exploring how to keep kids engaged, active, and inspired during the long break. For many, summer camps remain one of the most valuable and enriching options available. From Santa Monica to Mar Vista and beyond, the Westside offers a wide range of camps that cater to every interest — from surfing and soccer to coding and creative arts. But beyond the daily activities, camps offer something more lasting: real-life experiences that help children grow. Summer camps encourage independence and personal responsibility. In a supervised setting, kids learn how to make decisions, manage their time, and work with others — skills that carry over into school, home, and social settings. These are especially important lessons in a world where structured routines and screen time often dominate the school year. Another key benefit is the opportunity for kids to unplug and stay active. Westside camps often Continue on page 11
025 WESTSIDE GOLDEN AGER SERIES 2023
Why Summer Camps Are a Smart Choice for Westside Families
Embracing the Golden Age: Rediscover Joy, Wisdom, and Adventure in West LA!
Where is the Series Distributed?
Get in Front of Over 250,000 West LA Residents! The Guide is Distributed in BOTH Print and Digital to the following communities; Santa Monica, Paci c Palisades, Brentwood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Culver City, Century City, Westwood, Bel-Air, West Hollywood, West Los Angeles via 7 West LA Media Outlets.
75,000 Email Subscribers 70,000 Print Circulation across 4 publications 180,000+ Unique Web Visitors Every Month across our Digital Network
Reaching Over 500,000 people in the West LA area over a 6 week campaign across 7 local West LA outlets
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Camp Dates: June 9 - August 15th, 2025 | Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm
Early Bird Special: Register before May 1st ($300 per week)
Location:
Westside Beach Camp (Will Rodgers State Beach, Tower 15) in Pacific palisades
Brentwood Art Center: Creative Art Camps for Kids and Teens this Summer
The beloved Brentwood Art Center is hosting summer camps at its new location at Olympic & 17th in Santa Monica.
Known for its outstanding programming, the nonprofit has provided arts education to children, teens, adults, and veterans for almost 55 years, encouraging creative self-expression and skill building in a supportive environment. This summer, the Center is hosting several camps for artists of various ages:
Drawing, Painting and Mixed Media: Ages 5-8, Ages 9-12
Clay Camp: Ages 7-12
Teen Drawing Bootcamp: Ages 13 through high school-aged Programs are aligned with the California Visual and Performing Arts Standards. Each day of camp is different and varies in subject. In the general art camps, students explore different media such as drawing, painting, collage, and watercolors, while students in the week-long Clay Camp will devote their creativity to building and sculpting with clay. The immersive two-week Drawing Boot Camp offers a mix of drawing materials and techniques to learn the fundamentals of drawing.
Summer Drawing, Painting, and Mixed
Media camps run weekly starting June 16 through August 15. For a full week of camp, the cost is $665. For Monday, Wednesday and Friday, the cost is $420. For Tuesday and Thursday, the cost is $280. Cost of supplies is included in the tuition. The new Clay Camp runs either July 7 to July 11 or July 21 to July 25 for a cost of $710. The immersive two-week
Drawing Boot Camp for teens runs July 7 to July 18. The cost of the program is $1,595. Need-based scholarships are available for all children’s programs. To learn more about summer Art Camps, and see all the year-round classes, camps, events and programming Brentwood Art Center has to offer, visit brentwoodart.org.
Sunshine Beach Volleyball Camps: Register Open for Summer Camps
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 fourth-ranked 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.
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.
Westside Beach Camp is in session from June 9 to Aug. 15 at Will Rogers State Beach, tower 15. Players can enroll by the week or by the day. Daily registration costs $80 per day, weekly registration costs $340 per week. Early bird registration before May 1st is $300 per week.
South Bay Beach Camp runs from June 16 to Aug. 8. Weekly and daily registration is available. The cost is $270 per week or $70 per day. Early bird registration for South Bay Beach Camp at $255 per week ends May 1. 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/.
Camp Integem: Step into the Future
Explore, Create, and Launch Beyond!
This summer, kids are invited to make magic as they journey into the fun-filled, hands-on world of exploration, creation, and making at Camp Integem.
They can ride a spaceship to the stars; meet dinosaurs up close; create magical game worlds and step inside them; bring their art to life; build intelligent AI robots; design and fly AI space drones; and launch your creations to the stratosphere as high as 100,000 feet!
In weekly sessions, kids and teens ages 5-18 will learn artificial intelligence (AI), holographic augmented reality (AR) design, coding, robotics, drones, 2D and 3D game design and animation, interactive storytelling, space exploration, and more.
Camp Integem has four directions for campers to choose from: coding, game design, and STEM; AI & robotics engineering; AI space drones and space technology; and art & animation. From beginner to advanced, all are invited to explore and create.
“At Camp Integem, every project is a shared adventure into the unknown — a place where technology and creativity meet to spark real magic. We don’t claim to have all the answers; instead, we’re honored to work alongside curious minds as they
explore AI and AR, turning bold ideas into interactive worlds that feel as real as they are fantastical,” said Jane Lean, Integem coordinator.
The camp’s small class sizes — eight students per teacher — mean that every young creator receives the time and attention they need to thrive at their own pace.
There’s no end to the stories waiting to be told at Camp Integem. One moment, a student might be charting a course to Mars or time traveling to meet dinosaurs; the next, they are bringing art to life with the help of intelligent tech. Each creation is not a final masterpiece but one of many steps along an exciting, ongoing journey of discovery.
In the Integem specialized AI space drones and space technology program, campers get to build, code, and pilot their very own AI-powered drones, launch stratospheric balloons, and dive into advanced aerospace concepts — all while earning hands-on experience. For many, earning an NVIDIA AI certificate is one of the many rewarding milestones along the way.
Camp Integem celebrates the magic of creation in every form — each project, every discovery, and every imaginative leap unfolds a new chapter of wonder.
To enroll your student in Camp Integem this summer, visit: https://camp.integem. com.
JUNE 23RD - JULY 25TH
Summer at Crossroads: Students Create, Grow and Learn Over the Summer
A catalog of programs and 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 the public, Summer at Crossroads values community and has created an
environment that supports strong bonds among the students as well as student and teacher connections.
This inclusive environment allows students to explore new topics of interest and engage in creativity while making lasting memories. Emotional and physical safety for every student is a priority for Summer at Crossroads.
“Students from local schools are excited for the opportunity to spend part of their summer with us. We always suggest enrolling early to get into the classes of your interest,” said Laura Presburger, Director of Auxiliary Services.
This summer, Summer at Crossroads’ “Your Summer, Your Way” morning and afternoon sessions, complemented by Friday Fun Days, which includes exciting field trips and excursions to off-campus destinations, are available for elementary and middle school students.
This program is designed to inspire creativity, teamwork and intellectual growth while fostering a welcoming space where students can learn, connect and have fun.
ELEMENTARY
Students enjoy weekly instructional swim lessons, along with a lively midday community time featuring songs, friendly
challenges and brain-teasing activities along with themed dress-up days.
“Our aquatics team provides a wonderful safe place for our youngest students to learn and swim in the pool,” said Presburger.
MIDDLE, UPPER
Middle school students begin each day with grade level academic enrichment such as writing, math and collaborative problemsolving, setting the stage for a day filled with interactive learning and exploration in their chosen classes.
Upper school students entering grades
nine through twelve can choose from twoweek intensives or five-week or three-week academic credit classes.
New this year is a Junior Lifeguard and Lifeguard Certification Training Program that teaches aquatic safety and CPR/First aid.
The 2025 program dates are June 16 to July 25. To view the Summer at Crossroads catalog, visit Xrds.org/ summer-at-crossroads/catalog. Questions emailsummer@xrds.org.
USE CODE MIRROR25 FOR $25 OFF PER WEEK!
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make use of outdoor spaces, whether it’s beach games in Santa Monica, nature walks in Temescal Canyon, or sports at local parks. These programs provide a healthy balance of physical activity and free play that supports both mental and physical well-being. Creativity also plays a major role in summer programs. Art, music, theater, and STEM-focused camps give kids the chance to explore their passions and try something new. These experiences often boost confidence, spark curiosity, and open doors to lifelong interests. For working parents, camps can also provide a structured and supportive environment during business hours.
Many West LA programs offer early drop-off and extended care options, helping families maintain a smooth routine throughout the summer. With flexible durations — from weeklong sessions to full-summer enrollment — and options for all age groups, summer camps remain a trusted solution for keeping kids learning, moving, and making memories. Local directories, school newsletters, and community centers are great starting points for exploring available camps. Parents are encouraged to register early, as many of the most popular programs fill up quickly.
nonprofit art center, founded in 1970
Camps
Aquarium Aquarium
Saint Monica Prep: Mariner Sports Camps Focus on Fundamentals
Coaches that led Saint Monica Preparatory’s Mariner sports teams to win league and division titles are offering opportunities for the wider
Starting June 16, SMPREP’s state-of-theart gymnasium and facilities will be open for co-ed athletes, focusing on the fundamentals of baseball, basketball, cheer, soccer and volleyball.
“We’re excited every summer to share our coaches’ tenacity and dedication in leading student athletes with the community, for students both inside and outside of Saint Monica Prep to learn from the best,” 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 athletic training and life skills programs.
Saint Monica’s weekly summer sports camps offer student athletes a chance to behold game-winning spirit. Open to any student entering grades three to eight, the camps focus on fundamentals to take players to the next level of their game.
New this year is Coach Miguel Villegas
Weekly Mariner Sports Camps are scheduled 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.
Fun Camp featuring special outings to the Santa Monica Beach, California Science Center, Los Angeles Zoo, Aquarium of the Pacific and Universal Studios.
Prime Time Sports and Day Camps Coming Soon
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 is proudly featuring both its classic Sports Camp and signature Day 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 Marina Del Rey, Culver City, Silver Lake and West Los Angeles offering summer opportunities for campers, boys and girls ages 4-14 in grades pre-kindergarten 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, Olympicthemed weeks, guest speakers, special events and, of course, the Prime Time Carnival.
For the camper who enjoys it all, Prime Time’s Day Camp 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.
and film production through Prime Time Day Camp, all at one location.”
“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
To learn about the camp offerings and sign up today, visit www.primetimesportscamp. com
