Article

by Allison Titus

May 21, 2014—Summer used to mean evenings playing hide-and-seek with neighborhood kids, camping trips with friends, skateboarding down Main Street or riding horses with the family. Summer meant no responsibilities except to get outside and stay there until the sun went down; Mom didn’t want you bumming around the house and getting in her way anyway.

Today that's not so much the case. Today, many kids forgo the outdoors in favor of the TV or their Xboxes. And honestly, many parents don’t have the time or energy to convince the kiddos to do otherwise; after all, “summer” is just another season.

However, there’s one old-fashioned kind of summer fun that survives: summer camp.

As a former camp counselor, I can attest to the value of summer camp. It's more than just plain old fun (although it is that), and it’s more than just a way to get kids out of your hair (although it is that, too). At camp, even at day camp, children engage in important social interactions such as teamwork, cooperation and conflict resolution (not to mention laughing and playing together). They also develop a lifelong relationship with the natural world.

Heather Butler, director of the Web of Life Field (WOLF) School at Little Basin, says camp is even more valuable now than it was in times past.

“I think camp is valuable for kids because it gives them a chance to get outside and do things that they don’t do for the rest of the year,” she says. “It is a safe place to explore and learn. And nowadays, when schools aren’t able to provide much music, art or PE due to budget cuts, I think it's a great place for kids to experience arts and crafts, sing silly songs and be active.”

Cliff Hodges of Adventure Out concurs. “Outdoor summer camp is one of the best things you can do for your child,” he says. “In a world where kids are either stuck inside surrounded by technology, or let outside only in confined spaces due to 'public safety' issues, camp gives kids their childhood back. They are safe and free to explore, play and interact with nature in a way that, sadly, our modern world often doesn't allow for.”

There are a multitude of awesome summer camps and activities offered around the Santa Cruz area that will get the youngsters outdoors and having fun (and busy during your work day). And we gotta be honest: we wish the age limit was a little bit higher on all of these camps.

Most of these camps are first-come, first-serve, so don’t hesitate.

Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History

Art and Nature Explorers Camp (5 days)
In this popular annual camp, Lynn Guenther uses art to deepen appreciation for nature and science. There will be daily outings to places such as the San Lorenzo River and Natural Bridges State Beach. For the child who loves to draw or simply loves to get outside and explore (or perhaps a kiddo who needs to appreciate the outdoors more), this could be the perfect camp.
Monday-Friday, June 23-27, 9am-1pm. Ages 7-12.
$225 Museum Members, $275 General
Follow the link to register for the Art and Nature Explorers Camp

Outdoor Adventure Camp (5 days)
This classic, down-and-dirty summer camp is led by naturalist Pete Wampler, who has been leading field expeditions with the Museum of Natural History for more than six years. There will be plenty of playing, exploring, learning and fun sure to cure “nature deficit disorder.” Campers will visit a different outdoor location in Santa Cruz County each day; the line-up of locations will be announced after registration.
Between an experienced instructor, the beautiful Santa Cruz surroundings and plenty of wild, high-energy romping, this camp will leave kids tuckered out when it’s time for bed.
Monday-Friday, July 28-August 1, 9am –3pm. Ages 9-12.
$325 Museum Members | $375 General
Register here for Outdoor Adventure Camp.

Junior Curator Camp (5 days) - New!
“Curator” is kind of a funny word, but what it means is getting to explore behind-the-scenes at the museum, interacting with more than 16,000 artifacts held at the museum. Campers will also get to create their own museum exhibit to display at a special reception during the summer. Taught by national parks veteran Elizabeth Evans, this camp is for the young'uns who love dinosaurs, bones, collecting, being creative and treasure hunts. This new offering is filling fast.
$225 Museum Members | $275 General
Tuesday-Friday, July 8-11, 9am-2pm. Ages 7-10. Register here for Junior Curator Camp Ages 7-10.
Tuesday-Friday, July 15-18, 9:00am-2:00pm. Ages 9-12. Register here for Junior Curator Camp Ages 9-12.

Big Basin State Park

Junior Rangers - Big Basin
The Junior Rangers program at Big Basin Redwoods State Park is all the fun without the time commitment of summer camp. Future “junior rangers” will romp in the forest, practice outdoor skills, play games and learn about plants, animals and geology during these hour-long programs. This program is designed for children 7-12.
Register kids 15 minutes before go-time at the Nature Lodge in Big Basin.
June 1-June 13—Saturday at 3pm and Sunday at 11am
June 14-June 30—Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 3pm and
Sunday at 11am

Special Two-Hour Junior Rangers
Wednesday, June 18 at 10am
Wednesday, June 25 at 10am

Little Basin/WOLF School

Junior Rangers - Little Basin
Little Basin also offers a Junior Rangers program for the beginning camper and nature lover. All Junior Ranger programs at Little Basin are conducted by the Web of Life Field School staff, and include similar activities as the Junior Ranger program in Big Basin. Discover the secrets of the forest, play games and learn fun outdoor skills in these kids-only, hour-long programs. These programs meet at the Nature Fun Zone, and “junior rangers” must be registered 15 minutes before the program.
All Saturdays in June at 3pm.

WOLF School Little Basin Residential Summer Nature Camp (5 days)
Curious kids, future naturalists, and emerging nature lovers alike can join the Web of Life Field School at Little basin for five days to enjoy a great experiential week in the outdoors. Some items on the camp agenda include: a week of hiking, solar oven cooking, exploring creeks, checking out the redwoods in Big Basin and camping out under the stars. This camp is ideal for children age 10-13.
August 4-8. Cost is $499 for 5 days. info is at the WOLF School Website or call 831-338-8018.

Little Basin Drop In Day Camp
The Web of Life Field School also provides “drop-in day camp” for the commitment-challenged campers. This classic day camp is chock full of camp activities including artwork, music, nature education, playing games and enjoying the outdoors. This camp is available daily to children aged 6-12. If your little one is hesitant about the idea of summer camp, this is a perfect way to give him or her a tantalizing taste!
For more information contact program@wolfschool.org or 831-338-8018. Special opportunities are available with advanced registration. $15/1 hour or $35/3 hours.

Adventure Out

Billabong Surf Camp (3 days)
This three-day camp is offered for three hours a day with all gear included. Adventure Out’s experienced, supportive instructors (all are CPR, First Aid, and Lifeguard certified) provide a safe space for kids to learn to surf, perfect for the novice surfer. It's a great way to expose them to the ultimate Santa Cruz pastime.
What's so special about a "Billabong" surf camp? Billabong gear freebies, visits from pro surfers, and essentially attending the best surf camp around.
Soft Core surfboards are used so that learning is safe and easy and campers are provided with a wetsuit so that they will not freeze to death.
Dates Offered:
June 16 – 18, 9am-Noon – Pacifica, CA
July 9 – 11, 12pm-3pm – Santa Cruz, CA
August 4 – 6, 9am-Noon – Pacifica, CA
The price includes a soft surfboard and wetsuit, but campers are welcome to bring their own gear.
$245.00. Ages 8-12.
Register here for Billabong Surf Camp.

Kids and Teens Nature and Survival Camps (4 days)
This camp is for the kid who loves Man Vs. Wild and Survivorman. Adventure Out’s Kids and Teens Nature and Survival Camps build childrens’ confidence and outdoor skills while allowing their adventurous spirits to roam and have fun this summer. This four-day camp in the Santa Cruz Mountains will offer activities ranging from basic nature/environmental education such as plant identification and animal tracking/study, to true survival skills. The expert instructors of Adventure Out all have at least fifteen years of experience and are excited to share the wisdom of the ancients with the younger generation.
July 28-31, 2014 – 9am-1pm each day
$350.00
The camp is appropriate for kids from 8-18. Kids aged 8-11 will be in the kids program, while those 13 & up will be in the teens class.
All equipment is provided. It is advised to bring lunch, snacks, water and a notebook.
Register here for Kids and Teens Nature and Survival Camps.

Quail Hollow Ranch

Science Sleuths Day Camp
Indulge the curiosity that only a child can have and set kids on the path to be life-long scientists with Quail Hollow Ranch’s Science Sleuths Day Camp. Campers will enjoy hands-on, fun-filled science experiments, field trips and engaging wildlife studies. They will also engage in real-life science, using microscopes and experiments, as well as fun predator-prey games, nature art, and more. Science is not just a skill; it is a lifestyle.
July 28 - August 8
Monday through Friday 9am to 3pm.
$377 for residents and $415 for non-residents. Fee includes field trip admission and transportation, guest speakers, all supplies, and a camp T-shirt.
For more information, call the park at 831-335-9348 Saturday and Sunday.
Register here for Science Sleuths Day Camp.

City of Santa Cruz - Ride Guides

This camp is for the future mountain-biking X-gamers. The Ride Guides are offering two-day classes in how to ride the pump track on the West Side of Santa Cruz. Sometimes the ups, downs and corners of the pump track can be intimidating for kids, but the professional IMBA-certified coaches will teach them the skills to conquer the course. Skills covered will be bike positioning, wheel lifting, pumping and cornering. Monday and Wednesday classes will be for beginners, Tuesdays and Thursdays for intermediate riders.
There are four separate camp opportunities: June 23-26, July 7-10, July 21-24 and August 4-7.
Cost is $120 for Santa Cruz residents and $150 for non-residents.
Register here for Pump Track Skills. The camp can be found under the "Children" category on page 6.


A final note: as a former camp counselor, I can definitely say campers are in good hands. The counselors, instructors, and staff of camps are there because they are passionate about the outdoors and kids and about fostering a positive relationship between the two.

I can attest it wasn’t for the money (outdoor education is not the most lucrative job, to put it mildly); the pay-off of camp counseling isn’t something you can put a price on. The reward lies in seeing kids’ faces light up when they spot a wild animal, in watching them have the time of their life playing “Capture the Flag” and in getting hugs around my waist every single morning.

Summer camps are some of the best memories a child will have, and Santa Cruz County offers a lot of options. This list only scrapes the surface. Pick and choose based on their interests, your summer schedule, or perhaps something your kid has already done and loved. It’s sure to be a worthwhile investment.