Summer Camp Guide 2024

Sunshine Beach Volleyball Camps: For the Love of the Sport

Summer is coming.

For young volleyball athletes, that means registration for the Sunshine Westside Beach Camp and South Bay Beach camp is in full swing. From beginning to expert, a summer of focused volleyball instruction on the beach in smaller teams ensures players get more contacts per hour, learn how to communicate and work better on a team, and continue their love for the sport over the summer months.

“There’s more to volleyball than playing inside. Although it’s the same sport, it’s different in how we train, and overall, learning to play outdoors rounds out our players’ skills and teaches them work ethic, focus and determination, all while having fun with their friends and teammates” said Kyle Weindel, associate club director.

Beach camp coaches teach beginning to expert players from ages 8-16, grouped by age and ability, ensuring that everyone is receiving appropriate instruction. Beginners are taught the basic fundamentals needed to have fun playing, and advanced players learn skills to fine-tune their game, such as ball control, reading opponents movements, doubles strategy and serving. Both beginners and advanced players are welcome at the Sunshine beach camps because the community and fellowship of the program is unmatched, Weindel said.

“The most important part of the camp is having fun. We want every player to have individualized attention from the coaches,

so there’s a lot of interaction, a lot of fun. We’re in the business of providing opportunities for young girls and want to provide as many opportunities to play this game as we can,” Weindel said. “Volleyball is a loved sport, and during the summer, our methods of teaching and drills are engaging, effective and fun for girls of all ages.”

Sunshine Beach Camp is an extension of Sunshine Volleyball Club’s successful indoor program, a program that has instilled the love of volleyball in girls since 1998. Over the last three years, both indoor and outdoor volleyball programs have seen growth.

“Sunshine has doubled in size and we’re up over 600 players and over 50 teams on the indoor side. We’re really looking forward to expanding our beach camps as well that regularly see 300 to 500 kids per summer,” Weindel said.

Sunshine comprises top-tier coaches dedicated to the sport year-round. Chris Flood, the current beach director, has coached on an Olympic level and assists volleyball at Pepperdine, another one is the head coach of the ninth-ranked California Golden Bears. Many coaches are also players, including one on the fourthranked beach volleyball team at UCLA and another one on the seventh-ranked team at Stanford, and several who play professionally in Italy and Germany and U.S. national indoor teams.

Rolling Robots Camp is a ‘Tech Genius Program’

Roll out the .. robots.

An afterschool learning center for robotics and STEM is hosting weekly camps this summer designed to encourage open creativity, deep exploration and project-based learning.

Rolling Robots, founded by aerospace engineers Bing Jiang and Dr. George Kirkman, is home to several world-class competition teams from Los Angeles, which continue to win numerous top awards at the VEX Robotics World Championship.

“I believe every kid is a genius to begin with. And as we equip and train them with more technical tools, and they achieve success along the way through designing robots, coding, practicing teamwork and experience defeat, but getting back up, which puts them on the path to become a true tech genius,” said Jiang.

During weekly summer camps, kids ages 5 to 15 are welcome to explore Rolling Robots’ camps in a non-competition format, designed to spark a budding interest in

robotics and STEM. Participants, divided into age groups, learn technical tools, the engineering process and creative thinking through hands-on work.

Camps start as early as June 3rd in multiple cities in Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura Counties. Sessions run one week at a time, Monday through Friday, morning and afternoon, or full day camps are available.

“For younger age groups, it’s best for them to do half days, but for older kids, we designed the camps with different topics for a full day experience,” Jiang said.

Junior robot builders and little engineers build take-home robots each day of camp and learn about different engineering professions. For ages 7-8, campers learn about Lego coding and robot building. Campers ages 8-12 and higher learn VEX IQ robot build and code, as well as C++ coding for VEX robots and Minecraft and Roblox game design, depending on the chosen camp.

Joining a summer team for the love of the sport is a valuable experience for time management, goal setting and training ahead of the school year.

“Athletes have a reputation of knowing how to work hard, how to manage their time between friends, family, school, athletics and training, there’s not a lot of time. But they do it because they love the sport and the values it instills in them,” Weindel added.

Westside Beach Camp is in session from June 10 through Aug. 16 at Will Rogers State Beach. South Bay Beach Camp runs

from June 17 through Aug. 9. Players can enroll by the week or by the day. Daily registration ranges from $65 to $80 per day, weekly registration ranges $265 to $330, depending on location.

To learn more about Sunshine Westside Beach Camp visit, https:// sunshinevolleyballclub.com/programs/ beach-camp/westside/. Information on South Bay Beach Camp can be found here: https://sunshinevolleyballclub.com/ programs/beach-camp/south-bay/.

For those campers who want to continue building robots throughout the year, eventually, they can join robotics competition teams and use other complex systems and strategies for competition.

“These competitions inspire children to learn more and foster organization in a student-centered program. We are both coaches and mentors, teaching them basic

things, but ultimately, having the student decide, what do I want to do? What strategies do I want to play? Students are always the center of the activity — during the school year and during summer camps,” Jiang said.

To learn more about Rolling Robots and find a camp location near you, visit RollingRobots.com.

Get a Taste of Harvard-Westlake This Summer

Harvard-Westlake School is inviting students to a summer filled with academic enrichment, artistic enrichment and athletic development during its summer camp sessions.

Participants can experience renowned programs in academics, visual arts, performing arts, film, debate and athletics, divided into six different program areas: North Faring Exploration, Coldwater Prep, Coldwater Arts, Debate LA and Wolverine Sports.

“We have a number of different opportunities that kids can enroll in to give them a sense of what attending our school is like,” said Jim Patterson, director of summer programs. “Our programs are offered in a-la-carte fashion so kids and parents can simply look at the offerings and choose what makes sense for their child’s interests and summer schedule.”

North Faring Exploration, for grades five through seven, is a three-week academic and arts enrichment program. Over the course of three weeks, kids choose three different classes to take and the variety of classes range from creative writing, to STEM, or visual and performing arts.

Coldwater Prep is a three-week academic program for grades seven through 12 mixing academic preparation and enrichment to get students prepared for the upcoming year.

“Classes like English essentials, creative writing, digital arts and public speaking, there’s a variety of different classes that students can take as well to complement some of the primary courses they are in or simply focus on enrichment opportunities,” Patterson said.

Coldwater Arts comprise a variety of art classes for grades seven through 12 such as sewing, dance, photography and film.

“The films are entirely student driven, student produced and student grounded. It’s a very cool program that we have here,” Patterson said.

Debate LA runs for six weeks this summer, immersing students into the world of debate, both beginner and competitive.

Lastly, Wolverine Sports opens up HarvardWestlake’s tremendous athletic facilities to summer students.

“This is an opportunity for students to work on their skills in various sports. They learn how to develop their skills in a high-level athletic environment — and you don’t need to be an athlete to participate,” Patterson said.

Open to the wider community, HarvardWestlake summer programs are available

to students in rising grades three through 12, designed for parents and children to experience the wealth and resources the school has available, and engage continual learning over the summer.

To learn more about Harvard-Westlake Summer, visit https://www.hw.com/ summerprograms.

Sunshine

Week: $330 | Day Rate: $80

Camp Dates: June 10 - Aug 16, 2024 | Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm

Location:

Will Rodgers State Beach in Pacific Palisades

Dockweiler State Beach in Playa Del Rey

Registration Open Now

Registration Link:

https://sunshinevolleyballclub.com/programs/beach-camp/

Registration Site:

SunshineVolleyballClub.com

Now Enrolling: St. Matthew’s Summer Enrichment Program Summer at Crossroads: Opportunities for Growth, Creativity and Learning

Discover the magic of St. Matthew’s Parish School through their Summer Enrichment Program, offering a timeless summer camp experience infused with interactive sessions in Science, Language Arts, Mathematics, Dramatic Arts & Visual Arts, tailored for Preschool through 7th Grade.

The program, offered in 2 two-week sessions, is open to current St. Matthew’s students as well as to the public with activities centered around meaningful, seasonal themes - all taught by experienced St. Matthew’s School teachers, who creatively and dynamically engage with students.

The program, created over 30 years ago, is a fun, engaging blend of enrichment and hands-on learning that provides children an opportunity to participate in exciting, thematic activities. The smaller studentteacher ratios during the summer enhance children’s enjoyment and growth and encourages the children to explore, discover, learn, and have fun.

“Summer Enrichment provides a unique opportunity for both students and teachers to unleash even more creativity with the curriculum. It’s a time when innovative approaches to learning flourish, inspiring new discoveries and fostering a deeper love for education,” said Jimmy Cinnamo, the St. Matthew’s Kindergarten teacher and Director of Summer Enrichment.

Before becoming the director, Mr. Cinnamo taught second grade during the summers and fell in love with the project-based programming that ignited students’ imaginations and allowed teachers

the freedom to explore dynamic ways of teaching.

“Now I work with the teachers on an administrative level, striving to continually improve the program for our students, our families, and our teachers, who have worked hard over the school year and come back in the summer to dedicate their energy, heart, and soul to the students,” Mr. Cinnamo said. “I’m so proud of everything we do here.”

In addition to immersive summer learning in an interactive environment, students enrolled in Summer Enrichment enjoy refreshing breaks from the summer heat several times a week with regular swimming sessions in St. Matthew’s beautiful pool.

Other program highlights feature engaging opportunities, including Grades 3-7 creating a Star Wars-inspired fantasy world as well as attending workshops inspired by the Harry Potter series. In the Theatre Zone, students delve into improvisation, scene study, set and costume design, and choreography, culminating in an exhilarating performance. This summer, the students will perform productions of “Annie” and “Finding Nemo.”

Taking full advantage of the School’s beautiful park-like setting, Summer Enrichment is an excellent way to continue learning over the summer break and creates memories that students will cherish for years to come.

For more information about the Summer Enrichment Program, visit stmatthewsschool.com/ summerenrichment.

A catalog of arts classes has opened for Summer at Crossroads, an immersive experience for students to continue to explore their academic studies, enrichment opportunities and have fun over the summer.

Open to Crossroads students and the greater community, Summer at Crossroads values community and has created an environment that supports strong bonds among the students as well as student and teacher connections.

Students approach summer with curiosity as the program offers arts enrichment courses, classes in academic areas of study like language and mathematics and sports opportunities such as basketball and swimming. Programs range from week-long intensives and workshops to five-week high school credit classes, and several two- and four-week elective options. This inclusive environment allows students to explore new topics of interests and engage in creativity while making lasting memories.

Students can choose through a catalog of over 90 courses available by grade in September. Crossroads has two campuses — Norton Campus and 21st Street Campus — located a few blocks apart in a distinctly urban area of Santa Monica.

The Norton Campus is home to the elementary school, the Joanie Martin Community Room and the K-12 Sports Center featuring a gymnasium, pool and athletics field. The 21st Street Campus is home to the middle and upper schools, the Alley, a vibrant centerpiece of campus life, and the school’s administrative offices.

“Our campuses are easily accessible, and we take

pride in our commitment to the physical and emotional safety for every student,” said Laura Presburger, Director of Auxiliary Services.

For grades first through fifth, students choose a topic of choice for the morning and the afternoons are filled with activities including visual arts, science, outdoor play and swim lessons. Middle school summer programs comprise intensives, workshops and electives. Upper school students can choose from a variety of electives, or a five-week academic credit class covering Biology, Chemistry, Geometry and Physics.

“We always recommend enrolling early to reserve your students’ spot in classes of interest. Online enrollment is ongoing and available until courses are sold out or canceled. Courses that do not reach a minimum number of students may be canceled on May 20th,” Presburger said.

“Students from local schools are excited for the opportunity to spend part of their summer with us during Summer at Crossroads. Many of them apply for the year-round school and are admitted,” Presburger said.

There’s something for everyone at Summer at Crossroads for students entering first through 12th grade. The 2024 dates are Monday, June 17 to Friday, August 2.

For more information about the summer camp and academic programming, visit Xrds.org/summer-atcrossroads. To view the Summer at Crossroads catalog, visit Xrds.org/summer-at-crossroads/catalog. For tuition and registration questions, email summer@xrds.org.

Camp Integem: Explore, Design and Innovate with Future Tech

This summer, kids are inviting to make magic as they journey into the fun-filled, hands-on world of artificial intelligence (AI), holographic augmented reality (AR) design, coding, robotics, 2D and 3D game design and animation, interactive storytelling and more at Camp Integem.

During these weekly camps, students ages 5-18 learn how to transform their dreams into reality and step into their creations as they blend the physical and digital realms in exciting, innovative ways at Camp Integem.

Camp Integem has three directions for campers to choose from: coding, game design and STEM; AI & robotics engineering; and Art & Animation. The camp hosts weekly sessions and allow students to learn at their own pace, from beginner to advanced, all are invited to explore and create.

“Our unique advantage lies in our specialized focus on AI and AR, the cutting-edge technologies shaping the future. AI makes their creations intelligent, while AR brings designs and art to life in a vivid, interactive way, allowing users to teleport into their own magical, interactive worlds. We start with handson projects to build a foundation, then encourage students to unleash their creativity by designing their own projects. Additionally, we offer small class sizes, with eight students per teacher, to ensure each student

receives personalized attention and progresses at their own pace.” said Jane Lean, media relations for the Camp.

The possibilities of what students can create at Camp Integem are endless, from art to intelligent AI robotics, demonstrating the limitless potential of their creativity. Whether embarking on interstellar journeys to Mars, traversing time to encounter dinosaurs, diving into enchanting game worlds, or animating their creations with the magic of AI and AR, these experiences do more than entertain. They ignite a passion for innovation and creativity, inspiring students to leverage technology for positive change.

Jane Lean, discussing the camp’s approach, said, “Our focus is on enabling students to produce tangible, hands-on creations, from AI-driven robotics to interactive art, which they are proud to demo and share. Immersed in an environment where learning is seamlessly intertwined with fun and problem-solving, students often don’t perceive their activities as educational, despite acquiring significant knowledge. Witnessing their ability to express complex ideas in unique realms they’ve engineered offers them an unparalleled sense of satisfaction and achievement.”

To enroll your student in Camp Integem this summer, visit https://camp.integem.com.

Registration Now Open for Summer at New Roads

New Roads School is accepting registration for its summer program, a vibrant selection of classes and camps curated to meet the needs of students within and beyond the school.

Programs at New Roads call upon young people to develop and appreciate the value and interdependence of cognition, intuition, imagination, creativity, kinesthetic, interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligence and personal wellbeing. Each of these values are reflected in the camps and classes offered this summer to elementary, middle and upper school students.

“We’ve developed an approach through education that leverages the diversity of Los Angeles and personalize education as much as we can to work from a student’s place of curiosity and make learning relevant, meaningful and connected,” said Mark Vickers-Willis, director of community engagement at New Roads.

Elementary School Summer Program extends the same dynamic, creative and expressive learning experiences that hallmark a New Roads education. Students can choose enrollment for one week, three, or up to six weeks of themed camps that foster curiosity and ties all the learning activities together, in addition to sports camps and podcasting, favored among many students.

“Weekly camps for elementary students run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the week. It’s a nice balance between academic support for numeracy and literacy and enrichment — students can further develop academic skills while engaging in activities that fuel their creativity,” Vickers-Willis said.

Middle School students grades six through eight are offered a variety of engaging courses including animation, debate, podcasting, visual notetaking, sports, wellness and traditional courses like reading and grammar and math.

Upper School students, in preparation for college, can experience these same courses, in addition to receiving an academic credit for honors precalculus and geometry.

“For middle and upper classes, we emphasize college readiness and preparation. Classes like notetaking and writing. But, during a time of their lives where they are so focused, classes for mindfulness and wellness helps them manage their wellbeing and academic load,” VickersWillis said.

Over time, Summer at New Roads has evolved to provide a practically relevant learning experience for students in and outside of the school.

“We’re devoted to the content, but also how we construct meaning within the students. We are a private school with a public heart,” Vickers-Willis said.

To learn more about Summer at New Roads and map out your students’ summertime learning adventures, visit newroads.org/curriculum/summer.

1:8 Santa Monica, Torrance, Burbank, San Marino, and 12 other locations Age Groups: 5-8, 8-10, 10-14, 14+

summer at new roads

June 17-July 26

What would your child like to explore this summer?

How about diving into the fascinating realms of nature, heroes, California and more in our exciting weekly themed Elementary School Camps?

Or unleashing creativity in Podcasting and Animation, mastering athletic skills in Basketball, Volleyball and our Wellness Intensive class, or gearing up for the next school year with College Essay Writing, Geometry and Honors Pre-Calculus?

At Summer at New Roads, we invite all students entering grades K-12 to explore, learn and have fun!

Girls Learn Self Defense at Empowerment Summer Camp for Girls

This summer, girls are invited to explore practical self defense training at SHIELD Women’s Self Defense’s 2024 Empowerment Summer Camp for Girls. During this 10week camp, girls ages 7 to 17 are equipped with practical self defense skills, situational awareness and confidence that will protect them against violence, bullies or strangers. Campers can choose to attend from one week to the whole 10 weeks.

Empowerment Camp is focused on empowerment, helping girls become proficient in self defense skills and increase focus, coordination and strength. The girls learn skills such as how to get away from a hair pull, grab from behind, chokehold, wrist grabs and more. In true summer camp fashion, the camp also features games and fun activities like yoga, meditation, dance, outdoor sports, beach days and a fun boat ride in the marina.

“We see a lot of teenagers get a boost in their confidence after training in self defense. The girls learn how to recognize unsafe situations and behaviors and they learn how to stand up for themselves,” said Nelson Nio, founder of SHIELD. “Most of the girls, when they take the class, it’s their first time experiencing self defense. And it inspires them to continue and further their knowledge. They leave camp with confidence!”

Acceptance, fear, responsibility, perseverance, confidence and self control are some of the weekly lessons at Empowerment Camp in two locations, Marina del Rey and

past 20 years.

To learn more about the camp and reserve a spot for your daughter, visit https:// shieldselfdefense.com/summer-camp-1.

Playa del Rey. SHIELD Women’s Self Defense System® has been teaching self defense exclusively for women and girls, across the world, in the

The Fun Science Day Camp for Curious Kids!

Celebrating our 25th summer of science-based activities to encourage year-round learning! Over 15 STEM projects weekly, 3 science stations per day, plus games, challenges and all the friendship & fun of camp! Our mission is to develop confidence and enthusiasm about science, as campers gain knowledge about how the world around them works. While also encouraging character development & practicing 21st century life skills, like perseverance, creativity & problem solving.

All New 2024 Camp Themes

Superhero Physics Fun Camp: Build a Superhero vehicle while experimenting with open & closed circuits, friction & torque, and Newton’s Laws of Motion. Engineer your own Super Sidekick complete with sound sensors and digital recording powers. Let’s unlock superpowers as we explore Batman’s gadgets, Elektra's static electricity wand, Flash’s speed of light, Iron Man's polarizing magnetism, Wonder Woman’s power of flight, and Frozen’s icy power.

Space Base Astronaut Camp: Join our 1st ever Mars Colony! Explore what you and your team need to survive in space. Be prepared for an emergency return to Earth in your own personal space pod. Next, build your solar powered Mars Rover. Create the tools needed to uncover the Red Planet’s secrets. Discover supersonic aviation and fly a sensor powered drone. Journey through the planets and build a solar system model.

DinoBot Builders & Crazy Chem Lab: Build your own motorized moving DinoBot from the ground up. Become a Paleontologist & uncover ancient fossils with your excavating tools. Follow the path of electricity with your own Plasma ball. Enter and explore our Crazy Lab and stir up fun chemistry experiments. Grow giant dinosaur crystals, jelly creatures, slimy worms and make a superball.

DestinationScience.org 888-909-2822

Destination Science is the fun science day camp for curious kids with over 15 STEM activities weekly, three science stations per day, games, challenges, friendship and fun.

Since 2000, Destination Science has proudly focused on science-based activities to encourage year-round learning. As campers gain knowledge about the world around them, Destination Science encourages character development and practices century life skills like perseverance, collaboration, creativity and problem solving.

This summer, campers, ages 5-11, can choose from three well-rounded camp themes that encourages learning and accomplishment: Superhero Physics Fun Camp, DinoBot Builders & Crazy Chem

Make Science Your Destination This Summer Groundlings Summer Improv Classes Open April 2

Lab, or Space Base Astronaut camp.

“Destination Science is the perfect blend of young children making new friends under the caring facilitation of our trained staff and simultaneously being introduced to science vocabulary, concepts and a sense of accomplishment through perseverance,” said Kathy Heraghty, Program Director.

Participants in Superhero Physics Fun Camp build a souped-up superhero car and dive into superpower science using the laws of motion, circuitry, rotational forces, speed of light, muscle fibers, states of matter, optical illusions, sensors and sound science.

In DinoBot Builders & Crazy Chem Lab, campers become paleontologists and uncover ancient fossils with excavating

tools while exploring paleontology, prehistoric reptiles, engineering design and tools, energy, symmetry of atoms, elasticity, chemical reaction, electricity and sound science.

Lastly, Space Base Astronaut invites participants to build an astro space colony and a solar motorized Mars rover and discover what living things need, design, climate, forces acting on structures, solar power, obstacles, geothermal energy, lava, aerodynamics, sensors and planetary systems.

“It’s not always the easier project to complete, but one that is satisfying when they do make it to the end. We often use the phrase ‘not yet’ because accomplishment something they didn’t think they could do

is what makes our program different from recreational-based camps,” she said.

“Every camp is a huge value to the kids in the summer. They are doing science, immersing themselves with rich vocabulary and being introduced to a concept and seeing it come to fruition, it is the perfect connection for the five days we are together,” Heraghty said.

Destination Science has four locations in Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, El Segundo and Studio City. Camps start in June. To learn more, visit destinationscience.org/ programs.

A summer of improvisation is around the corner at The Groundlings.

Three months of summer class offerings for teens will be available for registration on April 2, an exciting time of the year for the nonprofit that is currently celebrating its 50th year anniversary.

“We are hitting the ground running with our summer teen classes. We fill our school and book three months of classes all at once. We get students from all over the country who come specifically for those teen classes — spots fill up fast,” said Allain Rochel, Education Director at The Groundlings.

Teen ages 10-13 and 14-18 are introduced to the unique style that comprises The Groundlings and its pedigree of alumni that have found success in Hollywood and on shows like Saturday Night Live.

Teen Drop-Ins give students an introduction to improv and acting. Weeklong Teen Improv Camps are lively and

fun for students of all experience levels, while Teen Pro offers more focused improv training for more experienced young actors or improvisors. Teen Camps and Teen Pro classes include an open class for friends and family to watch on the last day.

The Groundlings offers quarterly diversity scholarship for teens. To be considered, applications are due in May. More information can be found here: Groundlings.com/Scholarships.

During the month of April, The Groundlings is hosting master classes taught by industry professionals on a huge variety of topics. New classes are posted every Tuesday at 1 p.m. More information can be found here: Groundlings.com/ School.

Register for all Teen Improv Classes starting April 2 here: Groundlings.com/ Teens.

Prime Time Sports Camps Coming Soon

Prime Time Sports Camp has remained a constant in the everchanging camp landscape for over 30 years by following this tried-and-true approach: keep it simple.

This summer, Prime Time, a comprehensive sports training and recreation facility, is proudly featuring two different camp options so that campers will have an incredible and dynamic camp experience no matter their interests.

“Our recipe for success is simple: amazing staff, low staffing ratios, excellent facilities, and a dynamic, age-appropriate curriculum designed to make sure that each child goes home every day ‘tired, dirty and happy,’” said Peter Straus, who founded

Prime Time in 1990.

This summer Prime Time Sports Camp has four locations in Santa Monica, Culver City, Silver Lake and West Los Angeles offering summer opportunities for campers, boys and girls ages 4-14 in grades prekindergarten to 8th grade.

Each location offers both Prime Time camp options. For kids who can’t play enough, Prime Time SPORTS is all about sports and games, specializing in over 10 different sports in addition to weekly tournaments, Olympic-themed weeks, guest speakers, special events and, of course, the Prime Time Carnival.

For the camper who enjoys it all, Prime

Time PLUS offers the best of Prime Time SPORTS balanced with the wildly popular components of the Prime Time afterschool program including art academy, tech time, movie production, themed weeks, special events and of course, sports and games.

“Families love that we have different camp options because they can drop off multiple kids at a single, safe location and know that they’re going to have a great time,” Straus said.

“Parents want their children to be exposed to different activities, and having

different camp options allows us to do that within the context of each program. We’re able to incorporate activities like lacrosse, pickleball, tennis and golf, sports that some of the kids don’t have access to every day while at the same time introducing things like 3D printing, robotics and film production through Prime Time PLUS, all at one location.”

To learn about the camp offerings and sign up today, visit PrimeTimeSportsCamp. com/springsummercamp2024.

CodeREV Inspires Kids to Code

Budding coders, robotics engineers, game developers, animators and STEM campers are invited to join CodeREV this summer for a memorable and educational experience.

CodeREV inspires students to awaken a love for creating with technology through its seasonal camps that provide the ultimate coding, STEAM, game design, engineering and digital design class experience in a live format, led by expert instructors.

This spring and summer, students can choose between week-long half day camps, full day camps, eight-class sessions or single-day classes and dive into the world of robotics, learning how coding and circuits work, and watching their robots and designs come to life.

“We’ve developed our own line of educational robotics kits called Creator Bots. They build the bots from the ground up,” said Luis Morales, vice president of operations at CodeREV.

CodeREV offers a mix of both beginner classes, for kids who have interest and want to check it out, and intermediate to advanced levels, for kids who are learning more advanced features and honing their skills.

“Through CodeREV, parents are allowing students to view technology through a

different lens. They get to redirect an unfavorable behavior at home through a positive channel that’s educational and useful under the support of educators with over decades of experience,” Morales said.

New this year are five-day class packs where students can mix and match classes and choose the schedule that works best for themselves and family.

To learn more about CodeREV and enroll your K-12 student, visit https://www. coderevkids.com.

Sophie Dance West Dance Camp Enrolling Now

Calling all Swifties! Sophie Dance West, an all-inclusive kids dance studio that welcomes any skill level from beginner to highly skilled, is accepting enrollment for its dance camps this summer.

Every week is themed related to a popular kid movie, show or pop culture moment. Campers will learn dance moves and memorize lines, in addition to creating fun projects, playing games and watching movies related to the theme. At the end of the week, campers will perform a short show culminating what they’ve learned.

Open to children ages 3 to 14, Sophie Dance West camps this summer are centered around the magical moments of Willy Wonka, Trolls, Taylor Swift, Bluey and Frozen.

Sophie Dance West campers are welcomed with fun and loving teachers to help them make new friends, learning new dance moves and tricks, and trying their hand at acting — all within the safety of a fun-filled day of games, crafts, and of course, dancing.

“We pride ourselves in making heart to heart connections with all of our students and families, allowing our place of business

to not just be where we work, but where we extend our family to yours — allowing your children to feel safe, secure, loved and taken care of,” said co-owners Sophie Pierce, Kat Rodriguez and Braelinn Johnson.

Over the summer, Sophie Dance West offers full day camps, half day camps, dance incentives and musical theatre camps with dates and details published on https:// sophiedancewestside.com/camps. Register today and reserve your spot.

Performing Arts Workshops Welcomes Array of Campers

For children interested in musical and theater arts, Performing Arts Workshops (PAW) has something for everyone this summer: four two-week musical theater camps and eight one-week variety camps across its seven Los Angeles locations.

This summer, PAW Musical Theater camps center around preparing students to present A Barbie Dream Musical; Greatest Showman; Matilda the Musical; or Mary Poppins. Parents often couple a two-week musical theater session with a one-week camp in areas such as actor’s reel, debate,

guitar, photography, poetry slam, stage effects makeup, and more, depending on the interest of the child.

Cheryl Appleman, founder and president, said PAW is the ultimate arts experience for kids.

“Performing Arts Workshop is proud to offer a child-friendly approach to the performing arts. Our camp is not just for kids who want to be on stage, our goal is to offer an inclusive, well-rounded arts experience which introduces a child to new passions within the arts including delving

into special effects makeup, photography, music, and even language arts like poetry slam and debate. There’s something for everyone here!”

From ages 5 to 14, PAW camps are designed with the child in mind and auditions are not required.

“We take anyone who signs up as long as they are in our age range. Over the first few days of camp, our teachers work with the kids to gauge their strengths and comfort levels. On the third day of camp, the campers are assigned a role based on what they would be

most comfortable playing. They never have to experience not getting a part they read for, every child feels that we’re building and bolstering their self-confidence, rather than tearing it down,” Appleman said.

PAW was awarded L.A. Parent Magazine’s Best After School Program, Best Summer Camp and Best Live Children’s Theater.

To schedule your summer of performing arts, visit https://www. performingartsworkshops.com. Tuition rates, scholarships and financial assistance are available.

Kids Learn Local Waters in Aquarium Science Camp

This summer, kids have the opportunity to engage in science and learn about the fascinating water systems in Santa Monica through Heal the Bay’s Aquarium Science Camp.

Heal the Bay is an environmental nonprofit dedicated to making the coastal waters and watersheds in Greater Los Angeles safe, healthy, and clean. The nonprofit offers exciting programs and camps throughout the year dedicated to fueling students’ love for science and learning.

Aquarium Science Camp, from June 24 to July 26, is a hands-on learning experience that allows kids to study the ocean, learn about the natural world, and engage their interest in marine science. Each week, campers explore different ocean environments, interact with live animals in the Aquarium, explore and observe the beach, play games, and become ocean stewards.

“We make their learning relevant through experiences like digging in the sand, finding sand crabs and plenty of engaging activities that fuel their love of science and the ocean,” said Kelly Kelly, Heal the Bay’s Associate Director of Aquarium Education.

“We offer another opportunity for kids to learn science outside of the classroom. In a camp environment, it’s a lot more fun and engaging when they can make their own direct observations, ask questions, construct explanations, and communicate information,” Kelly said.

Held at the Heal the Bay Aquarium at the Santa Monica Pier, camp is reserved for kids entering kindergarten through eighth grade. Daily and weekly rates are available. For more information about the camps, visit https://healthebay.org/camps/. For questions, email Robert Ramos rramos@ healthebay.org.

Enroll at Camp Galileo for a Summer of Innovation, Friendship and Fun Saint Monica Prep: Mariner Sports Camps Focus on Fundamentals

Camp Galileo is ready to enroll campers this summer at its five West Los Angeles locations.

Every week is a one-of-kind adventure full of engaging STEAM projects, collaborative design challenges and classic camp fun, uniquely designed for campers in kindergarten through 8th grade.

Camp is structured in three rotations for kindergarten through 5th graders. In our Innovator’s Studio rotation, campers are encouraged to have sustained focus on building their own projects and bringing their personal visions to life. In the Idea Lab rotation, campers are challenged to further develop their teamwork skills by working through challenges where they can test and build projects together. This rotation fosters a growth mindset, encourages critical thinking and takes creative confidence to the next level. Lastly, our Outdoor Adventure rotation combines both fun and outdoor challenges, developing problem-solving skills through collaborative games.

Middle school campers develop one epic project each week, allowing them to solve one specific challenge and bring their ideas to life. Examples include creating their own escape room which taps into their problem-solving skills or making gokarts, where they practice woodworking skills to design and build a one-of-a-kind ride.

“We offer the canvas through which campers can have an unforgettable summer filled with making friends and having fun while also keeping their minds engaged through age-appropriate mindbending STEAM projects,” Hope Adams, Galileo’s SoCal Area Director said.

Galileo Learning is a STEAM and innovation education company headquartered in Oakland with a mission to develop innovators who envision and create a better world.

“All of this magic is artfully supported by our amazing staff who have experience and are qualified to work with children, many with backgrounds in education and child development,” Adams said. “My own kids have attended Camp Galileo for years. Something special happens when a camp experience is great – kids feel like they can really be their true selves and are more open to being silly and taking risks. We constantly hear from parents how their kids have transformational experiences at Camp Galileo and it’s magical for them!”

West LA camps are in Brentwood/Santa Monica, Culver City, Venice/Mar Vista, Westwood and Westchester/Playa Vista. Enroll in a camp near you by visiting galileo-camps.com.

STEAM Projects

Teams at Saint Monica Preparatory took big wins this winter season.

The coaches leading an undefeated girls’ soccer team, winning Champion titles in girls’ and boys’ basketball, and dominating third and fourth grade girls’ and boys’ basketball games are the same coaches heading the Mariner Sports Camps this summer.

The wins are crucial as they speak to the tenacity of the coaches and their dedication to student athletes at Saint Monica. Open to the wider community, the weekly summer sports camps offer student athletes a chance to behold game-winning spirit.

Starting June 24, the state-of-the-art gymnasium and facilities will be open for co-ed athletes entering grades three to eight, focusing on the fundamentals of basketball, cheer, soccer and volleyball.

“We’re excited for student athletes to check out our camps and campus this summer, meet our head coaches, and start planning ahead for what sports they want to play and where they want to attend middle and high school,” said Kaitlen Murphy, director of marketing communications at the

school.

Saint Monica Preparatory offers Core Prep Academy where 6th, 7th and 8th graders take academic classes in a traditional setting, while elevating their game and character through supplemental training and life skills programs.

Camps run until August 9 weekly from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and cost $425 per week. Early arrival and late pickup may be available at an additional cost. To learn more about the camps, visit https://www.saintmonicaprep. org/camps.

Brentwood Art Center: Kids Explore Fundamentals of Drawing, Painting and Mixed Media

The beloved Brentwood Art Center is hosting summer camps at its new location at Olympic and 17th in Santa Monica.

Known for its outstanding programming, the nonprofit has provided arts education to children, teens, adults and veterans for more than 50 years, encouraging creative self-expression and skill building in a supportive environment.

This summer, the Center is hosting weekly Art Camps for students up to 12 years old, aligned with the California Visual and Performing Arts Standards. Each day of camp is different and varies in subject. Students will explore different media such as drawing, painting, collage and watercolor.

“We have a longstanding history in the community. We’ve seen generations of families, parents that came as campers

when they were kids, who are now bringing their children to us to learn the foundations. There is so much love for this school, it’s wonderful,” said Amy Gantman, the Center’s executive director.

Summer camps run weekly starting June 17 through August 16. For a full week of camp, the cost is $650. For Monday, Wednesday and Friday, the cost is $390. For Tuesday and Thursday, the cost is $260. Cost of supplies is included in the tuition. Need-based scholarships are available.

The Center also offers art programs for teens during the summer, a mix of immersive drawing mediums to learn the foundations and fundamentals of drawing.

To learn more about summer Art Camps, and see all of the year-round classes, camps, events and programming Brentwood Art Center has to offer, visit brentwoodart.org.

YMCA Santa Monica: When School Is Out, Camp Is In

As the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District nears its end, YMCA Santa Monica is setting up for its popular Summer and Day Camp sessions.

Available for pre-school and elementary campers during summer, Y camps are a

great place for your child to play in a safe environment that encourages character development, a healthy lifestyle and most of all, having fun.

“While school is out, it’s important for children to engage in continual learning and

play. We utilize the entire building for summer camp, the gym, the pool and our outdoor play areas, along with STEM activities, crafts and games, scheduled weekly,” said Erika Altshule, YMCA Santa Monica youth development director.

Camp starts June 17 and runs until August 16 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Activities are split into 45-minute segments and are age and developmentally appropriate, utilizing the Y’s state of the art facility. In its weekly scheduling, the Y incorporates special events, group games, and makes use of the indoor basketball gym, rooftop play area,

tumbling gym, arts and crafts room and multipurpose game rooms.

“Children gain a sense of belonging, achievement and they build relationships and friendships that are meaningful when they are enrolled in activities outside of school,” Altshule said.

Early bird rates are open until April 15. For members, financial aid and partial scholarships are available. For more information on the Y’s summer camp opportunities, or to apply for a Program Assistance Application, visit https:// ymcasm.org/.