benefit the Highlands Elementary Annual Spring Family Parade. The School PTA, 10 families are opening the Critical parade will begin at noon on Castro doors of their homes to the general Street at Villa Street and continue all public. These houses look great from the way into Pioneer Park for crafts, the street, but the real magic is past Thinkers & games, music, and fun. the front door and under the beams. Panes of glass and architect designed Writers! 2014 Earth Day Celebration spaces bring the outside in and the Apr 27 at the Westwind inside out, a feel and a look that Community Barn defines California living. Farmers market, electric vehicle car classes include show, wild cats and reptiles, and more. Ice Cream Social Concert • Middle School Math, (Due to cat presentation, no dogs May 10 at the Albert and Janet allowed.) Schultz Cultural Arts Hall Science Inquiry, Featuring the Chamber Players Persuasive Writing Wild Cat Adventures Orchestra, Camerata Orchestra, El • SAT I Math and Verbal Apr 27 at Foothill College Camino Wind Orchestra and Galbraith • College Essay Writing The Wild Cat Adventure presentation Honor Strings! features five live wild cats. The cats currently appearing as outreach Oliver ambassadors include a cougar, May 10-18 at the Peninsula Youth Progressive Education Center cheetah, Siberian lynx, Canada Theatre 1361 Park St, #210 lynx, serval, bobcat, and Geoffroy’s Orphaned Oliver Twist navigates Alameda, CA, 94501 cat. Five cats are featured at each the perils of Victorian London in this presentation. Each cat is shown on musical adaptation of the Charles the stage as information about its Dickens classic. Fantastic songs 510-710-8080 habits, habitat and threats is shared including “Food, Glorious Food” and [email protected] Progressive with the audience. Natural behaviors “Where is Love?” and a powerful script www.proeducationcenter.com education center like climbing, leaping and hunting are highlight the plight of the poor and

Summer Camp Guide 2014 13 powerless in this area. a volunteer of OneInMath will be offered. Registration is required. Offering The Stinky Cheese Man classes for May 16-17 at the Peninsula Youth The Wizard of Oz people ages Theatre Apr 4-6 at Historic Hoover Theater 3 to 73 and The entire book, with its After a tornado sweeps Dorothy Gale beyond! unconventional page arrangement from her Kansas home, she lands over and eclectic, frenetic mix of text and the rainbow and wakes up in Land of pictures, is a spoof on the art of book Oz. Dorothy and her three newfound design and the art of the fairy tale. friends journey on a quest to find The individual tales, such as the Really heart, brains, courage, and most Ugly Duckling and Little Red Running importantly, home. Playful People Shorts, can be extracted for telling Productions provides a quality, caring aloud with great success. Another environment in which children, youth, hanabi judo masterpiece from the team that and their families have positive theatre created The True Story of the Three experiences, while being involved in Little Pigs! many aspects of theatre. Developing people of strength and Little Shop of Horrors hanabi San Jose Apr 4-27 at Sunnyvale Theater character since 1965. A down-and out skid row floral Reading to Children assistant becomes an overnight Thursdays through Jun 26 at sensation when he discovers an exotic Our goal is to become a healthy and fun part of your life. We have Almaden Branch Library plant with a mysterious craving for produced over a hundred state, national, and international champions, Trained volunteers read to children fresh blood. Soon “Audrey II” grows but most of our members don’t actually compete but simply enjoy in the Doris Dillon Reading Room. into an ill-tempered, foul-mouthed, working out and learning in our friendly atmosphere. We have classes Children enjoy one-on-one interaction R&B-singing carnivore who offers him of various levels for children and adults and we especially welcome with readers, and they can choose the fame and fortune in exchange for women (who, not relying on strength, learn technique very quickly.) stories they wish to hear. feeding its growing appetite, finally revealing itself to be an alien creature You can join us at any time. Regular promotional exams will have you OneInMath at Calabazas Branch poised for global domination! going from white belt to yellow and, hopefully, all the way to black. Library Friends and family are always welcome to watch. Thursdays through Apr 24 at SmArt Adventures at Willow Calabazas Branch Library Glen Kids in grades K-2 will learn simple Apr 5 continuing at Willow Glen 841 San Pablo Ave, Albany ways to add and subtract. This will Branch Library 510-530-8312 • www.hanabijudo.com help them understand math concepts Join us on the first Saturday of every quickly. One-on-one tutoring by month or hands-on learning activities

Summer Camp Guide 2014 14 designed for children ages 10 months over the rainbow and lands in Oz. But to 3 years old. Different themes will the tornado has followed her to Oz be provided each month at a variety and it keeps mixing up Dorothy and of interactive stations for children to her three new-found friends on their Camp Sundara explore and learn. quest to find heart, courage, brains, and most importantly, home. Come Earth Day & Healthy along with us as we see the world Art & Science in Nature Communities Festival over the rainbow in a whole new way • Three expeditions per week Apr 5 at the Cupertino Civic Center in this mixed up twist on this classic Join the fun as Cupertino Civic musical. You will laugh out-loud and to local parks & wilderness areas Center holds its 6th annual Earth Day tap your feet to some familiar tunes • Observation, mapping, and identification skills celebration. for this surprising evening in Oz. • Nature awareness and outdoor games • Fine art projects and weekly presentation The Ugly Duckling Annual Spring Garden Market Apr 5-12 at Sunnyvale Theater Apr 12 at History Park Be uplifted by the thoughtful Hans Join us for our Spring Garden Market, Christian Andersen story in which an our premier plant sale, sustainable ugly duckling discovers that he is a gardening showcase and vendor fair, handsome swan. This heartwarming at beautiful History San José! musical production about the passage from the awkwardness of youth to the Big Bunny 5K grace of maturity has been acclaimed Apr 19 at the Cupertino Civic by audiences around the world! Center The start of spring signals time for the STUFF! An Arts and Craft Big Bunny 5K, an event that celebrates Program for Children our positive, healthy, and connected Apr 5 at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. community. No matter your fitness Library level, there is something for everyone. Stuff! is an Arts and Crafts program for The more competitive athlete will children. Come use your imagination find the 5K race challenging, while August 4 - 22 (Mon - Fri) and create your very own work of others will enjoy the leisurely paced 9am - 4pm, $350, ages 5-10 art. Presented by our fantastic artistic 2.5K walk. Children will have a blast Sibling discounts available volunteer Chris. participating in the Kids Fun Run where everyone is a winner. 4175 Manuela Avenue • Palo Alto Twister—A Wizard of Oz Parody Apr 11-12 at Hoover Theatre Bunny Hop at KidsPark www.schoolofartandscience.org After a tornado sweeps Dorothy Gale Apr 19 at KidsPark [email protected] • (650) 469-3656 from her Kansas home, she lands Hop in to create a rabbit, dye eggs,

Summer Camp Guide 2014 15 and cook an edible bird’s nest. Fun for Friends of the Edenvale Branch own tables. Booths of used lamps, and its jawbone, the abuelito and every bunny! Library Booksale grandma’s china, toys, and anything the vulture, the accordion, and the Apr 26 at Edenvale Branch Library else taking up space at home, can instruments that come from the tree. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Find a treasure and a good read at the be sold. Booths of wares will be Children are invited to sing, dance, Apr 19-26 at Sunnyvale Theater Friends of the Edenvale Branch Library positioned inside the park. and play with beautiful traditional Go back in time to Missouri in 1845 in Booksale. Gently used books, VHS, and songs and dances. The program is this entertaining adaptation of Mark DVDs will be available at rock bottom The Tree and the Donkey Who great for all ages. Twain’s classic. Witness the childhood prices! All proceeds support programs Loved to Sing adventures of Tom and his best friend, at the Edenvale Branch Library. May 1 at Montalvo Arts Center— Alexander and the Terrible, the infamous Huckleberry Finn, as Tom Historic Villa Horrible, No Good, Very Bad gives all the boys in the neighborhood Spring Fling Party at KidsPark Cascada de Flores takes children of all Day the “privilege” of whitewashing a Apr 26 at KidsPark ages through the world of Mexican May 4 at Carriage House Theatre fence, as he leads Joe and Huck on a Spring is nature’s way of saying, folk music, which is filled with rhyme, Have you ever had a really rotten day? journey to Jackson Island to become “Let’s party!” Buzz in to enjoy a party fun musical instruments, and sweet Alexander has: He wakes up with gum pirates, and as he shows off at school blooming with fun. characters. In their bilingual program, in his hair, he trips on a skateboard, for his new girlfriend Becky Thatcher. The Tree and the Donkey Who Wanted and then he accidentally drops Cherry Blossom Festival to Sing, you will meet the donkey his sweater in the sink—all before Bunnies and Bonnets Parade Apr 26-27 at Memorial Park Apr 19 at Downtown Campbell (Cupertino) All are welcome to Downtown The event offers a wide selection Campbell’s 16th Annual Bunnies & of Japanese food and beverages, Bonnets Parade! The parade, will begin entertainment, demonstrations, at 12pm, will feature marching bands, cultural exhibits, art, crafts, baton dancers, classic cars, and more. and clothing for sale. All-day It’s a wonderful Campbell tradition the entertainment takes place in the entire family can enjoy! Amphitheatre.

4th Great Cloth Diaper Change Minikins Market 2014 Apr 26 at Tiny Tots Baby Boutique Apr 27 at Tiny Tots Baby Boutique Join us for the 4th annual Great Cloth Minikins Market is a one-of-a-kind Diaper Change and help break the children’s marketplace bursting Guinness World Record for most with a huge variety of pre-loved and cloth diapers being changed. By handmade baby and children’s items. participating in this world record attempt, you will also be spreading History San José Hosts Yard the word that cloth diapering is a Sale in the Park 2014 sustainable choice for our babies, our Apr 27 at History Park planet, and our budget. The public is invited to host their

Summer Camp Guide 2014 16 breakfast! Alexander can already tell— Discovery Museum featuring hands-on art, science Rancho Cotate High School it’s going to be a terrible, horrible, no The Bay Area Discovery Museum is and environmental exhibitions, Band good, very bad day! Laugh and sing a one-of-a-kind indoor and outdoor performances, special events, cultural Apr 3 at Green Music Center— along with Alexander’s misadventures children’s museum at the foot of the festivals, and more. Foster a lifelong Weill Hall in this hilarious musical, featuring Golden Gate Bridge. The Museum is love for creativity, science and art Help usher in spring by listening to the music and lyrics by Judith Viorst, the only children’s museum in the through a free visit to the museum great performances of Cotati-Rohnert author of the best-selling classic book. U.S. to be located in a national park this month, and have your kids learn Park Unified School District’s Rancho and is known for its emphasis on about everything from spaceships to Cotate High School Band, Lawrence creativity through play and programs sand art. Marin Jones Middle School Advanced Band,

GLO  633 Taraval Street, Suite 103  SF  CA  94116 Starry, Starry Night Through Apr 26 at the Charles M. Schulz Museum Under the night sky the Peanuts Adventure is out there... characters have probed the mysteries Come find it this summer at GSA! of the universe and sought the Enroll as an EARLY BIRD by April 25th and save $25 / week! meaning of life. Contemplate the Entering Kindergarten - 5th Grade fine artistry of Schulz’s nighttime scenes and enjoy special nighttime programming.

Super Kids Save the World Exhibit Through May 4 at the Bay Area Discovery Museum It’s saving electricity with a single Friendly Staff flip of a light switch. It’s the power to turn an old tablecloth into a super Field Trips hero cape and the ability to repair something instead of throwing it Recreation away. It’s fighting pollution and saving the world one aluminum can at a time. Enrichment It’s ordinary kids making a difference.

Evolution of Bay Area Discovery Register online at Museum—Free Admission Day Swimming www.gloinc.org Apr 2, May 7 at the Bay Area

Summer Camp Guide 2014 17 Technology Middle School Advanced centered service. Join Rabbis Susan Band, and the Elementary Schools Leider and Chai Levy with music Honor Band. The bands will perform leader Isaac Zones. Come celebrate individually and the evening will finish Shabbat with the entire family. Attend Not your Ordinary with a grand finale performed by all! just the service or RSVP and pay in advance by the Tuesday prior to the Summer Camp! International Table Top Day date for a catered dinner. Apr 5 at the Marin County Free Library—Marin City 2014 Spring EGGStravaganza! Bring your friends and family for a fun Apr 12 at the Mill Valley afternoon of games, including classics Community Center like Uno, checkers, and Monopoly Join Mr. E. Bunny for a breakfast your or learn newer ones like Rory’s Story child will never forget! You will dine on Cubes or Munchkin! Snacks will be a special spring breakfast, and have provided. a chance to take a photo with Mr. E. Bunny (don’t forget your camera). Napa’s Riverfront Chalk Festival Get your tickets early! An adult must Apr 6 at Napa’s Riverfront accompany children. After breakfast Bring the children to join in the fun at you can follow Mr. E. Bunny out to the Children’s Chalk Walk area. Vote Friends Field for our annual Egg Hunt. for your favorite chalk art and see who Full-Scale Production of a Musical! wins at the 2:30 awards ceremony. Easter Bunny Brunch Apr 12 at the Belvedere Take Me Out to the Ballgame Community Center and Park Master Classes with theatre professionals! Apr 10-19 at The Stage at Clear Muffins, bagels, fruit, cereal, yogurt, Workshops with Broadway and local Heart juice, and more. Bring your camera for professional performers! Petaluma Reader’s Theatre’s pictures with the Easter Bunny. We will production of “Take Me Out to the also have Easter crafts, face painting, Ballgame”, a tribute to baseball just music, jump house, and life-sized in time for spring training. This is an Candy Land game! encore production of this popular Seminars with casting directors and college coaches! show. Arrr! Pirates Have Feelings,Too! with Rick Huddle And fun activities that cater Family Kabbalat Shabbat Apr 12 at the Bay Area Discovery to the creative performer! Service & Dinner Museum Apr 11 at the Congregation Kol Set off on a pirate ship with comedian- Shofar musician Rick Huddle and get more at hillbarntheatre.org Music and joy permeate this child- marooned on a desert island. We’ll

Summer Camp Guide 2014 18 sing shanties, swab the deck and come Join our staff and make temporary up with new answers to the age-old creations from stones, leaves, shells, question, “What Would You Do with a pods, branches, flowers, and other Engineer, Experiment and Grumpy Sailor?” Rick is a captivating wonders of nature. We’ll be using a storyteller, a gifted dancer, and can nature cart that environmental artist Engage in Science Learning!! play the guitar, dulcimer, 6-string Zach Pine created for the Museum. Is science boring? No, it’s exploring! ukulele, and nose flute (but usually Children and adults alike will have Our STEM labs are all hands on science. not at the same time). a blast while appreciating and connecting with nature in a new way. The French Market Apr 13 at Marin Center Community Rummage Sale The French Market, Marin’s Outdoor Apr 26 at the Dairy Knoll Antique market, is an exciting way to Recreation Center shop for antique and vintage home It’s time for some spring cleaning. The and garden décor. Wander through Ranch will be hosting a community aisles of booths filled with art, books, rummage sale. Clean out your garage, textiles, vintage and estate jewelry, attic or basement and sell your used furniture, prints, vintage clothes, retro clothing, books, toys, furniture and and repurposed decorator items, more. This is also a great opportunity country chic, and a host of other items. to sell handmade products. There are some restrictions to what can be sold Spectacular science summer camps! BUILD, TEST, DISCOVER! Scientific & Cesar Millan LIVE! at the rummage sale. Engineering Processes! There is a big push around the state and the country for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) and how kids lose a lot Apr 13 at Wells Fargo Center for of learning during the school break. Spectrum of Science is working hard to fill the Arts—Person Theater Annual Butter & Egg Days this gap and to keep children learning and having FUN during the summer. Our Cesar Millan will reveal the secrets Parade & Festival 2014 STEM labs are all hands on science. Each child gets their own project to build, of happier, healthier relationships Apr 26 in Historic Downtown test, explore & discover! All the labs include a vocabulary card that the parents can use to continue the learning at home. Kids, launch a rocket! (Mom, it’s safe to between humans and their canine Petaluma launch in their rooms.) Myth busting challenges, can you crawl through a piece of companions in his exciting live show. Mark your calendars for the 2014 Butter paper, and specialty camps for Advanced Learners and GATE students! Joined by his famous four-legged & Egg Days Parade! Petaluma’s Butter companion, Junior, Cesar will share & Eggs Parade and Celebration is in its ChatterBlock Discount: Save $5! his philosophies and methods, 33rd year, and has become a tradition May be combined with other discounts! Visit our then present examples via live in Downtown Petaluma, celebrating website to find other Super Secret Science Discounts. demonstrations with multiple dogs. the region’s rich agricultural history as GATE & middle school camps new for 2014 one of the premier dairy regions in the 8 weeks of summer camp • 4 locations in the trivalley Earth Day Celebration 2014: country. Activities include four blocks Create with Nature of exhibit space for arts and crafts Apr 19 at the Bay Area Discovery exhibitors, food vendors offering a 925-820-2415 www.spectrumofscience.com Museum wide variety of festival foods, sponsor

Summer Camp Guide 2014 19 booths, community and non-profit pounds of clay and display your Celebrate Earth Day with Insect Biking Basics booths and a large area to entertain sculpture as part of an interactive Discovery Lab Apr 5 at the Martin Luther KIng Jr./ youngsters with inflatables, rides, and artwork by Charles Long, climb into Apr 4 at the South Branch Library Tidewater Boating Center hands-on activities. Don’t miss this an art-viewing clubhouse designed Explore the fantastic lives of beetles, Discover the Regional Parks on two great opportunity to participate in by sculptor Jay Nelson, and witness an millipedes, tarantulas, walking sticks, wheels with confidence! Learn basic one of the North Bay’s largest events. ever-growing display of drawings and whip scorpions, and more! Presenters instruction on how to fit a bike, how sculptures created by fellow visitors. will introduce kids to the diverse world to safely navigate trails, and basic Public Hike Come explore and create in the Kids of insects in this hands-on event for bike maintenance. A great way to get May 10 at Pepperwood Preserve Club, a special gallery dedicated to kids ages 5 and up. started in a new sport! Explore Pepperwood’s forests and involving kids in creative work. grasslands as you learn about the natural history and land management practices of Pepperwood. Our hikes are a great way to familiarize yourself with the vast diversity of plant and animal life found in our region! All hikes are held rain or shine—please dress appropriately. Bring a day pack with water, snacks, field guides, etc.

Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy, the Musical May 24, 25, 31 at the Marin Theatre Company This brand new musical will buzz into your heart, as Lulu, Sam and their playground friends explore the power of imagination.

Oakland

The Kids Club Through Dec 21 at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive Visit Kids Club to create a one-of-a- kind felt rug with fiber artist Ashley Helvey, play with one hundred

Summer Camp Guide 2014 20 Oakland’s Annual Cambodian Winner of a 2005 Tony Award, this New Year Celebration hilarious and warmhearted tale of Apr 5 at Peralta Hacienda overachievers’ angst celebrates the Historical Park triumph of doing the best you can. Join us for a musical celebration which will showcase Cambodian elders Green House Giveaway performing the nearly-lost musical Apr 5 at the Tilden Nature Area arts of the Khmer, as well as the art of a From seeds to sprouts, learn what younger generation, transforming and it takes for these small miracles to maintaining these traditions through become part of a delectable diet. hip-hop and dance. You can also sing karaoke and play Cambodian games Kids & Teens Workshop-Egg-O- for kids and adults. Cambodian artists Rama will sell food and crafts. Apr 5 at the Richmond Art Center—Youth Studio “Cluck, Cluck, Cluck” Chicken Decorate, embellish, and construct the Fun egg of your dreams using a variety of Apr 5 at the Lafayette Community recycled materials and attachment Garden methods. An array of items to use will Join us at the Lafayette Community be provided, but you are welcome Garden for a fun day with the chickens! to bring materials you want to Storytime, crafts, and “cluck, cluck, incorporate and share. cluck” chicken fun! Chiptune Music Workshop with The 25th Annual Putnam Doctor Popular County Spelling Bee Apr 5 at the Claremont Branch Apr 5-May 24 at the Berkeley Library Playhouse Chiptune is the popular style of music Spelling Bee is H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S! No that uses the sounds of classic video musical exemplifies the humor and games in modern electronic songs. Summer Camps: June 2 – August 22 poignancy of adolescence better Register now at than The 25th Annual Putnam County Welcoming The Three Sisters BayKidsMuseum.org/camps Upgrade Spelling Bee. This unlikely hit musical Apr 5 at the Tilden Nature Area your comedy chronicles the experiences of April is the time to welcome the “three membership six adolescent outsiders vying for the sisters” to the Kids Garden. Bean, Fort Baker to save spelling championship of a lifetime; squash, and corn seeds will be sown 557 McReynolds Road Sausalito, CA 94965 and grown-ups who barely managed together—with some encouragement (415) 339-3900 to escape childhood themselves. from you!

Summer Camp Guide 2014 21 David Gonzalez and the Yak Yak Join an outdoor, nature adventure Band program for 3-4 year olds, Apr 6 at Wheeler Auditorium each accompanied by an adult Storyteller and kinetic performer (grandparents welcome). No younger David Gonzalez has a knack for siblings, please. cracking up children and parents at once—his fast-paced physical comedy LEGO in the Library keeps kids rapt, while his clever Apr 11 at Berkeley Central/Public wordplay and winking sidebars are Library comic relief for adults. Accompanied Join us for this very popular program, by jazz piano, Gonzalez brings the an afternoon of creative fun, playing stories to the stage with song, dance, with LEGO blocks and assorted board and a rousing dose of audience games! Limited to 25 participants at a participation. time. For ages 5-13.

Fun Family Dance in Berkeley Family Game Night Apr 6 at Casa de Cultura Apr 11 at the James Kenney Legends Youth Summer Join us for Moving Together, a fun Community Center Family Dance where children and Bring your family and favorite Baseball Camp parents dance and play celebrating board games for a great time! Join the joy of life. Let’s dance with scarves, your neighbors for some friendly ribbons, shakers, stars, balloons, competition while we play the games Coached exclusively by college baseball players parachutes, and much more. Through that you choose from old favorites from the Legends semi-pro team, our famous 5:1 active, varied, and exciting movement like Candy Land, Monopoly, Scrabble, camper to coach ratio allows for the most intimate games, families activate their dominos, cards, and more. Light and exciting learning environment possible. imagination, exercise their bodies and refreshments will be served. Children There is simply no camp like it! express in a fun and creative way. must be accompanied by an adult. 4 & 5 Day Camps Camp Program Includes: • Detailed hitting instruction Sea Squirts: Flower Power Breakfast with Bunny June 16-20 & 23-26 • Teaching correct pitching mechanics Apr 8 at Crab Cove Visitor Center Apr 12 at the Pleasant Hill Senior July 7-10, 14-18, • Coached games & exciting contests Share a morning of shoreline fun with Center 21-25 & 28-31 • Fielding and base running coaching your pre-school age child. We’ll play Enjoy breakfast and crafts with Bunny. August 4-8 • One-on-one instruction games, explore nature, sing songs, and Bring camera. Pre-register by Apr 4. • Confidence and focus techniques Ages 6-12, All Levels • Awards, prizes, plus a camp T-shirt! do a craft related to the theme of the day! Registration required. Ages 3-5. Spring Egg Hunt Locations in Redwood City, Palo Alto and Menlo Park Apr 12 at the Civic Center Plaza Tilden Tots Bring the kids to hunt eggs in the www.menloparklegends.com • 650-387-4427 Apr 8 at the Tilden Nature Area beautiful Civic Center Plaza and while

Summer Camp Guide 2014 22 you are there, learn about all of the Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee new and exciting programs that the Boy, the Musical Recreation Department is offering. Apr 12-Jun 29 at various locations Learningtech.org’s This event is rain or shine. If it rains, This world premiere musical will buzz Extreme STEAM Tech Camps the event will be moved inside. into your heart, as Lulu, Sam, and their Our Summer Camp programs strongly emphasize Science, playground friends explore the power Technology, Engineering, Mathematics [STEM] as well as Eggstravaganza of imagination. Inspired by the wildly technology-enabled Media Arts. Our target audience ranges Apr 12 at the Danville Community popular picture books. from students entering 4th grade to entering high school, plus an exploratory robotics program for entering grades 1-3. We Center emphasize self-paced, technology-rich, hands-on activities with Hop down to the Danville Community Berkeley Bay Festival a low ratio of students to instructors. We try to foster positive Center for a fun-filled morning of egg Apr 12 at Shorebird Park attitudes toward STEM, confidence, competency, self-esteem, curiosity, lifelong learning, and 21st century workforce skills. hunts, arts and crafts, face painting, A wonderful environmental education • Highly acclaimed, high tech summer camps and more. Hunts are organized by age festival at the Berkeley Marina! Spend • 21st century thinking • Hands-on & project-oriented so every child has equal opportunity a day by the Bay listening to music, • Great options for beginners and experts to find 8 treasure-filled eggs. taking free sailboat and Dragon boat rides, eating tasty food, and exploring Spring Egg Hunt the Berkeley Marina. Visit booths Camps in San Carlos and Menlo Park with venues being added! Apr 12 at Moraga Commons Park sponsored by fun and educational 650-598-0105 • www.learningtech.org

Children ages 1 - 8 are invited to hop organizations from throughout the out to the Commons “Egg Hill” to find Bay Area to learn about exciting things toys and treats. Hunts will begin at you and your family can do locally. 10 am and again at 11 am. Children SpaniSh immerSion will be divided into groups based on KidsReads 2014: Launch Party age for each hunt. Games, crafts, face Apr 12 at the Blackhawk Plaza Summer Camp painting, bounce houses, and photos Rotunda (Danville) If you are looking for exciting adventures, and the with the Bunny will also be offered at Kick-off KidsReads 2014 with a special opportunity to enhance your children’s Spanish the festival. (Tickets available online or language skills, Mi Escuelita en Español Camp is launch party at the Blackhawk Plaza. for you! We are offering a unique opportunity for at the Moraga Parks and Rec Dep't.) Join us for fun activities including a young kids to experience an unforgettable summer magic show, face painting, a scavenger camp. During each session, children from 2 to 5 Splash Into Spring Egg hunt, and exciting crafts and prizes. years old will participate in Hispanic traditional games and activities. All led in Spanish in a safe Scramble and natural environment. Apr 12 at Crab Cove Visitor Center Bees/Honey Tasting For ages walking to 12. Pre-scramble Apr 13 at the Tilden Nature Area activities include: mobile fish exhibit, Meet in the Kid’s Garden to learn Jun 2 - Aug 22 • 9 am - 3 pm beach exploration, lawn games, and about the important role honeybees Sibling discount • Before & after care available arts and crafts. Snacks available for play in the production of our food. 155 Werner Ave, Daly City • 650-452-3844 purchase. Photos with the Easter Bunny See our resident hive and taste some www.mylittleschoolinspanish.com (with your camera) available for $3. different varieties of honey!

Summer Camp Guide 2014 23 4th Annual Earth Day Event “Egg”-Citing Egg Hunt Apr 14 at the Daneville Library and Apr 19 at Pleasant Hill Park Town Green Sign up early for this spring-time Get ready for a fun and energetic Earth tradition in beautiful Pleasant Hill Day event for all! Picnic on the green Park! Giant egg hunt by age group Health and enjoy live music featuring local and free entertainment by Dana Smith American Idol star, Rachel Rolleri, and (Juggler) and music by Strawberry more! The Charles M. Schulz Museum Fields. (Pre-registration required.) Focus will also have a variety of eco-friendly activities and crafts for everyone inside Spring Egg Hunt Extravaganza and outside the library including a Apr 19 at Willard Park Energy rocket launching station, live worms, You don’t want to miss the City of and racing solar cars! Berkeley’s annual Spring Egg Hunt Extravaganza. The day will be filled Leadership Peter Rabbit and Friends with tons of fun activities, including Storytime a petting zoo, a visit with the Spring Apr 16 at the Danville Public Bunny, spring-themed arts and crafts, Library an interactive kids’ carnival with fun Join us for National Library Week! prizes and Bunny Hop Dance lessons! Enjoy a special Peter Rabbit storytime from guest Carmen Curtis of the Annual Egg Hunt Beatrix Potter Society. Then, design Apr 19 at Arlington Park and your own bobble-head rabbit with a Clubhouse fun spring craft. You will also have a Please join us for a traditional Egg chance to vote on what goes inside Hunt with candy and eggs. To ensure Danville Library’s 100th Birthday time all children get a chance at the capsule! (Registration required.) goodies, the hunt is divided into age groups. Come early so you won’t miss Family Game Night the start. The hunt is over quickly. This Apr 18 at Willard Park event will occur rain or shine! There Bring your family and favorite will also be a visit from Mr E Bunny. board games for a great time! Join your neighbors for some friendly Open Make: DeBUG 731 Kains Ave, San Bruno competition while we play the games Apr 19 at the Lawrence Hall of that you choose from old favorites Science 650-490-4414 like Candy Land, Monopoly, Scrabble, Celebrate Earth Day by taking your dominos, cards, and more. Light “Make”-ing cues from the tiny www.SanBrunoMartialArts.com refreshments will be served. creatures that roam the planet. Meet

Summer Camp Guide 2014 24 makers whose work is inspired Naturally Dyed Spring Eggs by insects and how bugs inform Apr 19 at the UC Botanical engineering. Garden at Berkeley This hands-on workshop will 5th Annual Easter Egg Hunt introduce children to the joy of Apr 19 at Play Cafe natural dyes while they make their Join us for our 5th annual Easter own patterns on eggs with brilliant Egg Hunt. (Hunt times vary on age plant-based colors. groups.) And of course remember to look for the secret egg—whoever World Book Night 2014—Free finds the secret egg will also get Books for Teens a big prize. The Easter Bunny will Apr 23 at various library be making an appearance to take branches pictures with all the kiddos and have Fun + Free Books = World Book some more Easter fun! Night US 2014! We’re passing out free books to teens in six of our library The Tap Dancing Easter branches. World Book Night is a Bunnies national celebration that happens at Apr 19 at Children’s Fairyland book stores and libraries across the Come see The Tap Dancing Easter country one night every year and Bunnies dance their way into your the entire purpose of this event is to holiday weekend celebrations. hand out FREE books to you.

2014 Spring Youth Carnival PiE Robotics Competition and Egg Hunt Apr 26-27 at the Lawrence Hall of Apr 19 at Marina Park— Science Emeryville Come watch a robot smackdown! Join the Emeryville Community UC Berkeley Pioneers in Engineering Services Department as we put and their robot challenge teams our own twist on traditional Spring have been building robots all Carnival and Egg Hunt. Enter our semester, and are ready for battle! age categorized egg hunt where you can gather as many candy and toy Oakland Zoo Zoovie Nights filled eggs you can find! Mr. Bunny Apr 26 at the Oakland Zoo will be on hand to give out treats. Put on your jammies and enjoy an We’ll also have face painting, jump evening of Zoovie magic with the houses, balloon twister, and other whole family. Bring your pillows, entertainment for the whole family! blankets, and chairs and snuggle

Summer Camp Guide 2014 25 up in our auditorium for a specially 34th Annual Cat Show selected animal-or nature-themed Apr 5-6 at the Alameda County movie. Meet some of our nocturnal Fairgrounds Education animals brought to you by Over 200 cats and kittens of 45 breeds Roosevelt, Oakland Zoo’s costumed will be on display and competing for alligator mascot. Hot chocolate and Best in Show, including the hairless popcorn will be provided, but you are Sphynx, the folded-eared Scottish Fold welcome to bring your own treats and and American Curl, fluffy Persian and traditional family movie fare. Let the slinky Siamese. Lighthouse Project show begin! For families with children Specializing in children with Autism and ADHD ages 4-11. Nature Detectives: Eggcellent Detecting, Sherlock Apr 5 & 19 at the Hayward Summer day camps open for registration East Bay (South) Shoreline Interpretive Center Combining social skills with sensory integration It’s that time of year when birds Small group sizes and ongoing programs April Toddler Ramble: Let’s and other animals are laying eggs Move our Bodies and making nests, some of them Apr 4, 11, 18, 25 at the Hayward right on our building. Investigate www.thelighthouseproject.com or 408-445-2118 Shoreline Interpretive Center the properties of eggs and do some Things outside are waking up from eggciting eggsperiments. Ages 3 to 5. their winter slumber, so let’s get our $7 per child. bodies alive and moving. Have some fun including some dancing and Country Kitchen Cookin’ Summer wiggling and walking the spider web Apr 6, 13, 20, 27 at Ardenwood line. Ages 1 to 3. $5 per child. Historic Farm Dance campS offered at the beautiful Cubberley Enjoy the flavor of the past with treats Community Center in the L5 & K5 studios, Tartan Day Scottish Fair cooked on our wood burning stove. Apr 5 at Ardenwood Historic Farm Sample food grown on the farm and 4000 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto. Throw on your kilt and celebrate children’s combination dance classes discover the history of your favorite jazz dance • lyrical • ballet • hip hop • teen classes Tartan Day with music, Scottish treats. pre-school and kinder dance • boys classes dancing, bagpipes, handmade junior jazz • dance teams • tap • musical theatre performing company • ballet company crafts, historical re-enactments, and Wild Springtime Edibles Highland athletics. Local Scottish Apr 6 at Ardenwood Historic Farm clans and societies will share their rich Ever wanted to know which of the culture and colorful heritage. Children farm’s “wild” plants can be turned into can find magic and fantasy in the tasty snacks? Come find out on this www.danceconnectionpaloalto.com Children’s Glen and might just see a short, snack and history filled walk Studio - 650-852-0418 • Office - 650-322-7032 fairy or dragon. around the park.

Summer Camp Guide 2014 26 Creative Creatures Workshop Wildflower Wanderings Walk Apr 8 at the Niles Library Apr 13 at Garin Regional Park A special workshop for Tweens and (Garin Barn Visitor Center) Teens! Join this special Makerspace Journey through the wondrous inspired workshop and learn how to world of wildflowers, from petite to use sewing, staples, and glue to make prominent, colorful to camouflaged. a small stuffed creature to attach to Hear theories about wildflower your backpack. evolution, and examine their amazing SUMMER CAMPS adaptations to place. For ages 12+. Create customized, Friends of the Castro Valley handmade gifts Library Book Sale Feast of Edible and Useful Apr 11-13 at the Castro Valley Plants Hike Library Apr 13 at Garin Regional Park MANDARIN & Bargains galore at the Friends of the (Garin Barn Visitor Center) Castro Valley Library Book Sale. Sale Meet the many useful and edible SPANISH includes paperback and hardback plants that grace the wooded Immersion through art! books, music, books-on-CD, and DVDs. canyons of this remarkable parkland. For a FREE trial class call Encounter music, medicine and Stacee 650-303-1900 or email Earth Day at Lake Chabot more, while tasting some uniquely [email protected] Regional Park wonderful plant foods. Ages 12 and up. Apr 12 at Lake Chabot Regional Park Youth Benefit Concert SAVE $40! Sheet mulch and cage and secure Apr 13 at the Shannon Community Use Promo Code Block40 for newly planted oak trees. Center $40 off any full week of Spring Calling all local youth performing or Summer Camp offered in Family Day at the Park artists (18 and under). Do you have our SF or SSF locations. Apr 12 at Newark Community Park a special talent you would like to Families are invited to celebrate a perform in your community? Maybe Must be booked by April 30. morning of fun. it’s playing an instrument, singing, or Cannot be combined with any even doing magic. other offers. Breakfast with Bunny Apr 12 at Robert Livermore Egg Hunt and Pancake Community Center Breakfast Dragonfly Designs Hop along a trail outside and find your Apr 19 at the YMCA at Camp Locations across the Bay Area! breakfast (cereal, fruit, granola bar, Arroyo yogurt). Enjoy coffee, hot chocolate, You are invited to the third annual Egg 650-303-1900 milk, and juice inside. Bring a basket Hunt and Pancake Breakfast brought www.jewelryBYdfly.com (optional). to you by the YMCA at Camp Arroyo.

Summer Camp Guide 2014 27 Easter Egg Hunt & Bonnet gardening improves learning skills, as we walk a leisurely two mile loop May Toddler Ramble Parade promotes healthier eating habits, to the bay and back. Bring your field May 2, 9, 30 at the Hayward Apr 19 at Kennedy Park and results in an improved quality guides and binoculars. This program Shoreline Interpretive Center Easter Egg Hunt and Bonnet Parade at of life for children and adults. This is specifically for entry-level birders. We haven’t played with mud in a Kennedy Park. educational gardening program will Ages 10 and up. $5 per person. while, so we are way overdue. This teach your child about healthy lifestyle month we are going to squish and Spring Eggstravaganza choices and encourage environmental The Ugly Duckling explore our muddy marsh, along with Apr 19 at Emerald Glen Park stewardship. May 1 at the Smith Center— some other messy play, and find out This family-friendly event is designed Ohlone College that it is actually pretty cool and fun! for children 1 to 12 years of age, and Ohlone Village Site Open House Be uplifted by the thoughtful Hans features a “free-style” egg hunt, Apr 20 at Coyote Hills Regional Christian Andersen story in which an Nature Detectives: Do You jumpers, carnival games, arts and Park ugly duckling discovers that he is a Speak Whale? crafts, face painting, petting zoo, and a Walk one-half mile through vibrant handsome swan. This heartwarming May 3, 17 at the Hayward Shoreline photo opportunity with Peter Rabbit. marsh habitat to a more than 2,000 musical production about the passage Interpretive Center year-old Ohlone village site and be from the awkwardness of youth to the Explore the amazing world of whales. Citizen Science: Wood Ducking introduced to Ohlone cultures past to grace of maturity has been acclaimed Find out if you are taller than a whale’s Apr 19 at Del Valle Regional Park present. Tour a reconstructed shade by sold-out audiences throughout jawbone, and use baleen to see if you Help monitor our wild wood duck structure, pit house, and sweat house. the USA and as far away as Japan and can eat like a whale. We will also make population. We’ll climb ladders to Russia. Suggested for grades K-5. some great whale crafts. Ages 3 to 5. peek inside boxes for nesting hens Tri-Valley High: the Musical and eggs. Bring work gloves and eye Apr 24-26 at the Firehouse Arts protection. Long pants recommended. Center Ages 7 and up. ‘Tri-Valley High: The Musical’ returns to the Firehouse Arts Center. Come Spring Celebration and see the Bay Area’s only improvised Apr 19 at Alviso Adobe Community teen musical. Your suggestions will Park inspire fresh new characters, stories, Come and celebrate Spring at the and improvised songs each night; so Alviso Adobe Community Park. no show is ever the same. Participants will enjoy stations throughout the park. Activities will Birding Basics: An Introduction include a visit with rabbits, egg to Bird Watching coloring, an egg toss, and an egg hunt. Apr 27 at the Hayward Shoreline Fun activities for all ages! Interpretive Center We will find birding easier after Earth Day Gardening for Kids learning how to use a birding field Apr 19 at Castro Valley Library guide, identifying markings, bird Numerous studies show that shapes, and bird behaviors. Join us

Summer Camp Guide 2014 28 Summer Camp Guide 2014 29 Summer Camp 101 by Rikki MacCuish

Ask anyone who went to summer children to be potty-trained, so be camp as a kid and they’ll likely tell prepared for this question when you you that some of their best memories register your young one. were made at camp. Summer camps Secondly, is your child comfortable are a great opportunity for kids to being away from home for a half or full be independent, learn new skills, day? This is something you can work and meet new friends. Plus, they’re on, and kids that are used to being in ideal for busy parents and offer an day care or with family members while alternative to day care. Whether you’re you are at work will probably do fine. a busy working parent or you want But you want to this to be a positive your kid to experience something new experience for your child as well. trying to find a summer camp can be Lastly, discuss going to summer overwhelming, plus you may not even camp with your kid. Get them know whether your child is ready for involved in the selection process camp. Let us help you with that! and talk to them about what kinds of things they would like to participate Is my child ready? in this summer. Find out where their There are a few things to consider friends are going too, as camp will be before sending your kid to summer more comfortable if your child already camp. Firstly, most camps are age knows others attending. Plus, you may restrictive and generally the minimum be able to take turns carpooling! age is three years and older; however, you will find some camps that cater to Why go to summer camp? very young kids. Most camps require There are many benefits of summer

Summer Camp Guide 2014 30 Imagineering Summer Camps Robots + Imagination + Engineering = FUN!

Wizbots is all about fun. We combine LEGO®

by Leslie Science and Nature Center Nature and Science Leslie by robotics with a vast array of unique projects, materials and choices to engage students in product design, tech camp. Not only will your kid get to everything. Traditional summer camps challenges, team games, and open-ended creativity. try new things in a safe and positive include those offered by organizations • Full day, half day & extended care options • Experienced instructors environment, but they will also build like the YMCA and involve wilderness • Sophisticated robotics equipment • Value pricing • Ages 7-14 social skills and self-esteem. activities like camping, hiking, and Good summer camps promote canoeing. There are also specialty 10 locations across the Bay Area! • www.wizbots.com social skills like sharing, taking turns, camps for children with special needs teamwork, cooperation and following or health issues, co-ed or strictly boys directions. Some of the best games or girls camps, sports camps, arts Success Stories are learned at summer camp too, camps, religious camps, and academic KIDS ON CAMERA providing your kid with fun activities camps. Stick with whatever your TV/Film Acting School ~ Ages 4-18 to do with their friends besides children are interested in and have the Award Winning! 33nd Year! playing video games and watching skill level for. television. Camp leaders also make Summer camp categories are Year Round Weekend Series, One-Day great mentors and role-models for further split into half-and full-day Workshops & Summer Day Camps Personal development and acting training that serves young children, and some are specially camps, overnight (residential camps) Bridgit Mendler people by improving their communication skills, self-esteem, trained to help kids with learning and while some camps are day-to- Star of Disney Series, and confidence. Our curriculum is designed to teach audition disabilities and social problems. day some go for weeks. Half-day skills and be fun! Good Luck Charlie Summer camps are also great for camps will be either in the morning Sunday Open House in September bringing out special skills because of or afternoon and most camps are Attend our open house to learn more about our program the various activities they offer. Kids Monday to Friday during working and meet the staff. Children will sample a short class activity can explore creative self-expression, hours. The best thing to do is have off-camera. Free 90 minute program, reservations advised. different sports, games ,and more! a look at your calendar and fit San Francisco ~ Marin ~ East Bay something in that matches your child’s Weekend Location: 3200 California St, SF Krista Fettke Types of summer camps interests, your budget, and is within a 415-440-4400 ~ www.kids-on-camera.com Pixar Film, Play by Play There is a summer camp for reasonable distance from your home.

Summer Camp Guide 2014 31 Summer camp checklist Cost: make sure it fits within your Once you have narrowed down budget and ask the camp director your summer camp search it’s time about any extra or hidden costs. to look into specific camps. Search Week-long day camps start around reputable summer camp directories, $200 but can exceed $500. browse camp websites, talk with camp directors and familiarize yourself Register early! with camps’ range of programs, age Many summer camps open up requirements and so on. Many camps registration as early as January so be also have information sessions you sure to register as soon as you can if can attend. you have a specific program in mind. Some things to consider when Most camps also offer early bird looking for a summer camp include: specials and discounts for registering Staff-to-camper ratio: this is a safety more than one child so be sure to as well as mentoring concern. check into these when you’re ready Staff training: check out whether staff to sign up. You will probably be hard- have safety, first aid, coaching and pressed to find camps last-minute. leadership training. Drivers license There are hundreds of summer requirements and emergency camps to choose from so be sure plans are other important things to narrow down your search before to check on. Bus drivers must be getting overwhelmed while trying to fully certified. find the perfect camp for your kid. That Special needs and requirements: be camp likely exists, but to save yourself sure to talk to the camp director time and energy make yourself a about any special requirements check list using the information above, your child has, including ask lots of questions and involve your medication. kid in the selection process. This is a Food program: important if your huge growth opportunity for your child has allergies or specialty child and beyond that they will be dietary requirements. Also ask creating memories and making friends whether the camp serves food or for life! if you have to provide their lunch. Check what’s on the menu too, Rikki MacCuish is a dedicated auntie, you want your kid to eat healthy! outdoors enthusiast and professional Extended care: if you’re a busy writer. Some of her best memories working parent then ask whether include river-tubing and telling ghost you can drop your child off early stories around the campfire at summer or pick them up late. camp.

Summer Camp Guide 2014 32

Is My Child Ready For Camp? by Ashley Evans

If your child has not yet attended listen to instruction is a strong feature summer camp, you may wonder if of a child who is ready to attend your child is ready for camp or even summer camp. As well, children who why you should send them at all. Every are capable of interacting safely in child is different, and the most natural supervised environments do well in way to answer these questions is to camp settings. For overnight camps, trust your instincts. However, expert it is important your kids have spent a advice is always appreciated, so I night away from you and have done spoke with summer camp leaders to so successfully. Also consider how get some insightful advice. much time your kids have spent with caregivers and their ability to adapt Age and Personality to new people and situations. If your Choosing an age appropriate camp child handles these things well, there with age specific activities is crucial. is a good chance they will have a Enrolling a child with a group that is successful experience. younger or older can lead to difficulty integrating into the group and camp. Background On the other hand, placing your child A child’s prior experiences can also with kids their own age and activity attribute to a positive or negative level will help ensure success. camp experience. For example, a Aside from age, do a mental child who has little to no experience checklist of your child’s personality, as outdoors in a camping setting may some kids are ready for camp before do poorly at a rustic outdoors camp, others. The ability to sit quietly and while a child who loves animals and

Summer Camp Guide 2014 34 demonstrates care and compassion are carefully selected for what traits for others may do very well at a camp and characteristics they hold in being focusing on animals. able to create a positive experience for Consider starting slowly. For all campers, as well as their mediation younger children — or shyer and “counseling” skills. children — a half-day camp may be more suitable than a full-day camp. Why Camp? Personality, likes, and dislikes play At outdoor camps, many of the a large role here as well, as some activities are set up to challenge children will come out of their shell in campers physically and emotionally art camps while others will only fully to face a particular fear; these thrive in an active sports camp. experiences help the child grow and expand as a person and teaches them You Know Best that they are always capable of more. You know your child best, so consider From this, children gain physical East Bay Music Together the activities they enjoy. There are and emotional independence. It has The most-loved early childhood music and movement program. camps out there designed for all types been seen that some children who of kids, so you are sure to find one struggle with “fitting in” with their Music Together is an internationally recognized early that will accommodate your child’s peers at home completely blossom childhood music and movement program for children from unique needs. It is important to look at camp when they are placed in a for a camp together if your child is old new environment with new people. birth through age 7 — and the grownups who love them™. enough, focusing on age, activities, Additionally, whether day camp or Music Together classes are based on the recognition and the themes offered. Doing so will overnight, camps expose children that all children are musical. All children can learn to sing help line up expectations and will to a whole world of pursuits and allow your child to understand what possibilities that they may not have in tune, keep a beat, and participate with confidence in the to expect. The more say that a child otherwise experienced. music of our culture, provided that their early environment has in deciding a camp; the more likely supports such learning. they are to enjoy the experience. Sure Fire Sign Once camp has started, watch If your child shows enthusiasm for for signs that they are enjoying the attending camp, this is a sure-fire sign experience. If a child comes home that it is time to research and find the from camp and is excited, this is a great best one for them! sign. On the flip side, if a child doesn’t Ashley Evans is mother, writer, blogger, talk about camp, and does not appear Classes available at 13 locations in Berkeley, Albany, Alameda, El student, traveler, raw foodie, and baking to be thriving in a certain environment Cerrito, Montclair, Rockridge, Oakland, Lafayette, and Moraga. they are most likely struggling. At enthusiast. She weaves the joy and this point it would be a good idea to passion of motherhood into words at: ♪ www.eastbaymusictogether.yourvirtuoso.com ♪ speak with camp counselors, as they paxontheisland.wordpress.com

Summer Camp Guide 2014 35 ******* PLEASE TOGETHER NOTE ($440) TRAINING ******* The School and Games Camps are TWO SEPARATE CAMPS, but are designed TO BE TAKEN TOGETHER. These two camps are CAMP for ages 7-12. There is a Supervised Lunch STANfOrD BASEBALL Break. Kids may SummEr CAmPS 2014 purchase lunch (pay at camp) or bring lunch The Stanford The Stanford from home. Baseball School Baseball (Ages 7-12) ($220) Games Camp The Stanford Baseball School (Ages 7-12) ($220) SummEr (9am-12:15pm) is an opportunity The Stanford Games Camp (12:45pm-4pm) 2014 to learn individual skills, baseball is an opportunity to utilize skills learned fundamentals and team strategy at in the Baseball school, in real life game DATES the beautiful and newly renovated situations. Teams consisting of 9 players WEEK 1: JUNE 16-20 Sunken Diamond on Stanford will be grouped together with a coach School/Games Campus. Players will be grouped by for the entire week. 50% of each session WEEK 2: JUNE 23-27 age, ability and prior experience, is devoted to games, and the other 50% School/Games and will be taught outfi eld play, infi to hitting in batting cages and viewing WEEK 3: JULY 14-18 eld play, pitching, rundowns, base Baseball videos. Games will be played Games/Games running, sliding, double plays and on Sunken Diamond, our turf fi eld, and much more. adjoining grass fi elds.

WHEN REGISTERING ONLINE: You may choose M-TH option for both camps. Read selections carefully. TO REGisTER OR fOR mORE infORmaTiOn: www.sTanfORdbasEballcamp.cOm

Summer Camp Guide 2014 36 Summer Under the Stars! by Rikki MacCuish

Residential summer camps, or overnight camps, are great for kids who are mature and independent enough to spend a week or two away from home. Some residential camps are kids-only, with adult supervision, and others involve the whole family, with separate activity plans for kids and parents. They offer great ways to spend some time in nature — by Nancy Louie many residential camps are near Wilderness camps offer new experiences. lakes that are great for swimming and canoeing — and kids get to learn wilderness skills like building Camping Unlimited true adventurist! Activities include campfires, archery, and cooking. The Camping Unlimited is a non-profit horseback riding, swimming and Presidio YMCA even offers overnight catering to developmentally disabled archery. They have a number of bike camps! kids. These traditional camps include different adventure programs. Families Most residential camps require kids cozy supervised cabins and activities and kids 6 and up. Starts at $435. to bring their own camping supplies, like swimming, arts and crafts, and such as a sleeping bag and pillow and hiking. 7-day camps start at $980. Girl Ventures it’s a good idea to send them with Girls can partake in the Redwood sunblock and bug repellent as well. Hidden Villa Adventure Rock (rock climbing, Kids interested in environmental and orienteering, hiking) or Redwood Trackers Bay Overnight Camps social justice learn about organic Adventure Coast (kayaking, overnight- Campers get to stay in yurts (like farming, animals and wilderness at backpacking, wellness day) 7-night tents), learn to cook healthy meals and this diverse 12-day camp. Resident summer camps. For girls entering participate in activities such as wood Camp for kids grade 5 to 7. $1045. grades 6 - 8. $1250 per camp. carving, basket weaving, and cheese- making. For kids 9 - 14. $625 with a 10% Redwood Adventure Camp Rikki MacCuish is a dedicated outdoors early bird discount. Family and kids camps for the enthusiast and professional writer.

Summer Camp Guide 2014 37 Family Camp: When You Just Can’t Let ’em Go Alone by Natasha Drisdelle

Sending our kids to summer camp is not quite ready to send them to an basically a right of passage for both overnight camp while I twiddle my parent and child. For us parents, it’s a thumbs at home dreaming up all sorts symbol of letting go and trusting our of awful scenarios. child to survive a week without us. Thankfully, there is a way to have For our kids, it’s a symbol of strength the best of both worlds. Family camp! and independence in surviving a As a child, I went to summer camp week without the comforts of home with my family almost every year. With and family. such a diverse group of kids and ages Despite being one of those parents attending, my siblings and I always who was quick to offload their babies found new friends to spend the week to loved ones (my twin boys had with and my parents had the pleasure their first solo out-of-town trip with of adult company while the kids were Grandma and Grandpa at only six busy playing. On top of that, the well- months of age), it’s a little different led camps have adequate programs now that I’m not nearly as desperate in place where families can spend for a few hours of uninterrupted sleep. time together doing all sorts of fun Although I love sending the boys to activities. It’s a win-win. stay with family so their dad and I can Here are some choices of family whisk away on an adult holiday, I’m camps within reach of the Bay Area.

Summer Camp Guide 2014 38 Summer Camp 2014 Redwood Glen June 9 to August 29 Nestled in the scenic coastal redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains, this Christian family camp offers a weekend camp for all ages in July 2013.

YMCA Camp Jones Gulch With a perfect blend of outdoor adventure and indoor programs, Camp Jones Gulch offers family camps in May, August, and October.

by Kazuho Okui Kazuho by Kennolyn Camps Offering spring and fall Family camp is about quality family time. family camp programs for all ages. Located 45 minutes from San Jose and 90 minutes Camp Augusta Camp Tawonga from San Francisco. Located in the Sierra Nevada foothills, Offering the beauty of Yosemite Camp Augusta offers 80 acres to National Park and the chance to Tuolumne Camp explore. With Lake Vera at your identify with your Jewish heritage, Berkeley Tuolumne Camp has been doorstep, the camp offers a multitude Camp Tawonga hosts family camps in operated by the City of Berkeley since of lake activities like canoeing and the spring, summer and fall. 1922. It is located just 7 miles west of fishing. the entrance to Yosemite National Mount Hermon Park. This popular camp fills early. YMCA Camp Campbell A popular summer camp for all In the heart of the redwoods and ages, Mount Hermon offers exciting only 45-minutes from San Jose, Camp Christian family camps with special Natasha Drisdelle is a mom of twins, 6503636181 baby-weight survivor, and Precision Campbell offers a wide range of family concerts, interactive children’s [email protected] camps throughout the year, including programs, and plenty of outdoor Nutrition Health Coach who blogs at specialty camps like Mother & Son. adventures. FabulouslyDomestic.com. www.allartstudio.net

Summer Camp Guide 2014 39

Sizzling Summer Science by Rikki MacCuish

Summer At Potions, plants, and planets! Kids get science-themed camps promote a Machines, and while campers spend creative, innovative, and inventive balance between learning and games. a lot of time learning they also do Montecito at science camp and there are lots to They’re also great places to meet other outdoor activities and arts. They may choose from! like-minded young scientists! even get to pet a baby shark! Weekly Picture your young Einstein, rates start at around $300 and up. Newton, or Curie exploring the world Galileo Learning through real science, where they (38 Bay Area locations) Destination Science Camp (15+ are experimenting at summer camp Galileo has two summer camps Bay Area locations) through trained instruction, instead of options: Camp Galileo for pre-K to The Ultimate Survival Zone, Crazy Summers at Montecito are full at home where chemical reactions can grade 5 and Summer Quest for grades Coaster Science and Sea-Fari Park, of imaginative summer fun! mean a lot of clean-up. Plus at science 5 to 8. Kids get to participate in art, Wacky Mega-Bot Tech, and Astronaut Your child will enjoy activities & camps kids get to dabble in many science, and outdoor activities such as Adventure are Destination Science’s lessons based on our school-wide different subjects such as robotics and LEGO robotics, web design, and more. four week-long summer camps this themes in our Pre-school Classes. marine science! They offer a fun way to As their website states, Galileo is “on year. Pick one or try them all! Kids get In addition, our Cool Campers (Ages learn outside of the classroom. a mission to develop innovators who to build their own rockets or robots, 3-5 and K-5th) will enjoy activities & Sharon Mor, Edventure More Co- envision and create a better world”. design their own theme park rides or lessons inspired by the Camp themes: Founder and Executive Director, Camp pricing varies depending on their very own electric chameleon, Endless Exploration says that “For us, camp is a holistic length, type, and location but most and more. Kids are grouped by grade Artistic Adventures experience. Camp Edmo isn’t just are between $400 and $500. and rates start at $350 and up. Half- Small Scientists a science camp, it’s a place where day camps also available. Music & Magic kids discover the joy of learning and Camp Edmo and Camp EdTech Also Offering Year Round Drop-in start to approach things like science, (various Bay Area locations) ZettaTech Science Programs. Call us for a Tour! art, and animation, as well as any These “edventure” camps are done (San Francisco) other challenges in their life, with in partnership with the Bay Area’s At Zetta Tech they believe that hands- 1468 Grant Rd, Los Altos excitement and curiosity.” top attractions. Weekly themes on experimenting and self-discovery 650-968-5957 Like Camp Edmo, many summer include Backyard Biology and Dream are the keys to learning. Their summer www.montecitopreschool.com

Summer Camp Guide 2014 41 camp programs are project-based, Mad Science and while leaders offer guidance kids (Various Bay Area locations) are left to their own to experiment, Half and full day camps cater to kids discover and create their own aged 5 - 12. Themes include NASA: inventions. For ages 3-14; $425. Journey into Outer Space, where kids LENNY GILL learn about meteors, lunar eclipses, Spectrum of Science (Danville, and more, and Wacky Robots and Dublin, Castro Valley) Widgets, where kids design and build Individual Lessons Campers explore topics like space structures using simple tools Starting Guitar, bass guitar, and drum instruction exploration, chemistry, biology, at $150 for half-day. tailored to your individual needs. physics, and marine science in small groups at Spectrum of Science. The Quantum Camp Blues Improv Class project-based curriculum offers (Mountain View, Berkeley) Jam with other musicians as often as you want. hands-on learning and incorporates Kids can get deep into science other subjects like math and art. All at Quantum, where they learn Student Rock Bands ages. $175 and up. topics such as quantum physics Perform at a show in front of family and and chemistry, and math. No text Junior Museum and Zoo books or lectures here! Everything friends at The Starry Plough in Berkeley. (Palo Alto) is hands-on and kids learn through Campers have their choice of a experimentation. For grades 1 to 10. number of interesting camps at the Cost varies. Junior Museum and Zoo. Kids explore chemistry, physics, botany, and Marine Science Institute zoology by doing a number of fun (San Francisco) experiments and special projects. Pick Spend the day learning all about the your science specialty and find a camp sea! MSI campers explore Bay Area to go with it! Pre-K and up. Costs $300 marine habitats, learn about the TEACHING MUSIC IN THE and up. world’s oceans, and all the creatures that live in them. This is particularly BAY AREA SINCE 1980 Green Bean Kidz Nature ideal for older kids interested in Education (Los Altos) marine science careers! All ages. $375 This outdoor education program is to $1275, depending on camp. for kids aged 2 to 5 and their parents. Once a week they meet in local parks The Tech Museum of 510-326-3083 to participate in music, art, science, Innovation (San Jose) games, hiking and movement all The Tech Summer Camps offer www.lennygill.com geared toward learning about nature both part- and full-day weeklong and conservation. $135/$149 classes exploring everything from

Summer Camp Guide 2014 42 engineering and programming to most advanced summer camp in medicine and cooking. Pricing starts Silicon Valley. This summer, they will at $300 for half-day camps. be having Python, Ruby on Rails, Java, Android, iOS and Cocoa, Arduino, Wizbots - Imagineering Internet of Things, web development for Kids (Various Bay Area and more. Half and full day programs locations) available for grades 3 through 12. Half Wizbots programs mix in product day camps are $295 and full day are design, tech challenges, team $575. games, and open-ended creativity. Access to a wide range of materials, College for Kids (San Mateo including sophisticated programming and San Bruno) and robotics components (LEGO College for Kids is an award-winning MINDSTORMS® NXT), ensures kids summer program celebrating 22 of all abilities can be challenged and years of fun learning. Their popular successful as they journey the Path To enrichment camps encourage 5th to Mastery. Ages 7-14. Half and full day 8th graders to explore new subjects availability. Half day camps start at and develop their skills through $190. various hands-on classes including computers, math, sciences, and digital media. TechKnowHow Summer Computer and LEGO Camps SF Tinkering School (SF) (Various Bay Area locations) Not strictly a science camp, Tinkering TechKnowHow offers fun and School believes in: Big Ideas, Real enriching computer and LEGO day Tools, No Recipes. Tinkering School camps for kid, ages 5-16. Camp is a place where children are given programs include LEGO projects with abstract, open-ended building motors, K'NEX, NXT Robotics, Arduino, projects and problems. Each week iPad movie making and game design. of Day Camp is different with totally Classes feature high-interest, age- new content and projects lead by the appropriate projects which teach amazing summer staff. Full day camp technology and science skills. Half only. Two age groups: 5-12 and 10-16. day and full day options, with half day $500 per week. camps starting at $220.

Techlab Education (Saratoga) Rikki MacCuish is a dedicated outdoors Techlab Education claims to be the enthusiast and professional writer.

Summer Camp Guide 2014 43 ChatterBlock’s DIY Camp by Natasha Drisdelle

A Remarkable Approach Unless you’re one of the super-moms we see all over Pinterest (but have to the ART of yet to meet in real life) the notion of creating a week-long summer camp babysitting. program for our children is daunting and overwhelming. But a DIY camp that lasts a few days? Or a weekend?

That we can do! Gomez Melissa by Whether you’re a SAHM who can’t justify spending hundreds of dollars on pricey programs but needs to keep Instant camp cabins with a DIY fort kit! the kids occupied during the summer break or a working mom who wants to • Paint your own Personalized create a special weekend experience the middle of the living room for a Roasting Sticks the day before your (415) 250-1949 for the entire family, these DIY campout feel! big wiener roast! [email protected] Summer Camps should get your brain • No tent? Try this elaborate No-Sew www.swisscheesechildcare.com spinning with ideas for how to make it Activities & Crafts Teepee or give the kids their own happen. • Take a nature walk (or go explore DIY Fort Kit. the neighborhood) and collect • Curl up in the living room tent Backyard Campout leaves, sticks, and other natural or fort for a Movie Night with Host an outdoor adventure camp habitat to make a nature collage. adventure-related movies like Sid in your own backyard. No yard? No On a canvas or piece of cardboard, The Science Kid: Sid’s Backyard problem! Pitch the tent, a teepee use a glue stick to attach each item Campout (G), A Bug’s Life (G), or made of bed sheets, or just a fort in you find. Camp Nowhere (PG).

Summer Camp Guide 2014 44 AwArd-winning

by Leslie Science and Nature Center Nature and Science Leslie by AcAdemic enrichment cAmp Snacks outside your door each day! entering grades 5-8 • No camp adventure is complete • If you have an iPad, buy the Star without Franks & Beans, Trail Mix, Walk™ HD app ($2.99) which new weekly Format! and of course, pancakes in the allows you to interactively explore Sports Camp morning! over 200,000 celestial bodies Creative Arts Camp • A backyard fire pit is a perfect host while learning about stars and Math & Science Camp for a wiener roast and authentic constellations. Computer & Science Camp S’mores. If you don’t have a firepit, • LearnCreateLove offers fantastic Language Arts Camp have the parents manage the paper space crafts that are simple Computer & Sports Camp cooking and use a grill instead. Or to do and fun to display! try these unconventional Mexican • Build a Hubble Space Craft or a S’mores in the oven! glowing extraterrestrial spacecraft! Skyline college • Banana Boats, either over open • Create a lasting memory from your Weekly camps from June 16 - July 3 flame or on a grill, are a true Space Camp with a Constellation college of San mateo camper’s right of passage! Wall Art from Martha Stewart. Weekly camps from July 7 - 24 • Host a Space Camp Movie Night! Space Camp For younger kids, follow the waste Let the sky be your guide as you collecting Robot, Wall·E on his v take the kids on an out-of-this-world intergalactic adventure or explore adventure under the stars! space with the lovable puppets in Muppets from Space. Although Activities & Crafts there is some strong language for collegeForKids-smccd.com • Track the phases of the moon with a PG movie, ET: The Extra-Terrestrial this worksheet by taking a trip just is a must-see space movie for older (650) 574-6149

Summer Camp Guide 2014 45 kids. You can also travel through and let the kids channel their inner time with the movie, Flight of the Jackson Pollock to create a splatter Navigator (PG). painting! This craft isn’t necessarily Join us for old-fashioned difficult but it can get messy. Snacks • Time your camp with the free summer fun! • Use a cookie cutter to make star- admission days at your local art shaped cheese and serve with museum. It can get busy on these flying saucers (round crackers) or popular days so best to arrive early use skewers and strategically cut and to agree on an emergency up fruit for rocket fruit kabobs. meeting place in case kids find • Feeling really ambitious? Make themselves separated from you. your own star-shaped crackers or • Visit a drop-in pottery or art studio Alien Cupcakes! and have the kids create their own masterpiece. Artist Camp • Animation and theatre are all Experts say that exposure to the arts part of art culture. Step out of is vital for kids to develop soft skills the familiar Pixar animation and like teamwork, self-expression, and expose kids to the anime film, verbal communication. Help your kids My Neighbor Totoro (G). For tap into their inner artist with an arts- older kids, the anime film Howl’s focused DIY summer camp. Moving Castle (PG) is known for its whimsical imagery and slightly Activities & Crafts more mature subject matter. • Visit a craft store and let the kids pick out their own supplies to Snacks make a beaded necklace. Not just • Let the kids play with their food for the girls, my boys always enjoy as they create art on their lunch There is excitement in the air for Mulberry’s 2014 this hands-on craft! plates! Get creative with Banana Summer Camp Program. We have expanded • Use fabric markers or puffy paint Spiders, silly veggie faces, or Berry our selections, bringing back some old favorites to make fun personalized scribble Butterflies! and adding fun new camps. Throughout the shirts or let the kids paint their own • Let the kids decorate their own summer, our campers will take full advantage wooden beads for a handmade Paint Pallette Cookies. of our expansive 9½ acre campus, playing on necklace. playgrounds and among our green, rolling fields, • Try using food as inspiration with using our inside and out-of-doors space to have these 27 Ways For Kids to Play With Natasha Drisdelle is a mom of twins, 220 Belgatos Road baby-weight survivor, and Precision an amazing experience. Los Gatos Food. 405-358-9080 • Lay down a giant canvas or piece Nutrition Health Coach who blogs at Call to schedule a tour of our gorgeous campus! www.mulberry.org of light-colored fabric on the floor FabulouslyDomestic.com.

Summer Camp Guide 2014 46 Are you a business and want to be featured in our next guide?

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Summer Camp Guide 2014 47 Make Your Parenting Life Easier Sign Up For a FREE ChatterBlock Account

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Summer Camp Guide 2014 48