There are plenty of local camps to keeps kids busy this summer
Surfing, swimming and shooting pool are only a few of the activities being offered
By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

BILL SPARKES/Acorn Newspapers NATURAL-BORN HUSTLERS- Six-year-old Jared James, left, looks on while Timothy Phan, 6, measures his next shot on the pool table at the Boys & Girls Club of Camarillo. Both young men are local residents who often take part in summer activities at the club.

With summer now in full swing, it may be time to get your kids to a local summer camp. Thankfully, the area has a variety of camps that are available. Here are some of the top choices:

Boys & Girls Club

of Camarillo

This camp offers activities for youth ages 6 to 18 from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The kids are split up into age groups that include 6 to 7, 8 to 9, 10 to 11 and 12 and up.

According to program director Juan Lopez, the camp has many tournaments in air hockey, pingpong, foosball and pool. The camp also features an arts and crafts room, a computer room, a basketball gym, full-size kitchen and a mini studio that includes a guitar, bass, keyboard and microphone to record songs.

For the first time this summer, the camp now offers a tutoring room, with teachers throughout the area lending a helping hand.

"I think our camp is good for three reasons," Lopez said. "One is that we have a staff that has been here a while and knows how to help kids. The second reason is parents will know their kids are in a safe place. And the last is the price. We charge only $10 a day with the option of financial aid.

"Basically, if you can only afford to pay a quarter a day for the time being, we will accept it because we want your kids here in a safe place rather than out on the street," he said.

Lopez said the camp also goes on field trips that include bowlinghiking and trips to Cold Stone Creamery Ice Cream parlors.

Call (805) 482-8113, ext., 22 for more information.

YMCA Camarillo

The YMCA located in Camarillo has a variety of camps including the Resident Camp, which takes place at Sequoia Lake in Fresno. The YMCA also has many local camps in Camarillo that concentrate on sports such as soccer, football and basketball.

A Splash camp and a Track and Trails camp are also available.

According to senior program director Megan Voshell, the Track and Trails camp features field trips to Dodger Stadium, Knott's Berry Farm and museums in the area.

The camp costs $140 a week, although financial assistance is available. The camp runs every week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., through Aug. 24. Extended hours are also available from 6:45 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

For more information, visit www.ciymca.org/Camarillo/.

Pacific Camps Camarillo

This Christianbased nonprofit summer and after-school program for elementary and middle school students just added new exercise equipment worth $100,000. The money for the new equipment came from a $1.2-million federal grant Pacific Camps received in June.

Pacific Camps executive director Bud Harley said in a previous interview with the Camarillo Acorn that the money will also be used to hire and train staff at the camp's five locations throughout Ventura County.

According to Harley, aside from campers spending time with the new high-tech equipment, the kids also spend a lot of time taking field trips to a variety of summertime activities.

Visit www.pacificcamps.com/ TranspoSchools.html for more information.

Lu Dawg Baseball Camp

This camp features coaches and players from Cal Lutheran's baseball team teaching the fundamentals, including hitting, fielding, pitching, base running, throwing, bunting and sliding.

The camp charges $275 per child, but offers discounts for those returning for their second or third time. Camps run from July 23-27, July 30-Aug. 3 and a partial specialty camp runs Aug. 6-8. The camps go from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"It's one of the longest running camps in the area and a very instructional camp," Cal Lutheran head baseball coach Marty Slimak said. "Besides the instruction, the kids play baseball games every day of the camp."

The camp will take place at the new George "Sparky" Anderson Field at Ullman Stadium on the campus of CLU.

For more information, visit www.ludawg.com.

Newbury Park High School

Summer Dance Camp

The fourth annual dance camp held by members and coaches of the Newbury Park High dance team will begin July 30 and run until Aug. 3. The camp begins at 8:30 a.m. and goes until noon in the NPHS Performing Arts Center.

While at the camp, kids will learn dances ranging from modern, hip-hop, lyrical and musical theatre, as well as many other styles. Boys as well as girls in all levels- beginners to advanced- are welcome. The camp is for kids ages 6 to 14.

"This is absolutely a great starting point for people wanting to learn how to dance or kids thinking about becoming a part of the dance team in the future," said NPHS dance booster club president Sheryl Sudman. "The younger kids like to be taught by the older kids rather than an adult, and at this camp they have that option."

The camp is $85 per person. The deadline for signing up is July 25. For further information, call (805) 415-2416 and ask for Sudman.

Surf Laws Co.

Surfing Camp

Those looking to hit the waves may want to check out this surf camp that runs Monday through Friday until Aug. 13. Surf Laws also provides individual lessons.

The camp, which has pickups in Camarillo and Ventura, is taught by expert instructors and has trained ocean lifeguards that are CPR and Red Cross certified. Softtop surfboards and wetsuits will be provided.

The camp is for youngsters ages 9 to 16 and costs $350 per person. Visit www.surflaws.com to find out more.