2023 Summer Camp & Activities Guide

WELCOME

Local Boys & Girls Clubs to Host Summer Camps Summer Camp & Activities Guide

Spring is officially here and there’s no better time than the present to start thinking about your child’s extracurricular activities for the summer months, which are just around the corner.

To help parents and guardians who are considering which camps to enroll their kids, we present our annual Summer Camp Guide. The issue is chock full of information on fun—and educational—programs that several local organizations are offering this year.

This year’s Summer Camp Guide is sure to get your kids rockin’ and rollin’ as we chat with the owners and operators of the area’s music schools that are offering fun learning opportunities for students interested in picking up an instrument or fine-tuning their musical talents.

The owners of Goods and Goats Market, the San Juan Capistrano-based farm, highlights its unique, hands-on summer camp where students learn to care for farm animals and grow seasonal fruits and vegetables.

We outline the junior lifeguard programs that the City of San Clemente, the San Clemente and Doheny State Beaches, and California Junior Lifeguards host each year that teach children to be safe and confident in ocean waters, as well as CPR, first aid and rescue techniques.

The Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens in San Clemente tells us about its arts education classes offered to kids of all ages during the summer, such as its Paint and Play series or its college dance program.

And speaking of art, local renowned artist Rick Delanty provides some tips and tricks for kids to start their own summer art project.

Keep reading on to check out all of these stories and to find out more useful information and resources that can help you plan your child’s summer activities.

By C. Jayden Smith

The onset of summer brings a need for activities to fill children’s days, and one entity well-versed in providing school-age students with fun and learning opportunities is the Boys and Girls Club.

Readers within our tri-city area have two options at their disposal, in the Boys and Girls Clubs’ Capistrano Valley branch at 1 Via Positiva in San Juan Capistrano, and the South Coast Area organization located at 1304 Calle Valle in San Clemente.

The San Juan Capistrano location will host its 2023 Summer Camp on Mondays through Fridays from June 3 to Aug. 4, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Participants will access field trips and opportunities in STEM, art, sports, and more. The camp is open to students entering first grade up to students entering their senior year of high school.

The price is $125 per week, or $35 for a single day, with financial assistance available.

Contact the Via Positiva branch at 949.542.4495.

At the South Coast Area club, its camp will run from June 5 to Aug. 11, on Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The camp will be closed for the days of July 3 and July 4.

In addition to weekly and daily payment options, families can pay $700 for each child to participate for the full summer. Prices increase on May 20.

Discounted pricing is available for families approved by the state’s Expanded Learning Opportunities Program.

The camp is for children going into the first through eighth grades, with free meals and snacks and fun activities. For incoming third- through eighth-graders, sports camps will consist of basketball, pickleball, soccer, volleyball and more.

There will also be field trips to places such as the zoo, a trampoline park, and Santa Ana’s Discovery Science Center, as well as in-house activities including a magician and a petting zoo.

High schoolers will have limited opportunities to participate as Leaders In Training. Registration opens on April 5 at bgcsca. org/summercamp.

Casa Romantica Summer Classes Nurture Passion for the Arts

By Breeana Greenberg

Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens in San Clemente offers a variety of arts education camps and programs for children of all ages, from their paint and play series introducing visual arts to young children to their college dance program for teens considering a major in dance.

Paint and Play Series

Families can enjoy painting and drawing activities on the grounds of the Casa Romantica through the Paint and Play Series. The series is recommended for kids ages 2-5.

Casa Romantica Executive Director Amy Behrens says that early exposure to arts education in childhood development “integrates the left side of the mind, the right side of the mind, They’re utilizing a lot of creative cognition skills, they’re learning how to share and move from parallel play to interactive play with other students.”

“So it’s all around a fantastic class for young children to participate in; it’s a core part of our arts education program for young students,” Behrens continued.

Casa Kids Creative Camp

Casa Romantica’s new format of their Summer Camp offers an introduction to dancing, singing and painting. Kids ages 5-8 will work with professionals in Orange County from a wide variety of creative mediums. The program will run for four weeks, with three hours of instruction each Monday.

“We’ve had so many families who wanted to participate in some of our other arts education programs but were hesitant to sign up because they weren’t sure if their children were ready to commit to something,” Behrens said. “Casa Romantica offers this as a service to these families, because it’s such a low barrier to entry.”

In the creative camp, kids can learn about different genres of dance, vocal arts, painting, drawing and sculpting and more.

10 weeks - June 5 to August 11 1st-8th Grades

“From there, we hope that it’ll inspire those children to participate in activities of their school or after school, during the normal school year,” Behrens said.

Casa Romantica Music Student Ensemble

Free masterclasses will be held in August for serious musicians ages 13-17, with auditions and weekly classical music ensemble practices from September through June.

Casa Romantica Music Student Ensemble developed from Casa’s Summer Music Academy, which has run for the past seven years. This year, Casa is taking a break from the Summer Music Academy to launch new programs, including the Music Student Ensemble.

“The classical music ensemble is really one of its kind opportunity for talented young students performing classical music to have access to really fantastic training weekly as an ensemble,” Behrens said.

In the first year of this program, Casa aims to put together a small classical music ensemble from students selected from the auditions. Students in the ensemble will have performance opportunities throughout the year.

College Dance Program

Casa Romantica’s three-day dance program consists of masterclasses for serious high school dancers considering a major in dance in college. The program builds a connection between college dance departments and high school student dancers, partnering with Cal State Long Beach, Chapman University and University of California, Irvine.

“We’ll be providing masterclasses with instructors from each of those universities and colleges, and a variety of genres for teen students and providing them with lecture and instruction opportunities and choreography and movement so that they can put together a portfolio piece to present prospective colleges and universities,” Behrens said.

& Safe Soaked

Junior Lifeguard Programs Teach Ocean Safety, Confidence for Kids in the Water

By Zach Cavanagh

Summer in South Orange County means sandy, salt-crusted, sunsoaked days cooling off in the waters of the Pacific Ocean. For safe, fun and organized beach expeditions, many youths and their families choose from a selection of junior lifeguard programs in San Clemente and Dana Point.

For kids of all ages, junior lifeguard programs offer a way to introduce them to ocean waters in a fun and safe way. These programs can give kids confidence in jumping into waves by teaching them a safe way to do so.

In addition to marine safety, first aid taught through a slew of fun activities, these programs can also help young watermen and waterwomen develop leadership skills. Here’s a quick look at the area’s several junior lifeguard programs:

City of San Clemente Junior Lifeguards

One of the most popular and well-regarded programs in South Orange County is the junior lifeguard program run by the City of San Clemente down at the Pier beach.

Over 800 boys and girls between the ages of 9-16 take part in the program each summer. The program has activities like pier jumping, pier swims, bodyboarding, body surfing and plenty of other swims. The priority of the program is education and experience in ocean safety, along with first aid and rescue techniques.

For kids new to the junior lifeguard program, a swim test must be passed to be eligible for registration to the program. The swim test, which costs $5, will have kids swim four lengths of a pool, which is 100 yards, in under two minutes. These swim tests take place on Saturdays (March 25 and April 1 and 8) at the San Clemente Aquatics Center from

9:30-11 a.m. and Wednesdays (March 29 and April 5) at the Ole Hanson Beach Club from 6-7:30 p.m.

Registration begins on April 26 at 8 a.m. for one of three program sessions (June 5-23, June 26-July 14, July 17-Aug. 4).

For families wishing to enroll in the program but have a financial hardship, scholarships may be available if there is enough funding through the San Clemente Lifeguard & Junior Guard Foundation. In 2022, the foundation funded 10 scholarships, including programming supplies.

More information on the program, registration and the scholarship application can be found at san-clemente.org/JG.

San Clemente State Beach & Doheny State Beach Junior Lifeguards

The California State Parks runs its own junior lifeguard programs at San Clemente

State Beach and Doheny State Beach.

The state programs offer six hours of instruction per day in four two-week sessions. The programs teach general aquatic safety, team-building and physical fitness. There are recreational activities like surfing, bodyboarding, paddleboarding and dodgeball. There are also educational activities such as CPR, first aid, rescues and other beach operations.

The state programs make sure to state they are not “learn to swim” schools, which means, like the City of San Clemente program, there are swim tests prospective junior guards must pass to register. The tryout requirements are based on age. For 8-10-year-olds, they must swim 100 yards in under two minutes, 10 seconds. For 11-12-year-olds, the time standard is two minutes, and for 13-15-year-olds, the time is one minute, 50 seconds. The tryouts also include swimming 10 yards underwater and treading water for five minutes.

The tryouts for both the San Clemente and Doheny programs will take place at San Clemente High School from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 15, April 29 and May 13.

The four sessions for junior lifeguards will be June 5-16, June 19-30, July 10-21 and July 24-Aug.4.

Both state beaches also hold a Summer Surf Camp from Aug. 7-11. Doheny offers a three-day surf camp July 5-7 and a Spring Break Surf Camp from April 3-7.

More information for the San Clemente State Beach program can be found at parks. ca.gov/?page_id=21967. More information for the Doheny State Beach program can be found at parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30324.

California Junior Lifeguards & Mini JGs at Salt Creek

There are one- and three-week options for junior lifeguards ages 8-17 and a one-week program for Mini JGs ages 5-7 offered by California Junior Lifeguards at Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point.

Unlike the City of San Clemente or State Beach programs, California Junior Lifeguards sets itself apart with a younger session for kids 5-7 years old. This Mini JGs program runs from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in 10 different one-week sessions from June 8-Aug.21. There are no tryouts, and the program allows for more fun time for these younger guards.

In the main three-week programs for 8-17-year-olds, junior lifeguards are taught in an educational and recreational environment on how to safely handle ocean situations. Kids are taught on emergency situations, teamwork, self-respect and an awareness of the environment. There is instruction on CPR, first aid, ocean safety, rescue techniques, surfing and bodyboarding, among other skills. There are also activities for marine biology, oceanography and nutrition and diet.

Unlike the other programs, there are no tryouts. The California Junior Lifeguard programs are open to swimmers, surfers and bodyboarders of all ability and skill levels.

The three sessions will be held June 5-23, June 26-July 14 and July 17-Aug. 4.

More information on both programs can be found at jrlifeguards.com.

Junior lifeguard programs at several sites in San Clemente and Dana Point teach children to be safe and confident in ocean waters, as well as CPR, first aid and rescue techniques.

Photo: File

Note for Note

Music Schools Offer Summer Camps for Kids

By Collin Breaux and C. Jayden Smith

On a Saturday morning, the sound of The Cult song “Fire Woman” fills the air.

Kids are up on stage, singing and performing the hit song. They variously speak into a microphone, pound away on a drum kit, or strum guitar strings as they cover the rock hit.

So weekend rehearsals go at Los Rios Rock School in San Juan Capistrano, one of several South Orange County music schools that teaches kids how to perform rock music.

For teens and pre-teens taking a break from school this summer, they can spend the interim as a rock star at various musical camps—including with Los Rios Rock School. Six camps will be offered this year for students ages 6-17, in June and July.

“Our summer camp is a way for people— especially who aren’t doing the normal yearly membership here—to get a taste of (the school),” School Director Philip Allen said. “They’re really fun weeklong crash courses in what we do. Kids show up. They learn a song or two, rehearse it with their band, and then put on a concert at the end of the week.”

The cost is $399 for new students and $299 for current students.

“It’s a really cool way to get involved with playing in a band if you’re an instrumentalist and you’ve never played with anyone before,” Allen said. “You can see what that’s like. You get to hang out with the directors and have that immersive experience.”

Kids practice during the morning, from Monday through Friday.

While the school’s focus is on rock, instructors also guide students with general musical compositions.

“We all come mostly from rock backgrounds, but we teach music as a language, as our philosophy,” Allen said. “One of the most amazing things about our culture and campus here is that we encourage everyone to bring their own styles in.”

Kids are welcome to explore their interest in learning country songs, for instance.

“There’s always this sort of ‘I’m not a country player, I don’t want to do that’ (feeling) and then, by the time they learn the song, they’re like, ‘Maybe I l kind of like country now,’” Allen said. “We do try to encourage everyone to push everyone’s boundaries a little bit. We’ve done everything from heavy metal to disco to a cappella.”

The students choose a song to learn and play together for the week and are then assigned specific instruments and parts to perform.

“There’s two parts: learning their individual part on their instrument, but the more important part that we bring is then learning how to apply that in a band situation,” Allen said. “One thing we’re sort of trying to combat a little bit

is the idea that there’s a lot of people who can play a song on their instrument when they’re playing to a track or YouTube.”

“That’s great, but a lot of people don’t realize that’s a safety net because you’re playing to a prerecorded track that is never going to be wrong,” Allen said. “You have this thing guiding you along. When you have four people playing together with no safety net, you realize there’s a whole part of it knowing the song by heart, being confident in the next section, and being able to communicate with each other in a musical sense.”

Performing as a band helps teach kids patience and interpersonal skills, Allen said.

“You get in a band, and you realize you’re trying to please four people. When they learn this at an early age, it’s kind of fun because

camp in June and July. The cost is $325 per week.

A visit to Danman’s on a given night will find kids practicing on piano and guitar.

“The camps consist of about, usually, six to 10 students,” founder and owner Dan Lefler said. “We have two types of camps, rock camps and vocal camps. The rock camp gets together, figures out the music they like, picks the songs they want to do, start working out their parts. The next day, they’ll generally do a photo shoot. They’ll do a poster.”

Posters of past camps are hung up at the school.

“Many times, they’ll do T-shirts. They create a band shirt as part of the project,” Lefler said. “They come, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There’s a little snack period. On

ally livestreaming it (so) it’s like a music video,” said co-founder and owner Biff Cooper.

From Monday through Wednesday, the children will learn the songs, before recording and filming in the facility’s studio on Thursday and Friday. At the end, the students will receive a copy of their video to share with friends and family.

Cooper added that he is unsure whether the video process will be livestreamed or be recorded separately before ending up on YouTube this year, but the camp has been done in previous summers.

The music school staff do try to help children still in the beginning phase of learning music, but overall, the camp is tailored to those who have reached a specific level of intermediate or higher.

Beyond the camps, the Beach Cities Rock Club is an afterschool program that teaches students to perform cover songs whether by singing or by playing the bass, drums, guitar, piano or ukulele. Monthly memberships are $185 per month and include weekly private 30-minute lessons and band classes.

After his five-year foray into giving music lessons independently, Cooper partnered with another record store in 2013 to start the school. A series of personal events showed him and his wife that they needed to continue on their own.

“The concept was that we would do music lessons in the back of a record store, because that was a way—through osmosis—that kids could get interested in music and look through a record store and have that experience of learning about different genres,” Cooper said.

Now, the school utilizes its own recording studio to help students and artists acclimate to being in a recording environment and put out songs.

they have this communal vested interest in this song,” Allen said. “You do start to realize that if someone’s a weak link or if someone’s falling behind, it’s on everyone to help bring them up.”

Even if the students never pursue music after the camp, they can carry that camaraderie and team skills over into their adult lives, Allen said.

“We don’t expect everyone to be best friends, but you still have to figure out a way to work,” Allen said. “As adults, you go into the working world, you realize—joining a company or starting a business or whatever it is—you can’t always be in the workplace with everyone you love, but you still have to make it work. Being in a band situation, there’s something very conducive to that and something that kids can grasp onto early because they are all part of that team.”

Over in neighboring town Dana Point, Danman’s Music School is also offering a summer

Friday at 12:30, they do a concert on stage for parents and friends (next door at StillWater Spirits & Sounds).”

Music education and performing in front of an audience enable kids to learn how to think under pressure, Lefler said.

“When you play music, you have to recall information in a precise order,” Lefler said. “A lot of kids that are super shy, once they do a few performances, they’re not so shy anymore. Other than that, it’s really fun.”

For those who play on a level above most, San Clemente’s Beach Cities Rock Club offers a fun summer alternative that will help children hone their musical talents.

The Music Video Summer Camp will occur from Mondays through Fridays during the weeks of June 19 to June 23, June 26 to June 30, and July 24 to July 28, at a cost of $299 per camper.

“Basically, the kids are going to learn a few songs in a set, and then we’re going to be virtu-

Even during the summer, the afterschool times remain the same, as students and parents are accustomed to the classes’ place in their schedules. The music video camp classes will take place in the mornings.

Cooper enjoys the positive impacts music lessons have on those that take part in the school, as he looks to give students a constructive outlet to express themselves and heal. That sentiment follows the Rock Club’s mission statement as an organization that seeks to guide students toward achievement in a “safe, creative and goal-oriented environment.”

“To me personally, just giving students that purpose, artistically, and (for them) to be inspired by art and to show them that (art) is inspirational,” Cooper said. “That’s probably it for me.”

More information about the various rocks schools can be found online at losriosrockschool.com, danmans.com and beachcitiesrockclub.com.

Eliana Martz practices playing the guitar at Danman’s Music School in Dana Point. Photo: Collin Breaux

Goods and Goats Summer Camp Teaches Importance of Farming and Animal Care

By Breeana Greenberg

Tucked away on Trabuco Creek Road in San Juan Capistrano, the small Goods and Goats Market farm offers a hands-on learning experience at its summer camp and Junior Farmers Program. Goods and Goats Market hosts four weeklong summer camps for kids ages 6-12. Campers can sign up for half-day camps from 9 a.m. to noon or full-day camps from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In addition to the summer camp, Goods and Goats also offers a six-week Junior Farmers program where kids can spend more time learning to cultivate the land, care for the farm animals and enjoy spring farm adventures.

Each day at the Goods and Goats summer camp begins with a morning meditation, intention setting and dream journaling.

Once intentions for the day are set, students will move into the gardens and goat areas to focus on planting, soil health, plant anatomy and animal and overall farm care. In the garden, kids will learn to grow fruit or vegetables that are in season at the time.

“We want the kids to actually eat and touch the fruits and vegetables that they plant and cultivate,” Educational Director and Farm Manager Lara Hughes said.

After learning to garden and cultivate an edible garden, Goods and Goats Market Owner Lani Jones explained that kids are more willing to eat something they have never tried before, and it “always tastes better because it gets to fully ripen.”

At the end of the Junior Farmers program, kids will cook a dish from the local seasonal fruits and vegetables that they learned to cultivate.

Each camper will get hands-on, one-on-one time with the farm’s Nigerian Dwarf goats, learning about proper goat care and anatomy.

“Our Junior Farmer program and our summer camps are two parts,” Hughes said. “So part of it, we want to teach kids about cultivating the land and how important that it is to be future stewards of our world and how they can take it on themselves and maybe take it back to their own house and their gardens.”

“Then the other half is our animal anatomy, where we focus on the goats’ horn and hoof care,” Hughes continued.

Every kid will get to choose a goat that they will spend time and bond with throughout the week. The kids will then learn to walk the goat on a lead, like walking a horse and learn about hooves and horns and how to care for them. Campers will even get the chance to enjoy storytime with the goats.

The farm has 36 goats on the property, with many of them born on the property, some from other farms or rescued from untenable living situations.

“Our goats are now born here on the property, but when Lani started, some of the goats came from a different farm so some of the horns have been removed from another farmer or bred out,” Hughes said.

Hughes explained that kids tend to have many questions because some of their goats have horns and some do not.

“So we talk about that and then we teach the kids how to trim their hooves up,” Hughes said. “We also talk—which goes into any farm life—about the cleanup.”

“I think there’s always this glamorous picture of a farm,

but the reality of a farm is that’s what happens, they go to the bathroom, we have to clean up, we have to keep them in good conditions,” Hughes continued.

Jones explained it’s valuable to teach the kids about hard work and what goes into caring for an animal, as well as how to compost during the cleanup.

Campers will be able to get creative with many different crafts like building birdhouses, tie-dying, painting kindness rocks and more. Students will also learn through hands-on science experiments.

Hughes’ background in animal science, wildlife conservation and biology informs her experience teaching campers.

“I do really gravitate towards science, so I really like it to be

hands-on,” Hughes said. “So every Junior Farmer Session and even every week in Camp, there will definitely be one or two science experiments that we do, but it will always pertain to what we’re doing.”

“So winter was potatoes, so we grew potatoes, our feast was potato soup, and then we did a science experiment with potatoes where we all worked together to create a battery with potatoes, and we were able to turn on a clock,” Hughes continued.

Through hands-on science experiments, Hughes can teach campers about the scientific method, creating a hypothesis and testing it.

At the end of the day, campers will have free time around the farm, where they can interact with resident bunnies, guinea pigs and chickens, zip line, play with vintage Tonka sets and more.

Families who sign up before April 15 will receive an early bird special of $40 off per summer camp registration. After the early bird discounts, sibling discounts are available for families who sign up multiple campers. The camp includes a Jr. Farmer Goods & Goats Market T-shirt and a dream journal.

Goods and Goats Market Owner Lani Jones and Lara Hughes, educational director and farm manager, offer a unique, hands-on summer camp where students learn to care for farm animals and grow seasonal fruits and vegetables. Photos: Breeana Greenberg

“We want the kids to actually eat and touch the fruits and vegetables that they plant and cultivate.”

—Lara Hughes

NATURE RESERVE OFFERS OUTDOOR OPPORTUNITIES FOR KIDS

For children eager to spend time outside and willing to learn about ecology along the way, The Nature Reserve in Rancho Mission Viejo is offering a spring break camp where they can explore the preserve in a fun way. The camp will be held from April 4-6, with a new theme each day. April 4 will give kids a chance to learn about reptiles, April 5 an opportunity to make wildflower-themed art, and April 6 concluding with a day of outdoor eco-themed games to teach campers about recycling. Each day will also give youngsters an opportunity to do a 1-mile trail hike. The camp costs $45 for one day and $115 for all three days. The day’s activities will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., with drop-off starting at 8:30 a.m. Registration and more information can be found at thenaturereserve.org. — Collin

Breaux

By Shawn Raymundo

ummertime can bring so much fun and excitement to children’s lives, whether they’re going on adventures with friends, traveling with family, or, on occasion, getting into a bit of mischievousness.

With all that fun, though—in between days of just lounging around the house—those summer months can really fly by, leaving little opportunity for creativity.

To help parents and guardians who are looking for their kids to exercise some creativity this summer, we spoke with renowned San Clemente artist Rick Delanty, who shared some advice on how kids can spark their imagination, putting pen—or pencils, markers or painted fingers—to paper.

“Creativity is not just applicable to art professions, but to any (field),” he says. “I think getting involved in the arts, just like getting involved in sports, is creating a well-rounded, adjusted individual that can be successful anywhere, so I think it behooves parents to give this drawing stuff a try.”

“It’s really exciting for the kids to plunge the depths of their potential and realize things that are in there that they may not otherwise unless the parents or teachers help bring those out,” Delanty adds.

To get started, one of the first things a parent should purchase for their kid, Delanty says, is a sketchbook. The sketchbook simply allows the artist-in-training to learn by doing, drawing various shapes and anything else they see.

One of the goals of the sketchbook, Delanty says, “is to have those kids do anything they want to from their imagination; start drawing things they actually see, emphasize the idea that drawing is not photography, it’s all about shapes and the inter-

relationship with that.”

As for what to draw with, the age of your child will certainly be a factor. Delanty says that if your kid is very young, he’d start with finger painting and chalk. For kids in upper elementary

school grades or in middle school, he advises getting them watercolors or markers. And for those in high school, they should be using pens, drawing pencils and paint.

Starting a Summer Art Project with Rick Delanty S

Delanty notes that while he, as a professional, uses an eraser to clean up finger marks on his drawings, he advises parents to not emphasize the use of erasers with their kids.

“I wasn’t a big proponent of erasers because an eraser means you can back up and correct what you did and makes kids tentative,” he says.

Parents, Delanty also advises, should look to maintain a consistent schedule with their kids when it comes to meeting benchmarks on a project. Sitting down to work with them a set number of days a week, at a specific time, will build consistency that allows the kids to set expectations so it’s not just a project to pursue when they’re bored.

“The whole thing is consistency, and developing any kind of creative skill depends upon consistency whether the kid is learning to play the clarinet or whether they’re learning to draw,” Delanty says, adding, “I don’t think creativity should ever be—or a creative act should never be—associated with boredom.”

As some final advice to parents, Delanty says that an emphasis on creativity can’t be underestimated.

“It’s really important that parents focus on creativity,” he says, later adding that “parents can be the kid’s biggest influence in developing their own creativity at home, and this is the major way to do it.”

Delanty says additional information about artist resources and developing a kid’s inspiration for creative drawings can be found at accessart.org.uk.

San Clemente artist Rick Delanty offers some advice and tips for parents who are looking to access their child’s creative and artistic side during the summer. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

“It’s really exciting for the kids to plunge the depths of their potential and realize things that are in there that they may not otherwise unless the parents or teachers help bring those out.”

—Rick Delanty

949 VOLLEYBALL CLUB

949 Volleyball Club, celebrating 13 years in San Juan Capistrano, provides summer camps for both boys and girls, ages 9 to 18, at any ability level. The club has won 12 Junior Olympic medals, as well as 6 National Championships at the 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 Junior National Championships. The summer camp’s goal is to teach beginners the fundamentals of the game and to prepare juniors and seniors looking to compete in the NCAA. 949 Volleyball Club promotes sportsmanlike behavior inside and outside of the gym, instills the values of integrity, dedication and hard work, and focuses on having fun! Space is limited; please register early. For more information, contact Justin at 949.374.2890 or visit 949vb.com.

& RESOURCES

AMERICAN BEACH VOLLEYBALL CLUB

Sign up now for Spring, Summer and Fall sessions. Spring is for ages 12+ and runs March 13 through May 26. Late sign-ups are OK. Weekly Summer sessions for ages 10-12 (Bombers) and 12–24 (Beach Club) start June 5! Come play with encouraging & experienced coaches. Beach Club plays at Doheny State Beach ALL YEAR LONG. We train coed, beginners through pros, youth through college. Beach volleyball helps all athletes with cross-training to gain strength, speed, and agility. Our wonderful coaches include many experienced D1 athletes. Doheny State Beach, 25300 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point. 949.485.0826. AmericanBeachVolleyballClub.com info@americanbeachvolleyballclub.com

CITY OF SC

Summer camps are a time for children to form lifelong memories and friendships while seeking out new adventures and engaging in stimulating activities. San Clemente proudly offers over 100 camps and programs by expert instructors for all interests and abilities. Save on summer camps with discounted prices through “Early Bird Registration.” Savings fly away April 25th; don’t miss out on great deals. Camps fill up quickly! Register today at san-clemente.org/recreation. 949.429.8797, 949.361.8264, 100 N Calle Seville, San Clemente, CA 92672.

ELITE SOCCER LEAGUE

Elite Soccer League is a South Orange County soccer league that offers Recreational and Club soccer options to players ages 3-18. Our goal is to help kids reach their highest potential in soccer and in life. We understand that, through soccer, we are building more than just great soccer players; we are building the future, confident leaders of our communities. Come give Elite Soccer League a try! Spring, Summer, Winter, and Fall Programs. Call/Text 949.468.0086. info@elitesoccerleague.com. elitesoccerleague.com.

FAIRMONT SUMMER PROGRAMS

Locations in Anaheim, Anaheim Hills, North Tustin, and San Juan Capistrano

Keep your kids curious, challenged, and connected this summer. Fairmont’s award-winning summer programs offer a full lineup of educational programming. CAMP (Preschool-8th Grade): ACA-accredited camp experience combines education, recreation, and field trips to keep kids engaged all summer! SUMMER SCHOOL (Kindergarten-8th Grade): reading, writing, and math taught by Fairmont teachers and individualized to meet students where they are. SUMMER SCHOOL (High School): Dozens of for-credit, UC-approved courses available. Enroll by April 16th for 10% off ! 714.234.2757 fairmontschools.com/summer.

KIDCREATE STUDIO

Kidcreate Studio is an art studio just for kids. We specialize in classes, camps and parties for children ages 18 months to 12 years. We offer classes in our studio in Dana Point, as well as onthe-go. Kidcreate is a great way to introduce your child to the wonderful world of art. We provide a positive, self-esteem-building environment and projects that match the developmental needs of children at different ages. Exploring art, feeling free to make some messes, and having fun—that’s what Kidcreate Studio is all about.

34255 Pacific Coast Hwy, Suite 113, Dana Point. 949.370.9509. kidcreate.com/dana-point.

SOUTH COAST CONSERVATORY

When you enter the dance studio, you can leave your worries at the door and simply enjoy your body’s movement. A dance class is the perfect setting to make new friends, branch out socially and maintain positive relationships. And when you’re in the class, it can be one of the best ways to express yourself and even unlock new ideas to use in your daily life. Start your dance journey this summer at SCC! 27652 Camino Capistrano, Laguna Niguel. 949.367.0099. scconservatory.com/SUMMER.

WESTWIND SAILING

Welcome aboard! Westwind has been providing educational, community, boating programs since 1987: Sail and SUP Camps (spring break & summer), Adaptive sailing, after-school programs and boating classes for all ages and skill levels. Westwind is a 2022 DP Times People’s Choice winner for “Best Camp for Kids” and “Best Harbor Recreation”. And we’re a US Sailing, Community Sailing Center and STEM Hub. Boating scholarships are available. Find us at OC Sailing & Events Center: 34451 Ensenada Pl. DP Harbor. 949.492.3035, westwindsailing.com.

OCEAN INSTITUTE

Registration is OPEN for our ‘Sell-out’ Summer Camps! Ocean Institute Camps, located in Dana Point Harbor, will run June 12 – August 11, ages 5-17. Enroll today to give your child a new perspective as they explore, discover, and thrive by diving into summer camp! Our camps are immersive educational journeys designed to promote collaborative learning, exploration, discovery, and empower campers to reach their full potential. Our talented staff, top-notch resources and unique campus ensure a summer experience like no other! Visit: Oceaninstitute.org. 949.496.2274, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, CA 92629.

YMCA

Plan your perfect summer at the Y today! Our camps develop character, facilitate new friendships, and create lifelong memories. Camps provide opportunities for kids to join a community as they learn how to be more independent through engaging in physical, social, and educational activities. To learn more and register, visit ymcaoc.org/ orange-county-camps! YMCA of Orange County, 13821 Newport Ave #200, Tustin, CA 92780, 714.549.9622, ymcaoc.org.

MINI MINNOWS (4-6 YEARS OLD)

9am - 12pm or 1 pm-4pm

Different themed activities, crafts and games each day! Snacks are included.

BEACH SAFARI (6-9 YEARS OLD)

9am-4pm

Tidepool Walks, Beach Games, Crats, Swimming, Whale Watching on a 60-foot Catamaran, BBQ and so much more!

H2O ADVENTURE CAMP (9-13 YEARS OLD)

9am-4pm

Stand-Up Paddle Boarding, Kayaking, Sailing, Rowing, Whale Watching on a 60-foot Catamaran, Swimming, Games, Lunch provided and so much more!!

Check out our website for more details!

KG8eachCamps.com I (949) 842-5211

summer ART CAMPS

Summer School Information

Continuing to Learn

By Collin Breaux

School’s out for summer…but not always.

Summer school is available for Capistrano Unified School District students who need to retake classes or want to attend for other reasons.

Registration is open to all high school students through May 25. Students are advised to contact their school counselor

about registering.

The summer session will be from June 14 to July 18, Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., according to CUSD. Classes will not be held on July 4.

While students will do the majority of schoolwork online from home, taking tests in person is required. An online orientation assignment is mandatory by June 30, CUSD’s summer program overview said.

In-person school services will be held at Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo at 26301 Via Escolar.

Acceleration and remediation courses will be offered. Teachers will provide tutoring and labs.

“Teachers are on campus at Capistrano Valley High School Mondays-Thursdays from 8:30-1:30 p.m. to assist students with anything they may need and for required in-person testing,” CUSD’s overview said. “Students that prefer to work on campus are welcome to come to class anytime during the bell schedule.”

Visit capousd.org for more information.

CITY RECREATION DEPARTMENTS OFFER SUMMER CLASSES

By Breeana Greenberg

From Ballet Folklorico, filmmaking and beginner guitar classes to “bionerds” and surfing camp, local city recreation departments offer a wide variety of camps and classes for children and families to enjoy throughout the summer.

Dana Point

l DRAWING

l CLAY

kidcreate.com/dana-point

(949) 545 - 7091

34255 Pacific Coast Hwy #113 Dana Point, CA 92629

The summer issue of the City of Dana Point’s Lookout Community News and Recreation Guide will be available beginning Friday, May 5 at danapoint.org/recreation. Registration for summer classes will open on Monday, May 8 at 7:30 a.m. A wide variety of recreation programs and classes for all ages are offered through the Dana Point recreation department including summer youth camps.

San Clemente

Summer Camp registration is open in San Clemente, with Early Bird discounts open until April 25. Those interested in registering online for a summer camp will need to create an account and visit san-clemente.org/ recreation or visit the Community Center to register in-person.

San Clemente’s recreation department offers a variety of classes and camps during the summer such as the Art Exploration Summer Camp at Pico Park, beginning guitar and ukulele, “Bionerds” science camp, surfing camps, filmmaking, sports, dance, active adventure camps, preschool camps and much more. Some camps do sell out, so staff recommends families register as soon as possible.

San Juan Capistrano

San Juan Capistrano’s Community Services Department offers a variety of classes that keep kids active over the summer break including Ballet Folklorico classes for kids from 5 to 18 and other athletic programs.

The spring class flyer detailing class offerings will be posted on the city’s website the week of March 27, with the summer flyer available the week of May 15. Registration for San Juan Capistrano’s recreation programs is available over the phone 24 hours a day by calling 949.493.5911 or residents can visit the community services department in person to register.

The community service department advises to register early or at least 1 week prior to the class starting date.

S U M M E R F U N ! S U M M E R F U N !

Have fun with friends while exploring nature and experiencing adventures that will surely create memories to last a lifetime.

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